Headphone amp with DAC and a digital transport

[Mickgw]

Hi everyone

I've just purchased some AKG K701 headphones, now i'm looking for a headphone amp with built in DAC and a digital transport to get the music straight from my ipod.

I've been informed about the Onkyo transport for the ipod but my friend tells me you can buy a lead which goes from the bottom of your ipod straight to your amp / dac, is this true?

Also what amp does everyone recommend? i've read about the Fubar 4, but also there is the Fubar4 plus, is there any need to buy this, or will the 4 do.

I've not really got a clue on the above, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Mike

 

[John Duncan]

Mickgw:my friend tells me you can buy a lead which goes from the bottom of your ipod straight to your amp / dac, is this true?

Not that will take a digital output from the iPod, no - you need a dock like the Onkyo. You can get leasd that will plug into your amp from the iPod, but they still use the lesser-quality iPod DAC.

Mickgw:i've read about the Fubar 4, but also there is the Fubar4 plus, is there any need to buy this, or will the 4 do.

Well I like my Fubar IV a lot, but I figured I'd rather start with that and maybe add the Supplier power supply later, rather than get the plus. I think the plus handles very high res (192) content, but I see no need for that right now.

 

[Mickgw]

Thanks for the reply John,

So i guess its the Onkyo then, with respect what the supplier power supply all about?

Do you have to order the Fubar from the net?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[shafesk]

Hey Mick...a dock like the onkyo takes the digital output from an ipod. Using a spdif cable you can then send the signal into a dac. Regarding a headphone amp and dac...it would be easier if you tell us your budget. For around the same amount of money as the fubar...you can also get a beresford caiman. I suggest comparing reviews....RESEARCH IS KING! How do you find the K701? I got the 702 recently too...

 

[Mickgw]

I only got them yesterday, but my first thought are that they are excellent, alas plugged into an ipod they are not very good, which i knew before i bought them.

I would probably go up to around £500 but no more.

Thanks for the reply.

Mike

 

[shafesk]

For 500 I would suggest you spend 250 on each and get separate dac and headphone amp. The Dac-magic and Graham Slee Novo perhaps?

 

[shafesk]

Also heard good things about Ibasso d10, might be worth a look. You can order from their website, delivery from China. Still would be cheaper than buying it from UK.

 

[audioaffair]

It's always worth connecting the iPod using the iPod connector as this is a digital connection that bypasses the internal volume control. Within your price bracket, the Onkyo is a good choice alongside say a Musical Fidelity M1 HPA which is almost of similar size (allowing you to put the transport on top!)