2. misc-audio
  3. 1172182115

Does an integrated DAC/Headphone amp exist?

Im looking for a cost effective way of having decent sound and work. Loudspeakers are out of the question so headphones are the ticket. I was wondering if such a device exists as to not take up too much space on my desk as well as limit the cost of cabling. I would like to keep the cost under $1000 for the headphones, cabling, DAC and amp. I want somthing that is musical and easy to listen to for 8-9 hours a day and I prefer over the ear style 'phones and open air designs as to still be able to communicate with coworkers without removing the headphones each time to talk. I would be using my PC as the source. Can anyone recommend a good starting point for each peice of this puzzle? Thanks
jlind325is

Showing 1 response by kublakhan

kublakhan
718 posts
 
I have a PC only system now with a Benchmark DAC1 and the headphone amp inside is very nice. Not as nice as my Melos SHA-1 headphone amp which is smoother, but I had to do some serious A/B to decide if the Melos was worth keeping (it was.) I'm using a pair of Sennheiser 650s and they are amazing.

However...I would wait for the new Benchmark DAC1 w/ USB(coming out next week, I think) You probably know this but if you use a non USB dac you'll need a proper sound card.

Another (cheaper) way to go would be to buy a cheaper USB dac like a Scott Nixon tube dac (on audiogon now for $275) and then a seperate headphone amp like a Grado RA1 (on audiogon now for 250 used) - I've never heard any of this stuff, though
More to discover