New system from the ground-up! Ideas wanted! - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

Bizzel · 08-25-2007, 05:41 PM

Now that I'm working and I'll actually have a real amount of cash to spend on audio (£1000 / ~$2000 per month, whereas before I had $150), I'm looking to totally replace my system and I'm sure you guys can suggest how best to spend my hard-earned pennies!

At the moment I'm using the source and speaker amp that my parents bought (Marantz CD-42 and Pioneer A400) with my HD595s. It's far from awful but I'd love to see what a true headphone amp could do and how a newer CDP would affect sound quality. Here's the setup that I envisage, maybe you can suggest any changes you think would be good. I'm open to ideas. So here goes:

All my music will be stored - in Apple Lossless - on one of the new iMacs (this is definitely not changing, it's beautiful!) and I'll use iTunes to manage it all. I'll be using the mini optical-out which runs to...

A Cambridge Audio Azur 740c. If you don't know about this CDP, it sports one or two (I forget) digital inputs, rendering it a DAC for just about anything. I'm thinking of this because it's in the right price range of around £500 / $1000. If there's a better, dedicated DAC in this price range, that'd be a bonus. Anyway, that'll be hooked-up to...

A Headamp GS-1, which I'll have to get shipped in from across the pond. I've never used or even heard a true headphone amp before, so I'm looking for ideas here in particular.

Finally, I'll keep the 595s but I'll probably also get a pair of K701s. I mainly listen to jazz, classical and 70s rock.

So...what changes would you make to that setup? The components I've chosen are what I think would suit me but my experience is pretty limited compared with that of a lot of people here. Oh yeah, and I also value components that look good, as well as sounding good - we all like shiny things deep down!

LeonvB · 08-26-2007, 08:48 AM

Why buy a transport if you'll play from the iMac anyway? I'd take a look at the Stello DA100 if I were you. Or save up a little and go for a DA220MKII: it's balanced if you want to go that route in a while, plus it's a bit better than the DA100.

poo · 08-26-2007, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by LeonvB

Why buy a transport if you'll play from the iMac anyway?

Because of the DAC benefits of the player... but I would agree that a seperate DAC would probably offer a better result. Within the price you are looking it would be worth while considering the DAC1 Benchmark.

Bizzel · 08-26-2007, 11:11 AM

Thanks. I'll be sure to take a look at the DAC1.

Bootleg · 08-26-2007, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by poo

Because of the DAC benefits of the player... but I would agree that a seperate DAC would probably offer a better result. Within the price you are looking it would be worth while considering the DAC1 Benchmark.

x2!!!

poo · 08-26-2007, 01:42 PM

Meant to also mention the Lavry DA10 - which is often compared to the DAC1

Bizzel · 08-26-2007, 01:57 PM

Which do you think would pair well with K701s? I hear the GS-1 is quite warm and I want to add a little more bass if possible. I like to listen analytically but I don't want my music devoid of emotion.

poo · 08-26-2007, 05:02 PM

I can't advise on the sound of either, having not heard them myself. My suggestion is based on alot of research into each product as I plan to buy one of the two. Living in Australia makes auditioning high end audio gear pretty difficult at times!

At this stage I am leaning towards the DAC1, mainly due to its connectivity, especially now that the USB version is available. I can't imagine that you would be disappointed with either units' sound, but from my research I would probably go with the DAC1 in your situation because I have read more than once that it has added 'punchy' bass to systems.

Obviously if you are in a position to trial either unit it would be an advantage. Perhaps there are a few owners who can chime in about their impressions on the audio qualities of either?

LeonvB · 08-26-2007, 09:28 PM

Which do you think would pair well with K701s?

Since you don't have K701's or the GS-1 yet, I'd hold the purchase till you do. Listen to the phones and amp (you want to buy anyway), and add a DAC you like to the system. It's way easier to purchase a DAC knowing what you already have, right now you're talking about 3 items totally unknown to you.

P.S. the GS-1 is wire + amplification. I wouldn't match it to a DAC1 for a K701 if I were you. I fear that you'll find the system as a whole rather "cold".

Bootleg · 08-26-2007, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by LeonvB

Since you don't have K701's or the GS-1 yet, I'd hold the purchase till you do. Listen to the phones and amp (you want to buy anyway), and add a DAC you like to the system. It's way easier to purchase a DAC knowing what you already have, right now you're talking about 3 items totally unknown to you.

P.S. the GS-1 is wire + amplification. I wouldn't match it to a DAC1 for a K701 if I were you. I fear that you'll find the system as a whole rather "cold".

I agree on holding off on the AKG's until you hear them. Despite all of the crazy-good ink they get, they were very underwhelming to me. And uncomfortable. And silly looking.