So I've never owned a "good" pair of cans, never had a headphone amp, and never had a DAC. If I wanted a decent "beginner" setup, what's a good way to go? Assume < $500 total (if that's even possible, or if not possible what's the closest we can get?).
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-Chuck -
And should have specified, a computer, with whatever software works best, would be the source.-Chuck -
No advice for the headphone uninitiated?-ChuckComment
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Sorry, Chuck.
Not much first-hand experience on my end.
Only what I have read & overheard from a few other local enthusiasts.Comment
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Software: I like J River Media Center.
Hardware: My honest advice would be to search or ask the head-fi.org forum. That's their niche, and I'm sure there have been several threads started with "what's a good beginners setup under $$$". I'll take a look as well.
Also, what kind of headphones do you want? Closed, open? Big over your ear type? Small in-ear type?B&W 804S/Velodyne SPL-1000R/Anthem MRX720Comment
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Closed over the ears for sure, thanks for the site, I think that's exactly what I needed!-ChuckComment
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I'd love to put them over my ears too
-ChuckComment
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Just be careful over there, if you don't watch yourself you'll be talked into a $3k+ system in no time.Originally posted by audioqueso
After spending around $700 on a headphone setup a couple years back I have decided that I will never do that again. Headphones should only ever be used when working out, using public transportation, or playing video games at 2 AM, IMO. The accuracy was there, but the music just had no 'feeling' and felt far too closed-in. I'm sure more expensive setups may be better, but I just couldn't justify it.
I can see spending maybe $250-300 on a used setup for my computer at some point in the future, with no more than $50-60 on IEMs for workouts.
Just my opinions, of course. There are certainly many people who disagree, so I look forward to your results!
- DannyComment
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Considering I have a total of about $3k into my entire home audio setup I doubt I'd go that much
Yeah what's good in the $250-300 range (for everything) is really what I'm curious about.
p.s. I think Chris' suggestion would cost me a lot more than $3k :rofl:-ChuckComment
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I like foobar2000 for playback and its suggested quite a bit on the headfi forum as well. In your budget I think emotiva has a dac that does headphones as well that's supposed to be real nice.Comment
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After being talked into a $3K setup, I can no longer recommend anything in that price range. :P
On a serious note, J. River is an excellent interface. And the cheapest headphones I'd recommend are these: http://www.mrspeakers.com/MrSpeakers...0RP-Headphones They sounded pretty good compared to a few $1,000+ cans I heard the same day. As for budget amp/dac's, the O2 amp and ODAC come recommended, both are available from http://www.jdslabs.com/store.php, but you will have to look on the used market to meet your budget. Don't forget, lower power speaker amps can also be used as headphone amps. They need to have a low noise floor and you'll need to be careful with the volume too.
SEOS 12/AE TD10M Front Stage in ProgressComment
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Hey Face thanks for the recommendations, I'll definitely check those out. I love finding the little hole in the wall internet direct companies that make excellent stuff. I do have a spare Behringer EP2500 laying around, think that'd be overkill?? :rofl:
Will definitely check out Emotiva too Dougie as I am 100% sold on their big amps (I have an XPA-5).
One more thing to add, I was about to ask "what if I need to use it in Mac or Linux?" but then answered my own question in looking at that O2+ODAC combo's instruction manual, that it requires no drivers.-ChuckComment
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Hey Dougie I looked at the emotiva DAC, looks pretty nice, though I don't see any headphone output. I see a stereo preamp they have with headphone output.-ChuckComment
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Face perhaps a newbie question, but are those Mad Dog headphones open or closed? These would primarily be used in an office atmosphere so I can't be making extra noise to those around me.-ChuckComment
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:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:Originally posted by impala454I'd love to put them over my ears too
My reference headphones are in-ear Etymotic earphones. Have used them for years and years, and still take them with me almost every day in case I get stuck in a waiting room or something.
CHRIS
Well, we're safe for now. Thank goodness we're in a bowling alley.
- PleasantvilleComment
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Yeah I had seen your post about them Chris, they look great, however I'm just not a huge fan of the in ear type (except when working out).-ChuckComment
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I believe they are closed back.Originally posted by impala454SEOS 12/AE TD10M Front Stage in ProgressComment
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Answered my own question after looking around their site that it is a closed headphone (so shouldn't be making any noise to neighbors). :TOriginally posted by impala454
edit: nm you did answer it
So officially added them and the O2+ODAC to my amazon wish list
-ChuckComment
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Grado SR-60 http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/it.A/id.426/.f and an adapter to use a mini-jack and you should be set to use the headphone out on the computer. Otherwise http://www.needledoctor.com/Fireston...hone-Amp-w-DAC should finish it up a tad under budget. :TLee
Marantz PM7200-RIP
Marantz PM-KI Pearl
Schiit Modi 3
Marantz CD5005
Paradigm Studio 60 v.3Comment
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Looks great Lee but I don't think I could use open headphones at work!-ChuckComment
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So for this setup that you're looking for...Originally posted by impala454
1) Will you be commuting with the headphones on?
2) Are you looking for a setup that can be partly portable so that you can take it to work?
3) Or are your intentions to keep the DAC/AMP at home, but occasionally take the headphones (only) to work?B&W 804S/Velodyne SPL-1000R/Anthem MRX720Comment
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Okay so the wife constantly tells you to put on the "cans" so as not to wake her or the kids. I like my headphones but I got a taste of the Dolby Headphone track on Perl Harbour and began my quest for a receiver that incorporated this algorithm. Well I settled on a Panny Digital Amp...but... -
Just bought a Grado headphone amp and need a little advice on hook-up to my RSP-1068.
Excluding CD and Tuner audio-input, I have 4 other audio "inputs": TV, 2xDVD, and PC (for MP3).
Is the Zone 2 output to the Grado the best option to hear all 6 audio inputs? Is the... -
I thought I would give you my initial thoughts on this headphone amp. First off and be advised, this amp has piles of gain, both in the low gain and in the high gain settings (Not sure which one I like better yet). This amp will have no problem powering ANYTHING you connect it too!!. I would not call... -
Hello ,
Am new to this group , as well as being new to the entire digital audio world . Had been simply downloading & storing songs (couple thousand ) to computer w/ MP3 Rocket , then burning some to make CDs (MP3 format )for my car stereo . Then ,recently got smartphone Samsung ... -
I recently replaced my receiver with separates without realizing that the RSP-1068 has no headphone jack. I have great 'cans'--Grado. Is there a way to make use of the 1068's outputs for headphone use? I can't figure a way but I'm very new to the product.
thanks,
Roger
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