Audiolab M-DAC + and Headphones

[geoffc]

Been looking at getting this - I have heard one but was unable to take my headphones (Sennheiser HD660's) and have heard so so reports as regards it's abilities with headphones.

Don't really want to get a dedicated headphone amp - so does anyone out there use/own this DAC with headphones?

Any opinions/views appreciated.

Thanks

[mikmas]

I own the Q-Dac which is alleged to be the same internally bar the DAC chip type, control knob and lack of remote.

I was not impressed by the headphone output - a bit harsh as I recall. Ended up getting a V-Can hp amp to use alongside.
The M-Dac output might be better given the superior chip but somehow I doubt it.

My main beef with the Q-Dac is the inability to provide an 'unfiltered' output from the DAC - one of the reasons I stopped using it - don't know if this is the case with the M-Dac.
(I use Sennheiser HD600)

[WESTLOWER]

I had the Q - Dac once, (as described above) something on the main board melted made the sound distort, I had them repair and replace.
Before it had a melt down, it sounded pretty good, as one would expect from a component at this price point, poor PSU, over filtered presentation etc.
I believe there were after market mods offered by some to improve the sound quality. I no longer have it.

[Bourneendboy]

I'd advise going for a Beresford Caiman SEG over the M-DAC. I wasn't taken with the M-DAC when I had a demo and the Caiman is also a lot cheaper.

Listening to mine with HD600's now and sounding mighty fine!

[superbike999]

Have a look at the user reviews on Amazon, especially the 3 star review. The reviewer was critical of the headphone output. He pointed out that it is not a headphone amp, it is a HIFi DAC
which is intended to be use with a hifi system.

It put me off exploring it further, as I was looking for a DAC which would output into headphones. (if there is such a thing)

I am now pretty much settled on a Beresford Caiman SEG, and Capella amp which I will be enquiring about shortly.

[Old boy]

I use an Mdac+, the headphone amp adequate for casual listening but my dedicated Burson head amp unsurprisingly destroys it.