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Things needed from computer to headphones (Noob question)

post #1 of 7
12/29/11 at 11:36am
Thread Starter 

Hey guys,

 

Recently getting into the audiophile stuff, and I was wondering what equipment would I need to fully get the best out of audio from my computer?

 

For the headphones I was thinking Senn 650s, as I used 595s for a long time and love the sound of them.

 

I'm not too entirely sure on an amp. I was thinking Graham Slee Solo II as I heard that's a really good amp, but this was a year or two back when my wallet talked more sense than my head. This still the case?

 

Finally, DAC/Sound card. I heard the USB DACs were utter crap (mostly) and and I'm not sure how good my onboard would be. It had coaxial and TOSlink though. Would buying a usb DAC or a better sound card (recommendations if so, please) be a good option?

 

Sorry for the noob questions, but thanks for reading. smily_headphones1.gif

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post #2 of 7
12/29/11 at 1:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tephnos View Post

I'm not too entirely sure on an amp. I was thinking Graham Slee Solo II as I heard that's a really good amp, but this was a year or two back when my wallet talked more sense than my head. This still the case?

I'm sure the Graham Slee Solo is a pretty good amp although I haven't heard it myself. However, I think you shouldn't take someones word for it. Try to go somewhere you can test it before you buy anything. Like a head-fi meet for instance. Or maybe there is a shop nearby. That's what I would do anyway since for most people such amps aren't exactly cheap.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tephnos View Post

Finally, DAC/Sound card. I heard the USB DACs were utter crap (mostly) and and I'm not sure how good my onboard would be. It had coaxial and TOSlink though. Would buying a usb DAC or a better sound card (recommendations if so, please) be a good option?

Whether or not USB DACs are crap depends on the USB DAC in question. I've got a stello DA100 myself and I don't think it's all that horrible. In fact, I think it's pretty good. Once again I can only recommend that you go somwhere were you can test some of these products to see (hear) for yourself whether you think a better DAC or soundcard is worth it. In most cases however I think that a good DAC (whether it's USB, coax or optical) can be an upgrade in sound quality over onboard soundcards.

So to summarize: If at all possible try some amps and/ or soundcards/DACs for yourself and make up your own mind about what is good and what isn't. I could recommend you buy the exact same stuff I've got (PC - Stello DA100 - WooAudio 6 - HD650) but you might not like it at all. I like it. That doesn't mean you should too.

Edit: When I just reread my post it does seem a bit unhelpful. I didn't exactly mean for that to happen. smily_headphones1.gif
Edited by EnOYiN - 12/29/11 at 1:22pm
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post #3 of 7
12/29/11 at 2:38pm
Thread Starter 

Haha it's fine.

 

I would if I could, but my remote location makes that stuff hard.

 

I'm sure I'm not gonna be disappointed, and I guess I could always return stuff if I don't like how it sounds, so it shouldn't be too much of an issue.

 

The reason I mention the Slee solo amps, is because apparently that's what Sennheiser demo the headphones with. (And you can buy them together in a bundle for cheaper)


Edited by Tephnos - 12/29/11 at 3:04pm
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post #4 of 7
1/1/12 at 9:16am
Thread Starter 

Nobody else?

 

I took a look at that DAC you mentioned. What price point would be the 'diminishing returns' I hear about?

 

I came from years of listening to ipod buds and the like, so I doubt whatever kind of sound I'll get, I won't hate it. I also don't plan to upgrade for a long time, so no upgradeitis here.

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post #5 of 7
1/1/12 at 11:07am

Some people suggest to stick to sound cards unless you're willing to pay $300-500 minimum for an audiophile DAC.

 

However, there's another thing that I need to bring up...the main advantage of sound cards over USB DACs would be the gaming DSP features. Of course, you can get the best of both worlds by getting a cheap sound card and using its S/PDIF output to feed an external DAC. If gaming is not a major concern, then you can get by with just the DAC.

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post #6 of 7
1/3/12 at 7:33am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by NamelessPFG View Post

Some people suggest to stick to sound cards unless you're willing to pay $300-500 minimum for an audiophile DAC.

 

However, there's another thing that I need to bring up...the main advantage of sound cards over USB DACs would be the gaming DSP features. Of course, you can get the best of both worlds by getting a cheap sound card and using its S/PDIF output to feed an external DAC. If gaming is not a major concern, then you can get by with just the DAC.

 



I use £, so I dunno if I could get a DAC cheaper by importing rather than buying over here.

 

Gaming isn't REALLY a major concern, and I *have* a cheap sound card already, so I could probably get the DAC and then just use the cheapo sound card for when I want to game.


Edited by Tephnos - 1/3/12 at 7:36am
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post #7 of 7
1/3/12 at 7:35am
Thread Starter 

Edit: whoops

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