Looking for a DAC for OTL Crack + HD650s

[Jim R.]

Sounds like a good plan -- I've not heard the audioengine myself but it seems to be another solid budget performer.

Spend some extra on a solid usb cablee such as the wireworld Starlight or even the UltraViolet and you'll likely get even better performance.

Good luck,

Jim

[sleyk]

Sounds like a good plan -- I've not heard the audioengine myself but it seems to be another solid budget performer.

Spend some extra on a solid usb cablee such as the wireworld Starlight or even the UltraViolet and you'll likely get even better performance.

Good luck,

Jim

Any suggestions where to purchase either of those two cables?

[Jim R.]

I usually buy mine from Galen Carol audio in Texas -- gcaudio.com   but the wireworldcables.com web site also has a dealer locator -- not sure if they sell direct or not, but gcaudio does discount them a bit and generally has free shipping.

HTH,

Jim

[sleyk]

I am still new to the headphone scene and wondering if my proposed set up will have any problems.
Computer >>> Audioengine D1 >>> OTL Crack >>> HD650
The D1 has a built in headphone amp.  Will that affect the performance of my OTL Crack at all?

[Jim R.]

It shouldn't -- the headphone out on tthe D1 is separate from the op amp driven headphone out.  The thing you'll have to find out is whether the D1's RCA outs are volume controlled or fixed output -- I'm pretty sure they're fixed and the headphone output is the only one that responds to the volume control, but I'm not 100% on that.

In the case that the RCAs are also controled by the volume control, then you'll just have to play around with finding a level on the D1 that gives you the best control range, and lowest noise on the Crack.  Then just mark where that position is and set it there whenever you use the Crack.

-- Jim