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External sound card? Amp? Where do I start?

post #1 of 7
7/28/11 at 12:08am
Thread Starter 

Hi there,

I'm new to the world of high end audio, so please bear with me :P

I've got an mATX gaming computer with no room for a sound card on board, so I'm looking for some way of improving my audio externally. I've got around $300 Australian to spend, and a pair of HD555s with the baffling foam pulled out (595 mod). What do you think is the most effective option here? I'm open to just about any ideas.

In terms of what I listen to, it's primarily FLAC rips of bands like Karnivool, Dead Letter Circus and other progressive rock, as well as punk(ish?) bands like Rise Against, with a little classic rock thrown in for good measure. I also do a little gaming, but that is definitely secondary to music on this PC.

If you need any more information, let me know.

Thanks,
Brodie.


Edited by Brodie337 - 7/28/11 at 5:23pm
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post #2 of 7
7/28/11 at 1:20am

FiiO E7 and E9 combo sounds like what you need, there are probably other better options that people can come up with but i've got this combo and for the price is a good piece of kit.

 

The E7 is a portable amp / USB DAC and the E9 is a desktop amp and dock for the E7, the E7 is needed to connect the E9 to USB port.

 

*Edit* the combo cost me £165 all together, that's about $235 AUS, so leaves you alot of your budget to spend on other things.


Edited by ilikepooters - 7/28/11 at 3:45am
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post #3 of 7
7/28/11 at 4:42am
Thread Starter 

Thanks alot for your input.

Anyone else got something to say on the matter?


Edited by Brodie337 - 7/28/11 at 5:23pm
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post #4 of 7
7/28/11 at 5:29pm
Thread Starter 

Excuse my double posting, but I've come up with a few options, but I'd really appreciate some input :)

- Fiio E7 + E9 combo

- Audinst HUD-MX1
- Maverick Audio TubeMagic D1

 

I can get all of these for around $250AU. I don't want to run speakers from it, just headphones, by the way.

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post #5 of 7
7/31/11 at 6:20pm
Thread Starter 

Bump?

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post #6 of 7
8/1/11 at 10:54pm

The Fiio E9 is a good amp for the price, it does have op-amp sockets for rolling op-amps but it uses some type of screw that req a special screw driver. its a strong amp for its price but it get down played because of how much it is reguardless of how strong it is.

 

I dont have the fiio E7 but its a 16bit/48khz dac so if your collection is nothing but 24bit/### flac that you rip from CD then you most likey wouldnt want it, You can plug in another external dac into the line in on the Fiio E9.

 

You can wait for more people to come in and give you other suggestions that they have used so you get the most with your money.


Edited by genclaymore - 8/1/11 at 11:02pm
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post #7 of 7
9/20/11 at 3:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brodie337 View Post

Excuse my double posting, but I've come up with a few options, but I'd really appreciate some input :)

- Fiio E7 + E9 combo

- Audinst HUD-MX1
- Maverick Audio TubeMagic D1

 

I can get all of these for around $250AU. I don't want to run speakers from it, just headphones, by the way.



I've got the Mav Audio D1 now and i can say categorically it wipes the floor with the E7+E9.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330613167438?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

I ordered from that guy on ebay and it arrived in the UK in just 3 days and i paid no import duty what-so-ever.

 

Very pleased with it.

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