So the initial question is: What is the best combo of headphones and a DAC/Amp for me, using my PC as the source (MP3: 320kbps and FLAC), while staying under $150.
What I listen to: Large variety. Lots of classical as well as rock, metal, and electronica.
A little background: Over the past 5 years I've been getting more and more into better sound. It started with the little things of getting away from $1 store earbuds. Soon after, it got to be upping my mp3 quality to 192kbps. Now I've enjoyed 320kbps MP3 as well as FLAC and wonder how I ever thought 128kbps was a thing. Well, now I've gotten to the point where I mostly use my Sennheiser HD201 or Koss KSC75 with either my computer or my Sansa Clip+. I also own the American Audio Black HP550 which I find to be a bit more distorted and muddy than the HD201. I currently run the sound from my PC through the motherboard. I do a bit of gaming, mostly things like Mass Effect or League of Legends, but I think getting a good music rig is more important than gaming which I can get things for later.
What I've been looking at: For headphones, I've been looking at the Grado SR60i and SR80i. Over the years, I remember those coming up as some of the best in the sub $100 range. After looking into it more and more, I've occasionally found some that feel it is mostly good for rock only, but that it delivers great soundstage. Some others I've seen are the Sennheiser HD419 and Samson SR850. Being open or closed isn't important. I'm looking for the best value of sound quality to cost I can get.
I haven't been entirely sure if I need a DAC and/or amp with headphones. I've mostly been looking towards the FiiO E7, which I think would be enough for any of the headphones I might want, with the ability to get the E9 should I have some that need more. Recently, I've noticed the FiiO E10 which seems to fit what I want even better, though. I don't really need a portable headphone amp because I would be using these mostly from home. I’m not entirely sure if that kind of DAC would be a big improvement on a <$100 set of headphones or if a much cheaper one would do fine. It just seems that any time a first DAC comes up the FiiO E7 gets mentioned as one of the best ones to start with. If I go out with my Sansa Clip+ I would mostly likely just stick with my Sennheiser HD201 or Koss KSC75 or Sennheiser earbuds. I have no sound card currently and run things through the motherboard audio outs, so I think a sound card or external DAC/Amp would probably improve the quality significantly. One other sound card I remember looking at was the ASUS PCI 5.1 XONAR_DG if I wanted to save some money.
I hope this is enough information to get started on upgrading my rig. I’m glad I can get out of just using some budget $15 headphones and looking to get the best bang for my buck. I think aiming for around $150 towards this is a good step. It isn’t like these kind of things are going to be useless after a couple years like some computer parts or a college textbook will. Thanks for any help you can give, and have already given over the years I’ve been lurking.
Edited by ChaosNil - 2/12/12 at 3:51am
