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USB DAC for HTPC

J

jazzman161

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 6, 2004
Messages
220
Hey everyone. I'm looking at using a USB DAC/Amp combo on my HTPC to u power headphones for movie watching when I can't use the home theater speakers.

Does anyone have any experience with this type of situation? Right now I'm using Mediaportal as my front-end. Video/audio output via HDMI from Radeon card to the receiver that decodes all the hi-def codecs.

I would like to still be able to display the video while outputting the sound through the USB DAC/Amp into my headphones.

Is this possible? I'm thinking maybe worst case scenario I need to change the audio output device in Mediaportal settings and then I should be set?
 
Curiosity question....doesn't your AVR have a headphone out on it that you can use?
 
Yes it does but from what I've read (I'm just getting into this hi-fi headphone world), the outputs on most receivers aren't powerful enough to really fill out/drive higher end headphones.

Sorry, guess I should have thrown that in there.
 
Most receivers do just fine. What headphones? Actually, please list your audio equipment in total. You probably don't need anything but may just want a different sound.
 
Well the headphones I'm looking at purchasing (don't own yet), are:

Beyerdynamic DT 990 (600 Ohm)
Ultrasone Pro 2900
Hifiman HE-400

The receiver is a Denon 2310 and I'm still waiting for tech support to get back to me with headphone jack impedance and output since it's not in the manual.

I was contemplating purchasing a Schiit Modi/Magni combo for the headphone, whatever I choose.

I suppose I could just buy the headphone I want and try it out in the headphone jack but maybe somebody has some experience with these class of headphones and A/V receivers and can just tell me it will/won't work out so well.
 
Well i have the 990 600ohms and can say that my AuzentechHTHD couldnt power it properly.

Im using it on my Pioneer SC-35, there it just shine. That bass :D

I dont think that a cheap USB dac can power a power hungry HP like it.
 
The Schiit Asgard is a better choice if you want a good amp.

I would buy the Hifiman HE-400 first and try it with the receiver. Then go from there as far as amp/dac. The 400 is the best headphone on your list and one of the best all around headphones period.
 
Thanks for the info DouglasteR. I couldn't find the specs but I got to think your Pioneer Elite A/V is a hell of a lot beefier than my Denon but I guess the best guess is like spaceman said and just try it out.

Do either of you have experience with both the HE-400 and DT 900, specifically for movie usage only?
 
DT990 is fun for movies and does them well enough. The sound is big bass and sparkly treble. This kind of sound signature intrudes on the midrange aka voices and the like. So it is "fun sounding" but ultimately lacks the crucial details like the inflection of a voice.

Like I said, the he 400 is probably the best on your list but not what I believe to be best for what you want. It is a planar headphone and a bit heavy. So long periods of wear might literally wear you out.

The Sennheiser 598 or 558 will both do what you want and do so out of your receiver. They are neutral headphones with a touch of warmth and a good amount of bass. The 990 will go lower so sounds like a train rumble will sound a bit more bassy but you will get more detail aka realism with the Sennheiser 558/598.

Edit: The Sennheisers are among the lightest and most comfortable headphones. I barely register that I am wearing my 558s.
 
Last edited:
jazzman161 said:
Thanks for the info DouglasteR. I couldn't find the specs but I got to think your Pioneer Elite A/V is a hell of a lot beefier than my Denon but I guess the best guess is like spaceman said and just try it out.

Do either of you have experience with both the HE-400 and DT 900, specifically for movie usage only?
Click to expand...

Yep, it is, but the Denon will power it effortlessly too.

I can speak solely for the DT990 :( , wish i could afford a Hifiman :(

The DT990 is a very nice Headphone, one of the TOP 25 for sure. It have great low bass with very energetic highs, but lack some mid impact (its not that it dont have it, but the smile curvature of its
frequency range emphasys Lows and Highs. In movies/game it simply scares you.

Wish i could test a planar HP to see if its really worth the extra extra money :(
 
Douglaster - Aren't the 990 DT and HE-400 pretty close in price? $350 vs $400? I'd love to find a way to demo both but I doubt that'll be possible.

Spaceman - Are you saying that if the weight isn't a deal breaker for me, the HE-400 would be the best, in your opinion? Even considering the Sennheisers?

Also, why did you recommend the Schiit Asgard amp over the Modi?
 
jazzman161 said:
Douglaster - Aren't the 990 DT and HE-400 pretty close in price? $350 vs $400? I'd love to find a way to demo both but I doubt that'll be possible.

Spaceman - Are you saying that if the weight isn't a deal breaker for me, the HE-400 would be the best, in your opinion? Even considering the Sennheisers?

Also, why did you recommend the Schiit Asgard amp over the Modi?
Click to expand...

Not exactly, i bought my 990 used from a trust seller for 200~$, but i cant find the HE400 for less then 500 (with shipping to Brazil ofc).

Its common sense that the planar tech is superior to the normal speakers, but i wish to test them too to see if its worth the investment.

Get the Hifiman if you can.
 
Hifi + Asgard is the best sounding option. Reason being that movies demand big dynamic swings in volume and thus power. So buy the most powerful amp you can afford in order to keep up with the planar drivers.

Planar drivers are faster than regular drivers so a more powerful amp will allow them to be controlled better and thus sound cleaner.

Really though, a pair of 598s out of your receiver will sound fantastic. The only reason to spend the money on the 400 and asgard is bc you can afford to and want that extra 10-15% improvement on how realistic the movie sounds. If you want that door to creak just the way it was recorded for example.
 
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