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pcgeek
4
Jul 28, 2020
Is driver installation still required when using the new revision DACport HD on Windows 10? While I don't think the high frequencies of HD6XX are veiled, the midbass is definitely bloated. Is the DACport HD a good match for HD6XX? Would it improve the bloated and muddy midbass? Thanks in advance!
(Edited)
pcgeekIt's a good pairing usually with those cans. But I'll let the others pitch in on that. Windows 10 has a USB audio driver built in, but it doesn't support all formats. For ASIO playback you can get the driver downloaded from here: https://centrance.com/download/

pcgeek
4
Jul 31, 2020
CEntranceOne more thing, is there any Roll-off filter enabled on the AK4490 DAC chip? Is there a way to customize the filters? Thanks!
(Edited)
pcgeekWe have carefully selected the filter setting that offered the most truthful reproduction to our trained ears. Many people agree that it sounds awesome.
(Edited)
raansire7
1506
Aug 2, 2020
pcgeekI use my DACport HD with no driver on Windows 10 with foobar2000 and it just works. Regarding the HD 6XX, as I wear them right now for the first time on high gain, to my criteria, they sound very refined and have no bloat or mud in the midbass. Lows are tight and solid, mids are clear and deep, and highs are bright, thinner and less grainy than with my other equipment. On low gain, which is not the right way to proceed with these being 300 ohm, they sound good, but not dynamic or lively...even with the volume on max, and I have sensitive hearing.
(Edited)
pcgeek
4
Aug 2, 2020
raansire7Thanks for the info! I switched from the 32 Ω DT 770 Pro to HD6XX because I can't tolerate the sibilance and the high frequency peaks produced by it. The DT 770 Pro's mids are recessed but it is bearable when compared to its highs. Its mid-bass and sub-bass are deep, clean, and tight despite many people complained the bass is overwhelming on the DT 770 Pro. Perhaps they are referring to the 80Ω version? On the other hand, the high frequencies produced by the HD 6XX are detailed and smooth and I don't find them to be "veiled" or "rolled-off" like others said. The mids on the HD6xx are good and the sound stage is fine but not really better than the closed-back 770 Pros. However, the mid-bass frequencies of the HD 6XX are very bloated, muddy, overly punchy, and leaks into the mids. It seems like my impression of these two headphones are different from others. I'd admit I am driving the HD6XX directly with my laptops and smartphones. I know it's under-powered, but the volume is loud enough for me and I don't think DACs and Amps will alter the sound signature. In fact, they shouldn't as they are supposed to sound as neutral as possible. I've purchased the DACport HD and let's see how it works out.
raansire7
1506
Aug 3, 2020
pcgeekUnderpowering headphones isn't about volume level. They can get very loud, but they won't sound their best. There's just not enough power to let the drivers function as designed. DACs and amps do change the sound of headphones, and it's not an issue of neutrality, but presentation as a whole. Underpowering headphones can make their desirable traits turn into the opposite. As an example, the HD 6XX sound stuffy and dead on the DACport HD on low gain, simply due to being high impedance and requiring more power. Amps deliver different levels of power according to impedance. The HD 6XX are plenty sensitive to make decent sound with little power, but that won't yield their best performance. The drivers have an impedance of 300 ohm, but that number is frequency-dependent and can increase much higher as music plays. However, once the DACport HD is set to high gain, the HD 6XX are totally transformed to the point that they sound like different headphones, because electrically, they're functioning according to their design. The bass gets tighter, the mid-bass no longer bleeds into the mids, *and the highs get sharper and smoother with much less "grain". The separation and layering increases, and also the width and depth of the stereo image. It's the same DAC/amp, but the power delivery increased, so the drivers are behaving in a different, optimal way. You said you know you're underpowering the HD 6XX, that it gets loud enough, and that you don't think the sound signature will be altered by the DAC and amp. If you don't have hearing damage, you will instantly hear the enormous change with the DACport HD on high gain. You will even be able to enjoy them at a *higher volume comfortably, because clean power yields less distortion. It's not an opinion of mine, but just plain science. 😎👍 *typo edits
(Edited)
pcgeek
4
Aug 7, 2020
CEntranceOne more thing. Is the latest DACport HD still made in the USA? Thanks in advance!
pcgeekParts come from Asia, final assembly, testing and packaging happen in Chicago, USA.
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