USB DAC to power headphones (Sennheiser HD 650)

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ctviggen

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USB DAC to power headphones (Sennheiser HD 650)
« on: 4 Jun 2022, 11:55 am »
I was using an older model AudioQuest Dragonfly USB DAC:

https://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-Dragonfly-V1-5-DragonTail-Extender/dp/B00OLYQPAK/ref=sr_1_6?crid=27WI1LMGN63V3&keywords=Audioquest+DragonFly&qid=1654343058&sprefix=audioquest+dragonfly+%2Caps%2C151&sr=8-6

To output  into one of these:

https://www.schiit.com/products/valhalla-1

And then into Sennheiser HD 650.

The DragonFly died on me, and the Vahalla has had intermittent nasty noise for a long, long time.  A low level of noise that's mainly there, but can get louder.  Can be used if you turn up the music (noise stays low, doesn't get amplified), but I listen all day at work and listen at a low volume, so I can talk to people who come in.  I've changed tubes and don't know what else to do.  (Yes, I bypassed the DragonFly, and still got the noise, so it's the Vahalla.)

I'm currently plugging my headphones directly into the output of my computer. Does not sound good. 

I'd like to use a USB DAC to directly power my headphones.

Can anyone recommend a USB DAC that would power the Sennheiser HD 650?  I was hoping to stay under $150. 

Thanks. 

Letitroll98

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Re: USB DAC to power headphones (Sennheiser HD 650)
« Reply #1 on: 5 Jun 2022, 11:17 am »
I'd check out this thread.  https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=152638.0 While not exclusively including head amps there are lots of these DACs that have good quality head amps.  One of the originals in this long thread, the Sabaj DA3, is on clearance for $55 from the retail that was over $100.