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The absolute BEST budget setups

post #1 of 85
1/3/10 at 8:53pm
Thread Starter 
-Laptop/PC $0 (if you can read this, you probably have one already)
-Foobar2000 with enabled 24/192 output, crossfeed, advance limiter, and optional upsampler $0 (free download)
-EMU0404 USB $150-200
-RadioShack cables $10
-Little Dot MKVII $400
-AKG k701 $250 (not the k702, because that one requires a recable to go balanced)
-4-Pin XLR termination plug $5-10
-Basic Soldering Kit $0-20 (you probably have a friend who has one already)
-5 minutes to read a first-timer guide and do some VERY easy soldering $0

Under $900 for a 100% complete, and VERY good balanced 24/192 system. Even cheaper if you buy used. HD650 is another good option but it'll cost you more and AFAIK you need a new recable to go balanced. The k701 is much easier to balance.

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Sansa Fuze 4GB $50+ (look for sales)
Koss KSC75 $20

$70 for an unreasonably good portable audio system. Honestly, for a lot of people this will already be good enough. The Fuze has a surprising good DAC and headphone jack, and the KSC75 is ridiculous value.

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-Laptop/PC $0 (if you can read this, you probably have one already)
-Foobar2000 with enabled 24/192 output, crossfeed, advance limiter, and optional upsampler $0 (free download)
-EMU0202 USB $100
-RadioShack cables $10
-KOSS ESP950 system $600

About $700 for a complete, 24/192 electrostatic system.

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Any other suggestions? It'd be pretty cool to get a list going. Copy/paste my post and add yours above!
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post #2 of 85
1/3/10 at 8:57pm
My budget setup is singing to myself. The sound quality is as close to the real thing as you can get - even better than a HD-800!
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post #3 of 85
1/3/10 at 9:34pm
Here's my classical music focused, beginner setup:

AKG K701 - $270
Fiio E3 - $12

Other more driving genres sound a bit lacking, but well recorded classical music (what I mainly listen to) sound amazing! I definitely intend to audition better amps later.
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post #4 of 85
1/3/10 at 9:38pm
The best budget setup I've ever had is, unfortunately, utterly impractical as a suggestion.

It was:

AKG K340 (bass-light) ($200 used)
MG Head OTL (Mk1) ($200 used)
Rega Planet 2000 ($300 used)
random DiMarzio RCA cables ($50 used)

$750 total for sound that killed the SR-404 off the SRM-007t and just about any dynamic setup you can name for the price.

The problem is, I have had multiple K340s and only that one pair sounded this good. Bass-heavy pairs were thick and dull sounding, and most modded pairs were flat-out terrible. I have heard only one other pair that's anywhere close, and it was mostly stock and bass-light.

So, even if the setup was killer, I can't recommend it as a good buy. Oh yeah, the MG Head sounded terrible with most other headphones too, way too thick and warm.

I would suggest a Stax 005a system as one of the best, if not the best budget buys you can get, together with a decent source. Ridiculously good performance despite the dinky looks, and the system is voiced in a very pleasing and musical way, too.
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post #5 of 85
1/3/10 at 9:47pm
iPod -> LOD -> SSMH -> Vintage DT880.

While I don't know how good it really is, it sound amazing to me =).

and it only costs about.. $200 not including the iPod.

Not really practical though.. lots of work involved in both building a SSMH, and finding a good price on the vintage DT880 off german ebay.
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post #6 of 85
1/3/10 at 9:49pm
Onboard Sound - $nil
Minijack to RCA cable - $10

Stax 2020 or 2050, used - $350-400.


That will royally pwn any dynamic rig under $1000 imo. And easily chase more expensive ones. But then I'm a stat man.



Budget rig:

Cheap MP3 player - $20
Koss KSC-75 - $20 or so

Nuff said.
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post #7 of 85
1/3/10 at 9:51pm
Refurb Sansa Fuze - 30 bucks

Yuin Pk3's - 39.99

8gb micro sd - 12.00

Portable Auditory Bliss to my ears ---------- Priceless
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post #8 of 85
1/3/10 at 10:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by catscratch View Post
I would suggest a Stax 005a system as one of the best, if not the best budget buys you can get, together with a decent source. Ridiculously good performance despite the dinky looks, and the system is voiced in a very pleasing and musical way, too.
Fascinating. What's the comfort level on them gizmo's like? Unfortunately, I'm personally not a fan of in-ear phone designs, otherwise I'd seriously consider giving them a try.

