Reddit reviews Modi 2 USB Digital/Analog Converter

Do NOT get any internal sound card!!! I can't say this enough. People kept telling me and I didn't listed. I bought 2 of the best sound cards and had to return them due to interference. Get a DAC like the Schiit Modi 2 (Modi 2 Amazon link) or Modi 2 Uber and save yourself the frustration and have much better sound.

For speakers, check out the JBL LSR305 (Amazon link) (Amazon link with cables) or if those are too expensive check out the Micca MB42X. They're both great speakers. I got the JBL LSR305 about 6 months ago and they sound amazing with my Schiit DAC. Check on eBay too. I got a brand new Schiit DAC for about half the regular price and they have used ones even cheaper.

> Schiit Modi 2

Is this what you're talking about? https://www.amazon.com/Modi-USB-Digital-Analog-Converter/dp/B00SCCSJVA

My setup was roughly ~2000€ euros (Sennheiser HD 800, Audio-gd NFB-11, Violectric V200) but you can get kickass headphone audio for a lot less.

Some useful links for educational purposes:

Real vs Gaming headphones:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgCMRai9K8I

Best audio quality setup:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2PCt-LQXzI

And an example of a high quality headphone setup:

DAC (digital to analog converter):

https://www.amazon.com/Modi-USB-Digital-Analog-Converter/dp/B00SCCSJVA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1497596052&sr=8-2&keywords=schiit

Amplifier:

https://www.amazon.com/Schiit-SCH-0702-Magni-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00SCBKPW2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497596052&sr=8-1&keywords=schiit

RCA cable to connect them:

https://www.amazon.com/PYST-RCA-Cables-6-inches/dp/B00CICPTHC/ref=pd_bxgy_23_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00CICPTHC&pd_rd_r=9H23AKEH8KW5NV3AZ217&pd_rd_w=0tI1N&pd_rd_wg=2BwIZ&psc=1&refRID=9H23AKEH8KW5NV3AZ217

Headphones:

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-SR-Open-Back/dp/B06WRMZZ45/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1497596075&sr=1-3&keywords=sennheiser+hd+598

430 USD.

If you can't afford a proper setup right now I suggest you just save up until you can. Think of it as a graphics upgrade to your ears. :)

Here's a Schiit branded device that is USB powered.

Sound Card = Not knowing what actually makes audio good.

Get a Digital Analog Converter, DAC for short.

https://www.amazon.com/Modi-USB-Digital-Analog-Converter/dp/B00SCCSJVA - Pretty much the best DAC that money can buy unless you have the budget to startup an entire recording studio.

Wow. Very well written. Most helpful advice I've ever received on this thread.

Definitely sold on the 2.0 and future sub.

So these speakers

And this amp?

to get any sound you will need an amp of some sort, the dragonfly has an amp built in though. in the lower price ranges i would say the majority will be dac/amp combos. not every single one, but a lot.

from what i understand the 598s are pretty easily powered though, so you dont need a powerful amp or anything weird. the 250ohm beyers would take a bit more to power properly, but i think the dragonfly would work for those too unless you like really loud volume.

i think the dragonflys are supposed to be pretty good too, but it wouldnt do anything for mic input if you need that. that is going to be the limiter if you need mic input for whatever reason, which is why i linked the creative ones.

if you dont need mic input the "schiit stack" (schiit is the company name, the stack refers to 2 stack-able devices) is a very highly recommended setup, though it would be a bit more than your budget. it is a standalone dac and amp setup that will power most headphones with ease. i have the schiit stack and it powers everything i own fine (beyerdynamic mmx300, phillips fidelio x2, oppo pm3, akg 553, ath mx50) though none are particularly hard to drive.

dac: https://www.amazon.com/Modi-USB-Digital-Analog-Converter/dp/B00SCCSJVA
amp: https://www.amazon.com/Schiit-SCH-0702-Magni-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00SCBKPW2


the schiit fulla is also one that might fit your needs pretty well (again, if no mic is needed) and is only $80 http://schiit.com/products/fulla

its portable too, similar to the dragonfly but cheaper.

