For those considering using the DX7 Pro as a headphone amplifier, please note that the Output Impedance of the 1/4"-out is roughly 5 ohms, and the XLR-out is roughly 10 ohms. Most higher-grade amplifiers have an Output Impedance of less than 2 ohms. With lower-resistance headphones, this unit will produce unpredictable distortion, especially in the bass frequencies.
mattrisYou should add this is when using BA and Dynamic driver earphones.
Planar headphones have a linear impedance response so are mostly immune to any issues from high output impedance.
mattrisYeah, this can be an issue and is the one shortfall of the design, but only with low impedance cans. With 58Xs, 6XXs and studio Beyers it shouldn't be an issue. I think the planars and IEMs will have an issue here. It's a pity because the SQ readings are stellar.
OstewartCool. I only listen to my IEMs OTG, so it's not an issue for desk use. If someone really wants an amp for IEMs, than a FiiO unit like the Q1 Mk II would do fine (it's basically designed for that plus it has the 2.5 mm balanced output).
mattrisWould the DX7 Pro be a good match for the Audeze LCD-X? I'm a newbie and need help deciding on a dac/amp for my desktop computer. Thanks in advance for any help.
The specs for the LCD-X are:
SpecificationsStyle
Over-ear, open-back
Transducer type
Planar Magnetic
Magnetic structure
Proprietary magnet array
Phase management
Fazor
Magnet type
Neodymium N50
Diaphragm type
Ultra-thin
Transducer size
106 mm
Maximum power handling
5W RMS
Maximum SPL
>130dB
Frequency response
10Hz - 50kHz
THD
<0.1% @ 100dB
Impedance
20 ohms
Sensitivity
103 dB/1mW (at Drum Reference Point)
Minimum power requirement
>100mW
Recommended power level
>250mW
Weight
635g
RosevilleDo you already own the LCD-X? What will you be listening to when you're at your computer? Would it be beneficial if the DAC/amp could easily be used at another location (another room of your house, work, travel, friend's house, etc.)?
mattrisYes Mattris I own them along with the Sennheiser HD 650. Well I ripped all of my music to flac that is on a external hard drive. This is played with JRiver. I also play music with Tidal. I have several devices presently that I have acquired through the years . Meridian Explorer2 (mqa), Audioengine black usb (2nd gen), Schiit Modi multibit, Chord mojo, Pono, Bluesound node 2i, Topping DX7s, Schiit Valhalla 2, Schiit yggy(listening room). No, I am not looking for any portability at this time, my plan is to move the DX7s up to the main level of my house on the computer desk along with the Valhalla and to move the Node 2i and Modi multibit to another room in the lower level where I have another playback area. From what I have read the DX7 Pro would be a good match with the LCD-X , just trying to verify. I think that I have found the right place to ask as there are a lot of knowledgeable people here.
Roseville@Roseville The amp will work well for the LCD-X since it is a planar. Just about every planar's frequency response doesn't change depending on the impedance output, their impedance response curve is 'flat'.
So no @Marutk this amp is totally fine...
verifonixThank you to everyone helping out with this! My apologies to mattris as my reply was from my original Drop account that was created a while back and forgot about. verifonix when you stated " Just about every planar's frequency response doesn't change depending on the impedance output, their impedance response curve is 'flat'." Is there any possibility that the LCD-X could be the one of the exceptions? Here is a review from innerfidelity with measurements. https://www.innerfidelity.com/content/audeze-lcd-x-fazor-and-fresh-listen-current-lcd-2-and-lcd-3 Does this review confirm that the frequency response doesn't change with the impedance output from the LCD-X. I just do not know what to look for in the review measurements and need a little help before buying the DX7 Pro.
