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Mad Lust Envy's Headphone Gaming Guide: (8/18/2022: iFi GO Blu Review Added)
Dec 12, 2011 at 10:36 PM Post #2,596 of 48,566


Quote:
googleli said:
I have just placed order for the Smyth Realiser. When my BHSE comes, my ultimate music / gaming / movie headphone system will be done:
 
Esoteric K-01 / Oppo 95 Bluray Player / Xbox 360 / PS3 / PC with i7 920 o/c 4GHz with GTX580 2-way SLi 
-> Pioneer SC-LX85 Flagship AV Receiver
-> Smyth Realiser
-> Blue Hawaii Special Edition
-> SR009 (plus SVS PC13 Ultra subwoofer for gaming and movies).
 
 
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Ridiculous.  I can only dream of having a single one of those items 
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If you threw your wallet at me, it would probably shatter most of my skeletal system
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Dec 12, 2011 at 11:34 PM Post #2,597 of 48,566
Quote:
namelesspfg said:
All you need is an amp. CMSS-3D Headphone works over the RCA outputs, and it probably still works over S/PDIF.
 
As for which amp, that's not a question I can answer, at least not for a 600-ohm headphone.
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If it's seriously that simple, then I'll likely just get the 600-Ohm set and an amp to power them. I did find the "DT 880 600 Ohm" thread and am slowly making my way through it. There are a lot of suggestions for amps in there, with the general idea being that the DT 880s work better with tube amps.
 
Dec 13, 2011 at 12:07 AM Post #2,598 of 48,566
I just read,
 
Seems Smyth Realiser is like Beyerdynamic Headzone Game Headset.
 
However, I don't find any information on Smyth regarding DTS or Dolby
 
Dec 13, 2011 at 12:44 AM Post #2,599 of 48,566


Quote:
dillweed said:
Like I said before, I don't care so much if I have to spend a decent chunk of change as long as I'm getting quality for my money. I'd really prefer to stay under the $1000 mark as much as possible, though.
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Do what I did then: X-Fi > optical > DAC > Amp
That way you don't have to double amp. Just pick an Amp and DAC that suites your taste in music/genre.
 
Dec 13, 2011 at 12:58 AM Post #2,601 of 48,566
Well he said $1,000.
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Dec 13, 2011 at 2:32 AM Post #2,603 of 48,566
I know, I know, it's more than is necessary. It's the first upgrade I've decided to make to my audio setup in almost 5 years, so I don't feel as bad about spending some extra. Plus, this is basically like my Christmas present. To me. From myself...
 
Quote:
numlock said:
Do what I did then: X-Fi > optical > DAC > Amp
That way you don't have to double amp. Just pick an Amp and DAC that suites your taste in music/genre.
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Alright, I'm still learning the terminology and technology behind how this hardware all works, but from the way you guys have mentioned this here and a couple pages back, I'm guessing that not only the Headphone Out is amplified, the RCA Line Out ports on the sound card are also amplified, which is why it would be double amped if you used them? If that's the case and it's something you should avoid if possible, then I guess the sound card would basically just become a game/surround effects/digital signal processor in the chain if you replace its DAC functions with an external DAC.
 
Dec 13, 2011 at 2:39 AM Post #2,604 of 48,566
No. An external DAC will take all duties from the soundcard, rendering it useless. No way to get around double amping. Its not an issue people make it out to be.
 
Dec 13, 2011 at 2:41 AM Post #2,605 of 48,566
Ok, hang on. We need to clarify some points:
  1. RCA ports are usually unamped
  2. Line Out ports are, by definition, unamped. Some exceptions, but "Line" refers to the signal being "line level", which at the very least means you can't adjust the volume on the device where the Line Out port sits. E.g. iPods have a Line Out Dock, which disables volume control on the iPod when used.
 
Dec 13, 2011 at 2:47 AM Post #2,606 of 48,566
Not always true though. For example, the Lyr's RCA output is pre-amped. I don't remember if it was volume controlled though, but I do remember that it wasn't an untouched bypass.

My assumption of a soundcard with virtual surround is that you either have to use the headphone jack to get the processing, or the outputs on the back are pre-outs.

I honestly can't confirm and would like someone with one of these soundcards to clarify whether the virtual surround is kept through line outs (I bet my money it won't). By definition, a lineout is untouched signal.
 
Dec 13, 2011 at 8:08 AM Post #2,607 of 48,566
 
I've been seriously considering getting an Astro mixamp 5.8 and a nice set of headphones (up to $550).  I don't have a lot of experience in high end headphones, but I have owned Westone UM1's and currently have a set of Westone 3's.  In addition I have also looked into purchasing a portable headphone amp  (emmeline p-51 mustang for example), but I always seem to have other things that are more important to spend my money on.
 
