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arrowxkiller
5
Nov 29, 2016
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Guys , I want to buy AMP and DAC for HD6XX
VALI 2 (RCA)> MODI 2 Uber (Toslink) > Sound Blaster Z
it's a good idea or not?
Vizard424
47
Nov 29, 2016
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arrowxkillerToslink is digital so it doesn't really matter where it's coming from. Your Sound Blaster is basically just by-passing any encoding and sending it straight to the Modi 2 Uber (unless you have some sort of EQ or sound altering effects from your sound blaster...you always want those disabled imo for best sound quality with the Modi)
As for pairing the Modi 2 Uber with the Vali 2, I've heard sounds really great even with the stock tube and with the advantage of being able to roll your own tubes to better match what you want.
As for pairing the Modi 2 Uber with the Vali 2, I've heard sounds really great even with the stock tube and with the advantage of being able to roll your own tubes to better match what you want.
Heefty
1387
Nov 29, 2016
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arrowxkillerI'm not sure what you're even asking here. If you are asking whether you should buy a dedicated headphone amp, I say yes emphatically. The DAC might not be necessary depending on your intended usage.
For streaming or compressed downloads your onboard DAC will be fine. If you're listening to high sample rate lossless files, you'll want an upgraded DAC. However, if you are listening to those you already have an upgraded DAC or they're not playing (or are most likely being downsampled if they are).
For streaming or compressed downloads your onboard DAC will be fine. If you're listening to high sample rate lossless files, you'll want an upgraded DAC. However, if you are listening to those you already have an upgraded DAC or they're not playing (or are most likely being downsampled if they are).
mattlach
16
Nov 29, 2016
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arrowxkillerWhat others have said.
Your sound blaster no longer matters if you use optical to connect it. You could pull out the sound blaster and just use on board optical (or USB for that matter). The sound quality will be the same. The only difference will be that the Sound Blaster may provide positional audio in games better (but many titles don't even support this well)
The Vali 2 is a tube amp. Have you ever had a tube amp before? Tube amps generally produce a technically less accurate sound by coloring it, and making it warmer. They also run hot and need time to warm up before use, and tubes DO burn out just like lightbulbs. Some people like this, some people hate it. It's worth experimenting with if you are into that sort of thing,. You can go crazy online shopping for different tubes and checking how it changes the sound.
On the other hand, if you just want something that works and you don't have to mess with, a Magni 2 Uber or Asgard 2 (or even Jotunheim if you can stretch the budget) amp may be more up your alley.
The jotunheim is a fair bit higher in budget (At $399) than the Vali 2, but it is widely considered one of the best deals in headphone amplifiers right now, tying or beating many amps at many times its price. Some even think it sounds better than Schiit's top end $1700 Ragnarok. As a bonus, you can also add a USB DAC card for only an additional $100, and not worry about having a separate DAC. It is also the only amp mentioned here (except the Ragnarok) that provides a balanced out, which the HD6xx's can support (if you buy or make a balanced cable for them)
Another option worth considering is the Modi Multibit DAC, which is quite a step up from the Modi 2 Uber. A true multibit DAC at $250 is unheard of (or at least was, before Schiit did it)
My personal setup right now is as follows:
Creative X-Fi Titanium HD ---Toslink---> Schiit Modi Multibit DAC ---> Schiit Lyr 2 Amp.
I only use the soundblaster because I have it. I could just as easily without any quality losses use the on board optical port.
Note: The Lyr 2 was a recent purchase for me, and I've decided to return it under Schiit's 15 day return program. turns out tubes just weren't for me. I'm going with the Jotunheim to replace it instead.
Anyway, I hope I gave you some things to think about and didn't muddy the waters too much.
Your sound blaster no longer matters if you use optical to connect it. You could pull out the sound blaster and just use on board optical (or USB for that matter). The sound quality will be the same. The only difference will be that the Sound Blaster may provide positional audio in games better (but many titles don't even support this well)
The Vali 2 is a tube amp. Have you ever had a tube amp before? Tube amps generally produce a technically less accurate sound by coloring it, and making it warmer. They also run hot and need time to warm up before use, and tubes DO burn out just like lightbulbs. Some people like this, some people hate it. It's worth experimenting with if you are into that sort of thing,. You can go crazy online shopping for different tubes and checking how it changes the sound.
On the other hand, if you just want something that works and you don't have to mess with, a Magni 2 Uber or Asgard 2 (or even Jotunheim if you can stretch the budget) amp may be more up your alley.
The jotunheim is a fair bit higher in budget (At $399) than the Vali 2, but it is widely considered one of the best deals in headphone amplifiers right now, tying or beating many amps at many times its price. Some even think it sounds better than Schiit's top end $1700 Ragnarok. As a bonus, you can also add a USB DAC card for only an additional $100, and not worry about having a separate DAC. It is also the only amp mentioned here (except the Ragnarok) that provides a balanced out, which the HD6xx's can support (if you buy or make a balanced cable for them)
Another option worth considering is the Modi Multibit DAC, which is quite a step up from the Modi 2 Uber. A true multibit DAC at $250 is unheard of (or at least was, before Schiit did it)
My personal setup right now is as follows:
Creative X-Fi Titanium HD ---Toslink---> Schiit Modi Multibit DAC ---> Schiit Lyr 2 Amp.
I only use the soundblaster because I have it. I could just as easily without any quality losses use the on board optical port.
Note: The Lyr 2 was a recent purchase for me, and I've decided to return it under Schiit's 15 day return program. turns out tubes just weren't for me. I'm going with the Jotunheim to replace it instead.
Anyway, I hope I gave you some things to think about and didn't muddy the waters too much.
iCeOL8TRAmnesia
132
Dec 4, 2016
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arrowxkiller You want an iDSD or a Chord Mojo and an iFi iCan SE. Skip over schitt and o2 those are old answers and they are weak and lame and not that detailed. NEVER BUY AUDIO FROM A COMPUTER COMPANY ALWAYS BUY AUDIO FROM AN AUDIO COMPANY AND LOOK FOR THE BEST STUFF ON HEAD-FI. ALL THE OTHER ANSWERS IN THIS THREAD ARE LAME I GAVE YOU A WAY SUPERIOR ANSWER ALL THAT STUFF IS TOO WEAK AND LOOSE FOR SOMETHING LIKE HD650S.
Pillars
8
Dec 6, 2016
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iCeOL8TRAmnesiaYour advice is always retarded. My Jot/Mimby blows the pants off my iDSD, not even close.
Kyno
14
Dec 6, 2016
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arrowxkillerNever trust someone who types sentences all cap. Take my advice it's free.
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