there are tons of options really, anywhere from $10 things from amazon into the thousands if you really want to spend some $$ on your eardrums. and most of it is very subjective as to what is "best". different DACs have different sound signatures, different amps can have different sound signatures too. some people like some but not others for whatever reasons too. ive personally found that i dont like some of the more expensive "better dacs" because they sounded too clinical, too boring to me. i dont even really know how to describe what i didnt like, just know that i prefer how less expensive ones sound. point is, dont get too caught up in it all! else you can head down a very expensive rabbit hole lol

So get the

beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 Ohm Studio Headphone

and a

Modi 2 USB Digital/Analog Converter ?

Again, you want a full blown DAC with both SPIDF and USB input, not a converter. The Modi 2 is a bit expensive, but would work and sound great:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00SCCSJVA/

And what's wrong with Kodi for your HTPC?

I've got a set of home theater speakers connected to my PC via a DAC. I think they're generally better than traditional computer speakers if your room is big enough.

EDIT: this is the dac I use, link

I would skip the sound card and go with a USB DAC and Amp.

Something like this with this.

Or a combined unit like the FiiO.

The mic can plug directly into your motherboard sound. If you want to do anything beyond just voice chat, I'd recommend going with an actual microphone setup.

The Klipsch RP-15 powered monitors + Schiit Modi 2 DAC put you around $570, both companies have quite the reputation and make some great sound. https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Powered-Speakers-Bluetooth-Pair/dp/B01A7J534G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474222489&sr=8-1&keywords=klipsch+r-15pm https://www.amazon.com/Modi-USB-Digital-Analog-Converter/dp/B00SCCSJVA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474222525&sr=8-1&keywords=schiit+modi+2

You could probably save money and get a nice 500W-ish PSU, or even less if you don't get a GPU right away.

Also, if you really are focusing on purely music and would be willing to wait until you've used the computer to decide if you want to game, you can skip the GPU and use integrated graphics to save money for music gear or an amp and DAC.

Another thing I would suggest is a decent entry level AMP and DAC so you get the best sound quality out of your system as that is the focus of your computer. The Shiit Stack or an o2+ ODAC are pretty strong and should be all you need.

Links to the two parts of the Schiit stack:
http://www.amazon.com/Schiit-SCH-0702-Magni-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00SCBKPW2

http://www.amazon.com/Modi-USB-Digital-Analog-Converter/dp/B00SCCSJVA/ref=pd_bxgy_23_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=18TXBGN59CV103H6WKTB

I can spend like $200-300 on an AMP/DAC or whatever I need. I don't have an external soundboard, nor do I have any space on my board..

https://www.amazon.com/Schiit-SCH-0702-Magni-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00SCBKPW2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468364191&sr=8-1&keywords=shiit+magni%2Fmodi

https://www.amazon.com/Modi-USB-Digital-Analog-Converter/dp/B00SCCSJVA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1468364191&sr=8-2&keywords=shiit+magni%2Fmodi

https://www.amazon.com/PYST-RCA-Cables-6-inches/dp/B00CICPTHC/ref=pd_bxgy_267_img_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=40H8DMB60JCKCZSAJCTT ($24 for a cable.. jeez..)

Buy all of those, then do what with them? Got a good video on the setup procedure? From one video, it seems like I should use the digital on the Modi 2, how is that going to plug into my computer? How is the comfort level on the DT 770? Some forums say the headband can get uncomfortable, and I'll be wearing these for 8+ hours a day. http://www.head-fi.org/t/478820/beyer-dt-770s-uncomfortable

I'm actually looking for new headset, so i've got many question....

First off, what are the main differences between a sennheiser hd 650, 600 800 and 6xx?

Also is it still possible to get a 6xx?

And then, What should be the minimum price value for a good amp for those? Because I know I don't want to spend thousands... I know there is this amp that amazon recommend me to buy with the 650, but i don't actually know if it's a good one for those headset, or not powerful enoug....