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Worth upgrading?

post #1 of 6
8/10/08 at 4:05pm
Thread Starter 
My current headphone system is PC feeding EAC ripped FLACs (and very recently some 24/96 downloads) to Edirol UA-1EX to Beresford TC-7510 MK6/3 to Sennheiser HD595 headphones...

My question is, is it worth a headphone upgrade to say HD650 (or better), without a more dedicated headphone amp, rather than the DAC?
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post #2 of 6
8/10/08 at 4:34pm
None of those are exactly bad (although the Edriol's product page does make claims that are slightly nonsensical). Whether you need an amp would depend on the characteristics of the new headphones, and specifically their impedance. Unless you've got something specific in mind, it looks like a good plan to look for the next local meet and see what headphones you like better. Then if those could benefit from an amp, deal with that after you know what you want to switch to.

Have you got anything specific about your current system that you wish it did better, or do you just want it to be "better" nonspecifically?
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post #3 of 6
8/10/08 at 4:44pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ashmedai View Post
None of those are exactly bad (although the Edriol's product page does make claims that are slightly nonsensical). Whether you need an amp would depend on the characteristics of the new headphones, and specifically their impedance. Unless you've got something specific in mind, it looks like a good plan to look for the next local meet and see what headphones you like better. Then if those could benefit from an amp, deal with that after you know what you want to switch to.

Have you got anything specific about your current system that you wish it did better, or do you just want it to be "better" nonspecifically?
Nothing specific.
But my main system Squeezebox duet through Harmony DA9 DAC, Lyngdorf SDAI 2715 amp and Dali Ikon 6 speakers beats it (as it should!).
It was more like "Can I get more from my headphone system, without going crazy?"
In the end I listen to my PC with my headphones about 3 times more than I do my main system. So having spent the equivalent of about £3000 / $6000 on that, I think I ought to think about my headphones again...(fantastic as I think they are)
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post #4 of 6
8/10/08 at 5:07pm
Your setup is very similar to my first headphone rig less the Edirol unit.

I am a firm believer that the headphone is the best, most noticable upgrade and the 650, at least for me, was a very good choice to replace the 595's. Many folks prefer the 600 over the 650, though. It is also a very good phone, a little less heavy/veiled.

The Beresford does an okay job driving the 650's, but I would look into a dedicated amp some time down the road. There are many to choose from at different price point; SS, tube and hybrid.
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post #5 of 6
8/10/08 at 5:17pm
The 650 is a large jump from the 595, but definitely needs a dedicated amp. People seem to like the Darkvoice models or Little-Dot tube models with it.
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post #6 of 6
8/10/08 at 5:42pm
Thread Starter 
Ok thanks for the responses. I wonder, given that I like the sound I am getting, are there any other alternatives to the HD650 for an upgrade?
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