Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphone Amps (full-size) › Overwhelmed with options starting out :( Need help
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Overwhelmed with options starting out :( Need help

post #1 of 8
11/7/11 at 9:51am
Thread Starter 

Hey all, I'm in a little bit of a pickle. I joined head-fi a little while ago and am an avid reader. I've got a pair of Ultrasone 900s and Westone 4's. I listen mostly classical, with some dubstep/electronic thrown in played from my ipod/macbook pro (whose noise is beginning to drive me batty). I am looking at making my first setup. The problem is, there are so many options.

 

Here's where I'm at. I don't have an amp or a dac, and don't know where to start. Also, I really dislike upgrading (plus it's costly). Current budget = 300$. Where I'd like to be (eventually) -> ~$500 amp + ~$500 dac + LCD-2/HD800, so my questions/options:

 

1) Is an amp truly significant with my low impedence headphones?

 

2) Is there a real difference/case to upgrade from an m-stage to a concerto or dacmagic to DLIII/Stagedac

 

3) (edit) How does m-stage + dacmagic stack up against the amp/dac combos? (D100, HDP, Mini-i)

 

3) last question, can the pre-amp in the Stagedac power my current headphones?

 

Option 1: Buy a Matrix m-stage (or another sub 300 amp) and a nice dac later (Digital Link III or Stagedac), then upgrade eventually to a better amp

 

Option 2: Save for a nice amp (Most likely concerto) then buy nice dac

 

Option 3: Buy a dacmagic and a cheap amp til I can get a decent amp, the upgrade to better amp then dac

 

Option 4: Save for a nice dac, then buy m-stage/save for concerto

 

Option 5: Buy an amp/dac combo, then upgrade each side after (eventually). Looking at a Yulong D100/Mini-i/HDP

 

 

What do you guys think is my best bet? Thanks for any help in advance, I greatly appreciate it! (For real!) How did everyone else start out?

 

Dmyster beerchug.gif


Edited by dmyster - 11/7/11 at 12:15pm
Reply
post #2 of 8
11/8/11 at 1:38pm

I think Headroom's Total Bithead will serve you just fine.  It is portable, can be powered via batteries or AC outlet, and is a really tough piece of equipment.  I have had mine for 5 years and just love it.  It will work well with your headphone choices, virtually eliminate all of the noise from your PC, and give you a taste into a more hi-fi sound.

 

If you do not know what a Bithead is go here.  It is both an amp and DAC that can be fed via USB from your PC or Stereo input from your portable device like an iPod.

http://www.headphone.com/headphone-amps/headroom-total-bithead.php

Reply
post #3 of 8
11/8/11 at 3:21pm

The only problem I've had with my total bithead is that sometimes it doesn't output to both channels. My troubleshooting suggests it's an issue with the input 3.5mm as it takes precedence over the usb DAC portion. Unhooking the dac and powering it off and plugging your headphones into the 3.5mm input a few times and then putting it back into the output resolves this and it happens fairly infrequently.

 

That said, 150$ for the total package, portable, desktop class performance and flexibility to boot. It's a great piece of kit.


Edited by Aynjell - 11/9/11 at 1:41am
Reply
post #4 of 8
11/8/11 at 3:22pm

upgrading is the fun of playin around with headphones.

 

if u start with HD800, then u will not appreciate as much as u start with a lower model.

listening to the improvement of the sound is the best part of messing around with headphones and amps

Reply
post #5 of 8
11/14/11 at 6:43pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks all, I just plan to eventually upgrade to a nice pair of headphones, but indeed in the far future. I'm picking up a used d6 instead of a bithead but thanks for all the help and input. I think it's a prime place to start out, no longer feeling overwhelmed :)

 

Dmyster

Reply
post #6 of 8
11/14/11 at 9:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hughkk View Post

upgrading is the fun of playin around with headphones.

 

if u start with HD800, then u will not appreciate as much as u start with a lower model.

listening to the improvement of the sound is the best part of messing around with headphones and amps


 

+1

 

 

the journey is what makes it all enjoyable and worthwhile

Reply
post #7 of 8
11/14/11 at 10:33pm

Agreed, unfortunately it's expensive, so pick your steps in that journey wisely.

Reply
post #8 of 8
11/17/11 at 7:07am

I haven't been hanging around these forums since I bought my set-up 3 years ago. I too had a limited budget but wanted the best value for my money from the off to avoid to many upgrades. I ended up following many forum dwellers advice and going with a Graham Slee Solo with PSU power source, Sennheiser HD600 heaphones and Ecosse Maestro MA2 interconnects to my stereo set-up (Sonneteer Byron cd player and Sonneteer Alabaster Integrated amp and Penaudio Rebel 2 + Chara speakers). One upgrade later (10 foot Cardas cable for the Sennheisers) and I never bothered coming back to the forums as I was blown away by the sound. I actually think it's better than my hi-fi set-up which costs thousands!!! I too listen to Dubstep, electro and many other genres and have been constantly impressed by the clarity of the Graham Slee/Sennheiser combo. It's a shame you haven't got a bit more cash to spend as I'm looking at selling on my entire headphone set-up as I no longer have time to use it (new baby in the house!).


Edited by bertoni - 11/17/11 at 7:09am
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphone Amps (full-size)
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphone Amps (full-size) › Overwhelmed with options starting out :( Need help