[hibuckhobby]

I just picked up a PS audio DLIII dac and I have to say, I couldn't be more pleased 
It brings a mixture of both transparency and analog ease to it's presentation that I was
missing with my Emotiva XDA-1.  This is not to say the Emotiva sounded bad...in fact, for
the price, it's still the one to beat IMO. 

With my Lyr, some NOS tubes and very familiar music, I am nearing the synergy I've been
after ever since I started with headphones.  If my tinnitus would stop, I'd be there.
Hibuck....

[Bob2]

hibuck,
I'm curious to know more about your setup. What equipment is in the chain.....
I'm wondering if there is other hardware such as a DAC that might add some improvment to my rig!
I do plead ignorance on much of the equipment folks here are using but that's why I am here!
Thanks,
Bob

[eclein]

Bob2 welcome and all the names and numbers that float by will start making sense after awhile. I was the same way, didn't even know what a DAC was at first so I asked. I asked about everything and someone always politely explained what it was. In fact I still communicate with the gentlemen that helped me learn all the time.
 
Ask anything, I already asked all the really dumb questions so your good to go....LOL!!!
 

[hibuckhobby]

Hi Bob2...and welcome!
I have a couple of setups, but the one I was referring to in this post was
a Mac mini streaming data to a Squeezebox Touch via wifi.  I have the
digital signal coming out of the Touch into the PS Audio DLIII and then
the analog signal from the DLIII to my Schiit Lyr hybrid amp that I'm
using either Lorenz tubes or some Russian 'rocket logo' tubes in.

With this setup, I rotate three sets of cans:  Sennheiser HD650 with a
Cardas cable, Audio Technica ATH-W1000's with modded ear pads and
a pair of Denon AH-D5000's (stock).  I also have an Emotiva XDA-1 dac
that I run digital into that feeds my Marantz PM11S1 via balanced cables.
The Marantz has an excellent headphone out as well, so I can vary the sound
a bit more if I so desire.
regards,
Hibuck....

[mboxler]

With my Lyr, some NOS tubes and very familiar music, I am nearing the synergy I've been
after ever since I started with headphones.  If my tinnitus would stop, I'd be there.
Hibuck....

+1 on the the Lyr AND the tinnitus.  Always wondering what I'm missing in the "tinnitus tone zone".  Schiit Bifrost...AKG-701's here!

Welcome Bob!

Mike

[Bob2]

Thanks everyone! I do appreciate all the help and advice..

My set up as some might recall from another thread, I have just received a new set of HE500's and a WA6 amp.
I am feeding these from a couple of sources:

PC via ASUS PCI-Express x1 Sound Card XONAR ESSENCE STX/90, and an Oppo BDP-83.
The sound card has a headphone amp but I really wasn't impressed with it. At least with my 701"s.
Haven't tried the HE 500s with it but probably not up to the task.

I'm also using a Yaqin MS20-L for 2channel playback and a Pioneer Elite receiver for 7.2 channel movies and some music.
Would a DAC be useful in my setup?

My apologies to hibuck for over taking his thread.. I can start a new thread if it would be more appropriate.
Just want to learn my place here..
eclein,  mboxler, thanks!

[eclein]

I like to let things go wherever they go so unless Hibuck speaks up and says "back on topic" its a discussion to me like a bunch of friends, hobbyists sitting around in someone's living room.

 The Oppo, I believe, has a nice DAC onboard if it is the ESS Sabre version and if thats the case and you don't like the sound then maybe a DAC would be helpful. It all depends on your ear and what your hearing. Its easy at first, at least for me, to get on the "must do this" train when in fact you may be ok. You can get where you want to go and then go past it and never get back or spend hours trying to. I like the minimalist as possible approach staying with your equipments strength.

It helps that I'm  broke...LOL!!!!!!

[Bob2]

I like to let things go wherever they go

Thanks for that! Again my apologies to hibuck..look to you folks to keep me in line!

My Oppo is not the Ess version. I was an "early adopter" and none of the audio upgrades were available at the time. Although the new 103 looks pretty good spec wise..

I'm on a pretty tight budget myself. Trying to get things in place so that when I retire I can continue enjoying my "stuff"!
Thanks, Bob.