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Headphone DAC/Preamps

I am putting a system together for headphone listening AWAY from my main listening room -- hopefully wired through CAT6 cable). I need a DAC/Headphone amp and Headphones. I have noticed that some DAC/Headphone amps use "mini" plug jacks for their headphone out jacks. Is there any disadvantage between those and a standard 1/4 inch jack?

Does anyone have any hands-on experience to recommend a USB DAC/HEadphone amp (with pre-amp output also -- in case I want to output to an amp and speakers at a LATER DATe)?
wdesbrow
9 responses Add your response
glenn6478's avatar
glenn6478
6 posts
 
Try Emotiva.  100% money back guarantee. Rtn frt only if not happy.  https://emotiva.com/products/emotiva/dacs
b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,274 posts
 
P.S. I really like the Schiit Bifrost Multibit, Valhalla, HD650 route. This way you get a great headphone amp, a great dac (that's upgradeable as not to be obsolete) and the headphone amp has pre out so later on you can use it as a preamp (until you can upgrade to a dedicated preamp).

In my opinion this is the best way to go as far as sound quality, and flexibility for your future plans as well!
b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,274 posts
 
Wdesbrow, pm me and I'll help you out! I'm having difficulty pm'ing you.
beavis
272 posts
 
Wdesbrow

I can't say positively there is any significant difference between balanced 1/4" & "mini" jack. That's why adapters are made. Buy both & post results.
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
I use an older Nuforce HDP dac/headphone amp. It's an older piece but I love it. It has the larger jack which suits me as I use Sennheiser HD-650 headphones. I would expect using headphones which have the same size plug as the jack on the amp would be advantageous because you eliminate an extra connection.
BTW, what is your price range?
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,198 posts
 
"Is there any quality difference between the units that use the 1/4 inch jack and the units that use a "mini" jack?"

I'm sure they all have differences in sound but I doubt its because of the size jack used.
wdesbrow OP
11 posts
 
Thanks for your responses. See Above: Is there any quality difference between the units that use the 1/4 inch jack and the units that use a "mini" jack?

IS there a significant difference between using balanced 1/4 inch and unbalanced 4-pin?
beavis
272 posts
 
My recommendations:

Decware Taboo Mk III HPA.

Schitt Audio: Gungnir Multibit/Delta Sigma DAC.

Note: The Taboo is capable of driving most Planar headphones & may be overkill depending if your HPs dynamic HPs. In which case, consider the Decware CSP3.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,198 posts
 
I think some Benchmark models can be used as a pre-amp and include a headphone amp. I have almost jumped on one several times for similar reasons, but I went with a full integrated amp with built in DAC and phono that also turned out to be an excellent headphone amp, the Bel Canto C5i.
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