I've been reading around and some audiophile forums like head-fi don't recommend o2 based AMP/DAC because they're not great for instrument plug ins. I know that you can get a nice tone out of tube DAC for instruments like guitars and keyboards. Though for the performance of headphones it distorts the audio in an unnatural form and gives warmth which doesn't produce an accurate sound reproduction. Due to the tube feel they're not optimal for headphone use.
So i'm curious to know if they have a hybrid DAC out there that someone would recommend. Where its designed with tubes on input and is solid state on the output. I know they make guitar amplifiers like rectifiers...in fact i use a Mesa Boogie amp which works in that way, but the amp is extremely huge and not worth to plug into my PC. I am willing to even look at Pre-Amp tubes/SS amp DAC(i hear that issues still occurs with headphones when you got a pre-amp running with tubes where it's still too warm).
I know M-Audio, Audioengine, Line 6, and Native Instruments get a ton of attention
What i'm looking for:
- USB plug-in
- 1/4" input/output (headphones and instruments use 1/4" plug ins)
- MIDI plug in (prefer but doesn't have to be a must)
- 6L6, EL84, 5U4, 5Y3 or even RY3 style amp
I know that's a lot to ask but it's driving me nuts trying to find one that can do both really well, and i don't want to buy a rack amp because it'll take too much space. From my searches, i haven't been able to find anything that works in that way...idk if i'll have to make my own...
What AMP/DAC combo would you guys recommend? Am i just being retarded and looking for something ridiculous?