Yetiman Posted October 29, 2020 Share Posted October 29, 2020 Hey all I'll start by stating what Headphones I have , I have MDR-Z1r, MDR-Z7m2, MrSpeakers ether C flow with 1.1 upgrade, Aeon flow Closed, a new pair of HD700 that I think I mite sell, GS1000i , So I have a Audio-gd 1amp and a Audio-gd NFB-5 that I use as the Dac, I was thinking of getting a new Dac and keeping the 1Amp but not sure whether to just up grade both if you advise yes what too, Cheers Shane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ittaku Posted October 29, 2020 Share Posted October 29, 2020 (edited) Matrix Audio mini-i Pro 3 Streamer/DAC, Mjolnir KGST amp, Stax SR-009. Edited October 29, 2020 by Ittaku Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yetiman Posted October 29, 2020 Author Share Posted October 29, 2020 Don't really want new/more headphones just a Dac or Dac Amp stack advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ittaku Posted October 29, 2020 Share Posted October 29, 2020 (edited) Sorry I wasn't offering advice. I thought you started this thread to for people to talk about their setups so all I did was describe mine. Edited October 29, 2020 by Ittaku 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengineer Posted October 29, 2020 Share Posted October 29, 2020 Do you have a budget? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yetiman Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 $1500-2000 depends if advice is just a Dac or both Dac & Amp.. Anyone know what a Questyle cas192d is like and what would be a fare price 2nd hand.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengineer Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 Well, I'd go both DAC & Amp. Maybe a all-in-one. Audio GD do a 27.28 unit which is nice. Queststyle do a CMA600i or CMA Twelve. Both units have better dac and amp stages. Separates there is LOT of options. Ares 2 DAC is popular. Topping D90 too. Amps are plentiful also. Depends on what sound signature you like too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peppy Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 Looking for a NEW item with warranty All in ONEs Under $1000 ifi Black Label Micro iDSD Black Label $2000 budget Look no further than a Questyle CMA12 around $2k. DAC AMP Under $1000 Geshelli DAC + AMP directly from them...amazing quality price. $2000 budget Mytek Liberty DAC + Schiit Jotunheim (amp only) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yetiman Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 Thanx @peppy @Bengineer I'll look into them, I was thinking of the Questyle CMA12 as I seen you got it @peppy and you sold the CMA600i If I was to get the Dac only I can get a Questyle cas192d for around $1200 is that a good Dac/Price . Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yetiman Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 I'm quite happy with 2nd hand items .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peppy Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 @Yetiman @Bengineer is your man for CMA12 impressions. I wouldn’t buy the dac u pointing to . You can do better with your money . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yetiman Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 Thanx mate I wasn't sure about that one . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peppy Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 (edited) USED ITEMS All in ONEs Under $1000 Questlyle CMA600i _ Tough to find. Moon 230had - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Simaudio-Moon-230had-Hi-end-Headphone-Amplifier-hifi-preamp-w-remote-controller/383757342933?hash=item5959b858d5:g:96YAAOSwBtNff6za Schiit Jotunheim wt Multibit $2000 budget V281 with DAC module RME ADI 2 DAC AMP Go Mad , All Out Moon 430had Chord TT2 DAC AMP Under $1000 Still will go only with ---> Geshelli DAC + AMP directly from them...amazing quality price. Schiit Modius + Magni combo -- again @Bengineer owned it, so can comment on it. I read good reviews on it. $2000 budget Denafrips Ares II + Auralic Taurus (was my reference to beat under $3500) Schiit Mjolnir + Gungnir combo (2000ish used) Sony TA ZH1ES (only if your headphones are not really power hungry) Edited October 30, 2020 by peppy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengineer Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 Topping A90 beats the Magnius. But then Auralic Taurus schools the A90. Patient you can find a $1000 Taurus. CMA Twelve probably on par as an Amp, only thing is you can only use it's inbuilt DAC. It's a solid DAC at least. Ares 2 to Taurus, both used, would be a sub $2000 setup that couldn't be clearly beaten by any other option. $1400 better than a Modius/Magnius combo? Personal preference. Multibit card in the Jotunheim is just ok. So don't go out of your way to pay for one. The Jotunheim, NEW, direct from Schiit in the US is a decent price at the moment too. Lovely budget warm leaning Amp. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yetiman Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 I listed my heaphones at top, I looked at the Moon 230had but I also have aftermarket cables with 4pin XLR so need/Like balanced set-up.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yetiman Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 I will have a read up on these "Ares 2 to Taurus" I'm in no rush.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengineer Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 Denafrips Ares II - Still sold new. Common used here for $1000. Auralic Taurus MK2 - No longer made. Rare. Incredible value at their used street price of $1000. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yetiman Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 Thanx @Bengineer just watching a review on the Ares II now . Problem is everytime a good Dac comes up for sale it's gone in minites LOL.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peppy Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 35 minutes ago, Yetiman said: I listed my heaphones at top, I looked at the Moon 230had but I also have aftermarket cables with 4pin XLR so need/Like balanced set-up.. Amps that have both SE & XLR usually are geared better implementation towards XLR. the ones with only SE are equally good. Doesn’t make a difference in sound in XLR or SE . makes difference if u have both SE XLR in one amp, then the amp has to favour one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niktech Posted November 1, 2020 Share Posted November 1, 2020 On 31/10/2020 at 7:06 AM, Bengineer said: Denafrips Ares II - Still sold new. Common used here for $1000. Auralic Taurus MK2 - No longer made. Rare. Incredible value at their used street price of $1000. It would definitely be a good combo. I have a new Denafrips Pontus with the upgraded DSP board feeding into the Taurus MK II I bought from Peppy. It is early days because the Pontus needs time to burn in, but I'm really enjoying the resolution I'm hearing so far. Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengineer Posted November 1, 2020 Share Posted November 1, 2020 11 minutes ago, Niktech said: It would definitely be a good combo. I have a new Denafrips Pontus with the upgraded DSP board feeding into the Taurus MK II I bought from Peppy. It is early days because the Pontus needs time to burn in, but I'm really enjoying the resolution I'm hearing so far. Cheers Don't over think it from now on. It *doesn't* get better. Just different. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yetiman Posted November 1, 2020 Author Share Posted November 1, 2020 I just placed a WTB ad for a Denafrips Pontus see how I go... If I get that I will upgrade my headphone amp to suite later.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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