Help me with component for Headphones

[admin_exported]

Hi!

I listen to music through headphones Sennheiser HD598. Also I have NAS Synology and MacBook Pro.

And I wish to buy something of good quality, for ex:

1) Onkyo A-5VL2) Onkyo TX-8050 (не оч понял как треки переключать, кроме как через айфон)3) DacMagic Plus4) Audiotrack Dr.Dac2 DX

1) Onkyo A-5VL

2) DacMagic Plus

3) Audiotrack Dr.Dac2 DX

4) Onkyo TX-8050

1-3 needs a source, may be it will be MacBook (toslink) - but it`s not comfortable to connect notebook to DAC every time.

4 - very comfortable "all in one", but I`m not sure that it has a good quality sound.

But sound quality is main goal! What do you recommend for me?

 

[The_Lhc]

4) Onkyo TX-8050

4 - very comfortable "all in one", but I`m not sure that it has a good quality sound.

Reviews elsewhere and opinion of owners here would suggest it does, however it's also an amplifier, which you may not need if you're only listening through headphones.

 

[Anonymous]

Reviews and opinions of all devices are very good. But I can`t find opinions about Onkyo if use it with headphones. Of course I need Amplifier for headphones for best sound.

 

[fatman]

I have one of these for heaphone listening -

http://www.firestone-audio.eu/shop/products/allproductslisted/fubar4-plus.php

Roughly half price at the moment, the company runs a similar promotion every year.

Upgradeable too with the extra power supplier - the two units look great in the custom rack.

How about the Fubar 4+ and a Squeezebox Touch?

 

[Anonymous]

Fubar is very interesting. But has it really good sound? And I should buy The Supplier (extra 120Euro). 120+170=290Euro. This is more expensive than TX-8050 and only 60Euro cheaper than DacMagic...

 

[fatman]

I bought the Fubar before Christmas with the intention of buying the supplier in a few months time as I want to be able to hear the difference when it is added.

Although no previous experience of headphone amps I have owned a couple of DACS in the hi-fi set up.

I have been hugely impressed with the Fubar - I run with open back AKG headphones and the quality outperforms my hi-fi by some distance - stunned by the depth and new sounds in old favourite tracks.

Although a little wary of spending 100quid on a power supply, I look forward to its addition. I have received very good service from Firestone and they have replied in detail to a couple of emails I have sent. I expect they would take the supplier back if I am not impressed (this is just an opinion!)

I wanted a unit for my desk/office so size was a big factor - bonus it looks great too.

This unit suits your requirements - the Onkyo ticks more boxes but you are paying for stuff you don't need (although onboard Spotify is a massive tick for me), hence probably not getting as much for your money in terms of DAC/headphone amp..... I do like the Onkyo and may even buy one, but not for headphones.

There are RCA fixed level out on the Fubar, you can always connect to amp&speakers or powered speakers at a later date.

Oh, and that Squeezebox Touch is a cracking little unit when you get fed up hooking your macbook up all the time. Dips to £150 on Amazon every now and again.

 

[Anonymous]

Thx for detail review, but I order the Onkyo TX-8050 today and I will receive it on Monday. I could use it with floor speakers as bonus in future. TX-8050 has all functions that I need - source(from NAS by DLNA), amp and good DAC. I don`t need additional good source and cables anymore. I hope it`s amazing device with very comfortable remote control app for iPhone and MacOS, I can easily change a track, playlist, volume, etc.

Also I heared that Fubar has a bad power isolation (for ex. - http://www.amazon.com/review/R1DSMLB417FFV7/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B002XO1VMC&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode= )

 

[fatman]

Am sure those reviews mentioning hiss are from people using low impedance portable headphones which don't need a headphone amp to drive. I tried a smaller pair of AKG's I use with the iPod and there is hiss. All part of the learning experience.....

Roll on Monday, enjoy the Onkyo - will be great.

 

[John Duncan]

Also I heared that Fubar has a bad power isolation (for ex. - http://www.amazon.com/review/R1DSMLB417FFV7/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B002XO1VMC&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode= )

Not here...

 

[Anonymous]

I have found on another forum that Fubar has a not very good components: SRC4192 + PCM1793. Tomorrow I will write review about TX-8050.

 

[Anonymous]

Yesterday I received Onkyo TX-8050. I`m very happy. It`s amazing. Wonderfull sound, Spotify, network works without any issue. Network is ready for use within 30 seconds after launch.