This is my current receiver:
http://nadelectronics.com/products/av-receivers/T-747-A/V-Surround-Sound-Receiver
 
In addition I have a PS3 to play games such as modern warfare/bioshock/MK9, and I use PS3 media server to stream music from my laptop.  I am also moving all of my movies and music to an eternal harddrive enclosed in a thermaltake case that will run through my oppo bdp93 http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-93/ via Esata.
 
Musically I mainly listen to electronica, industrial, rock, metal, mixed in with some Madonna, Roger Waters, Floyd, Beck, Phish
 
Now...for the future.
 
My current budget is around 350$, but I may have a way to get a pair of $550 headphones at the same cost so I need a few opinions at both price levels.
 
I plan on using a clip on mic for gaming rather than getting the beyerdynamic mmx300.
 
I would like to be able to listen to movies, and music with the astro mixamp while doing other projects in the house, but if I can't get the most out of the headphones because of the limitations of the Mixamp (which I have read in a few threads) I would much rather have it wired to my NAD reciever.  I will more likely be stationary, but the idea of moving around the house while listening to music is a plus.
 
The ability to produce positional effects will also be important for Ps3 gaming, and computer gaming (Counter-strike Source)
 
I want these headphones to be able to handle the explosion at the end of the song "late home tonight pt.1 from Roger Waters album Amused to Death.  I have the album via vinyl rip and the Gold cd pressing in FLAC.
 
I would prefer that the sound not leak from the headphones so I don't disturb others if I use them in public or around family members, but if that will degrade the audio quality i'm willing to be "forever alone"
 
Someone please point me in a few directions.  If there are some reviews/websites that people have used to make a decision I would love to see them.
 
***one of the other reasons that I would prefer to go wireless is that I have two 100 lb. dobermans that get to running around downstairs where the home theater is and I don't want them running through the cord that is extended from the reciever, thereby damaging the wired connections.  I know that some have detachable cables (that could be replace) but I'm leery of possible problems with loose attachment/connection***
 
Leaning toward Beyerdynamic dt880, but i've seen opinions that it doesn't work well with the Astro Mixamp is this true?
If I did get the Astro Mixamp 5.8 which ohm version should I get?
Since the 880 is partially open will it create any problems with a mic?
 
Dec 13, 2011 at 8:20 AM Post #2,608 of 48,566


Quote:
mustangvxd said:
 
The reason for the title of this thread is that I want these headphones to be able to handle the explosion at the end of the song.  I have the album via vinyl rip and the Gold cd pressing in FLAC.
 
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Uh, what?
 
 
 
Quote:
Since the 880 is partially open will it create any problems with a mic?
 
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What kinds of problems are you anticipating? I game online semi-regularly with my 880, so maybe I can answer your question.
 
 
Dec 13, 2011 at 9:01 AM Post #2,609 of 48,566

 
Quote:
dillweed said:
I'm guessing that not only the Headphone Out is amplified, the RCA Line Out ports on the sound card are also amplified, which is why it would be double amped if you used them? If that's the case and it's something you should avoid if possible, then I guess the sound card would basically just become a game/surround effects/digital signal processor in the chain if you replace its DAC functions with an external DAC.
Click to expand...

Everything is amped(3.5mm jacks) except optical. No RCA.(from my experience with several X-Fi cards)
Yes, the only duties my sound card sees is surround sound processing and sending that info over optical.
 
 

 
Quote:
mad lust envy said:
No. An external DAC will take all duties from the soundcard, rendering it useless.
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Wrong in the case of X-Fi. I can't confirm the Zonar though.
 
 


Quote:
mad lust envy said:
I honestly can't confirm and would like someone with one of these soundcards to clarify whether the virtual surround is kept through line outs (I bet my money it won't). By definition, a lineout is untouched signal.
Click to expand...

Optical is the only true line out. You have the option of leaving the signal untouched/pass-through or have the card do all the processing and then it gets sent to what ever is on the other end of the optical cable. In my case, an external DAC
 
There are no RCA jacks. Only 3.5mm headphone/speakers jacks that are connected to the cards amp. All controlled by the PC/soundcard volume, no true line out.
 
 
 
Dec 13, 2011 at 9:09 AM Post #2,610 of 48,566


Quote:
eric_c said:
Uh, what?
 
 
 
 
What kinds of problems are you anticipating? I game online semi-regularly with my 880, so maybe I can answer your question.
 
 
 
I had originally made a thread with a specific title but didn't edit the post.   It is now corrected and refers to one of my favorite albums "Amused to Death"
 
I wasn't sure if the "semi-open" nature of this set would be picked up by the mic.  I've come across some reference to this in the multitudes of review/comparison threads I have looked through.
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