Looking for USB DAC/amp suggestions for ATH-W1000X

I'm looking to "upgrade" from my Audinst HUD-MX1 for my Audio Technica ATH-W1000X headphones (42 ohms). It would be nice if this amp played nice with my Ultimate Ears TF10s (32 ohms?) which suffer from channel imbalance at low volume due to the HUD-MX1. I'd be looking for a USB device which is both a DAC and an amp combined. This would hopefully my last expensive audio purchase ever that I would be tempted to make.

I've gathered some suggestions like the Cambridge DACMagic Plus, and also the CEntrance DACPort but I was wondering if there was anything else around that price range that might be suitable or "worth it"? Maybe even the O2/ODA depending on what people say about it when it is released.

I was mainly thinking I'd get the DACPort but with the option to get it with an output impedance of 1 ohm instead of 10 ohms (which is supposedly a good thing for headphones with lower impedance than 80 ohms?) it would probably cost about $500 + postage. However, a certain review of the DACPort mentioned that it was not a significant improvement from the HUD-MX1 which I own.

I also considered options like Audio Technica amps, AT-HA26D and AT-HA70USB, but I could not find any information about them and I'm not sure if they would be able to be powered in Australia without some difficulty.


Honestly, I have no idea what exactly I am looking for so I would be very grateful for any help and suggestions.

 

I've got an Audiolab MDAC which I almost never use. Soundwise it's fine, nothing particularly wrong with it. See zero point in using it with either a desktop or a laptop setup though.

I'd rather have an RME Babyface if you're anticipating carrying the setup around at all (though it's more an alloy brick, in terms of weight as well as size)...
... which is in fact what I use with laptops.

 

Read through this guy's blog, he writes a lot about the misconceptions and the marketing used by the consumer audio industry.

He also provides schematics and sources for very simple, but true audio DAC/Amp. Very affordable and sound very good, as good as any of the most expensive 2 channel DAC/Amp.

http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/

 

I love the hi-fi magazines are falling over themselves to give nwavguy's designs top marks and trying to word their superlatives in a way that doesn't make themselves look bad.

Still, plus ca change. They'll still rate a BS-infused piece of equipment highly if it has enough wood on it, and so will anyone else who doesn't take their stuff to the bench.

It's a pity that ultimately he almost has to come across as an arrogant jerk to get his point across, but it's confrontational objectivism I'd like to see more in audio, given the rampant subjectivism (and those that harness / profit from it through marketing) that pervades the key resources in the field.

Pairing an O2 with a Grado - or indeed, some Audio-Technicas if you aren't totally aware that you're paying a hefty premium disproportionate to the audio benefits in terms of the organic bling on the phone - ought to automatically ban you from the objectivist club, BTW

...That said, I am toying with the idea of getting the W3000ANV. I miss the W2002 as wearable art.

 

In the end, I kind of wish that I got headphones that wouldn't mind a bit of rough handling (perhaps the MDR-Z1000 + it has a detachable cable, or the Beyer T70?) but I do like the sound of the W1000X more than my other phones so far - though I wouldn't really recommend the W1000X to anyone. I should have stopped after I got the Porta Pros, though the W1000X only seem to be 75% of the headphones that I would really love.

Not sure if the W3000ANV would be my 100% but I think I will stop now...

 

I've had most of the limited editions and all of the wooden non-limited ones (including the W1000X) since the early 2000's and I'd say there have been zero that I'd elect to keep based on the sound (or in the case of the ESW's, the ability to usefully listen to that sound on the move). All of the W's IMO have their moments in specific bands / uses, but generally they make even the Tesla look like a bargain. Having said that though, the W1000X is however probably the least compromised of a really compromised series.

The W2002 was a particular high point in terms of aesthetics though - the Japanese lacquer earcups were gorgeous, as were the pared-back details on the body and jack. They've bought back exactly those elements with the W3000, though I don't like how they've dispensed with the stylin' "Japan" logo on the jack. I know I'll probably not choose to actually listen to them often as if history is any guide even an HD650 will probably kill them, but a part of me wants to just wear these works of art occasionally - maybe even brave the commute, though people will probably be saying "Why is that idiot wearing two giant Oreos on his head"...

 

Sigh, the only earphones I take out of the house are my q-Jays and before that my Porta Pros which are bloody open. Took the Porta Pros overseas for use and was forced to use then on the plane. Worst choice ever..

When I was last looking for headphones, I was looking for closed circumaural headphones that are comfortable, with low fatigue and with a sound that is at least not light on bass (which I can't stand - e.g. ATH-AD900). That is basically what somehow brought me to getting the W1000X. I'm sure that I could have done better than that.

Actually, I think I might be more fond of my DT250-250s.

Vogelbung, what are your preferred closed headphones at the moment?