[skiddo]

Started my chain with Schiit in mind!

Ended up going with a Topping E30 instead and Neve RNHP. Price to performance of the E30 is almost too good to be true (if you can deal with the limited outputs).

RNHP, while pretty to look at, did not perform as well for the price (at least it’s appreciated $200 since purchase).

Upgraded to a Topping D90 DAC and A90 Pre-Amp when I added the Audeze LCD-2 to my stack.

The D90 has been nothing short of amazing since I plugged it in. SINAD is like 20 points over transparent - no color to your sound at all. Inputs are extensive and it outputs both XLR and RCA. Can utilize absurd sampling rates like 384k or 768k (even arcane formats like DSD).

The A90 hardware isn’t as pretty as the Neve, but the volume adjustment and proper “audiophile/fool” I/O beats it handily. What sold me was I finally had the ability to “peak” my LCD-2’s. First time in my life to experience 120db with no audible distortion (don’t worry these aren’t extended listening sessions :)). I also plugged in my Genelec 8030C, which can be easily directed output via switch to pre-amp mode.

My RNHP, while striking and built like a tank, probably topped out at 105db. This was even utilizing XLR and balanced cables.

All told I’m very happy with my audio chain and pretty much “end-game” until I can make a living that would justify something like a Benchmark Amp or the LCD-5’s, and some Genny One’s (Revel and KEF if I ever want to be a masochist and deal with a passive chain).

Crude diagram of my audio chain:

[PC]-USB-[D90]-XLR-[A90]: -XLR-[LCD-2] -XLR-[Genelec 7050]-XLR—[Genelec 8030C]