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Author Topic: Looking for new amp $250 or under best bang for buck amp  (Read 2773 times)

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loki993

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Looking for new amp $250 or under best bang for buck amp
« on: October 27, 2014, 03:58:24 PM »
Hi, I have a pair of DT770 pro 80s that I use with a Fiio E10 and Im looking to upgrade my amp. Thr E10 does a good enough job but I think its time to take the next step, plus Ive always wanted a pair of AKG sextetts and I know the little Fiio wont power them. At some point id also like to try some orthos, probably some of the relatively inexpensive vintage one, hifimans are out of my price range and eventually some of the harder to drive headphones. Overall though Id just like something that will power just about anything I throw at it within reason.

Ive been considering the Schiit Magni or the Asgard2. Also the Audio-GD NFB-15 seems to be well liked over on HF and its got a DAC built in as well but after shipping its a bit more than I want to spend...though I don't have an issue if its markedly better than what I can get at 250. Also I must admit ordering something like that directly from china makes me a little uncomfortable for the sole reason that if I have any issues it may be a hassle to get it taken care of.

Anything else in the price range that I should be considering?
« Last Edit: October 29, 2014, 12:03:43 PM by loki993 »
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cizx

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Re: Looking for new amp $250 or under best bag for buck amp
« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2014, 04:45:24 PM »
Wait for someone smaller than you to buy a Ragnarok and take it from them  :)p6.  Otherwise, probably Asgard 2 if you want to hit your limit, and Magni if you want some breathing room.
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Byrnie

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Re: Looking for new amp $250 or under best bag for buck amp
« Reply #2 on: October 27, 2014, 05:42:00 PM »
I agree, the Asgard 2 is a wonderful amp for money and sounds great.
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Headphones: TH900, HE-560, HD700, SRH1540, X2, HD590, AH-D600, X10, Bridge MS500
Amp/Sources: Schiit Modi, Schiit Bifrost Uber USB, Schiit Asgard 2, Emotiva XDA-2, Sansa Fuze 8GB, Samsung Note 3

loki993

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Re: Looking for new amp $250 or under best bag for buck amp
« Reply #3 on: October 27, 2014, 09:19:36 PM »
how much of a difference will I notice between the Magni and the asgard?
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Eric_C

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Re: Looking for new amp $250 or under best bag for buck amp
« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2014, 01:39:34 AM »
I don't know the sonic differences, but I do know the Asgard 2 works great with a variety of headphones. We have the gain switch to thank for it--sensitive IEMs and power hungry orthos (not HE-6, never tried that one) both are powered well from A2. And no, no hiss with IEMs on low gain.
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Anaxilus

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Re: Looking for new amp $250 or under best bag for buck amp
« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2014, 06:14:58 AM »
Quote from: loki993 on October 27, 2014, 09:19:36 PM
how much of a difference will I notice between the Magni and the asgard?

What headphones do you use?  What'd your DAC?  What music do you listen to?  How much experience do you have ABing gear?  What methodology do you use and what do you look for?
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loki993

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Re: Looking for new amp $250 or under best bag for buck amp
« Reply #6 on: October 28, 2014, 01:47:05 PM »
Right now DT 770 80 pros. I have some AT AD700s but I never use them due the to weak bass. What this amp will be for is something that can grow with my collection, plus Im hoping the DT770s will sound even better. Eventually Id like to add some AKG Sextetts, sort of power hungry, Maybe some AKG K701s and eventually some type of ortho..but probably not any of the expensive ones as theyre out of my price range. Aside from that Im not sure anything that might grab my attention down the road.

As for music....A lot of different stuff..Rock, Alt, EDM and rap mostly. I like bass...lots of bass..hence the DT770s, I like it to hit hard but also be somewhat controlled. For the the Fiio made everything better with the DT770s, including the bass....it maintained the same punch but was tightened up a bit.

Dac for now will be the Fiio DAC I think its a WM8740..but I will buy a better standalone at some point.

I dont have a lot of experience ABing still honestly...I can notice difference in sound though...but I dont know if id be able to tell the difference between a Magni or Asgard....I guess thats why I asked....is the Asgard a noticeable upgrade in sound quality...because if not I may just save the extra and get the Magni...and probably the Modi. The Asgard was an attempt to try and move out of the entry level though.

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Anaxilus

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Re: Looking for new amp $250 or under best bag for buck amp
« Reply #7 on: October 28, 2014, 06:03:59 PM »
Quote from: loki993 on October 28, 2014, 01:47:05 PM
Right now DT 770 80 pros. I have some AT AD700s but I never use them due the to weak bass. What this amp will be for is something that can grow with my collection, plus Im hoping the DT770s will sound even better. Eventually Id like to add some AKG Sextetts, sort of power hungry, Maybe some AKG K701s and eventually some type of ortho..but probably not any of the expensive ones as theyre out of my price range. Aside from that Im not sure anything that might grab my attention down the road.

As for music....A lot of different stuff..Rock, Alt, EDM and rap mostly. I like bass...lots of bass..hence the DT770s, I like it to hit hard but also be somewhat controlled. For the the Fiio made everything better with the DT770s, including the bass....it maintained the same punch but was tightened up a bit.

Dac for now will be the Fiio DAC I think its a WM8740..but I will buy a better standalone at some point.

I dont have a lot of experience ABing still honestly...I can notice difference in sound though...but I dont know if id be able to tell the difference between a Magni or Asgard....I guess thats why I asked....is the Asgard a noticeable upgrade in sound quality...because if not I may just save the extra and get the Magni...and probably the Modi. The Asgard was an attempt to try and move out of the entry level though.



Asgard 2 should be an easily noticeable difference from the Magni.  If it isn't I would look at that Fiio DAC as the culprit.  Maybe look for an ODAC or Geek Out as an upgrade.  Geek Out is better but likely more expensive at this point.

Are you using the X3 as a DAC or the small box DAC?
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loki993

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Re: Looking for new amp $250 or under best bang for buck amp
« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2014, 12:14:26 PM »
Well I wont be ABing them so I wont know the difference lol, but yeah that's what I figured too, though Ive heard other people say they cant tell the difference lol

On the other hand with the headphones I currently have maybe I wont be able to tell the difference much..maybe I should just save the money get the Magni and Modi, especially now that Im looking at my Fiio and cant for the life of me figure out how it would work as a DAC only, even though Ive read in different places that it can. Though Im sure I could find a cheap alien dac or something like that someone built if I had to. Buy maybe try the Magni, see how I like it and then when Im ready to step up again I can have a decent work or backup rig.
« Last Edit: October 29, 2014, 12:59:03 PM by loki993 »
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Skyline

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Re: Looking for new amp $250 or under best bang for buck amp
« Reply #9 on: October 29, 2014, 12:58:53 PM »
loki...you and I are sort of in the same boat, though I have the HE-400i.

I've got an Asgard 1 and have been tormenting myself over what I'd like to do next. 

One side of me is wanting to go up the chain...perhaps a Lyr 2.

The other side of me is thinking I should actually drop down to something like the wyrd+modi+vali stack.  I don't know if it'd be a sonic upgrade to what I currently have or not, but I imagine it would sound pretty fantastic, would look nice sitting on the desk, and would most likely be something I could be perfectly happy with as long as I can stay off of these evil, twisted, wallet-tempting forums.   :&
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