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Newly joined. Hello!

post #1 of 11
12/22/11 at 8:57pm
Thread Starter 

Hi I can't call myself an audiophile, but I do enjoy listening to variety of music. I have lot of interest in electronics and gadgets so whenever I make a purchase, I tend to go for ones that are really worth your bucks instead of buying an expensive brand that costs alot just because of its brand, not necessarily its quality.

 

Anyways I used to have just a plain logitech headphone that I use for gaming,music and all other stuff and it broke and I just used my earphones and finally decided to invest in a decent headset.

After reading up on stuff I decided to get the Sennheiser HD 598 because I thought it fit my budget, looks nice, and is of good quality.

 

I just wanted to know where do I go from here?

I don't know what amps or DAC I need, actually to be honest, I don't even know what they do exactly. Now trying all kinds of amps and DAC would be the perfect choice but I can't afford that.

 

So what's a good direction to go from here? and what are some advices one experienced audiophile could give to a total beginner?

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post #2 of 11
12/22/11 at 9:32pm

Heya,

 

Quote:
what are some advices one experienced audiophile could give to a total beginner?

 

Google up what a DAC is, what an amplifier is, how they work, what impedance, ohms, sensitivity, etc, is. Also look up how resistance, voltage, watts, decibels, etc, work or are measured and what they mean.

 

Did you already get the HD598?

 

Very best,

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post #3 of 11
12/23/11 at 9:17am
Thread Starter 

I did receive my HD 598 yesterday and I really like it.

Thanks for the reply. How much do starting level DAC and amplifier cost?

I've seen ones that sell devices that have amp/DAC together but are they good or is it better to buy them separately.

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post #4 of 11
12/25/11 at 9:54am
Thread Starter 

I've been reading up on DAC and amps and I'm planning on getting the Fiio E7 E9 combo, but if E7 functions as both an amp and a DAC, what is the benefit of having the E9 along with it?

 

And also, will I be able to have both my PC and PS3 connected at the same time??

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post #5 of 11
12/25/11 at 10:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andifer View Post

I've been reading up on DAC and amps and I'm planning on getting the Fiio E7 E9 combo, but if E7 functions as both an amp and a DAC, what is the benefit of having the E9 along with it?

 

And also, will I be able to have both my PC and PS3 connected at the same time??



You should be able to connect your PC to the E7 or E7/E9 combo. I don't know about hooking up your Playstation 3 to them though. The E9 functions as a much more powerful amp than the E7 so it has the potential to drive much harder to drive phones than the E7 can. While the E7 has a DAC inside of it which will run on the E9 amp so you get an overall better sound. But the E7 is the weak point and there are other DACs out their that sound better. But for a beginner set up, its not bad. I've had both before and still have my E9 as a matter of fact. I use a DACport LX though with my E9 and UHA4 amp, depending on my mood and need.

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post #6 of 11
12/25/11 at 10:18am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the reply. well my PS3 can have 3 different audio output. Optical, just plain red and white or HDMI. PS3 also does have a USB port but it can't be used for the game audio. Just the voice chat. Is there any other DAC/amp model that you would recommend that would allow me to have both my PS3 and PC hooked up? Also not too expensive since I'm just using HD 598, I don't think I'll need all that expensive DAC and amp.

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post #7 of 11
12/25/11 at 4:03pm

Welcome.

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post #8 of 11
12/25/11 at 5:12pm

The E7/E9 combo is a much touted first-timer or supplementary amp and DAC combo, and will suit your purposes well.

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post #9 of 11
12/25/11 at 8:27pm
Thread Starter 

If I'm getting a DAC/amp I won't need a new sound card would I?

I currently have just on board sound card but I heard having the DAC/amp bypasses the card.

Would you still recommend getting one anyways?

 

And also I was trying to compare AIFF files and MP3 files today using the exact same songs, but embarrassing to say, I couldn't notice a vast difference between them.

Is it because I don't have neither amp/dac or even a sound card or would you be able to hear the difference even if its just a headphone change?

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post #10 of 11
12/25/11 at 8:32pm

A USB DAC is a sound card, just an external one. You don't need an internal sound card if you have an external DAC. .

 

As for the lossless vs. MP3, it depends on the quality of the MP3. A V0 or 320 MP3 normally has subtle differences from lossless, but it's nothing I would qualify as a "vast difference." An amp or DAC would help in this regard, but it won't make that difference any bigger. 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andifer View Post

If I'm getting a DAC/amp I won't need a new sound card would I?

I currently have just on board sound card but I heard having the DAC/amp bypasses the card.

Would you still recommend getting one anyways?

 

And also I was trying to compare AIFF files and MP3 files today using the exact same songs, but embarrassing to say, I couldn't notice a vast difference between them.

Is it because I don't have neither amp/dac or even a sound card or would you be able to hear the difference even if its just a headphone change?



 

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post #11 of 11
12/27/11 at 3:27pm
Thread Starter 

I do have lot of MP3s that are 320 maybe that's why.

thanks for help everyone!

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