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Please help me with my audio set up! Up to $1,000 Total

post #1 of 9
5/19/11 at 11:42pm
Thread Starter 

Feel free to skip the story below, just background of my knowledge and experience so you can help me better. ^_^

 

I just got into high quality sound a few months ago when my brother showed me a pair of $100 Audio-Technica leather over the ear phones that sounded just amazing out of his iPod alone compared to what I was use too. I immediately went out and spent $350 on audio equipment without knowing what I was doing. I simply bought the most expensive card I saw (Creative Sound Blaster Titanium HD) For about $150. I returned that shortly after :P (Everyone other hour they'd crash, sometimes cause BSOD even on windows 7) and I've been rolling with no sound card and the ATH-AD700's i bought at the same time. The right headphone makes a rattling noise when it's not hooked up to a sound card. When the Creative card was working, it was very nice, but I just didn't think it was $150+ worth of sound. After spending hours, if not days, looking at conversations online, I've been looking into a variety of things. So here we go.

 

Currently deciding on what I want to get to set up my first [b]real[/b] audiophile set up.

 

My total budget that I'd consider spending would be the following.

~$200 on Amp+DAC (Or more if justified)

~$130 on 2.1 Speaker System. Fairly set on the z623's because they

~$300 on Headphones - I can increase this up to around $700, but I'd rather not. If a $320 pair of DT990 600ohm's will do, then I'll take them over spending $400 more for little increase in quality.

 

My current plans are the following.

 

Get the E7 first to power my current headphones (Audio Technica ATH-AD700) As I have no sound card other than a 8-channel on-board sound. I go to classes at college about 15 minutes away, so having a portable amp for my phone (Android Mesmerize/Fascinate) to listen to music while studying would be nice. I dont care about having huge headphones in the library :)

 

Followed by buying a pair of AKG K702's or Beyerdynamic DT880 (Not sure on Ohm, whatever sounds the best). I was also looking into getting a modified pair of DT880's from moon audio, but I'm not sure the mods are worth almost two times the price of the headset itself.

 

Shortly after, or at the same time as the headphones, finish it up with a E9.

 

My only problem is, I game. A lot. But I dont care *that* much about gaming audio quality. Maybe positioning and the explosions, how crisp the gunfire is...but I'm really not picky. I'd take music quality over game quality any day.

 

Should I get a cheap-ish (Under $100) sound card or is the E7/E9 combo sufficient for gaming?

 

TL;DR What should I buy to get the most value. Total of $650-$800 budget. AMP+DAC/TV Speaker System(2.1)/Headphones

 

 


Edited by Morpheas - 5/20/11 at 9:00pm
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post #2 of 9
5/20/11 at 8:01pm
Thread Starter 

Bump ^_^

 

Updated title to: Please help me with my audio set up.

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post #3 of 9
5/21/11 at 8:12am

watch Head-Fi TV, episode 004 & 005, for good advice on headphone's choice, and semi/portable rig.

 

what music you listen to? is there an Apple store near to you, or someone else who carries the Senn HD-25's? it's worth to audition before you buy, even if that means spending few hours on a train/bus. don't buy on impulse.

 

 

 

 

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post #4 of 9
5/21/11 at 9:43am

If your budget is strict like that, then for 2.1 you should try the Swan M10's, their very very good for the price, will destroy those logitech's. Although personally, I'd opt for the M50w's. My headphones are Shure 750DJ's (love them, but if your going to be powering your headphones, (these are 32 ohms) then forget these xD, I'll add some suggestions below.

 

2.1

Swan M10's (only black is available atm) and M50w's (Sold out till fall): http://www.lockwaresystems.com/index.php

 

Headphones

Sen HD25-1 II: http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD25-1-II-Professional-Headphone/dp/B000W8XRKK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1305996005&sr=1-1

DT 990 (600 ohms): http://www.amazon.com/Beyer-Dynamic-Premium-600-Headphones/dp/B0024NK34O/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1306017168&sr=1-2

 

Amp/Dac

FiiO-E7: http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E7-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B003E6K1VK

+

FiiO-E9: http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E9-Desktop-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00470Q76K/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1306017234&sr=1-1

 

My advice is great on the 2.1, however my headphone knowledge is not as great (not enough experience), so I'd wait for some better headphones recommendations.


Edited by HxCKhaos - 5/21/11 at 3:34pm
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post #5 of 9
5/21/11 at 12:46pm
Thread Starter 

On the bright side, I already purchased a FiiO E7, and once I need the E9 I will purchase it. The FiiO E7 should be more than adequate to be paired with my 32 Ohm Audio Technica ATH-A700's.

 

I don't have a sound card with my set up so far, so I hope the FiiO E7 will work.

Question 1: Do I need a sound card with my computer if I have the E7 or E7+E9? (I would get a Asus Xonar STX)

 

On any other website or review no one mentions that there's even competition for the Beyerdynamic 770-990 headphones. I guess I just don't know which one of those I want. 880 or 990 really, and then 32-250-600 Ohms. If the E7-E9 setup can power the 600 Ohm's then I'd do it, but I might be better off with the 250 so the E7 alone would be able to power it when I'm on the go.

Question 2: Will the FiiO E7+E9 power a 600 Ohm headset?

Question 3: Will the FiiO E7 alone power a 250 Ohm headset?

 

Also, I don't know whether to pick the 880's or the 990's. I listen to hip hop and love an awesome bass, but I also listen to classic rock, hard rock, metal, and heavy metal. I might go with the 880's because they are suppose to be balanced, but I don't know if there will be enough bass.

Question 4: What are the differences between DT880's (250 Ohm) and the DT990 (250 Ohm)

 

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post #6 of 9
5/21/11 at 3:32pm

1.) If I recall correctly, your sound card will really not effect your music if you are using a dac. A soundcard has a built in dac, and when you use a usb or toslink to another dac, it just skips the soundcard and outputs data to the external dac. (I may be wrong, someone correct me if I am.)

 

2.) That combo should be fine for powering the DT990

 

3.) Not quite sure, srry.

 

4.) Not sure, srry (If you google that question, I'm sure you will find your answer.)

 

I would most certainly recommend the the DT990 600ohm (I'm actually going to go edit my other post, the HD650 is not as good in comparison.)

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post #7 of 9
5/21/11 at 8:50pm
Thread Starter 

Well I would get the 250 Ohm if the E7 can power it alone.

 

Or would the E7 + 600 Ohm 990 sound adequate?

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post #8 of 9
5/22/11 at 1:42am

from the specs the 250 Ohm seems appropriate.

 

 

Specs:
   -Output power: 150mW into 16 Ohm, 16mW into 300 Ohm
   -SNR: ≥95dB for AUX, ≥100dB for USB
   -THD: <0.009% (10mW, AUX) <0.008% (10mW, USB)
   -Frequency response: 10Hz – 100kHz
   -Suitable headphone impedances: 16 – 300 Ohm
   -Power: 1050mAh Li-Ion battery, rechargeable over USB
   -Display: 128x64px two-color OLED
   -Dimensions: 96x55x15mm
   -Weight: 100g
 
you should find tons of reviews/comparisons of the 880's/990's here.
 
also, the Swan's are probably the better choice of speakers than the Logitech's

 

 

 

 

 

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post #9 of 9
5/22/11 at 2:05am
Thread Starter 

Ah thanks Lenni!

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