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I don't think I'm getting my money's worth out of my current setup
My setup is currently as follows:
Audigy 2 ZS --> Original Master --> HD650
I can swap my A900s in and not really notice a big change. I'm not sure if it's my headphones, amp or sound card. Or maybe I just can't hear the difference. I have the impression that I should be getting more out of my 650s in the sense that the sound should be fuller and more realistic. Currently, it's good. But I don't find it groundbreaking.
I was thinking that the first place to go would be the source. I know there are better options out there but I'm more interested in whether the upgrade cost is worth the (hopefully large) improvement. Should I consider using a USB DAC? Or should I play it simple, get a new soundcard and go from there? Maybe I should scrap the amp and try the Heed Canamp?
I wish I had the funds to experiment and local hookups, but unfortunately my wallet doesn't permit it nor my location.
This is probably getting off topic and on the wrong forum, but my Original Master isn't silent past the 11 o'clock position. There's an audible buzz that's only present when hooked up to a source. I suspected it was ground loop, but it's present in no matter what outlet (tried in different houses) I try. Any suggestions, or should I move this over to the amps forum?
Dump your Audigy. It's garbage. Get an ESI Juli@ for $130. The analog output is exceptional, better than the DAC quality in my Opera.
Just make sure your computer has clean power going to it or you might here some clicking at very loud volumes when no music is playing (but is not noticeable when the music is playing). If you have a power conditioner for your computer, you should have no problem. And it doesn't affect all computers, just happens to occur on my Dell.
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Headphones → Denon AH-D5000 (modded)
Amp/DAC → Meier Audio Corda Opera :::
Transport → ESI Juli@ ::: Vista → Foobar 0.9.5 → EAC extracted PCM → ASIO 2.0 → SSRC@96/Ultra → ESI Juli@ → S/PDIF :::
Power → Virtual Dynamics Master LE 2.0 Power Cord(Amp/DAC) ::: Cobalt Cable Ultimate Power Cord(PC) ::: API PowerWedge I
Interconnects → Virtual Dynamics Master LE 2.0 Digital IC ::: Cobalt Cable Ultimate Digital Coax :::::::::::::::::: Cobalt Cable Ultimate Audio Interconnect Pair ::: ALO 6" iPod LOD ::: Qables 15" Silvercab iPod LOD
Portable Source → iPod Classic (6g) 80gig, with Agent18 Hardshell Acrylic Case:::
Accessories → Audio Technica AT-HPS500 Headphone Stand ::: Woo Audio Silver Headphone Stand
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(\_/)
(O.o)
(> < )
faster world domination
Herding my meese to prevent the squabble over the single rouse.
pewpewpewpewpewpewpew, riding towards insanity one jabberwocky at a time team because it feels good
I can swap my A900s in and not really notice a big change.
I don't think you're likely to hear big differences between sources and amps if you don't hear much difference between headphones, especially when their design is that different.
Now, if you had really bad components, yeah, it would make sense to upgrade but then you wouldn't need to break the bank. But I wouldn't bother if I had a halfway decent chain.
EDIT: I bought an M-Audio Sonica for about $15 (used of course) for example.
If you only got the toys recently and you've got no experience with similar stuff, I would simply listen to them and be patient: maybe you will begin to hear the difference after a while. I needed some time myself.
If you need to tweak something, try EQ, virtualisation and such. There's no need to spend money to hear a different sound.
Of course, you could also recoup some of your expense by getting cheaper headphones and selling the expensive stuff.
I'll definitely give the headphones another listen before deciding if the purchase of a DAC is worth it. I'd like to forego the soundcard since portability (and free PCI slots) could be an issue in the future.
I'm willing to spend around $300 for the DAC, preferably less if the difference is going to be slight.
I don't think I'm getting my money's worth out of my current setup
the audigy is the weak link for sure. yuck dont spend money on a new dac before getting a new soundcard
Linear Mode
