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Need suggestion for my new headphone set up

post #1 of 7
1/24/12 at 11:57pm
Thread Starter 

 

Hey guys,
 
So I am here to look for a hi-end experience.  
 
I want to upgrade my current set up as follow: Creative SB Audigy --> Pioneer HDJ 2000
 
I want to buy a new headphone & an amp & Dac interngrated. Even though this set up will be on my desk all the time, but I prefer it to be as small as possible. This set up will be used for music (30% trance/electronica, 30% pop, 20% rock, 10% clasical, 10% light rock and R&B) & movies. My sources of music are mostly 320/128 Mp3 files and small amount of FLAC.
I can spend up to $1000, but the lower the better. If I have to pay for more, the added quality will have to match with the additional money. Because this is a very expensive investment toward my entertainment, the headphone should be good for a few years.
 
 
After a few days of research, my target at the moment is:
  • Denon AHD7000 
  • Beyerdynamic T 70
  • Grado Professional Series PS500
  • Sennheiser HD 650

 

As for amp & DAC, I dont have a knowledge on this so your suggestion is helpful that will match with the headphone. Something small and space saving like the NuForce Icon HDP is ideal for me. 

 
Thanks for your commentbeerchug.gif

Edited by haquocdung - 1/24/12 at 11:59pm
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post #2 of 7
1/25/12 at 2:02am
I've not listened to the Beyers, but have tried the rest. For my tastes, the D7000 is the best all-rounder. It has a lush, smooth sound that still manages to remain very detailed with deep bass extension. I have it paired with a HiFiMan EF5, which is a tube/SS hybrid, and for me it's a perfect match. I've checked out a lot of HF/amp pairings over the years and none of them are as engaging and comfortable as this, absolutely zero fatigue after 5+ hours of listening. There are more neutral/detailed combos out there, to be sure, but I've not heard any that are more enjoyable. darthsmile.gif
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post #3 of 7
1/25/12 at 2:06am

drop the t70 from that list.

 

I think if you can afford the d7000, go for it, I ordered mine and will post a small review asap

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post #4 of 7
1/25/12 at 8:04am
Thread Starter 

 

D7000, that's what I thought too.
 
@Magick Man  what about D7000 & FiiO E7/E9? Would that be more cost efficient for me? I read that some people don't suggest paring D7000 with a tube amp, esscial with the cheap tube of EF5 and waiting for the tube to warm up before listening to my music. It's why I lean toward the NuForce Icon HDP.
 
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post #5 of 7
1/25/12 at 12:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by haquocdung View Post


D7000, that's what I thought too.
 
@Magick Man  what about D7000 & FiiO E7/E9? Would that be more cost efficient for me? I read that some people don't suggest paring D7000 with a tube amp, esscial with the cheap tube of EF5 and waiting for the tube to warm up before listening to my music. It's why I lean toward the NuForce Icon HDP.
 

Well, the EF5 is a hybrid, and a pretty neutral sounding hybrid, at that. It adds a small bit of warmth, but I think of it more as a SS amp with a more laid back signature. The tube doesn't change things as much as some think. Personally, I don't care for the D7000 w/ E7/E9 as much, they seem to suck a little of the life out of the Denons, and that's what I bought them for. They're my pleasure phones, not really for analyzing and pure neutrality.

The tube is warm and ready after just a minute or so, 1 minute or 2 hours, it doesn't appear to matter.
Edited by Magick Man - 1/25/12 at 12:33pm
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post #6 of 7
1/25/12 at 1:51pm

 

 

 Good consideration there with the Nuforce HDP, it's a great little Dac/Amp and it trumps the

 E7/E9 combo quite easily for clarity and smoothness. Admittedly after having listened to the

 E17 with the E9 ~ it's a nice improvement with the superior new DAC on the E17 but I'd

 still select the HDP.

 

 Another combo to consider would be the Audio GD NFB12 + Audio GD Digital Interface

 a very nice solution for the price but it involves ordering directly from China. The NFB12

 is quite competent but the USB implementation could be better, in that out of the box

 it's not quite up to speed like the HDP but the additional Audio GD Digital Interface

 rectifies all of those problems making it a very good value proposition, especially

 since the head amp on the NFB12 is not bad at all.

 

 As for the headphones - D7000 and HD650 if you are seeking a lush, non fatiguing

 warm presentation that will never be harsh but the down side being that it could sound

 like it lacks bite and attack at times (although with the HD650 this can be dramatically improved)

 

 Yet to get my hands on the PS500 or T70 ~ but I'd bet my bottom dollar they will not

 be as forgiving all round as the other two ~ and yet be more involving at times.

 

 Must weigh it up ~ lush, forgiving, laid back or dynamic, involving, full of bite but

 occasionally fatiguing.

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post #7 of 7
1/31/12 at 8:12am
Thread Starter 

Thanks.

I think I will go with the D7000 & NuForce Icon HDP.

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