Shiki

Haha, yeah I edited it as soon as I re-read the post. That's also true, one time I left the amp running with the W5000 on top and the metal bits got really hot.

I've finally settled on my setup: E-MU 1212m -> Stello DA100 -> AT-HA5000 -> ATH-W5000 I will be sticking to this for a while. I think it sounds great! But I'm still trying to the get the W5000 fit right as the bass is a bit too quiet. Both the DA100 and HA5000 get really hot. I'm a bit worried about that.

I think I've pretty much decided on the Stello DA1000. Sounds like just the thing to tame the brightness of the W5000. No balanced out is the only downside, but I think by the time I'm ready for balanced (if ever) I would probably get a DAC of the next level. Thanks all.

Just noticed a used Lavry from an Australian eBayer. These are my options now. Prices are in USD (adjusted from AUD) and including postage. 1. Used Lavry DA10 (eBay) - $717 2. Stello DA100 (HiFi500) - $780 3. VDA-2/VAC-1 (local dealer) - $795 4. Used Benchmark DAC-1 (non-USB, local dealer) - $1028 5. Cambridge 840c (eBay) - $1365 Benchmark DAC-1 (USB) isn't available locally. New price for the non-USB Benchmark is $1468 and the Lavry is $1391. As a comparison, Bel Canto DAC3 is $2570 from the dealer here (way over my budget). The top 3 seem like the best values so I think those are the ones I'll be considering now. The Lavry is half the price of a new one and the VDA-2 isn't much more than the Stello, plus I can pick it up locally. I think I don't need balanced out for now, as I won't be able to afford a decent balanced amp for some time anyway. I'll probably settle with the HA5000 and W5000 (with Fitz's F5005 mod) so that's what I'll be using the DAC with. That combo has a warmer signature than the Opera/K701, Opera/W5000 or HA5000/K701.

Ok, so the DA100 and VDA-2 don't sound too cold with the K701? Out of those 2, which do you prefer? I'm going to be using either the Corda Opera or ATH-HA5000 amp (still deciding which one I like better). Also does the VAC1 actually makes a noticeable difference with the VDA-2?

I just found out that I can get the Cambridge 840c at around the same price as the Lavry here. Since I'm also somewhat looking for a CD player, it seems like a bargain if the DAC matches or exceeds the Lavry's.

Oops, sorry. I totally forgot about that. Same here! Audio equipment is just so expensive and I end up having to import or buy used. I've been looking at the Pico too, Head-Fi'ers are going ga-ga over the DAC, but I wonder how good the amp section is compared to a desktop-sized amp.

It looks like the X-DAC and DA100 don't have balanced out. Since I'm planning to go balanced in the future, I think I'm going back to the Lavry again...

Ok, last question: Are the X-DAC-V3 and DA100 considered a step up from the E-MU 1212M and Corda Opera DACs?

Thanks for the list! From what I've read, the VDA-2 has a analytical sound similar to the Benchmark DAC-1 so it's probably not well suited to my K701 and W5000... Will look into the other 2 compared to the Lavry.

Hi, I'm thinking of getting a Lavry DA10 but from the pictures I see, it only has XLR outputs. Can I connect it to my single-ended amp using XLR to RCA cables? Will there be any problems in doing so? Also, I don't need the headphone out on the DAC. Is there any DAC with equivalent quality but doesn't have a headphone out (and cheaper)? Thanks!

That's true, but I'm a real scrooge so that would force me not to spend anymore money.

Yes, the idea is if I get the Lavry, I can get an amp in the future (HeadAmp GS-X, perhaps). How good is the DAC in the HeadRoom? If it's not much worse than the Lavry then getting the HeadRoom package would be the end solution for me.

Ok, I think I've narrowed down my choices to: - Lavry DA10 (it's actually cheaper than the Benchmark DAC1 here in Sydney, Australia) + Balanced HD650, or - HeadRoom Balanced Desktop Package The first option would be a bit cheaper. I'll also see if I can find someone that can re-wire my AKG with balanced cables here. I'll continue using my current set up for the time being and see how I like it. Perhaps it's good enough that I decide not to spend any more money.

I'm using it on low gain, have the volume set at 10:30 and it's plenty loud for me. Or does a higher gain affect other things besides volume?

It's an E-MU 1212m soundcard, which someone said was bad earlier. I guess I would need a DAC if I went with the Stax.

Oops, I mean Headroom Balanced Desktop Package (the one with the maxed out amp + the HD650). Only thing is that at that price, I can get a Stax SR-303 set here.

There's a thread on Head-Fi (Clash of the titans: Benchmark DAC-1 vs. LaVry DA-10 vs. upgraded Zhalou DAC) that says the Benchmark isn't that good. Seems like the more research I do, the more confused I get. Having said that, the Benchmark Balanced Desktop Package looks like good value as I've always wanted to try the HD650...

What about the DAC in the Headroom Balanced Desktop? Is that any good? Also, the Lavry and Benchmark both have XLR outputs. Are they sufficient, or do I need another balanced amp?

I just received it today... Well, it certainly sounds better than running the K701 unamped. The problem is that I don't have any other amp to compare it too. It sounds decent though. I'm using my PC as the source and I prefer the sound of the DAC on my sound card (E-MU 1212m) though. I think I might just stick with this, until I save up enough for a balanced set-up.

Mine only has one foam, and it has a hole in the middle.

Hmm, I guess I'll test it out when it arrives and see how I like it. The HeadAmp GS-1 was one of the amps I was considering, but it has an 8-week waiting time plus probably another 2 weeks delivery to where I live. Is it much better than the Opera though? If I don't like the Opera, I might order the GS-1 and sell the Opera later.

Was browsing random sites since Head-Fi was down and saw a link for this forum.

I feel like crying now... I bought a K701 a few weeks ago and was told that I need a decent amp to power it, and guess what? I ordered a Corda Opera, which costs almost 4 times what I paid for the K701. I originally wanted to get a Heed CanAmp, but decided to spend more on an Opera. How bad is it? Is it worth selling it off and getting another amp?