RosevilleNo problem, Roseville. May I ask why you have your eye on the DX7 Pro? Other than its DAC and amp, do you plan on using any other of its features? What input sources do you have at your desk?
mattrisGood Question. Well the size is ideal in my setup and I love the aesthetics . To me Topping offers in this dac/amp a product that has been very well engineered with the ability to playback my flac and DSD files at a affordable price. Just want to be sure this is a good match with the 20 ohm LCD-X' That is why earlier I left the review from innerfidelity. So that someone who has the knowledge to decipher the graphs will be able to recommend this dac/amp or advise me to look for another dac/amp. My plan is to use the rca output provided to connect to my desktop speakers. Also I will have the opportunity to listen to my computer's cd player. Let me say that in the past my headphone listening was very limited as I mostly listened to either vinyl or cd's in my theater/2.1 channel room. Not anymore, headphone listening has brought a lot of enjoyment and fun into my life.
verifonixThanks verifonix, just wondering if you think that the dx7 pro would be a noticeable upgrade compared to the topping dx7s. Hope you don't mind me picking your brain. Wondering where mattris is?
Rosevillehmm if you go dx7s output into a good amp like archel2, thx aaa amp, smsl sp200 ....
then no. the dx7pro is better as all-in-one device but I wouldn't change dx7s to dx7pro if you already own dx7s. just use a good amp and you're done
RosevilleI agree with verifonix. Just use your DX7S with a nice amplifier of your choice. Go with balanced connections all the way. I'd say get a THX amplifier (from Drop or the upcoming one from Monoprice). But with your LCD-X, the sound may be too clinical for your taste. A warmer/darker amp might make for a superior 'music enjoyment' experience. But if you want maximum detail and dynamics for a relatively low price, a THX amp would be ideal.
As far as the DX7 Pro, it doesn't sit right with me that its headphone-out impedance is so high. (Using low-impedance dynamic headphones would be ill-advised.) I'd pass on this one. Another, above average all-in-one is sure to come around soon.
mattrisA DX9 Pro $1,000 unit could be the next 'god' headphone DAC/AMP. Given how well Topping has been doing so far, I'm looking forward to what's coming next.
mattrisWell mine has arrived and so far so good. I am currently using some Campfire Audio Andromeda's with an OE 2.5mm balanced cable and Effect Audio 2.5mm > 4.4mm adaptor and there is ZERO hiss, that is impressive.
Now with regards to the sound signature changing, there is a tiny (and I mean tiny) loss of bass when compared to a sub 2Ohm output impedance device, but that could also just be a change in sound signature between the devices, the DX7 Pro is coming across as a very clean, clear and precise DAC/Amp.
The DX7 Pro works really well with the Andromeda, and I am really impressed with how clean the DX7 Pro is.
On to full size headphones, using my HE500's with a balanced 4-pin XLR cable the DX7 Pro has no issues driving them in low gain, they sound really controlled and detailed.
verifonixverifonix and mattris thank you both for the suggestions. The Monoprice THX AAA 887 is expected to be in stock on 11/14/19. Both of you mentioned THX amps so I have focused my search in this direction. Does it seem like a good match to you?
RosevilleThe monoprice is a beast yeah. But I think it has delayed a couple times now, who knows when it'll be in stock.
I personally bought the smsl sp200. It's in stock right now and on sale on aliexpress. I can't hear a difference anyway... THX = THX.
verifonixI bought two, just in case they sell out and you miss out and wanted one:) Just let me know. Where do you live btw? Again thanks to you and mattris for the guidance.
TerrycincoWithout a doubt, get the 250 ohm version. As a general rule: If your amplifier has the driving power, always get the higher-resistance variant.
Though it's tiny, it manages to power even high ohm headsets with amazing accuracy. It works great with the drop usb-c to usb-c and my Phillips shp-9600. Soon enough I'll be using the Akoustyx...
I have an external amplifier with no integrated DAC and I only have an xduo xa10 as a dac/amp can I use the xduo xa10 as a dac only with an external amplifier?
So I bought the HD6xx a few weeks back and when I finally got the packages i got some Noir 99. ever happened to any of u guys and how did it get resolved