So I know the general consensus is that optical > USB, but it does seem like USB has come a long way even in the last few years, so at the same bitrate, does that still hold?   The optiModi sounds like the best buy for my pricepoint, given that my MacBook has an optical out (it blew my mind...

So my Denon D2000s, which I love dearly, have a problem with the connection from the cable to the jack. (LOTS of wiggling to get both left and right.) As they're already pretty beat up, it doesn't seem worth it to pay for a full-on recable, but just chopping the wire and reterminating them with...

What? This just seems stupid. It makes sense for Denon to make a bigger effort in the regular consumer arena, as they've got lots of experience in excellent closed headphones which could compete well, but it's odd to throw away their whole audiophile line, which has been popular for years, and...

Hullo y'all.   I always come to this board whenever I need to research my next audio investment, though I've never been terribly active. I have picked up a bit of familiarity with what exists in the headphone world, though.   Which brings me to my predicament. At the moment, my rig is...

Quote: With most DACs, changing the volume on a computer won't affect the signal, because it's digital (so it has no amplitude to change). It's possible to also incorporate a separate signal in the USB signal to indicate amp output volume, but that means the amp has to have access to that...

Unless you're looking for something portable, I really wouldn't combine amp and DAC, particularly in your case. The best setup for you (from what I gather) would be a USB DAC with a switch (either two separate analog outs, or a separate switch, or you can just swap cables) to switch between...

Yes, it can be done, and yes, it will solve your hiss problem. That's what USB DACs are for. Or SPDIF or optical if you've got the ports, but ordinarily that involves conversion/sound cards, plus there's already a lot of great USB DACs and DAC/amps. No one uses HDMI as an audio out for headphone...

...oh, and from what I've read and heard, the Harmon-Kardan (sp?) Soundsticks look really nice, but aren't worth the price. The newer version may be a little better, though; not sure. I've heard the originals; they're nicer than Logitechs, maybe not quite as powerful as the Promedias (though...

I dunno, I'm skeptical of non-super-expensive speakers now. I had the Klipsch Promedia GMX-A 2.1s, which had more power than I could ever need (serious bass), but the SQ was ultimately lacking. They had a hiss which wouldn't go away unless you turned them off hard with the switch on the back of...

I believe I read (the cnet review, maybe) that the S4 is good for small ears, and elsewhere that the UEs tend to work better for larger ones. Can't really comment from experience, though I'm considering the S4s myself, based on what I've heard of the SQ/price ratio, though I'm still looking for...

In my experience, the Denon soundstage is sadly small compared to the AKG. That was really the "wow" factor for me. The Denons don't seem to presence as well either (if that makes sense), though that may be an amping problem. As for bass, I think I'm coming to the conclusion that...

Just as closed headphones, the Denons have a very different presentation. Despite being closed, they really don't isolate hardly at all, though they cut the amount of sound leaked a bit. I guess it's personal preference, but open headphones will give you better definition and soundstaging...

I've got the D2000s and the Boa, and while I like both individually, for me, it's not an ideal pairing. To be fair, I disagree about the D2000 unamped: it's thoroughly listenable, but not really hi-fi to my ears. I haven't really figured out how to properly amp my D2000s, though (due to lack of...

I might wait a little longer before you sell. I got the D2000s a few months ago, and while they were initially shockingly muddy--still decent, mind you, but not what I paid for--they've cleared up noticeably with a few hundred hours, and I've got a feeling they may still be changing. That...

Seconded...if half of what that review said was true, these will be the new cheap (i.e. sub $100) IEM on the market. I'd really like to see how they compare to Etys or Shures, though...

Quote: Originally Posted by mjay1977 Styling... I have heard alot of comments about the styling on the headphones, some good, some bad but all very valid and useful. How here's a question... At each Shure model price point, what model would you consider the design benchmark...