I just read the review here of the Schiit Asgard 3 with internal AKM4490 DAC:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/schiit-asgard-3-headphone-amp-dac.14393/
Whilst the amp itself was very highly praised, the opposite is true of the DAC. I've this amp/Dac, and I listen solely via Sennheiser HD660S (150ohm) headphones, to (mostly) flac files from CDs, delivered from a Raspberry Pi 4 via USB. I don't relate at all to any comments about limited output volume. On high gain I rarely need to move the volume pot beyond 11 oclock; only on some classical music recordings. Regarding the DAC measurements (sinad and the like) I'm unsure how these manifest themselves in terms of what I can actually hear, and how much better an alternative DAC would sound. For example, if the dynamic range of a CD is 96dB, and the measured dynamic range of this DAC is around 89.1dB, what does that mean? More range between the quietest and the loudest movements? How much more?
Supposing I was going to upgrade the DAC, it seems that the Topping D10S measures well and I can get for £90 (the same I paid for the AKM4490 module, in fact! Or the E30 for £115. Would either be a noticeable upgrade? Similar question - any difference in sound quality between those two? Back in the day people used to talk about compatibility between hifi separates; will any external DAC with RCA output work with the Asgard 3?
Shame this review wasn't around when I bought the Asgard!
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/schiit-asgard-3-headphone-amp-dac.14393/
Whilst the amp itself was very highly praised, the opposite is true of the DAC. I've this amp/Dac, and I listen solely via Sennheiser HD660S (150ohm) headphones, to (mostly) flac files from CDs, delivered from a Raspberry Pi 4 via USB. I don't relate at all to any comments about limited output volume. On high gain I rarely need to move the volume pot beyond 11 oclock; only on some classical music recordings. Regarding the DAC measurements (sinad and the like) I'm unsure how these manifest themselves in terms of what I can actually hear, and how much better an alternative DAC would sound. For example, if the dynamic range of a CD is 96dB, and the measured dynamic range of this DAC is around 89.1dB, what does that mean? More range between the quietest and the loudest movements? How much more?
Supposing I was going to upgrade the DAC, it seems that the Topping D10S measures well and I can get for £90 (the same I paid for the AKM4490 module, in fact! Or the E30 for £115. Would either be a noticeable upgrade? Similar question - any difference in sound quality between those two? Back in the day people used to talk about compatibility between hifi separates; will any external DAC with RCA output work with the Asgard 3?
Shame this review wasn't around when I bought the Asgard!
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