Previously:
In the office, my desktop feeds an Apple USB-C DAC ($9, no sale
needed) to an optoisolator to a NAD 712 stereo receiver. I bought the
NAD in 1998, new, no discount. It has a 1/4” headphone jack which
automatically disconnects the speaker connections – a pair of Paradigm
Monitor 3 Mark 3s. The usual headphones are Superlux 688b, Truthear
Zeros, TRN V90s, or occasionally Sennheiser 280HDpro. The desktop runs
equalization software (PulseEffects on top of PipeWire) that corrects
each output, though it does have to be selected whenever I change
outputs. The Paradigms were purchased used from a guy driving a white
van, for $200 the pair – an excellent value.
Now:
My desktop is connected to a Topping MX3s ($199) via USB. The MX3s is
a tiny box – about one quarter of a standard box of tissues – with a USB
DAC, a headphone amplifier, and a 50W (4 Ohm) stereo amplifier. Yes, for
real speakers. This is basically the same power output as the NAD 712,
which is merely six times the weight and half the power efficiency. The
headphone jack is 1/8” and does not automatically disconnect speakers,
but the front button allows selection of headphones, speakers, or both.
All other bits remain the same.
It’s really quite nice.