Headphones

Hey folks! So I've decided to upgrade my desktop DAC/amp stack.

I've been using Schiit; a Modi going into a switch to drive either a Vali or a Magni+. I feel like the Vali distorts too much at high volumes - needed because I like loud music but also I have those hard to drive Aeons.

The Magni+ seems to have a clearer sound and better headroom - high gain still sounds a little 'stressed' to my ears but I feel like overall it's got the resolving capacity to make my treble-heavy cans maintain the clarity I like.

A few weeks ago I bought one of the open box EF400 amp/DAC combo. I think it sounds amazing, though I can't say it completely changes the sound, the Aeons act almost completely differently. Less sibilance and it feels like the already smooth response is even smoother. The Aryas always sounds amazing but it feels like they have more 'life' on the EF400 vs the Magni. My feeling is that I'm hearing a different amplitude curve combined with too much available power increasing the headroom on the amp.

Speaking of too much power: this thing is BEAST. Aryas can't get much over 1/4 turn before it sounds really, painfully, loud. Aeons handle the power much better but still can't get to halfway. I have to reduce my output volume on my PC just so I can actually turn the knob without carefully using micron-precision to prevent blowing up my cans or my ears!

I'm not sure I like the oversampling mode, but no oversampling really sounds amazing and natural.

So: general thoughts out of the way, now for my complaints and questions.

The biggest thing I don't like about either the Vali or Magni+ is the noisy pot. It's not THAT noisy, but all my cans have aggressive treble and it is irritating to hear the subtle fizz and crackle when adjusting the volume. Also because the pot covers a wide range of signal, you always have to turn the knob a lot, which makes even more noise. It just sounds like a dirty pot but it won't get clean by working it back and forth like my Marantz pots do. Next would be the lack of perceived headroom at high volume. It starts to sound compressed on the Aeons. High gain always sounds compressed.

Does anyone have measurements or experience comparing the R2R Himalaya DAC to the Modi? I personally am in the camp that believes DACs all sound 95% or 99% the same, but I've read that the R2R uses some quirky methodology that might not sound the most "natural". Otherwise, I have zero complaints about the Modi.

The EF400 has a lot to dislike, if I'm honest. It's relatively huge at 9" square. The rotary gain switch makes it difficult to A/B the settings. The volume pot is very smooth in feel and sound (none of the noise that afflicts the Schiit amps I mentioned) - but it is sunk into the faceplate and tends to rub on the edges of the socket. Just a silly engineering choice.

Also, the volume control doesn't control the line out. I have powered desktop monitors but they have terrible volume control and I loved using my Magni+ to control them. I can't do that with the EF400 and it's line out is full power so I'm back to a) tweaking two sets of volume and b) using my rotary selector to turn the speaker out on and off. On the Magni it automatically switches based on whether headphones are plugged in.

And finally: I just don't like the bright metal faceplate on the EF400, so all Schiit products have an advantage in this regard.

So: I'm 99% sure I want to send the EF400 back, $200 discount be damned. I'm thinking about two options for replacing it: A) use my current Modi and add a Midgard amp. Does anyone have experience with this? Does it use the same noisy pot from the Magni? B) get an Asgard. I can save some money by reusing the Modi or save desk space by getting the ES9028 DAC. I'm assuming the cost and target market for the Asgard means the pot is higher quality. Can anyone talk about owning the Asgard with DAC?

Alternatively, I'm still tube-curious, so what about the Valhalla with the Modi? I think ultimately I might be annoyed by the differently sized items and have to get a Modius, so I'm kinda leaning towards the all-in-one.

I'm also interested in other DAC/amp combos if there are any recommendations. The combo needs to stay under $400. Features:

• Relatively compact and in black/dark colors to match my desk
• Volume knob controls RCA out
• Analog, not stepped volume (this excludes Fiio entirely and the Topping units I've used)
• Balanced if lower power, but 6.35mm is fine if the SE output is over a couple watts. I'm not really considering the Schiit balanced units because I feel like both Asgard and Midgard have plenty of SE power.

Anyway, if you sat through this rambling post, I really appreciate it!