Adding a DAC/headphone amp to my TA-100

[vt]

This is my first post here, and I thought it would be a good place to see what input anyone has on my question. Not too long after setting up my TA-100, I added a Topping E30, which I honestly felt had a slight edge over the internal AD1955 - more open, more lively; the 1955 always sounded a bit flat to my ears. It wasn't huge, but I definitely perceived the difference, and like the AK4493 very much as it was implemented in the E30. I had a USB into it from my mac laptop, a coax in from my LDAC bluetooth receiver, and then a pair of Mogami interconnects to the AUX in on the TA. Worked great. Then the USB input on the E30 died, so it's in heaven now, and I'm using the internal DAC on the TA again, but would like to upgrade it, so I've ordered a Schitt Asgard 3 with USB DAC card (AK4490), which as most of you probably know is also a respected headphone amp. The Asgard has the exact inputs I need; coax, RCA, and USB-B, and of course the RCA outs to go into the TA. I'm not thrilled that Schitt is using an older AK chip, but don't expect I will hear the difference between that and the 4493, but I DO think I would hear the difference to the AD1955. Plus the Schitt DAC card can be replaced in minutes if they offer an upgrade, which I have a strong feeling they soon will. Unique in the DAC world I think.

My question is, would anyone suggest a different DAC/amp for $300 or less that will give me the connections that I need and be any better? I play it through my speakers as well as a few pair of headphones (modded HD650, Grado 325x, Meze 99 mostly) and I'm particularly interested in the Schitt/Senn combo because of the huge output of the Schitt with 300 ohm cans. The headphone jack on the TA-100 drives them fine, but I'm up around 70 on the volume when I'm really hitting it, and it feels like it's beginning to show its edge there..........

I haven't found any combos that allow me the inputs I'm after (Schitt stack, JD Labs, etc), and love the simplicity of one box. I'd love to hear if anyone has thoughts on this, I just don't have the experience of some of the people on this forum but do appreciate good sound even on a budget scale. I gotta say, what we can put together these days when you include Hi-Rez streaming is absolutely miraculous compared to 20 years ago!

Any input is welcome, thanks.

Bryan

[garbulky]

You got an advantage because it doesn't look like you are using a sub. When somebody needs a sub out things get...complicated!
I'm not sure exactly what you are trying to improve...
What I suggest is a stack of separates.
Note this will be all used or b-stock gear from emotiva or gear of a similar size. .
Asgard.
DC-1 (XLR to PA-1, RCA to asgard)
optional emotiva SP-1 (for any analog duties you may need it for - tunrtable?)
PA-1 monoblocks. They stack together and everything is light and small.

Now keep in mind the DC-1 sounds VERY similar to a TA-100 in tone so you probably wouldn't want it for your DAC.
So in your case, the Asgard you would want it on top then, your dac, followed by an SP-1 (if you want analog) and then PA-1 monoblocks.

[bootman]

Before going crazy chasing the dragon's tail, give the Asgard a chance in your system.
While the DAC chip type can affect sound, a well designed analog stage is just as if not more, so as important to the overall sound.
This is really the difference you pay for when you go above the $300 price for a DAC.

[vt]

Thanks to you both. I'm thinking you're right bootman, and I'm going to give the Asgard a shot, I've read such good things about the amp, and until I'm ready to spring a lot more cash for a DAC, I'll just enjoy the music. Maybe in the meantime Schitt will offer a new option for the DAC card in the Asgard, who knows? As startling as the E30 sounded to me, and as good as some of the Chinese stuff seems to be these days, I've always had failures with the Chinese stuff and I'd rather have something that might last and from a reputable company I can actually speak to, like Emotiva and Schitt.
Wish I could afford an ARES II