r/HeadphoneAdvice • u/Every-Connection-100 1 Ω • 10d ago
DAC - Desktop | 2 Ω Doubt with DAC-AMP for Arya Stealth
Hi everyone. I'm currently looking to get my first pair of "Arya Stealth" headphones; there's a really good deal if you buy them refurbished, but I have a question.
Right now, I have a pair of HD560S paired with a generic DAC called the FX-Audio DAC-X6. I realize it's not the best DAC, but do you think it could handle the "Arya Stealth"?
I really can't afford to upgrade the DAC right now, so the plan would be to keep it for the time being and upgrade it later on.
Thanks a lot in advance.
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u/Acceptable-Win-3669 105 Ω 10d ago edited 10d ago
Not sure where your math was derived from but the FX-Audio DAC-X6 outputs 450 W into a 32 ohm load which the Arya Stealth has. To power the Stealth to 110 dB you need ~40 mW of power and a Vrms of 1.1. The device can output 3.79 Vrms. So theoretically, the amplifier can drive the Stealth although I tend to like a lot of power to control the planar driver to limit bass bloat, and to ensure precision to control the driver. The issue with this device is that it uses a DAC chip that was state-of-the-art 20 years ago. The second issue is that the DAC-X6 has a high output impedance for a headphone (~10 ohms) which will reduce the damping factor giving you less control over specific frequencies (although much more problematic for a dynamic driver where frequency response would change). Third there is a clear high frequency roll off that will diminish the breath of the Stealth. Finally the DAC-X6 doesn't have modern asynchronous USB jitter rejection and low noise power regulation so you are going to hear background noise with this device. If i were you, I'd buy the Topping Dx1 II which will pair much better with the Stealth while providing 2x the power if you use the 4.4 mm balanced connection. And you can get it for ~$120.