New Crack Build - First Headphone amp build

[Urshurak776]

Hi All!

Just bought a Crack kit to go with my Sennheiser HD6XX Headphones (300ohm.) Supposedly this is the amp to drive them. I do not have a DAC and my source is just my iphone 13. Does a DAC matter much? Seems everyone uses one, so I may be missing the boat on this....

I have some experience building guitar amps, electronics, etc. Lots of soldering experience. Built a scratch Fender 5E3, which seems much more complicated than this appears to be. Been a while though, looking forward to it.

Curious what signal chain most of you guys use. If a DAC is recommended, anything worth looking at in a budget range? $100 or so?

I'll post photos as I go along. Thanks all! Happy Holidays!

EDIT: Wanted to say I wear hearing aids, so my hearing may be slightly WRONG...LOL

 

[Paul Birkeland]

Yes, a DAC matters a lot, especially if you're using a mobile DAC as a source. These are optimized only for power consumption and there isn't really any regard for sound quality in the design process.

Fiio and iFi have inexpensive DAC options that you can look at that will give you a nice bump in performance.

 

[Urshurak776]

Yes, a DAC matters a lot, especially if you're using a mobile DAC as a source. These are optimized only for power consumption and there isn't really any regard for sound quality in the design process.

Fiio and iFi have inexpensive DAC options that you can look at that will give you a nice bump in performance.

Thanks Paul. I will read up on them.

 

[Urshurak776]

I picked up a Christmas sale on a Fosi DS2. Reviews seem really good. Looking forward to getting the crack together.

 

[2wo]

I would think that the output of your phone would be analog and an outboard DAC would not be used. If you are somehow getting a digital output, then never mind.

 

[Urshurak776]

I would think that the output of your phone would be analog and an outboard DAC would not be used. If you are somehow getting a digital output, then never mind.

Using Apple’s camera adapter allows you to connect via USB to a DAC. This allows the DAC to get a digital input from iPhone. I’m not sure of what format though. I have an iPhone 13.

This method seems to be what most people use if your phone is your source.

From AI:

7




Yes, an Apple Camera Adapter (Lightning to USB 3) for your iPhone 13 will transmit digital music to a DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) because it converts the iPhone's Lightning output to a standard USB-A port, allowing it to communicate with most USB DACs, bypass the internal DAC, and provide high-quality digital audio, often with the benefit of simultaneous charging.

 

[Urshurak776]

So, my Crack was shipped and I was still thinking about the DAC. The Fosi DS2 will be cool to use at work (has an amp also.). For home, and to use with the Crack, I grabbed a Topping E30 II Lite. Reviews seem really good. One review I read the person had the same headphones I have and they said this DAC and the Crack were magical. Good enough for me.

Merry Christmas!