Reddit reviews Aune T1SE USB DAC Headphone Tube Amplifier 24BIT/DSD (T1SE)

there are a few choices though most are hybrid tube amps

https://www.amazon.com/xDuoo-TA-01-192KHz-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00L25RF78/

https://www.amazon.com/SMSL-T1-Optical-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B06WP6357W/

https://www.amazon.com/Aune-T1-Generation-Amplifier-Decoder/dp/B00A2QJMRY/

https://www.amazon.com/Pangea-Audio-Tube-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00TA7CNQ8/

If you have an optical or coax out put then you could get a really cheap DAC and feed a tube amp like the Little Dot 2

Ugh. Recommendation for something that can replace my D1 so I can use it for my A5's and headphones? Budget up yo say, $300. Perhaps something that may push some 600ohms down the road.

Edit What do you think? http://www.amazon.com/Aune-T1-Generation-Amplifier-Decoder/dp/B00A2QJMRY/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1419028507&sr=8-11&keywords=amp+dac&pebp=1419028571974

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor | $343.99 @ SuperBiiz
CPU Cooler | CRYORIG H5 Ultimate 76.0 CFM CPU Cooler | $56.60 @ Amazon
Motherboard | Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard | $150.88 @ OutletPC
Memory | Kingston HyperX Fury Black 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory | $59.99 @ SuperBiiz
Storage | Sandisk Ultra II 960GB 2.5" Solid State Drive | $228.60 @ Amazon
Storage | Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive | $117.99 @ Micro Center
Case | Fractal Design Define R5 Blackout Edition w/ Window ATX Mid Tower Case | $109.99 @ Newegg
Power Supply | SeaSonic 660W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply | $126.99 @ SuperBiiz
Monitor | Acer G257HU smidpx 60Hz 25.0" Monitor | $259.99 @ B&H
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | $1455.02
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-05-14 11:38 EDT-0400 |

So seeing you have a headset, the A40s. They aren't very good compared to price equivalent Of DT 990's and as well as DT 770s now I would highly suggest upgrading to a headphone and a modmic or blue yeti.

Comparisons

Headsets are generally really bad, the A40s/A50s are ok, they aren't great but not bad. What I would do is move to headphones and a modmic. People have made this switch and love it. The DT 990s are stupid comfy, same for the DT 880s and DT 770s and any Bererdynamic headphones. They are so comfy, huge pads, deep cuffs, comfy, so much.

Open vs closed back

Headsets are generally closed back, however they have some issues with that. They tend to have bad audio positioning in the headset. They don't give spacial awareness and such.

Open headphones leak sound, so people around you can hear. The drivers are directly exposed or slightly covered. However they offer a lot better experience, much larger sound stage, much better audio positioning, and everything better overall.

Mics

Now for headphones, they don't come with mics so you have a few options. You can get a Blue Yeti mic, a modmic, Audio Technica AT2020, or similar. I'll list a few

• Modmic 4.0
  
  
• Blue Yeti
  
  
• Snowball
  
  Headphones closed and open
  
  
• Open, DT 990
  
  
• Closed, DT 770
  
  
• Open, AKG q701
  
  
• AKG 7xx, open
  
  
• Closed, Status Audio CB-1
  
  
• Open, Status Audio, OB-1, Hardware Canucks did a video on this
  
  AMPs/DACs
  
  
• Magni 2
  
  
• Aune T1 Mk2
  
  Finals words
  
  I would visit /r/headphones for a 2nd opinion too. Also feel free to ask any questions regarding this or the build. I included a 1440p monitor if you wanted to upgrade instead of the headphones.

Amazon has them in stock. Check out Maverick Audio's MagicTube D1 Plus (or the regular D1). I just got it and I love it.. esp the multiple inputs (one for my PC, one for my other PC, and a hookup for my windows phone).

Just did a little research. The general consensus is that the HE-500's need 1W of power to fully maximize their potential, their impedance being 38 ohms. The T1 apparently supplies 1W at 32 ohms, so I'd imagine that the new T1 would be plenty of power to drive the HE-500's at a reasonable volume.

Am I using correct logic?

No ceiling fan or anything. I have it between my monitor and my speaker so really, not much air flow to begin with. I do have the "upgraded" version that was sold my earthsoundcity or something like that. I wasnt even sure what was upgraded but maybe they changed the heatsinks or whatnot? I just went with upgraded because I figure its gotta be different than standard (stupid I know). But yeah, almost zero heat on the unit powering my full sized headphones. Schiit amps, those suckers got hot.

http://www.amazon.com/Aune-T1-Upgrade-Version-Amplifier/dp/B00A2QJMRY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375981847&sr=8-2&keywords=aune+t1

> Aune T1

https://www.amazon.com/Aune-T1-Generation-Amplifier-Decoder/dp/B00A2QJMRY/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

This thing?? i'm a little confused on what this is, but geez that price tag

Then Id agree with explosivo563 on the e10k. If you can save some extra money this is definitely worth the extra

No, I have never tried the Vali. Though I have heard that it's decent, but has issues with hissing and microphonics. But considering the price, it is good starter tube amp.

The Aune T1 is also a pretty good since it's a tube amp and a dac.

A DAC/AMP combo will make a huge difference. I have almost the same headphones as you at work, and love my Aune T1 http://i.imgur.com/O9cVWal.jpg . I listen about 4 hours a day so it was a worth while investment for me at $200. I put a better Genalex Gold Lyon tube in it for $35 too. Sounds incredible, can't belive what I was missing.

A Fiio EO7K would be about half that at $89. Portable, pretty good sound but you really got to crank it with my DT990s.


Aune T1 - http://www.amazon.com/Aune-T1-Generation-Amplifier-Decoder/dp/B00A2QJMRY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1411543816&sr=8-2&keywords=Aune+t1

Fiio EO7K -http://www.amazon.com/Fiio-E07K-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00A9LHLQ6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411543301&sr=8-1&keywords=E07k

The Schiit Modi/Magni stack is one of the more popular stacks.

The Aune T1 is a good all in one kit.

I'd head over to /r/headphones or /r/audiophile and read their FAQs or ask around there for more suggestions. If you go with the Shiit stack you can start with just the Amp and then get a DAC later on if you felt you needed it. You probably won't unless you're listening to audiophile level stuff (lossless music) but an Amp might be nice for higher end headphones.

A decent soundcard that you would be able to tell the difference over mobo audio is going to run you $100+ anyways so I think pricewise you get more bang for your buck with an external setup unless you're looking for other features like surround outputs, virtual surround, Dolby stuff, or voice augmentation.