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Dream rig... suggestions please

post #1 of 30
Thread Starter 
I've decided i would like to start piecing together my dream rig

amp
I am pretty sure i want a decware CSP2

Headphones:

I'm pretty sure i dont want grados, just b/c everyone describes them as sounding, well, not the way i prefer. I want full cans, open or closed does not matter.

its very unlikely that ill be able to try before i buy. I listen to a very wide variety of music, but not much straight up rock or heavy metal.

I currently have denon ahd 2000, decware zen head amp, and keces mkII dac.

Headphones I am considering but definitely not limited to:
sennheiser hd800
audio technica w5000 ( I actually dont know if these compare to the others on the list)
beyer t1
denon d7000

leaning towards T1, hd800 or w5000, would specifically like to hear more about w5000

DAC
Im leaning towards a - Benchmark DAC1 USB though i havent dont nearly enough research on Dac's yet

I am hoping to buy all this gear used

I will very likely be running from my PC, win764bit foobar wasapi...

I would like some advice

-Could you all give a BRIEF BRIEF BRIEF description as to why you would choose 1 headphone over another or recommend another i havent listed in this quality range? Ive considered STAX and TakeT setups, and they are still up for consideration, but i just get the feeling it aint gonna happen.

PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DONT START A FLAME WAR OR HIJACK THIS THREAD ARGUING ABOUT WHY 1 PAIR OF HEADPHONES IS MORE BALANCED THAN THE OTHER...PLEASE!!!!

Thanks alot

Upgrade-itis is a BITCH! I havent even put 60 hours on my new gear ;-)
post #2 of 30
*** Throws a molotov cocktail at the OP!!! *** [sp?]

Im kidding
That was me starting a flame war


Im building my dream system right now.

Headphones: He5 / Grado RS1 / Senn HD650

Dac: Meier Stage Dac

Transport: Using my present Rotel RCD 975 CD Player

Preamp/Headphone Amp: WooAudio 2 [wa2]

Cables: AudioQuest/Signal Cables/DIY

Amp: Bryston 3BST

Sub: Paradigm DSP3200

Main Speakers: Settling on Paradigm Studio 20 (really want Gallo Nucleus Reference 3.1, but no room for them)

Tuner: Magnum Dynalab (possibly, or else ill use my Adcom tuner/pre) Its also my backup solid state preamp.

Furman /PS Audio AC Line Conditioner
post #3 of 30
Something along these lines.

Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems
post #4 of 30
Why do you get the feeling stats aren't going to happen? If you want a truly high-end "dream" rig, I hate to say it, but dynamics can't resolve the detail stats can, even a headphone as good as the HD800. My $0.02.
post #5 of 30
I prefer the presentation of stats too. But I find that there are not enough options with headphones, particularly high-end options. It seems like when people think high-end stats they think either 02 or orpheus.
post #6 of 30
I also wonder why you got the feeling that Stax is not going to happen.
A Stax O2 is among the highest regarded headphones out there, and at least you should consider giving one a try before excluding.
post #7 of 30
Thread Starter 
Reg. all the stats comments - well, when you put it that way... i guess i better broaden my horizons. The research curve is so daunting, its like starting over.

i guess if ya'll could just answer a few questions simply (i know thats not easy around here), that would be very helpful. every time i see a stax or h2 threat, its like 10gazillion pages long and its a bit daunting.

-Is there a consensus whether stax or the taket is better?

-i gather stax brand headphones come in different quality levels - what are they are what should i expect to pay?

-do electrostatic headphones always need thos special amp/transformers or whatever they are? like the taket's it seems you have to buy that specialized amp

-is a "lower end" stat set still better than a higher end like the hd800 or t1?

-im assuming you still need a dac? would something like the benchmark usb still suffice?

thanks a lot ya'll
post #8 of 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by Br777 View Post
Reg. all the stats comments - well, when you put it that way... i guess i better broaden my horizons. The research curve is so daunting, its like starting over.

i guess if ya'll could just answer a few questions simply (i know thats not easy around here), that would be very helpful. every time i see a stax or h2 threat, its like 10gazillion pages long and its a bit daunting.

-Is there a consensus whether stax or the taket is better?
Yes, stax is better

Quote:
-i gather stax brand headphones come in different quality levels - what are they are what should i expect to pay?
You want the 404LE or the O2, I don't have prices available tho

Quote:
-do electrostatic headphones always need thos special amp/transformers or whatever they are? like the taket's it seems you have to buy that specialized amp
Yes, you need a transformer or an amp, and quality matters, think of it as a package
Quote:
-is a "lower end" stat set still better than a higher end like the hd800 or t1?
no
Quote:
-im assuming you still need a dac? would something like the benchmark usb still suffice?
If you like the benchmark
Quote:
thanks a lot ya'll
np
post #9 of 30
WRT the Benchmark, you can't go wrong...it's old, but still an excellent, neutral DAC. It's a standard for a reason. I think putting together a 404/amp/DAC1 rig in the area of 2k should be doable.
post #10 of 30
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MD1032 View Post
WRT the Benchmark, you can't go wrong...it's old, but still an excellent, neutral DAC. It's a standard for a reason. I think putting together a 404/amp/DAC1 rig in the area of 2k should be doable.
wow! 2k? ya think? thats cheaper than i expected
Im assuming you mean putting together a used rig as i mentioned on the OP.

the omega 2's sure are appealing, especially as far as the visual appeal vs the 404's

any quick comparisons/preferences btween the 2?
post #11 of 30
I'd pick the Grace over the Benchmark, and also possibly look at the Audio-GD DAC's.

I havent been all that impressed with the DAC1 off late. Its just lingering in its past glory days IMO.

I am also not 100% sure about Decware with Grado, isnt the Decware generally considered to do better with high impedance HPs? I'd say the T1 would be a better match for the Decware.
post #12 of 30
I echo all the recommendations for a stat rig.

But your dynamic choices look pretty well thought out, too. The only component I would advise more research about is the DAC. I generally find the Benchmark to be too strident, though I'm not sure whether I have heard the USB version. I did live with the vanilla version for a long time. There are a lot of excellent DACs out there ~$1000 (used and new). Just a few that come to mind:

- Electrocompaniet ECD-1
- Neko Audio D100
- North Star m192 (mk1 or 2)

And then there are the older vintage DACs that used the nice chipses, which can be had for a song if you look hard enough.
post #13 of 30
Thread Starter 
well, the stat rig kinda feels like a no brainer at this point. the more reviews i read the more appealing they sound

I think the omega II's are out of my price range, and it seems like the 404's with amp can be found used more easily anyway.

The hunt begins...

Ill definately need to research dacs more, but finding the stats and the amp are first priority. From there i can really take my time with a dac.
post #14 of 30
Thread Starter 
is $365 a good price for Lambda signatures?
post #15 of 30
Thread Starter 
well as with most everything on head-fi the more i read the more confused i get. its difficult to discern which older model STAX headphone/amp is considered good, and which is not, or whether the 404's are good or to mid heavy.

i dont see the lambda pro's on any websites offering new gear.. i take it theyre out of production, and same for the srm-1/mk2

all the model numbers are very confusing
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