Reddit mentions of Micca OriGen High Resolution USB DAC and Preamplifier - 24-Bit/192kHz PCM and 64x DSD

Fiio E10k is the popular under-$100 choice (and deservedly so) but if you can find the Micca Origen on sale for less than $100 like it is right now on Amazon, it's good too. For a desktop amp, the Monoprice Desktop DAC/amp is decent for that price range.

This may be due to your on-board sound. Before spending, I would test out the headphones on a different PC/source. Make sure it isn't just the headphones themselves.

Then, when you are ready to buy, get an external dac/amp, basically an external sound card. Check out the Micca Origen($100), Fiio E10k($76), Monoprice Dac/Amp($80), and SMSL SD793-II($63).

Check out this as well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00V7K5UJI/ref=gp_aw_ybh_a_6?ie=UTF8&refRID=X9Y8WBJVRJ0MBCXTFH3E

I'm in the same boat as you, trying to figure out what to pair my X2 with. I've been considering the Micca Origen. I've read from a couple places (head-fi/Z reviews) that its 'better' than the FiiO e10k. I also heard the e10k with the X2 produces a pretty harsh treble so that may be worth considering. I'm wondering if there's any real benefit in saving up for an o2/odac or schiit stack since I'm pretty much using the X2 exclusively...

http://www.amazon.com/Micca-OriGen-High-Resolution-Preamplifier/dp/B00V7K5UJI Obviously a U.S. link, but its the Micca Origen. I've had it since December and its great.

Found this sub from somewhere on /all. Nice work /u/ZeosPantera!

Question for you. I have the Asus Xonar DG sound card which apparently has a built in amp.

If I mostly play games on the PC (70% of the time), and watch videos for the remaining time, do I need something like the Micca Origen+?

I use the Bose QC15 and Blue Snowball. I also have the Bose Companion 2 Series III, but I hardly ever use them; they're just sitting on my desk unplugged.

Thanks!

Micca OriGen should be right up your alley.

The thing that studio monitors really lack in home setting is a physical volume control. You could spend $50 on something like the Schiit Sys but if you have the funds, get something like a Micca OriGen since it gives you a good DAC and headphone amp while allowing you to control the Genelec volume using the knob on the DAC.

I doubt that cables are included, but you would need a 3.5mm to RCA like this. You would pull the ends apart since the speakers would be at least a few feet apart.

Aune's had some problems with the community lately and their prices don't fluctuate often. You can grab the O2 + ODAC combo w/ jacks on massdrop for around 200$ when they drop. I wouldn't go for the JDSlabs ones, kind of expensive. A Simple schiit stack smear is always nice but don't get the Uber versions unless you really need em. I'd only need one usb input for source and you can always split the dac out. The element is lovely but you're paying a high premium for user experience. I've heard really really great things about the Micca OriGen. It's a lovely 100$ usb powered dac/amp. In fact, it has similar user experience to the element. Though I've heard it has some funny issues with the pre-outs, I'd definitely recommend this one (based on what I've heard/read). Lots of great options under 250$. Here's a humble dac/amp from SMSL. Any specific features you require?

Also, check out the T50RP MkIII. You won't regret it.

edit: words + adding in the SD793/ mur wurds

I need a DAC & Amp to use with my Philips SHP9500s on my PC.

Budget: $50 - $100

Necessary Features: USB Input, External Power(non portable)

My onboard audio sounds pretty good (Asus Z97-AR motherboard), but it is very noisy. I also have this cheapo USB adapter which sounds awful, but it's quiet. I use the audio adapter for my V-Moda Mic and I plan to keep using it because the mic is very clear with it.

 

The most recommended products seem to be the Fiio E10k and the Micca Origen. I think the Micca is perfect, but it's over budget. The Fiio has all the features I need too, but reviews seem to be mixed about actual sound quality.

My biggest question is whether there is an appreciable difference between the 192kHz Micca and the 96kHz Fiio. Also, are there any other obvious contenders that I'm overlooking?

