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Headphone upgrade from ATH-AD700

post #1 of 51
12/1/09 at 6:56pm
Thread Starter 
Hey,

I have AD700s hooked up to an X-fi xtremegamer sound card. I want to upgrade... I've heard the AD700 doesn't benefit that much from an amp.

So, I think a headphone upgrade would be nice (unless you think a need a DAC or amp b/c of the soundcard). My budget is fairly flexible--around $200?

I listen to nearly all genres of music, but mainly rock and techno/dubstep (fairly bass-heavy).
I wouldn't mind a bit more bass compared to the AD700. Not sure if I want an open or closed 'phone though...

What do you guys suggest?
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post #2 of 51
12/1/09 at 7:00pm
SR225, if you dont mind open and leaky headphones.

Used D2000 if you want closed with a bit more bass
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post #3 of 51
12/1/09 at 7:06pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the reply...

I also forgot to mention I need them to be comfortable. I wear them for hours at a time. I've heard Grados aren't that comfy, is that right?
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post #4 of 51
12/1/09 at 7:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nate911 View Post
Thanks for the reply...

I also forgot to mention I need them to be comfortable. I wear them for hours at a time. I've heard Grados aren't that comfy, is that right?
Yep.

I recommend Shure SRH840 or Denon D2000.

Out of an X-Fi card you won't hear much improvement from AD700s though until you get a DAC at the least if not an amp as well. D2000s all but require an amp, not because they won't drive but because of how much it improves SQ.
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post #5 of 51
12/1/09 at 8:00pm
I would recommend you get a DAC before you do anything else.
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post #6 of 51
12/1/09 at 8:26pm
Oh yeah the Shure 840's as well. Forgot about those. For under 200$ they are very good value.
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post #7 of 51
12/1/09 at 11:32pm
I have just received my Little Dot 1+ with EF92 tubes upgrade, and so far it makes my AD700 sound even better. There is defiantely more bass to go around and it has that nice punch to it. The highs are tamed and the mids are more defined. Usually before i had the amp, i would always hear the drums more so than the guitars, but now the drums is less to the point where it is equal to the guitars. I losten to a lot of metal and rock. I highly reconmend getting the little dot 1+.
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post #8 of 51
12/2/09 at 12:37am
The AD700 responds well to an amp in my experience and any future headphones will as well, I would go the amp route before getting a different headphone. The little dot+ sounds like it would be a good choice. The amp I am using is made in Canada and is in my signature. If you check the amp forum you will see a review of the RW Amp1 by me.
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post #9 of 51
12/2/09 at 1:47am
you could go AD900's, they are the best open back that don't require some power behind it. They are what I want. lol.
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post #10 of 51
12/2/09 at 7:51pm
Thread Starter 
Hmm. perhaps I could get an amp for Christmas that will work well with most headphones...then early year order some better headphones? Would that be a better route? (I assume I need to create another thread in the headphone amp forum, right?)
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post #11 of 51
12/2/09 at 8:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nate911 View Post
Hmm. perhaps I could get an amp for Christmas that will work well with most headphones...then early year order some better headphones? Would that be a better route? (I assume I need to create another thread in the headphone amp forum, right?)
Tube Amps: Little Tube, Head Direct are the best low end amp options

I would recommend solid state though as it will work with all headphones, whereas tubes will have a hard time driving certain headphones and also take time to warm up.

There are a TON of solid state options in an under $250 price range, ask in the amp forum.
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post #12 of 51
12/2/09 at 8:38pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Necrolic View Post
Tube Amps: Little Tube, Head Direct are the best low end amp options

I would recommend solid state though as it will work with all headphones, whereas tubes will have a hard time driving certain headphones and also take time to warm up.

There are a TON of solid state options in an under $250 price range, ask in the amp forum.
Yeah, I'll make another thread. Solid state seems better for my purposes.
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post #13 of 51
12/2/09 at 9:09pm
this might be way off as its purely speculation, but the sa5k seems to have fairly similar balance to the AD700 (according to headroom graphs).
I haven't heard it, but I intend to eventually (hopefully soon).

Also, if you are looking for a similar sound the AD900 is nearly identical in terms of 'sound' but is better.
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post #14 of 51
12/5/09 at 2:07am
Thread Starter 
Any more headphone suggestions?
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post #15 of 51
12/5/09 at 3:54am
AD700 will scale nicely with a little bit better source. I recommend upgrading to a better soundcard or external dac/amp or something. A warm and bassy amp will give them a bit more bass.
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