Available Soundcards - Page 2

What exactly are you asking for? (I'm not following you).

You want someone to download software that plays flacs, and then test [whose] files with [whose] headphones "on an apple store" - I don't follow you...(I didn't think Apple sold flacs, and I again I don't get what you want). 

Are you basically asking someone (me?) to listen to my headphones through one of the devices in this thread, and report back? If so, I don't get how that would serve you - for example, take a look at my profile; do you own any of those headphones? Or any of the headphones in PurpleAngel's signature? Or that bowei006 owns? And how do you know we like the same kind of music as you? Or have the same listening habits?

I'm just not sure how it would "help" you. I'm actually listening to fairly high quality digital music right now, on my headphones, and it sounds great; does it answer your question in any way? (I guess "good" if it does, but I'm skeptical; again, I think I'm really missing your question).

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkSleip 

Well, would someone who has the devices you recommend care to download a flac player for Mac (you don't need to have a PC for it, just download Play by sbooth.org or whatever) and test their files with their headphones on an apple store? (I'd have difficulties getting them as I live in Mexico so I need more certainty to try them)

That's not objective - that's subjective. There is a huge difference. And Sonys and Grados are nowhere near "bassy" or "heavy" - so I'm not sure what you're after or what you've heard; ignoring that subjective analysis doesn't really tell you anything, if you think Sony or Grado headphones are bassy, well...not a lot I can tell you (objectively they are not; that's based on measurements). 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkSleip 

Well, even if our headphones had different signatures and we had different music tastes (what do you like?) I think it is possible to rate the differences on the two objectively by using comparison (ex. "this is more flat, has more soundstage, details and such"). I don't see why our tastes would interfere with that.
P.D: I'm familiar with the grados, the sony's and the denon, they're not my cup of tea but I get their sound signature as bassy/heavy.

Darksleip

I'm a little lost, what exactly was the end result you are look for, like trying to find the best sound card or external amplifier for your situation?

What are P5s?

I think he means the B&W P5s - http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/Headphones/Headphones/P5/Overview.html

I could be mistaken though. 

 It's all good. I got a laugh out of this - "maybe some one will now complain to me for saying Sony's XB500 are for rock"

Regarding any audible differences between sound cards or whatever else; I'm skeptical they exist. I think all three generations of my Sound Blaster cards are transparent, as is my stand-alone CD player and the other disc players it sits alongside; I've "tested" this with a variety of cans. It's not like I've ever hooked up my cans and gone "oh god, this source is a piece of crap - the music, amplifier, and cans are perfectly fine, but god the source is awful!" 

If they measure flat and clean, they'll play flat and clean. Put your money and time into buying the decoding/processing features you need in a soundcard, and the headphones that suit your personal preferences (be it rock or bassy music). 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkSleip 

I do mean those, sorry obobskivich, didn't realize what I said, I wanted to post that particular sentence on another thread ( maybe some one will now complain to me for saying Sony's XB500 are for rock)

My two cents

The B&W P5 are 26-Ohm.

Stay away from sound cards and get something an external DAC and Amp.

I vote O2 (Objective 2) headphone amplifier, think I saw somewhere that said the 02 works well with low Ohm headphones.

Music Streamer II DAC

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkSleip 
I thought that low Ohm headphones didn't need amplification so desperately

In general that true, $50, 32-Ohm headphones, usually do not need more then the Fiio E6 ($30) to bring out their best

Beyerdynamic DT's 32-Ohm series ($250) and AKG 701 62-Ohm ($250) headphones are low Impedance, but need a headphone amplifier to work at their best.

Without a decent headphone amplifier they really sound no better then headphones half their price.

Beyerdynamic DT770/880/990 bass sucks without a good headphone amp.

Audio Technica ATH-AD900 & A900 42-Ohm ($200) seem to sound good no matter what their plugged into.

I believe Denon AH-D2000 25-Ohm ($225) also work well with lots of sources, but I can really state that as a fact.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkSleip 
Well, the O2 is very interesting, might DIY it. What would be your opinion of using it as a portable connected to my iPhone 3gs and sitting in my backpack?

If you do not mind the size, it sounds good to me.

I'm waiting on the newer O2 AC powered version, hopefully out in a month or two.