I'm probably going to buy the Micca OriGen.

The E10K is a fantastic recommendation. Another option is the Micca Origen. It lacks bass boost, but I have 400i's and drive them with a Schiit Asgard 2 and I don't think you'll need any bass boost when you're driving them properly.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V7K5UJI/ref=s9_simh_gw_g23_i17_r?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=0A56TAKHC02S36GDY37H&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2079475242&pf_rd_i=desktop

I'd go with Air Emotiva 6s and a Micca Origen. This would be a step above my setup of the 5s straight to source. If you want to lower it get the 5s or the already mentioned JBL's.

Take a look at the Micca OriGen. It's supposedly much better than the FiiO E10K

I'd suggest an outboard DAC.

Something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Audioquest-DragonFly-Preamp-Headphone-Version/dp/B00H00VLZQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452322565&sr=8-1&keywords=dragonfly+dac

or this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V7K5UJI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00

They will sound better and solve any audio issues.

Yup! It's back on Amazon as in stock for the 28th! Hopefully its new-found popularity won't jack up the price a ton.

The Grace Digital GDI-BTAR513 has all you want, minus the USB DAC, in favor of a APTX bluetooth option. So, maybe look at snagging that and keep your current dac in use until you can upgrade it later.

The Grace Digital GDI-IRMSamp is a similar product, with a bit less power, and it opts for Wifi (n) instead of bluetooth, and has no sub out, but as mentioned, you can just run the speaker wire into/out of the sub if needed. The USB port on this one seems to take music, but I don't think it works as a full dac, but might hook up to your computer OK. That part would require googling and ain't nobody got time for that.

The option that might be your best though is to just keep your SA60, run speaker wire into/out of the sub (a totally fine option), and the spend your $150 on a quality DAC/Amp combo like the Micca OriGen (assuming it shows back up in stock for $99 soon. The Monoprice DAC/Amp is a decent option too, and at only $80, you could look at an ugarded SMSL A2 amp that has tone controls and a sub output.

Let's test that...

Thought so. It's not the search doing it. I'm guessing you got to one of those Amazon pages from somewhere else?

Will this be good enough to power these guys?

http://www.amazon.com/Micca-OriGen-High-Resolution-Preamplifier/dp/B00V7K5UJI

I currently use it for my HD598s.... and its great... but these guys seems a bit heftier?

appreciate the advice!!!!!!

How cheap and what is the impedance of your headphones? If $100 is reasonable then I recommend these two units.



$100 - Micca OriGen

$105 - Monoprice Desktop Headphone Amplifier.

Sure, here's the Strix. https://images.webhallen.com/product/267958/large

A DAC is a Digital-to-Analog converter. Speakers can't play the sound coming out of a computer digitally but has to convert it to analog. Active computer speakers (plug and play) have built in DACs (usually cheap ones) while passive speakers that need an amplifier (for power) do not. A DAC also acts an external sound card and improves your sound substantially from integrated motherboard audio, providing you have a decent audio set up.

Also an external sound "card" as the DAC won't be prone to electrical interference from inside the case and will always provide a clear sound. There are all kinds of DACs out there but something like this is nifty just as an example of form factor: https://www.amazon.com/Micca-OriGen-High-Resolution-Preamplifier/dp/B00V7K5UJI/=ur2&tag=linustechtips-20?tag=linus21-20 that can go for both powered speakers and headphones plugged in. But it won't work with a passive speakers for instance due to a lack of amplifier.

The Micca OriGen+ is supposed to be a pretty good one.

I've just ordered this as my first dac/amp to go with my HD 598s:
http://www.amazon.com/Micca-OriGen-High-Resolution-Preamplifier/dp/B00V7K5UJI

Seems to be comparable to the Fiio E10k which is generally recommended on this sub. Was hard finding good comparison reviews with the origen in the price range. I think it comes down to features in budget, and having both 3.5mm + 6.3mm is great.