USB DAC with headphone jack

dragon1952

I'm looking for something to use on my computer system which has powered speakers. I'm currently just using a Topping D10 but I'd like to replace it with something I can also plug headphones into. All I need is a USB input, RCA line level outputs for the speakers and a headphone jack. Anybody know of anything new or used that's a reasonable price, like under $300? I wish I hadn't sold my Grant Fidelity TubeDAC :^ /

msg

You could just add a Schiit Magni 3 or other headphone amp if the Topping is working for you DAC wise?

I use a Schiit Modi DAC and Schiit headphone amps with Audioengine HD3s. Favorite little setups. Easiest way I've found to integrate headphones and powered speakers with computer audio and switch to HPs on the fly. Also provides quick volume control. Pleasing results with these combos.

dragon1952

So how would that connect to the Topping D10?

msg

USB to Topping, as currently running, of course, then
Line Out from Topping to Line In on Magni 3, and then
Line Out from Magni 3 to Line In on your powered speakers.

Sorry, I made the assumption that your computer speakers have Line In RCAs. Which speakers are they?

If they're computer speakers with 3.5mm input jack and not powered monitors with RCA inputs, you could use a 3.5mm to RCA cable from the Magni 3 to the speakers.

If they're computer speakers with a hard-wired 3.5mm input cable, you could get an RCA to 3.5mm female connector.

I've not tried the "opposite" direction before with those 3.5mm to RCA type cables, but not seeing a reason it wouldn't work.

dragon1952

They have RCA inputs (Fostex PMO4.n). Thanks for the input. So would that make the Schiit a passive device and it would just pass the Topping signal to the speakers?

msg

Nice.

It won't make the Schiit passive - there will still be gain on its output to your Fostex, so you'll have to mess around a little to figure out which volume control combo/setup works best.

In my setup where I run directly out of a computer, I have the computer volume set to around 85 to 90. Then I turn on the headphone amp (initially turned down to min), wait a few seconds for it to kick on. Then I turn on the powered speakers, wait for them to kick on. Then I turn them up to about the 3 o'clock position. Works pretty well. I really enjoy these setups for near field.

Granted, this is more complicated than a DAC/headphone amp option, so it's just one path to consider. I think you'll still end up with three volume controls either way. I've not experienced any noticeable difference in SQ using either the headphone amp volume control or the computer's volume from my keyboard. It just happens to be handier right now with where the headphone amp sits, off to my left, to use its volume knob. You may notice distortion if you max out all other volume controls but one. Kind of like how it was with those old tape adapters for using a portable disc player in vehicles back in the early days. I think they said to set the CD player's volume to 75% max, or something like that.

dragon1952

OK....cool. Thanks very much. I think the add-on headphone amp makes more sense so I don't have to sell the Topping. I'm looking at the Schiit Magni Heresy right now as an option.

msg

Sure thing!

Yeah, I really like the Schiit stuff. Nice options at varying price points. They have something for most everyone. Some of their stuff is modular and upgradable.

I just stumbled onto this kind of a setup sort of by accident. Same as you, I had a pleasing computer audio setup going, and then realized I wanted to add headphones and also be able to switch between speakers and headphones on the fly. I happened to have a Magni 3, tried it out, and it worked great as a preamp/volume control for the powered speakers, too. Worked so well I duplicated it for a second space.

Can you use a sub with the Fostex setup?

dragon1952

If I understand what I've read you would need a sub with RCA ins and outs, but I'm not really interested in going that route. The computer setup is just for casual listening.
I might opt for the Magni 3+ now that I've done a little more research though.

msg

Yeah that makes sense with what I'm seeing for the Fostex. Shouldn't be too hard to find something should you decide to go that route down the road. Certainly doesn't matter for headphones

dragon1952

True dat.

Clipdat

I recently ordered the Schiit Jotunheim 2 HP amp with the AK4490 DAC module. I haven't unboxed it yet.

dragon1952

Looks nice....no USB though so that rules it out for my application.

dragon1952

So I'm looking on the Schiit website at both the Heresy and Magni 3+ and there doesn't seem to be a selectable color choice when you add either to your cart?

Clipdat

dragon1952 wrote: »

Looks nice....no USB though so that rules it out for my application.

Yes it is USB:



Also the nice thing about it is that the pre-outs are enabled or disabled via front panel switch. A lot of the other more inexpensive HP amps I've been trying have the pre-outs active all the time, they don't mute when you plug in headphones. So therefore the only way to stop the signal from getting to your powered speakers is to turn off the speakers themselves which is kindof annoying, imo, especially if you're accustomed to them auto-powering up and down when they see/don't see a signal.

dragon1952

Ahh...the optional input card. I didn't see a USB option on the website.

dragon1952

dragon1952 wrote: »

So I'm looking on the Schiit website at both the Heresy and Magni 3+ and there doesn't seem to be a selectable color choice when you add either to your cart?

