A dac stands for digital/analog convertor. It does just that, converts a binary signal into an analog one. Soundcards have dacs on them, but they are often of inferior quality to those put in external DACs. In practice, yes a dac often fills the role of a soundcard, although I don't think it's...

Thanks for the replies, I think what I'll do is get a line conditioner just for the hell of it and be happy with what I got.

I've got this marantz 2215b, which sounds pretty damn good with my dt770/80s hooked up to my crappy sound card on my computer. I just bought a pair of K701's and am going to buy a firestone fubar USB DAC to round out my setup. Because I've never heard a better headphone amp, I'm wondering...

It's a 12ax7 tube. What I wanna know, is can you hook this up to a cd player to use as a headphone amp? Edit: Nevermind, you can't, but I'll probably still get one to use as a cheap phono stage.

Long ago I came to the conclusion that one pair of headphones would never be able to satisfy my diverse music listening needs. So began searching for sets of headphones that would compliment eachother to cover as much of the spectrum as possible. As a guidline, I try and divide my phones into...

Depending on your price range I would go for Axiom Audio M3ti $280 Infinity Primus 150 $170 new $100 used I have the infinities, and I'm bringing those to the dorms next week. I've heard the axioms though and those are definitely a great deal.

Ok, So I've got my new computer and I'm going to college in a month and a half and I need a soundcard. I want to hook up a cheap turntable to my computer(I know not an ideal situation, but I just need to be able to listen to my records while I'm at school away from my stereo at home), I also...

Does anyone notice any differences when using different audio players in linux? I'm down choosing between using rhythmbox and xmms, because they both have audioscrobbler. I like Rhythmbox because it works with my Ipod, and has a better database interface for handling my ooodles of music. Xmms...

I'm using mine with a fisher 400 tube amp, and I think they really balance out with a tube amp. Since Ray's amps are supposed to have a tubish sound, my guess would be that the SR71 would be great for the DT770's.

As for a cartridge, which is the more important decision, I was thinking of something in the $500 dollar range, like the Grado Sonata. If you have any better Ideas I'm all ears, because I know very little.

I'm looking at getting a pretty nice turntable in the next couple of months. I was thinking at the lowest a SOTA Moonbeam but I'm really aiming at a VPI Hw-19 Jr. with rega RB300 over at todds website. Thing is, I have this Fisher 400 that's supposed to have a pretty good phono stage, but I...

Ok, do all new minidisc players have Netmd? I was looking at picking up the Sharp DS70 for my trip to vegas. I know this player gets good reviews, but just making sure it uses Netmd.

This is a joke right? If not, please post pictures.

DT770's are great for gaming, overblown bass, probably the best instrument seperation I've ever heard in a closed phone. I feel they more than satisfy those listed requirements. I use them for counterstrike and call of duty all the time.

I had contacted the person I bought the tubes from two days ago, and am shipping them tomorrow for a replacement pair.

While I think MKmelt's idea is a good one (and one I should do anyways). I believe that the particular tube is bad. While the other tubes don't make any sound when I lightly shake them, the bad tube does. In addition the Scratching noise gets worse the longer it's on.

These were matched tubes, and no there is no all over glow. That would have worried me a lot more. It's just that one burns slightly brighter than the others, it's barely noticable. I think it's a bad tube so I'll have to get a new pair.

Okay I ordered 10 sovtek 12ax7lps for my fisher 400 (1 spare) and four Electro-Harmonix 7868's. When I plugged everything in, I found that there was a scratchy/staticy sound coming from the right channel. That sound is non-existant when I first start it up, and gets louder the longer it's on. So...

Can the K501's do classic rock ok? For some reason I don't miss the bass that the DT770's have when I listen. I also think that with the new pads, the K501's will have enough bass for me, because it's not really a priority.

Yeah I was looking at the MS-2's because I am now listening to a lot more jazz and less rock, although it's about 50/50. I'm thinking I'll go with the HD650's unless a pair of K1000's show up on the for sale forums or on audiogon for $400.

I've finally got a system down. I've got a Voodoochile modified 3960 as my source, a Fisher 400 as my amp for the time being, and some bottlehead nawa interconnects coming later. My headphones as of now are my Grado SR80's and my Beyer DT770-80's. While I've enjoyed the grado's, I find them...

Too bad I'll be in Vegas attending my Uncle's Star Trek wedding.

out of a soundcard or ipod unamped, I would definitely say the SR60's. The SR80's can sound a little muddy without a good amp.

I think what I'll do is order the RS-1's from Todd and If I don't like'm, return them for the SR225's.

Ok, I've spent a little while with my knew Beyer Dt770's and while they definitely do somethings well (soundstaging, instrument seperation, Bass), I find myself longing for my SR80's still. I just can't get over the mid range and vocals that the grado's had. The bass of the Dt770's didn't really...