2. digital
  3. 165917-148644

Sub-$1250 DAC w/ built-in Headphone Amp

I currently have an entry level headphone listening stack, that I'd like to upgrade for both headphone listening, but to also include in a HiFi system stack when expanding my horizon to speakers. 

Currently have:
DAC = 'Ol DAC' from JDS Labs
Amp = Atom from JDS Labs

I am a bit overloaded with the options at this price point, but I know am looking for a smoother/richer sound from DAC as opposed to an analytical/etched sound. The following DACs come to mind - would any of you recommend one over the other? Source is primarily USB w/ Tidal MQA paired w/ HD58X Jubilee's.

- Mytek Liberty DAC II
- RME ADI-2 DAC FS
- DA-Art Aquilla II DAC
- SMSL M500 DAC
- Schiit Bifrost 2 (w/ separate headphone amp? or other multi-bit DAC?)
- Other?

Further - should I expect a substantial sound quality boost from my current set up?
uwrwilke

Showing 1 response by big_greg

big_greg
6,708 posts
 
You may be able to find a used Sony TA-ZH1ES within your budget.  It's a fantastic headphone amp with a really good DAC.  I have about a dozen headphones, many of them "high-end", but one of my favorite pairings is with my Sennheiser HD-6XX.  It doesn't support MQA, but the sound quality will be much better than what you have now and you won't miss MQA.

Of the ones you've mentioned, I owned the Mytek Liberty (not the II) and found it very analytical and digital sounding.  Its headphone amp is not close to the Sony.  The Bifrost 2 is a great value for its price, but no headphone amp and it also has more of a digital edge to it than the Sony.
More to discover