Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Best beginner Amp/Dac for HD6xx?
search
close
Sort by: Newest
keyboard_arrow_downMagevonor
3
Aug 2, 2018
Hi there, also from NZ. I think you only get pinged for import tax if your purchase is over $400 NZD. Had an o2 with my 6XX and it was fine, but trying out the CTH as it is supposed to be a great match. I would personally try to find a tube amp as it suits the 6XX better, and skip out on the DAC to start off with, and maybe upgrade or don't down the line.
RockyMountains
478
Aug 2, 2018
Fulla 2 is a fine starting point. I have one and it works well with the HD6XX. If you don't have an amp currently, you will be impressed with it. I remain very impressed with the cost:performance ratio.
You could spend twice as much, or ten times as much (I have done both) and also be happy but poorer. Other good budget options would be the usual Modi/Magni, or the Massdrop CTH (there is a version with an SDAC built in that re-drops occasionally). I have the latter and it works well with the 6XX.
Does NZ have a specific threshold that triggers import duties?
You could spend twice as much, or ten times as much (I have done both) and also be happy but poorer. Other good budget options would be the usual Modi/Magni, or the Massdrop CTH (there is a version with an SDAC built in that re-drops occasionally). I have the latter and it works well with the 6XX.
Does NZ have a specific threshold that triggers import duties?
TepidJesus
1
Aug 2, 2018
RockyMountainsAny thing $400NZD ($270USD) and over gets taxed, that includes the shipping cost.
RockyMountains
478
Aug 3, 2018
TepidJesusThat's a very low threshold. A basic Schiit stack (non-Uber Modi + Magni 3) just squeaks under that with shipping. Though you could probably use a reshipper and cut the shipping cost in half as the boxes are very small and light.
mindhead1
593
Jul 27, 2018
I would look at the Massdrop options. The Liquid Carbon, Aune X7S, or O2 if budget is really tight. Whether or not you need a DAC depends on your source. The Liquid Carbon w/SDAC looks to be a bargain at $380 USD. Or you could go with the X7S and get a lower cost DAC like a Topping D10 or D30 and have a nice setup for $250-$300 USD. The X7S is great with the 6xx.
mindhead1
593
Jul 28, 2018
It should handle the 6xx no problem. Especially in balanced mode. The Liquid Carbon has more power than my Aune X7S and it is awesome with the 6xx.
From the LC listing: Maximum power: Balanced 2.8W RMS into 50 ohms, single-ended 0.7W RMS into 50 ohms
From the LC listing: Maximum power: Balanced 2.8W RMS into 50 ohms, single-ended 0.7W RMS into 50 ohms
Imprecision
4
Jul 26, 2018
I started with a Fulla 2 and agree that I really didn't like the pairing with the HD6XX. I upgraded to the Magni 3 (now using the Fulla as a DAC only) and noticed a substantial boost in clarity and bass response. The Magni 3 puts about 11x as much power into 300ohms as the Fulla, so you might be able to get away with the Massdrop O2 (which sits somewhere in the middle) but I haven't tried personally.
Depending on your source, you can potentially get away with just an amp. If you're playing out of a desktop and have a half-decent DAC on your motherboard, and you're not having problems with interference, your most budget solution could be no DAC at all. If you have a shitty motherboard or a laptop, it's probably worth springing for a budget DAC and anything from Schiit or Massdrop is probably fine.
Depending on your source, you can potentially get away with just an amp. If you're playing out of a desktop and have a half-decent DAC on your motherboard, and you're not having problems with interference, your most budget solution could be no DAC at all. If you have a shitty motherboard or a laptop, it's probably worth springing for a budget DAC and anything from Schiit or Massdrop is probably fine.
Related Posts
ec.blackie
Do not appear checkout screen
(Environment) Thinkpad + Windows10 + Google Chrome The checkout screen does not appear when I press the cart button. javascript is ON. How can I display the checkout screen? Do you know the URL of the checkout screen?
Jan 22, 2023
MickaelMc
The right Dac/amp for Sennheiser 560s/6xx and Hifiman Sundara
Ok.. If this works, I'll just need a dac/amp for the above headphones and all I need is an optical IN on the dac to hook up to my optical out from my TV. And an optical OUT to go to my optical IN to my a/v receiver. In my head, I'll be able to use these headphones with enough power to listen to music, movies, and console games which are all hooked up to my HDMI arc inputs of my TV. If this makes any sense, could someone recommend a dac/amp that has these features that produces a minimum of 192khz/32bit with enough power to drive both the Sundara's (37ohms, low sensitivity) and the Sennheiser 560's (120-150ohms) and possibly the 6xx (300-333ohms) ? A remote control is preferred unless I'll be able to control the volume from my a/v receiver... If this will work. It'll work, right?
Jan 11, 2023
Docterlat
Beyerdynamic 1990 pro or 6xx
I have bought thebeyerdynamic 1990 pro and I'm reading reviews still on other products. I have seen the 6xx is highly recommended and if the lower price reflects quality in sound and build. I have listened to live music as a music student for 15 years or so now and want to find something that will mimic what I hear daily, if a price bump is necessary that makes sense but if what I'm sesrching for is cheaper, thats a bonus.
