As this is my first post I want to say hello to everyone!
 
Recently I decided to upgrade my audio equipment, I see that this is not the cheapest hobby I encountered Before I had Creative Fatal1ty.
After few days of reading this forum I decided to bought ATH M50 for my PC headset and special type of portable use, what I mean by this is that I won't use them on the daily basis in school, train, bus etc. For this I've got my Brainwavz ProAlpha. One of my hobbies is astronomy and observation of the night sky (another great hobbie to ruin my budget..), so what I needed was good and comfy headphones to sit in a fishing chair in the middle of the field in total darkness with my music, binoculars and some great views above me. Another use of this is with my PC, I'm studying IT so sitting in front of the computer is taking a big chunk of my life.
 
So yeah, the choice fell on recabled (1.3m long good quality) M50s, one of the main reasons was a great opportunity to buy them (under 100$).
And now, I stand before choosing a portable player and some DAC/amp to my PC.
 
First let's get down to DAC/amp. For now I have only poorly sounding integrated card, and after doing some reading I came with the conclusion that DAC/amp (as I knew it before called external sound card) would help me and yes I have read on this forum that M50 aren't hard to power and in the most cases don't need that extra juice, apperantly even my internal DAC is sh***y. So if You could help me with picking the best choice for this headphones I will be grateful.
I found another great opportunity, to buy Audioengine D1 (same as headphones, under 100$), I read here some great reviews on that little cube. What do You guys think, how the M50 will sound on this? Or in Your opinion do I have any decent alternative?
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I have found other DAC/amp with same price, Audinst HUD mx-1. In the comprasion with D1, which will fit better here?
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So now, portable player. As a student who doesn't want to spend too much, again I found great opportunity! Cowon X9 32gb AGAIN for under a 100$!
First question is, will it drive M50 properly, and if so will they synergise with characteristic of X9? Second question is, if it won't drive them properly, is there any other decent player around 100$ that will handle this headphones? If not, should I buy somekind of combo ( portable player + portable amp)?

Thank You very much in advance for any tips and help

1) This FiiO X3 is an excellent media player that has the same DAC/headphone hardware as the FiiO E17: http://www.amazon.com/Fiio-X3-Mastering-Quality-Wolfson/dp/B00E9O6C96. It can also be used as a DAC/amp with your computer. So everything you need in one device.

2) The Sansa Clip+ and Clip Zip are excellent mp3 players for only about $30 or so. They take microSD cards so you can add memory to them fairly cheaply. It will work great with the M50s (you'd be surprised how good). You can also Rockbox the Sansas (open source firmware).

3) The FiiO E10K or Schiit Fulla are good external DAC/amps that will drive the M50s well. Not that the D1 isn't very good, but those are a bit cheaper.

4) If you like to play computer games, then you might appreciate the virtual surround capabilities of a Creative or Zonar card. The Soundblaster Z could be a good choice on a budget.

That FiiO X3 sounds great. Especially if it's combined as You say. One question to this player. Becouse it will be plugged into the computer most of the time, won't the battery be messed up after a few months or so, You know charging from the PC something like 35h a week and not so often discharging, as far as I know that stagnation like that isn't very healthy for the battery. Correct me if I'm wrong becouse I don't have any technical knowledge on this. Or if the baterry is bypassed by the device after full charge?

Quote:

[...]It will work great with the M50s (you'd be surprised how good).[...] 

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Saying this You mean clip zip doesn't need any amp to power M50's? I think I will buy zip anyway for sports (love rollerblading) in the near future and if it can correctly drive M50 it would be just awesome

And again, I really appreciate Your help and thank You.

I have no idea about the X3 battery and leaving it plugged in.

The Cip's little amp is not going to take them to ear shattering volumes, but definitely sounds good

That's really comforting, I think I will go for the zip sooner. And that price/quality ratio, mmmmm 
Btw, I'm pretty sure I won't buy it but just wanted to know, how FiiO X1  will sound with M50?
 
 
Back to the DAC, 20$ differnce between e10k and D1, do You think it isn't worth that extra dollars and to go with e10k?

underblob said:

Back to the DAC, 20$ differnce between e10k and D1, do You think it isn't worth that extra dollars and to go with e10k?

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I don't know what you mean. E10K generally runs about $80. D1 usually runs about $170, and I don't know what price you are getting it for.

That's the best part, I can get it for under $100  Basicly everything I'm considering to buy is from second hand, fully functional ofcourse. That D1 have only few months and is in condition like from the shop. Same was with headphones

The E10K's output impedance is lower than the D1s, so it might have an advantage there with the M50s, and certainly with lower impedance headphones. But it might sound just as good or better overall. You'll have to try to find someone that has compared both directly with each other

If you are going on the X3 way i would wait some time because they are going to release a second version in some time with better navigation and  it will probably be revised.
Here is a link to the thread on head-fi : http://www.head-fi.org/t/743704/fiio-x3k/150

Thanks for everything, I will try to do that.
 
And for now clip zip is ordered  
 
Thanks MrKommander, good to know, I might go for this player in a six month or so