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Headphone and DAC/AMP Setup

post #1 of 9
1/23/11 at 2:07am
Thread Starter 

 

I'm looking to upgrade my computer audio. I have an old pair of 4 year old Audio Technica ATH A900's that are pretty much broken. I would like to get another pair but I'm curious if something else would be better. I wear my headphones for long periods and they need to be very comfortable, also I have a larger head so tight fits are a deal breaker. I also prefer circumarual cups since my ears tend to hurt after a while otherwise.

 

I'm also looking at getting a DAC and Amp for my PC. This is the one I have been looking at but I don't know much about them. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I assume from what I've read about the one I linked, I would need to use USB to connect it to my PC. And that setup would mean I would not longer need a sound card, no? Would a different connection be more suited? Thanks for any help you guys can give me!

 

http://www.headphone.com/headphone-amps/headroom-desktop-ampdac.php

 

 

Edit: A little more info. I am currently using a Klipsch THX 5.1 system that is easily 8 years old by now, I've had that hooked up to my Creative Sound Blaster Audigy X-Fi. My headphones have been plugged into the headphone jack on my Klipsch system. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 


 

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post #2 of 9
1/25/11 at 10:05am

Maybe for your headphone setup you could get an HRT Music Stream II for a DAC (which hooks up USB to your comp so you dont use your soundcard, a Matrix M-stage headphone amp, and maybe a pair of HD 650's or something, although I'm not sure how well the M-stage drives 650's because I'm pretty new to this as well. This is probably the setup I'd go for and I am actually thinking of getting a setup like this myself.  Just my 2cents, but maybe someone with experience can help you out more.

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post #3 of 9
1/25/11 at 1:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sabby View Post

 

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

 


 

What would your general budget be? I see that going with the headroom amp/dac and a potential replacement ATH A900 you'd be around 1000USD. Would you be willing to spend more than that?

Using a USB cable to connect the PC to the DAC would circumvent your soundcard. You could also use an optical/coax connection if your soundcard has either output.

 

Also, what style of music do you prefer to listen to?

 

I never auditioned the headroom products, so I can't comment on that, but the general consesus I got from reading some of the related threads is that you can't go wrong with them.

Take this with a grain of salt though, as I believe that only someone who actually listened to the desktop amp/dac is going to be able to provide the information you need.

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post #4 of 9
1/27/11 at 12:40pm
Thread Starter 

I'm fine with spending 1-2k on this setup. Possibly more. I'm not against having a soundcard if it will give me better audio but I was under the impression that you didn't need one with a DAC/amp setup. Also would there be much difference between using USB/optical/coax connections? I seemed to find some opinions when I searched about it but nobody actually knew what the differences really were.

 

If I don't get the A900s I might go all out and get the ATH-W5000

 

http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/headphones/5215eb84d110cad5/index.html

 

Also I'm not set on that DAC/amp it just seemed a convenient setup with good reviews since it was all on one like that. If anyone has other suggestions please let me know.

 

 

I listen to a wide range of music, folk, jazz, blues, metal, classical, alternative, indie, a little bit of everything.

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post #5 of 9
1/27/11 at 3:23pm

Check out Nuforce's Icon HD / Icon HDP line of dac/amps. Very good DAC and headphone amp, and the HDP, if you spring for that, is the same in those respects but also has a built in speaker preamp and some additional inputs, too. 

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post #6 of 9
1/27/11 at 7:46pm

Hi Timestretch,

 

Your post has gotten my interest up, as it's time for me to upgrade from my E-MU 0202 USB.  I also have Denon AH-D5000 headphones.  Does your Icon HD provide sufficient power to drive your Denons, with room to spare?

 

I've been strongly considering the Peachtree Decco2, but I've read alot of great reviews of the Icon HD/HDP, which costs quite a bit less.

 

Your thoughts are appreciated.

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post #7 of 9
1/28/11 at 2:04pm

Hehehe - by taking the time to review your other posts regarding the Icon HD, you've pretty much answered my questions.

 

You seem quite satisfied with your Icon HD/Denon combo.  I think I will be too!

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post #8 of 9
1/29/11 at 8:34am

The HD has way more than enough power to spare for the D5000. I have my volume at just past the 9 o'clock position and it is perfect listening level for me.

 

I'm glad more people are getting to try this combination. Good luck with it if you go for it!

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post #9 of 9
1/31/11 at 3:55pm

Looks like the HD will be my next purchase.  I'll update this thread with my impressions!

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