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$200 budget for headphones + DAC/Soundcard

post #1 of 10
12/9/09 at 8:40pm
Thread Starter 
I currently have some crappy JVC marshmallows from onboard audio... looking to upgrade just a bit.

50% listen to jazz/classical
25% gaming -> not positional audio, so not EAX, etc.
20% listen to rock/pop/hip pop
5% movies

Budget is ~$150-200 for both headphones and DAC/soundcard.

In terms of ear sensitivity, I have many years of classical/jazz instrument training, so I figure I'm sensitive enough to hear good audio. Prefer less bass, clearer highs.

I was thinking AD700s + HOTUSB DAC/amp, but that might be too gaming-oriented. I heard HD555s are good, but they need a good amp to shine?

Feel free to suggest anything.
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post #2 of 10
12/9/09 at 8:44pm
I've heard good things about the Asus Xonar DX, which is about $90, and would leave you enough for the AD700s. I'm guessing it's probably more gaming oriented though...
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post #3 of 10
12/9/09 at 8:47pm
The Grado SR-80 and the Nuforce Icon Mobile would make a nice pair.
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post #4 of 10
12/9/09 at 9:06pm
For $200 you could get a full size DAC-amp like the Zero and sufficiently power some JVC RX-1/RX-3 which would excel at Jazz providing the luscious highs your looking for. Forget the fancy soundcard unless your a heavy gamer and don't bother with a mobile amplifier unless you need the portability.
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post #5 of 10
12/10/09 at 12:25am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Graphicism View Post
For $200 you could get a full size DAC-amp like the Zero and sufficiently power some JVC RX-1/RX-3 which would excel at Jazz providing the luscious highs your looking for. Forget the fancy soundcard unless your a heavy gamer and don't bother with a mobile amplifier unless you need the portability.
I can't find anything about the JVC RX-1, did you mean the DX-1/DX-3?

I also heard the Xonar DX is for gaming, and also that actually isn't so great for music?

Looking into the Grados; I don't need the amp to be mobile since it's for my desktop.
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post #6 of 10
12/10/09 at 3:55am
AD700's are GREAT for gaming (one of the better gaming headphones out there, but not "boomy" sounding), and they also hold their own for jazz and classical in the price range. Go for the AD700's, enjoy them for a bit and save up for some sort of DAC/AMP combo or a stand alone DAC + AMP.
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post #7 of 10
12/10/09 at 3:59am
I'd also second the AD700s. I've listened to two pairs over the years and they're fantastic for what they do. They're very clear and crisp, and have clean, but present, bass. If I wasn't such an aggressive-Grado-head my main pair of headphones would probably be AD700s too...
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post #8 of 10
12/10/09 at 4:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by black0ut View Post
I can't find anything about the JVC RX-1, did you mean the DX-1/DX-3?.
Yes my mistake, JVC DX-1/DX-3 is what I was referring too.
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post #9 of 10
12/10/09 at 2:34pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redo View Post
AD700's are GREAT for gaming (one of the better gaming headphones out there, but not "boomy" sounding), and they also hold their own for jazz and classical in the price range. Go for the AD700's, enjoy them for a bit and save up for some sort of DAC/AMP combo or a stand alone DAC + AMP.
So you wouldn't recommend buying say a USB DAC/Amp < $100 (example: hotusb)? And onboard Realtek would be tolerable?
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post #10 of 10
12/11/09 at 1:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by black0ut View Post
So you wouldn't recommend buying say a USB DAC/Amp < $100 (example: hotusb)? And onboard Realtek would be tolerable?


It all depends which headphones you end up with and how much money you have. There's not too many sub $100 sources I would go for in a PC setup except a sound card. For amps and dac's I'd spend a little more money before making the jump.
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