What would be an upgrade for my setup?

Quote:

Originally Posted by securitybunny 

I may be back in the market for a new setup. However, I do not know what would be a significant upgrade from my current setup.

 

DAC/AMP: Fiio E09K + E17 (Using optical/toslink)

Headphones: Sennheiser HD 598

 

What would be your recommendations for a step up in audio quality?

For starters...your headphones! How much do you want to spend? What do you like/disklike about the HD598?

Ok, I'm going to make this real easy for you.

I went from HD 555 - HD 600 - LCD-2

Honestly, the 555, 598, 600, and 650 all sound pretty much the same and all have the same flavor.

If you are looking to upgrade from 598, I wouldn't recommend anything from Sennheiser unless it's the 800.

Even though they were a grand, the LCD-2's absolutely were the best money I've spent in audio.  The difference from 600 - LCD2 was MUCH more substantial than 555 - 600.

Headphones make 95% of the difference.  Amp 4% and DAC 1%.

^truth.

If you want the absolute best for $1000, here it is.

Get LCD-2 from a dealer for $900 (you can e-mail them, and most will bump it down to $900 for you), and get either the Magni or O2 amp.

I can't comment on the O2, but I have the Magni and it is good with the LCD-2's.  Both should be very similar.

Keep the DAC that you have.  You won't even be able to hear an improvement unless you spend a lot more, which I don't think is very worth it.

In my opinion, this is the absolute best $1000 can buy.  

I don't know how much e09k outputs at 50 ohms, but magni will be better since it outputs a full watt.

The e09k will be decent probably... but for just a few extra bucks, magni will be a decent improvement.

But if you're only going to be using the headphones for movies and games, there's honestly no need to spend $1000.

I play games too and watch shows all the time.  With the LCD-2's I don't really hear a difference with shows or games.

I am amazed by it every time I listen to music, but I hardly notice the difference with games.

IMO it's not worth if you are not going to use it primarily for music.

Maybe I'm just too focused on the picture to analyze the sound, but if I don't pay attention to it, nothing really jumps out at me regarding the difference between using my LCD's or AKG's.  

On the other hand, the AKG's absolutely suck in comparison for music compared to the LCD.

If you have the money, go for it, don't let me stop you.  

But I think for movies and games, HD598 are as high as you need to go.  

If something about them is bothering you... then maybe look at some other brands.

A relatively cheap recommendation is the HE-400.  You can keep the amp dac you have right now with it.

Amazing life-like quality and separation.  

I think for $400 that'll be a good change/upgrade from 598's for you.

... kinda regret selling my HE-400's now =/ haha.

probably not.

hd800's are very picky from what I read.

but I think lcd-2's are better than hd800's.

they ave much better bass and a more fun sound to me.

I've only heard the 800's once though.