Amp/DAC for laptop use.

[matt_d_19]

Hi, guys
I'm thinking of building a headphone setup for my lappy by the end of the year and I've pretty much decided that this will include a pair of Alessandro MS2s. Now I'm up to thinking about upgrading the onboard soundcard (I'd buy an Asus STX in a heartbeat but I'm using a laptop so soundcards are out of the picture).
I've got quite a tight budget because I want to make the whole setup around $500. So around $200 for a combo amp and DAC for use with MS2s, but I could possibly go up to about $450, though I don't want to. So what do you think I should do?

I've looked at the Fiio E7, Hifi Man EF2A and Matrix cube.
The EF2A fits right into the budget between the two others, so how much better than the Fiio and worse than the Matrix will it be?
I've heard that it is quite bright (which I don't want - I'd prefer a warmer amp to make the Alessandros a tad less harsh and bring out their punchy bass characteristics) and this can be down to the tubes. Would replacment ones warm up the unit's sound? And where could I get replacement tubes that fit in Australia?

So, which of those options would you say is best for my needs? And are there any better alternatives?

Thank you very much,
Matt

[kelvinyap9]

I don't think you'll get much improvement with an amp for the MS2s.

How does spending $450 on a DAC sound to you?

*cough* Cambridge DACmagic *cough*

[matt_d_19]

Thanks, Kelvin.

Yeah I thought of that, but Marcus says "...Easy to drive, but an amp will improve overall sound." in the recommended thread and that made me think again.

And that will mean that I'm still using the onboard laptop amp, right?... Eww!

[Marcus]

How important is portability?

[Riverback]

The Cube's probably your best shot if you want something for the desktop.

If you carry around your laptop a lot, the Fiio E7's more portable.

... ninja'd

[Marcus]

Can't give my personal opinion on the Cube, haven't tested it.

I may have to get back to you on this one - the Corda 3Move has left a bit of a gap in the "really good portable amp with DAC" section of our catalogue

[matt_d_19]

Portability isn't a problem - it just has to fit on my desk.

Alright, so I guess I don't have any other options.

And what do you think of the Hifi Man?

[Drubbing]

I think you're barking up the wrong tree by trying to tweak down the harshness of the MS2 with an amp/DAC. Any change will be very subtle, if any at all. If that's a concern, better choose different phones.

[matt_d_19]

Sorry for the misunderstanding, I should edit that. I mean that a bright amp with bright headphones might be too much.

If the the difference the EF2A would make to the brightness is negligible, then it might be the way to go, since it is just the right price, a good product for laptop use and looks nice too.

Also, do you think because it's a tube amp, it will be slightly warmer than the others?
And has anyone had any experience with it?

[Drubbing]

The differences are minimal, we're talking tweak here - and ones you might now even hear if you're not used to either the amp or the phones, as you won't have a baseline for 'bright'.

The MS2 is a pretty aggressive phone, I doubt any combo could take that edge off them.

[matt_d_19]

Ok. I'm not trying to 'take the edge off them'
Forget what I said about the amp making it a too bright combo now that you have told me otherwise

Any thoughts on the other questions from my last post?

[Drubbing]

Marcus never rated the EF2, I heard it and it was nothing special. I don't think it's even a real tube amp - and the 'tubes are warmer' thing is another overdone audio cliché anyway IMO.

If the Cube sounds anything like the Matrix amp, then I'd be thinking that's a better bet.

[matt_d_19]

Thanks for your replies.

Ok. It seems the most expensive one is the best! No way!

I'd love to hear anyone else's thoughts on any of the amps, though.

[Drubbing]

While there are exceptions, the rule of thumb in audio is budget price = budget sound.

$300 for a DAC/amp combo is still entry level. Anything less is bargain bucket.

You're looking at a pricey and quality pair of headphones. It doesn't pay to skimp on running them, I'm afraid. If you have a basic source, you won't hear what they're capable of. If you have a poor one, you'll hear how poor the source is.

[matt_d_19]

So you think the Cube with the MS2 is a solid headphone setup and It'll nearly run them to their potential, since they're easy to drive?
And I forgot to mention that I'm using Apple Lossless format.

Again, thanks for your help