markm1111 Posted November 20, 2019 Posted November 20, 2019 The main phones are a closed back pair of Mr Speakers Aeon Flow, which are planar, 13 ohm impedance and 93dB sensitivity. The other sometimes pair are Focal Clear, 55 ohm impedance and 104dB sensitivity. I am after a combined amp/dac, or amp and dac stack, to suit. I had a Chord Hugo TT which I was using, and really liked, but needed to realise some cash so sold it off. I have tried using a long extension cable from my main system, but that is less than satisfactory, so I want to go back to something on my desk. My budget is down considerably from the TT at $1,000. My request is a little bit more specific - I would really prefer a BNC input for the source, which is making my search a bit more difficult. When I had the TT, Geoff from Aurealis made me up a really nice long BNC to BNC cable to feed the dac from the M-Scaler in my main system. Given the length, I want to stay with BNC at both ends of the cable if I can. This limits what would have otherwise been a plethora of options. So, any suggestions out there? Thanks in advance
sly_bastard Posted November 21, 2019 Posted November 21, 2019 1 hour ago, markm1111 said: I would really prefer a BNC input I cannot help you with the BNC input but for a combo there rme ADI 2 is the real deal but still $1600. My recommendation for under $1000 is the smsl su8 (this is the DAC but it's really interchangeable with and decent DAC) to smsl sp200 which is the current budget amp as had the thx AAA 888. This setup is under $800 (DAC $300 + $400ish amp). 1
sakabatou Posted November 21, 2019 Posted November 21, 2019 It won’t match a top end amp, but the old Benchmark Dac 1 has a bnc in, and Can drive AFOs passably, as long as yours are 1/4” terminated
markm1111 Posted November 21, 2019 Author Posted November 21, 2019 9 hours ago, sakabatou said: It won’t match a top end amp, but the old Benchmark Dac 1 has a bnc in, and Can drive AFOs passably, as long as yours are 1/4” terminated Thanks fort eh suggestion, but I had one of those quite a few years back. It was ok, but not to my taste in the headamp. I'm thinking the BNC connection may be limiting too much so will open up to RCA SPDIF inputs and just use an adapter on my cable
sakabatou Posted November 21, 2019 Posted November 21, 2019 In that case, consider this : I had one driving my AFOs. Gobs of power and the smooth treble is a good match 1
markm1111 Posted December 19, 2019 Author Posted December 19, 2019 Recently picked up a Questyle CMA 400i. Very happy with it so far. 1
Gabehcuod Posted January 2, 2020 Posted January 2, 2020 On 19/12/2019 at 10:14 PM, markm1111 said: Recently picked up a Questyle CMA 400i. Very happy with it so far. Yeah I bought mine a few months back. Just works with the focal clear beautifully. A match made in heaven. The vertical mounting stand you can get for it is great for saving space and keeping your desk tidy. 1
markm1111 Posted January 4, 2020 Author Posted January 4, 2020 On 02/01/2020 at 10:20 PM, Gabehcuod said: Yeah I bought mine a few months back. Just works with the focal clear beautifully. A match made in heaven. The vertical mounting stand you can get for it is great for saving space and keeping your desk tidy. Totally agree on the stand, I bought it as well. Perfect place to keep the Aeons as well.
Ehrmantraut Posted January 8, 2020 Posted January 8, 2020 Schiit Audio Jotunheim Multibit as a combined DAC/Amp or a stack of Modi Multibit and Magni. Spare change for cables and music! https://www.schiit.com/products/jotunheim https://www.schiit.com/products/magni-1 https://www.schiit.com/products/modi-1
Prostatus Posted February 15, 2020 Posted February 15, 2020 No experience with these amps but all the recent THX amps seems to get a lot of positive reviews online.
commawaffle Posted February 15, 2020 Posted February 15, 2020 (edited) On 08/01/2020 at 2:45 PM, BlueOceanBoy said: Schiit Audio Jotunheim Multibit as a combined DAC/Amp or a stack of Modi Multibit and Magni. Spare change for cables and music! https://www.schiit.com/products/jotunheim https://www.schiit.com/products/magni-1 https://www.schiit.com/products/modi-1 I run a Jot Multibit and it's great with plenty of power for the price - but to me, the amp is not as transparently analytical as the THX offerings, so that's something to keep in mind if that's important to you. I've heard the Clears with the Jot Balanced version at a store here in Melbourne and it's a good pairing for the cost. For BNC input, the Benchmark everybody has previously mentioned is the only one I'm aware of in recent memory that has it stock. Can't comment on the Aeons as I've never heard any of the Dan Clark Audio cans. Edited February 16, 2020 by commawaffle
Ehrmantraut Posted February 15, 2020 Posted February 15, 2020 I've had the Aeons open series 1 and I thought they were good for the price. Series 2 are supposed to be better - I don't know how much, so series 1 might be bargains. I had the Ether 2 and they used to be some of my favourite cans with the right amp. My experience with Focal is that they have a particular "house" sound as do Dan Clark, ZMF, Senn, Audeze etc. It really depends if you like that sound. Because they can be bright and resolving, then matching with a "warmer" amp, might balance them out. As always, trust your own ears and YMMV.
Bengineer Posted February 16, 2020 Posted February 16, 2020 Could buy the Audio GD NFB 11.28 I'm about to sell Used to run my Aeon Closed. Decent all in one unit for cheap.
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