Jan 9, 2023
Nakdragon64
Order Status
The following is a response I received today from Matthew from Community Support on my inquiry as to the status of my order of XDuoo XA-10 Dac/Amp ordered on Nov 28, 2022, with a ship date of Jan 6, 2023. Is this a way to do business 1 we have a large backlog of orders, 2 Shipping times for all orders have been pushed back ALL ORDERS 3 Our warehouse is also experiencing outages due to some orders not being delivered 4 Looking at your order I see we have no inventory 5 We do not have a shipping date for your order currently Was I ever informed about any of these issues? NO, I was not and probably many other of your customers are angry and in the same situations not being given any information about their orders being delayed and why.! This is my second order for an electronic item in the last 3 months you have not been able to deliver to me due to you not being able to get in stock and ship by your estimated date. I want my money refunded now and I will take to your CEO and to...
Jan 9, 2023
Lawrencetate1
BMR1 Class D amp ICs?
Does anyone know what Class D amp chips are in the BMR1?
Jan 8, 2023
dumacker
I bought the AK T1P and really like them.
However, The Headphone Band is wearing out due to their daily use. I want to do everything I can to keep the phones up. Can anyone suggest a cover or replacement? thanks, jhv
Jan 5, 2023
Trending Posts in Audiophile
ec.blackie
Do not appear checkout screen
(Environment) Thinkpad + Windows10 + Google Chrome The checkout screen does not appear when I press the cart button. javascript is ON. How can I display the checkout screen? Do you know the URL of the checkout screen?
Jan 22, 2023
LordSmashington
Goodbye Drop
Recently had my headband snap on my Elex like just about everyone else. Drop tells me I'm a week out of warranty and to go ask Focal for help. Basically "Go fuck myself". After this level of customer service, I am done with Drop. Product offerings have been less and less as of late and this level of customer service is just trash. They don't want to back up their own products and want you to make repairs yourself. It's gotten to be a terrible business model that doesn't want to try and connect or care about the customer at all. Goodbye Drop. I'm done.
Jan 14, 2023
MickaelMc
The right Dac/amp for Sennheiser 560s/6xx and Hifiman Sundara
Ok.. If this works, I'll just need a dac/amp for the above headphones and all I need is an optical IN on the dac to hook up to my optical out from my TV. And an optical OUT to go to my optical IN to my a/v receiver. In my head, I'll be able to use these headphones with enough power to listen to music, movies, and console games which are all hooked up to my HDMI arc inputs of my TV. If this makes any sense, could someone recommend a dac/amp that has these features that produces a minimum of 192khz/32bit with enough power to drive both the Sundara's (37ohms, low sensitivity) and the Sennheiser 560's (120-150ohms) and possibly the 6xx (300-333ohms) ? A remote control is preferred unless I'll be able to control the volume from my a/v receiver... If this will work. It'll work, right?
Jan 11, 2023
driz
Highest Priced DROP Items?
Hi. New here. We're an old-line manufacturer of high-end audio (pro, mostly). Moving into the high-end consumer audio world. In y'all's opinion, what is the maximum price appropriate for a product offered on DROP? Our first consumer product will retail for around $7k. Are we out of the DROP ballpark? Tks.
Jan 11, 2023
Docterlat
Beyerdynamic 1990 pro or 6xx
I have bought thebeyerdynamic 1990 pro and I'm reading reviews still on other products. I have seen the 6xx is highly recommended and if the lower price reflects quality in sound and build. I have listened to live music as a music student for 15 years or so now and want to find something that will mimic what I hear daily, if a price bump is necessary that makes sense but if what I'm sesrching for is cheaper, thats a bonus.
Jan 9, 2023
Nakdragon64
Order Status
The following is a response I received today from Matthew from Community Support on my inquiry as to the status of my order of XDuoo XA-10 Dac/Amp ordered on Nov 28, 2022, with a ship date of Jan 6, 2023. Is this a way to do business 1 we have a large backlog of orders, 2 Shipping times for all orders have been pushed back ALL ORDERS 3 Our warehouse is also experiencing outages due to some orders not being delivered 4 Looking at your order I see we have no inventory 5 We do not have a shipping date for your order currently Was I ever informed about any of these issues? NO, I was not and probably many other of your customers are angry and in the same situations not being given any information about their orders being delayed and why.! This is my second order for an electronic item in the last 3 months you have not been able to deliver to me due to you not being able to get in stock and ship by your estimated date. I want my money refunded now and I will take to your CEO and to...
Jan 9, 2023
Lawrencetate1
BMR1 Class D amp ICs?
Does anyone know what Class D amp chips are in the BMR1?
Jan 8, 2023
I am very new to the audiophile scene and my knowledge of audio products is very limited, but in the past I had seen reviews on YouTube of the 6xx headphones and how great they where. So in the recent drop for them I decided to snag myself a pair.
So now my dilemma is what Amp/Dac do I get. I had been looking at just getting a Schiit Fulla 2 but I had seen in some reviews that they would not reccomend it for 300ohm headphones.
I do not want to spend to much money (mostly due to New Zealands insane import tax) but I also dont want my nice new headphones to be held back. So in essence I am looking for the cheapest amp and dac that will allow the 6xx's to perform to their full potential for a beginner to the "hobby".
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,