Quote: Originally Posted by Daveze I'm not sure, I have neither HD555s nor a CKKIII My vote is often: bigger = better. If the HD555s aren't good enough, I'm sure you can find an upgrade pair in the second hand forum... True....true. I actually love these headphones, and...

Quote: Originally Posted by Daveze Can the CKKIII be done for ~$150? I haven't heard it but I would've thought it would top the mini3 (which I have heard and is certainly very impressive). I would go $150 if it's worth the increase in price. Are my headphones (Sennheiser HD555s)...

Quote: Originally Posted by rds For under $100 ($88 usd I believe) you can get the mini3 kit from glass jar audio. That's what I'd recommend for a budget that is aimed at under $100. That looks very promising............very nice price. This should be fun

Quote: Originally Posted by FallenAngel Budget? I really have no idea............I guess under $150, but I don't really know how much I would save from doing it myself. If I could do it for under $100 that would be great, but I wonder if that will greatly reduce the end results...

I too am looking to jump into a DIY project. I'm in the same boat as the OP: I have some basic soldering skills and access to equipment at my school's electrical engineering lab. I'll keep an eye on this thread.

I would like to get a kit (or get the parts as per someone's instructions from here) to build a heaphone amp. I would like to keep cost down, but at the same time I would like sound quality (of course!) so it will be a tradeoff between the two. I would like to get this project started because...

I've decided to stick with the analog for the headphones, as they seem to sound better with music. I'll use the digital coax when running music, games, and movies/tv on surround sound.

Quote: Originally Posted by maarek99 I just use gaming mode. To my ears there's no difference between audio creation mode and gaming mode if cmss etc are turned off. I occasionally use eq. I'm not sure that I can tell a difference between them either. So far I have this set up...

I definitely appreciate the input from you guys.....I'm still toying around in my spare time. I've been a bit busy (had to go to the hospital due to a peptic ulcer bleeding), so I haven't been able to check this thread in some time. So is the only way to enable bit-matched playback and 96...

Quote: Originally Posted by C38368 Amon Amarth - Valhall Awaits Me Sometimes I forget just how awesome they are. Ah yes, great stuff. I was just listening to the same album yesterday. Runes to my Memory is my favorite from that album. Currently listening to: The Mars...

Opeth: Blackwater Park Previous: Medeski, Martin, and Wood: Notes From the Underground Quote: Originally Posted by holdendebeans Mastodon - Crack The Skye Good stuff, I listened to that album earlier today. I just recently 'discovered' them.

Quote: Originally Posted by krosenqu You can kinda see the adapter I use from the xfi sound-card to RCA analog. This is the adapter I use: RadioShack Gold Series Audio Y-Adapter Other alternatives: Acoustic Research (AP-042) 3-Ft. Mini-to-RCA Audio Adapter Monster®...

Quote: Originally Posted by ROBSCIX I suggest you get 3.5mm to RCA cables and use them... Alternatley you can get 3.5 to dual RCA adpaters. I like using those as you can just snap them right into the cards output and have RCA outs. You're right, I didn't even think about that...

Quote: Originally Posted by ROBSCIX Yes, I do get around. Try using a anlalog conenction from your card to the receiver. Check if you like the sound quality better. I think you will be surprised... Will do. So I can just use 3.5mm on one end and a stipped lead on the other...

No I sure haven't....I could see how it sounds though. I have an adapter that goes from PC analog (green, orange, black 3.5mm) to RCA. That should be vastly inferior though, right? (because it will have to upscale from 2CH to 6) I don't have the proper cables to do all 5 channels either, but if...

Well in order to use the optical out there are two ways: 1) Enable the encoder option in the console launcher or audio control panel. Select either DDL or DTS connect. After you do this you should see the display on your receiver change from whatever setting it was on (DTS Neo 6, Dolby PL...

I'm running a Denon AVR-588 unit as my surround sound, and I have my Prelude connected via S/PDIF (coax). I pass through AC3 and DTS to the unit for movies, but on games and music I use the DTS encoder. What configurations do other Prelude owners run with their headphones? I have Sennheiser...