Long time reader, first time poster... help me spend my money. - Page 2

Hi there, Ryan.

You're right to question power sourcing on the K1000. If you have a decent stereo they can be connected to a speaker out. Otherwise you'll need a powerful headphone amp for them. They're also pretty much non-mobile, even for home listening. I had a pair for a few months. Absolutely the best soundstage I'd ever heard (or perhaps ever will hear), but even sitting at a desk they're hard to maintain correctly.

I also had the RS1/RA1 combination for a while. Not impressed with the latter, though I'm a huge Grado fan.

Now I power my RS1s with the Perreaux Silhouette SL1, which is a pretty good match. You can usually find the Perreaux for 200-300 (not sure about the latest version).

I also have a new XP-7 from Ray Samuels. That's a full-sized (i.e. 1/4" jack) amp that sells for $500. It runs on two nine volt batteries or you can buy Ray's dedicated power source for an additional 300. One reason I decided to try it was favorable reviews here, particularly those that insisted there was no audible difference between the battery and ac version.

Currently I used my XP7 by my bedside to power either my ER4s or E500. I'm delighted. It makes the ER4s (which I'd been on the verge of selling) sound like Carnegie Hall. I plan, after we move, to shift it to the desk, add a power source and dedicate it either to my RS 1, or the GS1000 I'll eventually have by then

XP7s don't appear that often used, and are snapped up quickly. But a new one for 500 plus a used RS 1 (which might run you a few dollars more, though I got mine for five) would meet your budget.

Of course, as readers point out, there are many, many possibilities out there. IEMs, inner ear monitors such as the Shure E500 or Etymotic ER4s/p work very well, go outside easily and make great spousefi if you have an SO or family members who don't share your devotion to high fidelity.

If you went used, you could match an Etymotic ER4 or Shure E5c with an SR 71/Hornet/Xin Supermacro/Pimenta and then add a Senn HD 600 or 595 or Grado SR225 or 325 to the mix and keep well within budgetary constraints.

Chances are if you keep listening and reading, at some point you'll want to upgrade or make changes. You can do that here without losing much, if anything, on the deal.

As others point out, you may also want to look into interconnects or DACs for your powerbook at some point.

You may decide that IEMs don't work for you, or that Grados are too extreme and you're really a Sennheiser or AKG man.

Either way, good luck

(and I'm not the least bit sorry about your wallet, 'cause it's money well spent;-)

Andy

The two headphones that have opened up my ears to high end sound and comfort plus would have saved my a lot of money from buying lots of different headphones are the Sennheiser 650 and the beyer 701. Both of these headphones will grow with you as you upgrade your source and amp. I wish I had just got either one of these cans from the start. I am using the 650 with my mid to low end stuff and they sound great. I am now thinking about a CD player the NAD 542 as a source and know the 650 will just go right alone with the upgrade.

DT880 + MicroStack, especially nice if you ever travel (or move from room to room).

Yes, we should just not use any cable altogether :P. Sorry, couldn't resist.


1000 USD is alot of money, I'll agree with everyone here. There's no staples 1000$ system. I'll let others jump in with amplifier suggestions, but for the headphones there's no doubt (if you can put it in) to pick up some RS-1s. For rock they're just perfectly smooth with enough instrument and note seperation to make it a real pleasant listening situation.

Actually, Apple was the first computer company to employ USB ports.

Anyway, my recommendation is get either a K701 + Corda Aria, or a K1000 + Super-T Amp + cheap preamp/headamp. Either of those are fabulous for the type of music you listen to; acoustic music, soft rock, and classical. I like them for harder stuff too, but a lot of people don't.

Beyer 701 doesn't exist. They're the Beyer DT770, and they're the AKG K701. Dunno which of those you're refering to, though.

Sorry about that. I ment the AKG 701.

The HD6XX series is a little less forward than the 5x5 series, but it's still pretty forward IMO.

If I had $1000 to spend today... I think I'd buy a Micro stack and... hmm... Maybe some K701s... Ack, maybe some HD600s recabled... or, or, or... Maybe some Darth Beyers... Heck I don't know, but I would definately get a Micro stack.

$1000 hmmm? How about the headroom starter audiophile set up, desk top amp w/dac, and akg 701?

http://www.headphone.com/products/pa...le-package.php

Well, even though you can't be that guy with the $11,000 speakers, you can still be the guy with some decent powered studio monitors with your budget. You might want to have a look at Event, M-Audio, and Mackie. I dropped around $375 on a pair of M-Audio BX8's a couple of years ago and I still love them (and most of the time I prefer them to my many headphone options).

That said, I really like RSA amps and Ray is an awesome guy. A pair of UE-10s and an RSA "The Hornet" is a great way to drop $1350. Of course if you want to stay inside your budget, you can substitute the UE-10 with an E500 or some full sized cans. Justin over at Headamp is pretty cool too and does some very nice work.

Good luck on your purchases, and welcome to Head-Fi!

Oh yeah, and don't forget to enjoy the music!

-EDIT-

Murdoch's idea is pretty good....

Headroom's amps are quite well regarded, and from what I can tell, this amp(WITH Dac mind you) and phone combo package is a pretty good deal. The amp alone is like $750.

Mind you I have not actually heard this combo, but headroom has been around for a long time and are very active on these boards. Their customer service is supposed to be top notch- if you give them a call I'm sure they can answer all your questions.