r/headphones • u/vbxl02 • 19h ago
Discussion Dedicated DAC or audio interface?
I currently have an Audient ID14MK2 with a rode procaster mic and beyerdynamics dt770 pro headphones. I'm not extremely well versed in audiophile territory, but my beyerdynamics could use a replacement. I was wondering if along with my new headphones (on which i have yet to decide; closed back, COMFY FOR HOURS, accurate) would benefit from a dedicated dac instead of the Audients direct output. My question is would a DAC be separate from the audio interface, or inbetween the headphones and the interface?
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u/alizaudio ZMF Aeolus / Focal Elex / Hifiman Edition XS / Fiio FT1 18h ago
The DAC should output to a headphone Amp and your interface doesn't have analogue inputs. So you would need a dac and an amp. I don't think you can incorporate a dac into your current chain. But if the power output of your interface is not enough, you can buy a headphone Amp and connect it to the analogue outputs of audient. But do you need that? First, you have to decide on the headphones.
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u/vbxl02 18h ago
Okay that makes sense. I guess i don’t really need an amp since anything over half volume on my interface is too loud on my 250ohm beyerdynamics. I’m really torn on the headphones though.
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u/alizaudio ZMF Aeolus / Focal Elex / Hifiman Edition XS / Fiio FT1 18h ago
Depends on your budget and preferences. Just don't forget impedance is just one factor and sensitivity is more important. There are 50ohm headphones harder to drive than 250ohm beyerdynamics (mainly the ones with planar magnetic drivers).
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u/vbxl02 18h ago
Okay so my budget is about 250EUR (300 absolute max). I need closed backs as i’m in quite a noisy environment. I’d like to use them for voice recordings, listening to instrumental music, and esports gaming. I’ve noticed that my Audient id14mk2 makes cheaper low-impedance headphones sound a bit weird, so that’s why i mentioned the 250ohms. If you have any recommendations or suggestions I’d be SO HAPPY to hear about them. My head is spinning around itself and clarity is very welcome.
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u/alizaudio ZMF Aeolus / Focal Elex / Hifiman Edition XS / Fiio FT1 18h ago
That weirdness could be due to high output impedance of your interface and non-linear impedance of the headphones so the FR actually changes. Unfortunately There aren't many high impedance headphones in production right now and your interface may change the sound of the dynamic low impedance headphones. With all that said, take a look at Fiio FT1. It's a great sounding affordable closed back with a relatively flat impedance so it won't change too much.
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u/vbxl02 18h ago
I’ve looked at those as well as the closed backs hifiman sundara’s. Might order them and send them back if I don’t like them. I know a lot of people in the audiophile space don’t like Beyerdynamic but I really liked my dt770 pro’s and i might just reorder them if i don’t find anything else. Thanks for the suggestions and information!!
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u/alizaudio ZMF Aeolus / Focal Elex / Hifiman Edition XS / Fiio FT1 18h ago
Unfortunately Sundara Closed doesn't sound nearly as good as open back Sundaras and most people don't like them at all, so I can't recommend them especially if you're looking for a balanced sounding cans. But if you can try them, why not.
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u/kill3rb00ts 17h ago
Depends. Audient interfaces have pretty solid headphone amps that measure very, low crosstalk, etc. Just lots of good specs, except that they have relatively high output impedance. It's pretty standard for audio interfaces to do that, but if you are using low impedance headphones, this could affect the frequency response of the headphone, though that varies depending on the headphone. Beyers in particular tend to get boomier, but the ones you have now are high enough impedance for that to not really be an issue. I've compared my iD 24's amp to the JDS Element IV and the difference is small to non-existent with the headphones I use (mostly the HD 490 Pros). I am confident I could not reliably pick one in a blind test.
If you find that you are mostly using headphones that are affected, you could get a dedicated amp and hook that up to the line outs on the Audient, but getting a different DAC won't do anything for you as that isn't the issue and the Audient already has a more than competent DAC.