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Considering the source, what is the top-end?

post #1 of 12
2/1/08 at 1:28pm
Thread Starter 
I am researching a new headphone purchase, and would appreciate some advice within specific parameters.

First the ground rules: My source is lossless mp3's through a macbook and headroom total bithead DAC/amp. I am not interested in upgrading my source at this time. Call it blasphemy, but I simply will not go back to CDs and enjoy the semi-portability of my setup. So lets take source upgrades off the table. My current cans are Grado SR80s.

I have considered the purchase of Senn HD650s or AKG 701, but I wonder if they will be overkill considering my source. At what point am I just wasting money? Will they just reveal the source flaws and diminish my overall experience?

Given my inflexibility on the source side, what level of headphone should I be considering?

Bonus points: I would like a headphone that is a little more isolating and less leakage than the Grado. I currently get alot of noisy 5 year old with my Shostakovich if you catch my drift.
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post #2 of 12
2/1/08 at 2:00pm
«Lossless MP3» is an antagonism. However, even (lossy) MP3s are no reason not to go for the best headphone you can afford if it's really best sound quality you're after. Well encoded MP3s can sound indistinguishable from lossless to most ears or at least equally good without direct comparison. I don't know the Total BitHead, but it could be the real bottleneck in the planned system with HD 650 or K 701 -- both not exactly easy to drive or at least calling for synergetic electronics. From this perspective the HD 650 may be the more promising variant of the two, since it has more bass to begin with, and small amps usually lack bass power compared with full-fledged amps. However, I would definitely go for the best headphone you can afford, just take care for system synergy. And -- especially in this class -- I would not go for closed headphones, since they will be sonically inferior by nature.
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post #3 of 12
2/1/08 at 2:04pm
Usually you build your system around the headphones or speakers, not the other way around...

Don't let mediocre source hold you back...
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post #4 of 12
2/1/08 at 2:46pm
Nothing wrong with a PC as source. You can upgrade the DAC/amp later when you're familiar with the sound sig, and see the dif for yourself. Besides you can still play CD's, granted the Macbook has a CD drive.
Also, as far as closed cans, I was just reading this thread, that had several good offerings to consider.
I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever purchase you make, and if not, we'll be here to buy your used goods!!!
Happy Friday.
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post #5 of 12
2/1/08 at 3:13pm
What the heck is a lossless mp3? All mp3s are lossy. FLAC and apple's lossless are lossless, and are not mp3.
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post #6 of 12
2/1/08 at 3:35pm
I use a Total Bithead with a PC at work. I like the sound I get with my Beyer DT-770 80 ohm cans. I've never used my HD650's or K701's with that setup because my office is rather loud and open headphones don't make sense in there.

Most of my tracks are Apple lossless with a few 320k AC3. I think I would get a better sound out of either of my other headphones in a quieter room, but for what I need I can't think of a better 'phone.
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post #7 of 12
2/1/08 at 4:46pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you everyone for the input -

EricJ - I mistyped I meant to say lossless formats (not lossless mp3's).. I am using primarily apple lossless.
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post #8 of 12
2/1/08 at 4:51pm
A good choice here might be the Sennheiser HD595s - a really good headphone for all music that sounds decent with pretty much all sources and can improve as your amps/sources improve.
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post #9 of 12
2/1/08 at 7:00pm
^Problem is they leak sound like crazy.
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post #10 of 12
2/1/08 at 7:06pm
I'd stick with the Grado SR-80s if you plan to keep listening from the Bithead. There aren't a lot of really great closed cans that match the market-leading open designs in sound quality or value - you have to pay a lot to get great soundstage and bass performance. I'd consider the Beyerdynamic DT 770, the Sennheiser HD 280, and maybe the Sony MDR-V900HD or Audio-Technica ATH-M50 in the mid-price range.

It might be cheaper to just find a quiet room or wait until later in the evening
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post #11 of 12
2/1/08 at 7:08pm
i used a bithead as my main source for over 10 months
its a great amp and i don't think it held me back too much with my toshiba laptop and mostly 320kbps files

so i say knock yourself out
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post #12 of 12
2/1/08 at 7:11pm
Audio-Technica ATH-ESW9 might be worth considering. I haven't heard the Bithead, but it's probably on par with decent portable amps and source.
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