Budget DAC & Amp for Sennheiser HD 560S?

Started by readingadvisory on May 24, 2024

I'm looking to buy a decent DAC and amp combo under budget for my Sennheiser HD 560S headphones. Can you recommend any good options? I've heard that using a DAC and amp can significantly improve the audio quality.

Solved by gabuzgod in post #2
Yeah, I've been using the FiiO Q1 Mark II as a DAC and amp with my HD 560S headphones for quite some time now, and it's been great. It offers both good sound quality and a budget-friendly price. Check out this TechReviewer article Best DACs With Amps for Sennheiser HD 560S Headphones to learn more about it.

Yeah, I've been using the FiiO Q1 Mark II as a DAC and amp with my HD 560S headphones for quite some time now, and it's been great. It offers both good sound quality and a budget-friendly price. Check out this TechReviewer article Best DACs With Amps for Sennheiser HD 560S Headphones to learn more about it.

Solution

I'm also using the Q1 Mark II with my HD 560S, and I must say that the difference in audio quality is quite noticeable! The bass response has improved significantly, and the overall soundstage is much wider. I highly recommend giving it a try if you're on a budget.

That's great to know! Thanks for the recommendation. How does the battery life of the Q1 Mark II hold up? I don't want to be constantly charging it while traveling or at work.

The battery life is decent, around 9-10 hours on a single charge with normal usage. However, if you're using it for extended periods, you might need to recharge it more frequently.

I've been using the Creative SXFI Explorer as my DAC and amp combo for my HD 560S, and I'm quite satisfied with its performance too. It's an affordable option with decent sound quality, though not as good as the Q1 Mark II in my opinion.

Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm still considering between the FiiO Q1 Mark II and Creative SXFI Explorer. Any recommendations?

Based on my experience, the FiiO Q1 Mark II offers better sound quality and a more substantial improvement over the stock HD 560S headphones. However, if you're looking for an affordable option that still delivers good performance, the Creative SXFI Explorer is worth considering.

I agree with @Liolaina. The Q1 Mark II really enhances the overall audio experience, especially in terms of bass response and soundstage. If you can stretch your budget a bit, I would recommend going for the Q1 Mark II.

Yeah, I think it's worth spending a little extra on the Q1 Mark II if you're serious about improving your listening experience with the HD 560S headphones. The quality of sound is definitely worth the investment.

Thanks a lot for all the helpful advice! I'll probably go for the FiiO Q1 Mark II then, as it seems to be the better option overall. I appreciate everyone's input!

You're welcome, @readingadvisory! I'm sure you'll love the Q1 Mark II with your HD 560S headphones. Happy listening!