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RS2i Setup?

post #1 of 4
1/30/12 at 8:43pm
Thread Starter 

Hey all, I'm picking up a pair of Grado RS2is soon, looking for an optimal setup. I want to spend $200-$300. I currently have a Fiio E7. Should I get a new DAC and an amp, or will the E7 suffice? For an amp, I have been considering the Litte Dot I+ for my new Grados. Thoughts/suggestions?

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post #2 of 4
1/30/12 at 8:49pm

Grados are efficient and easy to drive; they should not require a new amplifier. The Little Dot would likely introduce a somewhat different sound, owing to the tubes. Your choice on whether or not you like it. The E7 is its own audio interference, if memory serves, so that should be taken care of as well (and I believe it can act as a line-level source as well).

 

 

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post #3 of 4
1/30/12 at 9:32pm
Thread Starter 

Okay, thanks. From what I have read, an amp will "unlock the potential" or "make them sing." Is it really worth it? I know it's all about personal preference, but I guess my question is whether my current setup (pretty low-fi) is good enough for a close to high-fi headphone like the RS2i. If I'm paying $500 on headphones, I want to make the most of them. 

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post #4 of 4
2/1/12 at 9:09am

I read "low-fi" and "hi-fi" as classism, more or less. If what you have is clean and linear, it will work. The "unlock" comments usually relate to headphones that are harder to drive; things that will have FR distortion due to wild impedance curves (in other words, you change the FR of the headphone unintentionally because your amplifier can't handle the load properly). The Grados do not fit into this; they're easy to drive. 

 

I wanted to edit this and add that I don't mean all inexpensive things are equal to all expensive things; I just don't think that price directly correlates with quality. 
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by GrandeSwag View Post

Okay, thanks. From what I have read, an amp will "unlock the potential" or "make them sing." Is it really worth it? I know it's all about personal preference, but I guess my question is whether my current setup (pretty low-fi) is good enough for a close to high-fi headphone like the RS2i. If I'm paying $500 on headphones, I want to make the most of them. 



 


Edited by obobskivich - 2/1/12 at 9:25am
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