Headphonic's Recommended Sources vs Asus Xonar Essence ST/X

[Buffalobiian]

My current chain is: PC (Essence ST) -> Talisman T33H -> HD650/DT880/AD900. (predominantly the HD650 these days. It's got the deepest cup out of all of them and accommodates my ear the best.)

I've been thinking about upgrading to an external DAC. Current models I'm considering are all the recommended DACs in your catalogue:

Azur 550c
" 650c
" 840c
DACmagic +
Corda StageDAC.

What are some deciding factors for each of those that will most likely influence buying decision? I'm also looking at a noticable upgrade for the money, so something that only edges out on the Essence ST or compromises in any way isn't what I'm looking for.

I listen to music through my computer, so I don't care about whether the DAC comes with a CD player or not.

The audio files are also 16bit/44.1KHz files. I don't see much point in upsampling or resampling to higher bit rates - though I've heard that filters can deal with them better instead of an inherent upsampling benefit.

(I also listen to music using "mixed mode" in windows, if that matters. Kernal-streaming/ASIO isn't very convenient to use since applications take exclusive use and block everything else)

I'm also looking for a brief opinion on the various interconnects from PC (USB, coaxial, toslink namely).

I've read that a well implemented async USB interface on your DAC is great for jitter reduction. I've personally experienced bad USB audio by connecting a FiiO E7/E10 to my laptop which I suspect to have grounding/structural problems. The those two USB-DAC solutions were meant to bypass the electronic noise I head through the in-built 3.5mm jacks, but they produced a low-freq noise instead.

I've been told that coaxial cables are cheaper than toslink and connect more securely.

Toslink electrically isolates components so prevent ground hum and other electrical interference.

Purely from a physics POV, Toslink makes the most sense to me but I'm open to opinion and input regarding these various connections. (and the influence these will have on which DAC will suit me)

Regarding the S/PDIF interfaces, does onboard do the same job as a discrete sound card? Logically, "digital is digital" but I've also read about controllers and stuff. I'm not sure what the go is.

I don't see myself using balanced input/outputs in the foreseeable future. Then again, I never foresaw myself getting an external DAC.

Input appreciated.

[Drubbing]

A god dac will provide better instrument clarity and separation, sound staging, but these are things that can be subtle to begin with, as you won't hear tonal changes to the sound. If your card is half decent the step up to a good dac will be smaller than that from onboard

If you don't need a Cdp don't pay extra for it. I chose the dacmagic because I wanted to manage my music on pc.

Jitter is a paranoid audiophiles theory IMO. I've used USB and tos and both work the same. If you've had issues it's more likely to do with the laptop. Noise isn't jitter.

Don't read too much about audio - even from 'respected' publications. Large slabs of it are bullshit. A good dac, good phones and amp is all anyone needs, don't sweat over the other details.

[Buffalobiian]

If you've had issues it's more likely to do with the laptop.

Indeed.

My comment was more to point out that USB audio isn't fool-proof to interference or otherwise unpredictable problems.

(PS: it's a shitty shitty laptop. :P )

[Drubbing]

If you've had issues it's more likely to do with the laptop.

Indeed.

My comment was more to point out that USB audio isn't fool-proof to interference or otherwise unpredictable problems.

(PS: it's a shitty shitty laptop. :P )

If the issue is unpredictable then any connection may be susceptible. As you predict, it's a shitty laptop. Given two competing theories, the simplest one is usually more reliable.

[flognuts]

having the stx and dacmagic. While I think its a nice little upgrade in sound, (the STX is already a nice dac) whether or not its a $500 upgrade over the STX well that is upto your ears to decide.

[Buffalobiian]

If the issue is unpredictable then any connection may be susceptible. As you predict, it's a shitty laptop. Given two competing theories, the simplest one is usually more reliable.

The problem was more due to unpredictability than a predictable laptop problem in my opinion.

Bad sound through a laptop's 3.5mm jack is predictable and not abnormal. A USB-dac bypassing that is a common solution.
Noise still affecting the USB-audio isn't so readily predictable (or else the previous phenomenon wouldn't be true).

By bad, I meant the following:

1) it's old
2) it's slow
3) it runs hot
4) it's heavy
5) it's not energy-efficient

Luckily that's not my main system so I don't care too much about it anymore.

I chose the dacmagic because I wanted to manage my music on pc.

The DACmagic and stageDAC are probably the two hottest contenders at the moment, though I'm still open to recommendations regarding the rest of the Cambridge range.

Regarding your comment about not paying for a CDplayer that I don't want/need, is that a feature that usually makes up a significant part of the cost? I would have expected it to be a relatively cheap thing to add. I'm pretty uninformed in this aspect though.

having the stx and dacmagic. While I think its a nice little upgrade in sound, (the STX is already a nice dac) whether or not its a $500 upgrade over the STX well that is upto your ears to decide.

I see. Would you agree that the bass response from the dacmagic is less than the STX? That's probably the one and only comment I've read that indicates where the Essence may perform better than the dacmagic.

[flognuts]

couldn't notice a different in bass to be honest, just notice a difference in separation and clarity.

[Drubbing]

The DACmagic and stageDAC are probably the two hottest contenders at the moment, though I'm still open to recommendations regarding the rest of the Cambridge range.

Regarding your comment about not paying for a CDplayer that I don't want/need, is that a feature that usually makes up a significant part of the cost? I would have expected it to be a relatively cheap thing to add. I'm pretty uninformed in this aspect though.

It's more than the CD portion adds to cost, rather than making it the significant $$ component. It's only a tray and drive after all.

Given the potential step down from the DM, that the DM+ may be, I'd be more inclined towards the Stage DAc.

I see. Would you agree that the bass response from the dacmagic is less than the STX? That's probably the one and only comment I've read that indicates where the Essence may perform better than the dacmagic.

Bass response comes from headphones, not DACs IMO. One DAC, two different phones, two bass responses.

[Buffalobiian]

I might wait a bit since Marcus said that the the stagedac is sold out while he waits for the new revision to come, along with some other new items for the shop.

Cheers for the input guys.

[dan706]

Also interested in this thread - running STX > HD650. Now have the funds to purchase an external amp (as I'm told the STX has quite a good DAC). Recommendations?

[Drubbing]

Matrix M Stage. Budget no object? Talisman T33

[dan706]

Matrix M Stage. Budget no object? Talisman T33

I think I read somewhere last year that the Matrix M Stage was great, but is it fine driving 300 Ohm 'phones?

TIA

Dan

[Marcus]

Yep!

[Drubbing]

Matrix M Stage. Budget no object? Talisman T33

I think I read somewhere last year that the Matrix M Stage was great, but is it fine driving 300 Ohm 'phones?

TIA

Dan

I've got 400ohm phones and the M Stage has still got a lot of headroom to spare.

[dan706]

How does the Matrix M Stage compare to the Talisman T33 and the Codra Classic (Prices aside)?

Looking into purchasing one in the near future (=