I didn't read down far enough I guess. The Magni 3+ is only silver and the Heresy is only black/red. My Topping is black but I went with the Magni 3+ anyway because from the reviews the sound signature seems more to my tastes. It's already on it's way. Thanks for the help guys.

rooftop59

This is what I use and I love it:. You would no longer need the topping: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1309434-REG/ifi_audio_304005_nano_idsd_le_portable.html/?ap=y&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7pKFBhDUARIsAFUoMDZa-teXlVmp5ZmcPqJH_NGfOZMLr7ZHauOUOQ-3E9q5t-7DuCf9DtQaAg_XEALw_wcB&lsft=BI:514&smp=y

dragon1952

Interesting but for aesthetics I wouldn't want the RCA's coming out of the front and I'd want the headphone jack facing me.

DaveHo

Clipdat wrote: »

I recently ordered the Schiit Jotunheim 2 HP amp with the AK4490 DAC module. I haven't unboxed it yet.

Interested in your impressions. I'm looking for a preamp with SE & balanced outs. Not much available in that price range. I understand this is intended as a HP amp first. Wondering if the preamp outs are worthy or a compromised afterthought.

Clipdat

DaveHo wrote: »

Interested in your impressions. I'm looking for a preamp with SE & balanced outs. Not much available in that price range. I understand this is intended as a HP amp first. Wondering if the preamp outs are worthy or a compromised afterthought.

Absolutely, I plan on strongly critiquing that element of it's performance. Will keep you updated.

dragon1952

I got my Magni 3+ today. This thing is about 1/4th of the size it appears to be in the pictures. I was quite surprised.

gudnoyez

Enjoy it I got the Modi, Vali, Locki stack for the price I'm a happy camper Schiit makes good stuff for the price. They do appear pretty small after you see them from what you expect seeing them on thier website.

msg

dragon1952 wrote: »

I got my Magni 3+ today. This thing is about 1/4th of the size it appears to be in the pictures. I was quite surprised.

Lol
Good surprised, or "What?!? That's it?!?" surprised?

Yeah, there are essentially three general series footprints - mini, standard, and full. Components like the Magni HP amp, Modi DAC and Loki EQ are all mini. Since it's for a computer setup, you may come to appreciate the small firm factor.

dragon1952

I guess I could have read the measurements first but I just was expecting something about twice the size of my Topping D10 and it's actually the same size. And not that it matters, actually smaller is better except maybe the weight of some cables may make it hard for it to sit flat.

msg

Oh, yeah, that can be an issue with lighter stuff as we all know. I use some short cables I picked up on Amazon to help with that. I like the AQ Forest line with these components, as well.

With heavier cables, I've had to support the cable. You can get stick-on cable management clamps or bundles, or just velcro if you have something to secure it to to take the weight off the setup.

The ones linked below are some that Drew mentioned he was checking out a while back, and I've been trying them out in one of my setups, too. Short runs, made with Mogami cable with decent, snug connectors. Not bad. They seem to mesh well with the HiFiBerry running piCorePlayer. I use them from the piCorePlayer to the Magni 3, then same but longer out to the Audioengine HD3 powered speakers. They stick out the back a bit by about 6", and without being longer, they will not squash down.

I used a UGREEN USB cable from the MacBook to the Modi when I was running things that way, but I think you have the USB cable covered, yes?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ALHTVMO/

Schiit offers some short ones called the PYST cables. These are very similar to those.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GNXGUAQ/

dragon1952

I found some old 1ft long homemade Silver Sonics I had lying around which are pretty light and flexible. Those should be sufficient. I guess you can always use some 2 sided adhesive strips on the bottom of the devices too.

msg

Nice. Are those the ones that were made with a thin piece of silver with loose Tech Flex over them and silver connectors? I have some made like this, but I don't know what they are.

See what you think of the heat on the Magni. I haven't found mine to get very warm, and the case works as a heat sink, of course. Just the same, I like to add taller feet on mine to separate them a bit more to allow for a bit more air flow.

These 3M J5303 Bumpons are handy to have around.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0080HNPAW/

dragon1952

These are just the plain blue cable with no tech flex. Just homemade with generic connectors. Actually I think I bought them from someone on here many years ago.
So a question on the Magni....I have high sensitivity headphones so I'm assuming I would use the low gain setting but that seemed too weak for the powered speakers so I would use the high gain for those.

gudnoyez

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1002963136/schelf?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_d-electronics_and_accessories-audio-headphones_and_stands-headphones&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAjwtJ2FBhAuEiwAIKu19mEYHtv_AIh1-LEner-AN0CGUkbktsghMS0ykloGyR84Z-lfgErFYRoCLi8QAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_1843970788_69629620037_346429193273_aud-1185363470307:pla-314548488900_m__1002963136_12768591&utm_custom2=1843970788&gclid=CjwKCAjwtJ2FBhAuEiwAIKu19mEYHtv_AIh1-LEner-AN0CGUkbktsghMS0ykloGyR84Z-lfgErFYRoCLi8QAvD_BwE

You can get these schelfs made with a 3d printer to put between your Schiit holds them snugly in place gives more breathing room and airflow, and helps keep your schiit from moving around when using shorter cables. I thought I would just inform you guys. They work great.

dragon1952

Ha ha...schiit schelfs....very clever!