How would you use the Aegir as a headphone amp? Is there an adaptor? Doesn't that amp run hot? I have a Coda S5.5 amp that I love. Wonder if I could use that to drive headphones?
Help me spend $$$$
I recently decided to put together a headphone system for my office. I usually listen to my 2-channel system but it sits in my living room and my wife's office is adjacent so I can't listen to it most of the day and sometimes in the evening if she's working. I'm not looking to spend a ton but want something that sounds nice. I started by getting a used pair of LSA HP-1 (kennerton) headphones. I like open planars that are easy to drive. I'm currently using a Bluesound Node 2i as an all-in-one streamer/dac/amp. It sounds ok but I'd like to upgrade. Space is an issue as I don't have a huge desk, so I'd prefer an all-in-one. I'm ok continuing to use the Bluesound as a streamer but would like to get a better sounding amp and dac, but if I can also find something with airplay and Roon that would be best so I can use the Bluesound elsewhere and remove 1 box from the equation. My budget is about $800. Obviously would like to spend less but also willing to spend more if there's a great deal on something (max $1500). Always prefer to buy used as well.
Current top contenders are:
Matrix Element X
Mytek Brooklyn+
Audio GD -- so many models -- R28, R29, D28.38
Aune N7D
Any other suggestions?
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@yyzsantabarbara I've heard good things about the RME dac, especially regarding its measurements. But I'm more of a trust my ears listener vs following measurements alone. Probably why I love tube amps. Curious what $12k dac you have or had? I've had dacs up to +$15k and one thing I've learned is that while I can hear something being objectively "better" if it doesn't lead me to enjoying the music more I wind up selling it. My current reference dac is the Laiv Harmony. Its not the best dac I've had but for the money I haven't found one where I enjoy the music any more than with this dac. But the quest always continues... |
@abd1 The best DAC I have ever heard is the $12k Imersiv D-1, I purchased it. In spite of it being significantly better in measurements than the second-best measuring DAC, this thing sounds great. You need to go direct to amp though. My now sold Benchmark HPA4 preamp / headphone amp was restricting the sound of the D-1. That never happens with other DACs and the HPA4 (or LA4 preamp). I am very interested in hearing the new Schiit Byggy that I have been waiting for a few weeks now to be returned to me after the upgrade of my Schiit Yggi+ MIB to the Byggy. The R2R Schit Yggi+ OG was a great DAC, and it was head and shoulders better than a famous DAC at $15k that I owned (I paid $6.5). I sold that recently and that was a steal for the buyer, but I needed the cash to buy the Imersiv D-1. There is one new DAC that my friend is going to demo at the 2026 New York CanJam. It is the new $10k Allnic ASRA OTL/OTL DAC. It is a tube DAC, but it is almost as detailed as my Imersiv D-1. That last comment should be for the $26k Allnic D-15000 Signature OTL/OCL. I have not heard the ASRA, but the goal was to be very similar to the D-15000. If the DAC is as good as rumored, well I should not think about it. I am enjoying my free RME DAC in the office now.
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