Duggeh,
The Stax world is certainly alluring, but I fear what will happen to my wallet if I ventured in there. I use the incredibly dorky look of these Stax systems to quell my curiosity.
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post #9 of 85
1/3/10 at 10:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aimlink View Post
Fascinating. What's the comfort level on them gizmo's like? Unfortunately, I'm personally not a fan of in-ear phone designs, otherwise I'd seriously consider giving them a try.
Eh, it depends. Some people find them extremely uncomfortable and others can wear them for hours without noticing them. I'm more in the former category than the latter, but for a few hours it's fine.

The bigger problem is fit - this system is a bit like an IEM in that it needs the proper fit to sound good. If you can't get a good fit, then you won't ever hear the system at its best, and the sound difference in this case is pretty major. So you will need to spend some time experimenting to get it to sound its best, as you would with a universal-fit IEM.

Still, when it works, it really works as they say. These little things are very reminiscent of the Omega 2 in many important ways - especially midrange tonality. So they give you a good idea as to what you're getting into down the road.

'Stats don't have to be expensive. But the cheaper ones do make you seriously think about investing in something like the HE90/HEV90 or O2/BHSE when before you'd consider it madness to spend that much. And, they do make you appreciate a good source and amplification since every step of the way shows very noticeable results.
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post #10 of 85
1/3/10 at 10:18pm
I had the baby Stax, and although I appreciated the sq, I had a very hard time keeping the tips positioned in my ears correctly, which kept changing the sound. YMMV.

Best budget rigs, assuming you already have a portable player:

Under $100

dap>KOSS portapros or KSC75s, Sennheiser PX100 (I've heard the II are better, but I've not heard them yet)

Under $200

dap>mini^3>PK1s
dap>mini^3>SR60s
dap>mini^3>Shure 840s
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post #11 of 85
1/3/10 at 10:19pm
For headphones. Some people got their DT48 for 25.00-60.00 used. They retail for MSRP (Beyer) 449.00. Since the first pair released to the public was in the early to mid 50's, and various incarnations for a headphone that has been in production for half a century, the vintage models can be found pretty cheap. Unknown to the public, nore heavy marketed, being pro studio headphones, with a very small following just adds to the low price.

Vintage ortho/electro's are a real steal and bargain for price vs performance.. Many lower to mid end stats can compete and even surpass high end dynamics in certain key areas. Speed, clarity, and the effortless way they present the music, easily besting any regular (K1000) dynamic headphone I have heard. Butter smooth, and never harsh.. Various models of Ortho's can range from 30.00-100.00, and easily modible to sound more stat like.

340's.. Fully modded, balanced, with a 4 pin connector and robust power amp, I feel they can easily contend with dynamic headphones in the 1,000 range.. I seen them as low as 125.00. Amazing with strings, especially the Cello and violin. Amazing mids..Sensual, enduring, and uphoric. A great contrast to the DT48's mids, which are 'cut throat' and brutally honest in comparison. Ying and Yang for you.

The AD700 is a great bargain for 65-85 used. Very spacious with delicate and articulate bass.. Also doubles as a great gaming headphone.
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post #12 of 85
1/3/10 at 10:25pm
This might deserve a sticky. The majority here are on a budget and looking for a great price to performance set up. Great thread OP!
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post #13 of 85
1/3/10 at 10:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by catscratch View Post
The best budget setup I've ever had is, unfortunately, utterly impractical as a suggestion.

It was:

AKG K340 (bass-light) ($200 used)
MG Head OTL (Mk1) ($200 used)
Rega Planet 2000 ($300 used)
random DiMarzio RCA cables ($50 used)

$750 total for sound that killed the SR-404 off the SRM-007t and just about any dynamic setup you can name for the price.

The problem is, I have had multiple K340s and only that one pair sounded this good. Bass-heavy pairs were thick and dull sounding, and most modded pairs were flat-out terrible. I have heard only one other pair that's anywhere close, and it was mostly stock and bass-light.

So, even if the setup was killer, I can't recommend it as a good buy. Oh yeah, the MG Head sounded terrible with most other headphones too, way too thick and warm.

I would suggest a Stax 005a system as one of the best, if not the best budget buys you can get, together with a decent source. Ridiculously good performance despite the dinky looks, and the system is voiced in a very pleasing and musical way, too.
How old is the 005a? I love good vintage gear.
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post #14 of 85
1/3/10 at 10:28pm
I wouldn't call OP's system "budget"

Mine would be D2000 + Essence ST. That's more like it.
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post #15 of 85
1/3/10 at 10:31pm
What are the budget targets, portables and home, computer, vinyl, balanced..........?

Give me the details. (ten extra points for what song)
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