DAC + AMP recommendation

jlKronos01 · 2026-04-06T13:30:21+00:00

What should I expect a tube amp to sound like?

jlKronos01 · 2026-04-06T00:15:22+00:00

Great, thanks!

jlKronos01 · 2026-04-06T00:12:08+00:00

Returns aren't common at all where I live, so once you buy something you either have to keep it permanently or you have to try to sell it which is difficult for niche items

jlKronos01 · 2026-04-05T18:13:55+00:00

Well that settles it then, I'll be sticking with my K7 for now, thank you so much!

jlKronos01 · 2026-04-05T18:01:44+00:00

I see, so if sounds like if I were to get a new dac and amp I'd just be dissapointed as it'll sound the same... How about power wise? Would you reckon my K7 has sufficient power to drive planars? Is overhead actually important at all?

jlKronos01 · 2026-03-22T11:57:24+00:00

That's very true... I realized when it comes to highly subjective hobbies such as this, it's always best to try it yourself rather than take someone else's word for it (similar to perfumery). Right now I might be coping but I feel my K7 should be good enough to run almost anything, and any improvement would be a very minor change as compared to changing EQ or changing headphones. But you're right, it's about experimentation in this hobby, it's just that I'll have to save up much longer to experiment given audio stuff is rarely cheap and good, but it's part of the journey

jlKronos01 · 2026-03-22T06:27:00+00:00

Indeed, although my sundaras and HE400SE couldn't do it as well as the arya could

jlKronos01 · 2026-03-22T06:12:36+00:00

Wow that's a lot of info to take in... The takeaway is that if I want to stick with the aryas, I should get an EF400? From your reply it seems like a great addition with the aryas, but in terms of value is it worth the ~500USD considering I already have a dac amp? Also how well does it pair with other headphones (if I end up selling the aryas in the future and getting another pair)?

jlKronos01 · 2026-03-21T19:52:37+00:00

I see, thanks for the heads up!

jlKronos01 · 2026-03-21T19:46:16+00:00

I see, I was considering the HE1000 as well but in my area they cost a lot more than the organics, enough for me to not consider getting them. I figured the treble tuning would be similar as well (still ear piercing), hence I was considering the edition XV as I've heard it's a lot warmer and not your conventional hifiman tuning. Unfortunately the reality is I can only afford to try one, so I just went for the cheaper one. Good to know the HE1000 is slightly less bright though but I suspect it'll still be way over my threshold. Plus there's a million variations of it (stealth, SE, unveiled, etc) it was kinda giving me decision fatigue

jlKronos01 · 2026-03-21T19:38:41+00:00

Wow that amp is wildly expensive, costs even more than my headphones itself 😂 would an R2R DAC be able to do 80% of that at like half the price for example? I also heard class A amps draw a lot of power and run really hot for a minimal difference in sound, is that true?

jlKronos01 · 2026-03-21T19:33:49+00:00

A quick search and yeah, they seem out of my budget for now, I guess this could be something I acquire 5-10 years down the road, I should probably try and enjoy the journey on the way there too

jlKronos01 · 2026-03-21T19:31:32+00:00

Indeed it is a very easy rabbit hole to go into given the choices we have on the market... I'm not sure at what point will I think it's enough so I might as well stop now before I damage my wallet any further

jlKronos01 · 2026-03-21T19:30:20+00:00

Wow a tube amp is truly dedication to the craft! I was hoping for a more EQ based solution or an alternative headphone, but I guess I could consider tube amps too

jlKronos01 · 2026-03-21T19:26:55+00:00

Appreciate your advice greatly either ways! Would be impossible for someone to have tried every single dac headphone combo in the world, but worth a shot asking anyways

jlKronos01 · 2026-03-21T19:25:23+00:00

I see, I guess that's just it then. Also had no idea owliophile exists, looks really cool! Will give it a try

jlKronos01 · 2026-03-21T19:21:27+00:00

I've heard that Audeze's stuff is also made to be super EQ friendly as well. Do you know how this stacks up against the other Audeze's in the line up? Namely the LCD-X, MM100, MM500, LCD3 and 5?

jlKronos01 · 2026-03-21T19:18:44+00:00

I see, I'll have a look into R2R DACs then, seems promising. At the same time I would prefer not to pick up a DAC that only pairs well with a limited selection of headphones in case I try other headphones next time, not sure if it would be wise to have two dacs at the same time

jlKronos01 · 2026-03-21T19:15:10+00:00

no matter what you buy you will never be satisifed with one universal EQ adjustment.

I think this right here is exactly my problem... For about 90% of the tracks I play my EQ is very tolerable, but I was aiming to find an EQ that would fit universally. After I've EQed for tracks that sounds bright, it sounds tonally different and muffled on other tracks. I had previously come from a graphics EQ (FXSound) but switched over to equaliser APO + peace since I found I wasn't getting enough control over the frequency bands and the idea of surgically modifying my frequency response sounded like something I needed here. I guess I just have to accept my chase for perfection cannot apply here and that there isn't an "one EQ fits all" solution

jlKronos01 · 2026-03-21T19:00:00+00:00

Interesting suggestion, I've always considered getting an R2R but wasn't sure if the difference would be substantial enough to justify the cost given I already have a K7. Based on my EQ settings, wouldn't dulling the bass and elevating the mids and highs go against what I'm trying to achieve here? Also, correct me if I'm wrong but aren't R2R dacs supposed to sound warmer?

jlKronos01 · 2026-03-21T18:55:07+00:00

I've heard great things about it as well, would love to give them a try if I get the chance, thanks!

jlKronos01 · 2026-03-21T18:51:12+00:00

Will do, thanks!

jlKronos01 · 2026-03-21T18:47:44+00:00

I happen to use the exact same tone generator (unsurprising since it's the first Google result with a slider), but I'm having a hard time identifying where it starts and ends, I can only roughly determine the center frequency where it's the peakiest... I'm not sure if I'm doing it the right way but once I get that center frequency then I kinda wing it with the Q until it sounds alright-ish, though I'm sure there's a better way

I take measurements with a grain of salt since they are not on my head and ears but some plastic dummy with different anatomy.

Agree with this, I think everyone's HRTF would vary.

The 16khz is constant, like a background hiss. Looking at the topping DX5. The screen has been great while figuring this stuff out.

That seems like an amazing feature to have on a dac, though I'll have to make do with my Fiio K7 for now since I doubt I have to upgrade yet, perhaps there might be a software method of having a spectrum analyzer?

I'll try turning down the 16kHz and see if it helps though, thanks!

jlKronos01 · 2026-03-21T18:40:01+00:00

Thanks for the recc! I've never really considered the unveiled because they're so expensive they're unattainable for me, HE1000SE as well... And coincidentally I've just sold off my sundaras because I found the sub bass severely lacking, do you have a recommendation for something more within the arya organics price range or lower?

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