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Starting kit for a headphone newb!

post #1 of 26
3/4/09 at 3:42pm
Thread Starter 
Hello everyone,
This site was brought to my attention after being a member of AVSforum for sometime. I'm looking to get into headphones after I began really exploring high bitrate encoded music and lossless music on my comp.

I'm looking for some expert recommendations for 3 parts, my budget is under $500. I am looking for a pair of headphones (so far i'm gravitating towards the sennheiser hd 595 or hd 600), a 4 or 8gb mp3 player (which plays lossless formats such as flac), and a headphone amp with a usb DAC (doesn't matter if it is portable or not).

My music preference is metal, alt. rock, trance, and techno. Thanks for your suggestions in advance, I can't wait to really explore my music! I think i've pushed my klipsch promedia 4.1s as far as they can go!
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post #2 of 26
3/5/09 at 2:31pm
Thread Starter 
if someone could just suggest a good mp3 player for under $100 that would be amazing as well. From my searches on this forum, it seems a decisive "best" player has not been chosen, so it would help out a lot for some recommendations.
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post #3 of 26
3/5/09 at 6:40pm
Try and spend a bit more and hunt down something like an iRiver H300 or H100. Well worth the extra money spent IMO.

Amp wise, perhaps something like the iBasso D10 would be what you're after.
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post #4 of 26
3/5/09 at 7:08pm
Sansa Fuze, used D2 boa and spend the rest on the headphone you want
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post #5 of 26
3/5/09 at 7:57pm
Thread Starter 
thanks for the info guys, i noticed you both are using several different amps. Which one is your favorite?
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post #6 of 26
3/5/09 at 8:32pm
Thread Starter 
NSX
I checked out the Iriver you suggested, i didn't like it all that much. I noticed you have a cowon D2, i hear good things about it. How do you like it?
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post #7 of 26
3/5/09 at 8:56pm
A group of Head-fi'ers asked to have the Audio-gd Compass designed and made for people in your situation. It plugs directly into your computer via USB. The only thing it isn't is portable. The only thing is, it will eat up a sizable chunk of your budget, but if you also get HD600s second-hand off someone in the For Sale forum (you'll have to PM someone who's selling them until you reach the 50 post mark) then you'll have a system that will take some serious money to better.

You might also consider buying something similar that has a DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter) and amp from another forum member.

Are you planning to walk around with whatever DAP you buy? You might want to consider a pair of IEMs (In Ear Monitors) in that case, as full-size headphones are neither convenient, and in the case of open-backed headphones such as the HD-600s, let through almost all outside noise.
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post #8 of 26
3/5/09 at 9:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Agent_Moler View Post
NSX
I checked out the Iriver you suggested, i didn't like it all that much. I noticed you have a cowon D2, i hear good things about it. How do you like it?
The D2 is good, but doesn't sound as nice as the iRiver. Soundstage is slightly closed in, and the bass is a bit rolled off. Sounds nice through an amp though.

For on the go use, something like a Corda Headsix (Which is the same as my XXS) will be more than sufficient. Alternatively, for a spot of DIY, a mini3 kit is not a bad way to go. I bought a kit and built it myself; Not a bad amp for the outlay at all. Not as accurate as the XXS, but more lively and energetic.

Headphones wise, are you going to be using this on the go or at home? IEMs like the Sennheiser IE8 might be more your thing if you're constantly on the go. I tried the whole "can on the run" thing, and for me it just didn't work.
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post #9 of 26
3/5/09 at 9:06pm
Thread Starter 
I think I'll be more inclined to using the amp/headphones at home. Currently, I have a pair of sennheiser cx300 earbuds which I am pretty pleased with but I would not rule out looking in IEMs if I think i can get more out of whatever mp3 player i end up purchasing. BTW, i see that cowon is releasing an update of the D2, the D2+. Any thoughts on this? Worth getting?
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post #10 of 26
3/5/09 at 10:02pm
i would recommend u getting something other than the hd-595. i own them and i can tell u that they are NOT good for ur genre's of music. there isnt enough bass punch or enough bass to play those genres well. i cant speak for the hd-600, but i assume there about similar.
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post #11 of 26
3/5/09 at 10:05pm
Doesn't seem to be that different to the regular D2, so wait for regular D2 prices to drop.

On the go, I think a Sansa Clip and a nice pair of IEMs (IE8, W3, whatever) will be more than enough.

Home amp wise, maybe HD600 with some sort of tube amp? What will be your source at home? Computer? CD player?
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post #12 of 26
3/5/09 at 11:26pm
Thread Starter 
Im thinking for source my comp and whatever mp3 player i get. my self, i read the hd 595s are good for rock type music. What do you think makes them unsuitable?
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post #13 of 26
3/5/09 at 11:36pm
For rock, I think Grado might be a better bet.

Having said that, try and see if you can audition some headphones.
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post #14 of 26
3/5/09 at 11:43pm
Thread Starter 
which grados?
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post #15 of 26
3/6/09 at 12:44am
Depends on how much you want to spend really. You could pop for RS1 or RS2 if you really wanted to blow some money, but maybe something like the SR325i? Grado Labs, Inc.

Try searching the for sale section in the forum and see what falls into your price range.
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