I'm reading a lot of posts on these forums but it still remains very difficult for me to decide what to go with.
For a while I used a firewire 410 as dac/headphone amp with the intention to get something better in a bit, but now I had to give it back so I now have to make a sped up decision on what to get.
The first issue is that I'm wanting to buy dac/amp with a new set of headphones as well, but with roughly 400 euros to spend I have a hard time in figuring out where to place the balance.
For what I want to use the dac/amp:
Desktop pc
Computer -> spdif/coax -> dac -> Quad 33/303 -> ESL 57
Computer -> spdif/coax -> dac/amp -> headphones
(I generally tend to use my headphones more than regular speakers)
Laptop
Computer -> usb -> dac/amp -> headphones
Phone (Something I would really like but of lower priority)
Phone -> usb -> dac/amp -> headphones
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Currently I have a pair of Beyerdynamic DT770 pro's lying around that need a cable refit, and some new ear pads which would be an option when going for a better dac/amp and saving money on cans.
I can get a pair of HD 650's for roughly 220 euro leaving 180 euro for a dac/amp like the Audio-GB NFB12.1
Or get a pair of HD650's and combine with with the Fiio E17 + E9 or L7 and get a fun amp/dac for now to use for mobile usage as well, and update to a better desktop dac later.
But I could choose to fix up my DT770's for roughly 50 euro and go with a dac/amp like the Yulong
D100, and get some better cans at a later time.
In the case of headphones, it will depend primarily of roughly what budget i would be looking at.
But for 220 euro i'd go with the HD650
For about 125 euro I'd go with the HD598 or Beyerdynamic DT990
And for about 50 euro fix up the DT770's that i have laying around.
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Regarding sounds I like to be able to discern all nifty little details you can hear in music like turning a page, nails going over strings etc. With a heavy focus on a good "realistic" mid range for vocals and stringed instruments. While my quad 33/303 with ESL 57's is on the low end side of an audiophile hifi set up, with vocals/accoustic instruments it can sometimes make me feel as if when I close my eyes I'm actually in the same room as the performer. Which is what i essentially want to get as close to as possible with a pair of cans within my budget.
Anyway what direction would you guys go in splitting the money between amp/cans and can you give some good suggestion of dac/amps because I'm nearly completely lost here.
Edited by Zetsumei - 1/29/12 at 12:36pm




