Quote: Originally Posted by appar111 I'm assuming that you were hoping for the 120 ohm version? The 50 ohm version would be nice when you wanted to go ampless, though... Actually, I was hoping for the 50 ohm... I want to go ampless if possible, and me and my buddy listened to them...

I just got mine from jr.com After swearing to me that it was the 120 ohm version, that they were SURE it was the 120 ohm version and that they didn't know when or if they would ever get the 50 ohm version.... they shipped me the 50 ohm version. And it wasn't 50 ohm on a sticker over the...

I'm almost certain I'm getting the X-Fi. Thanks for your thoughts all.

I already have the Audigy, so I'm trying to choose between adding an 0404 for higher quality music stuff (and keep the Audigy for gaming) or to just get an X-Fi (the cheap one) and use it for both. Thoughts?

Quote: Originally Posted by Onix This thing is for sale for around 60 dollars here in Mexico: http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.mx/MLM-8912252--_JM I don't know how available things are in Mexico, but you can get better sound cards for cheaper here in the US.

I've heard the AV-710 has piss-poor game performance... and I do play a lot of games, so I've ruled it out at this point. On another note, the 120 ohm version is now back in the running, see the 120 vs. 50 thread in "headphones".

OK, there seems to be a lot of confusion out there as to which "flavor" of 595 would be most preferable (given that there was no cost difference) under which cirumstances. I thought I'd create this thread to give the gurus a chance to set us all straight.

J&R, jr.com, is willing to sell brand new 595's (120 ohm version) for $175 shipped. I believe they are also authorized Senn dealers. EDIT: They shipped me 50 ohm... even though they swore they ONLY had 120s. Heh.

I'm leaning towards the X-Fi myself now... although I have noticed that the Audigy4 has the same chips as the X-Fi elite pro... DAMN. Just when I thought I had it all figured out. Also, do people think that either the X-Fi or the Audigy4 would be the right cards to drive the HD-595's (50 or...

Ok, so this means that since I've settled on the HD-595's (and it looks like I'll be getting the 50 ohm version), I need to find a PC sound card that will play nice with them? Or do I just get whatever sound card I want and throw an amp in line? Hmm... I can actually get the 120ohm version...

See, the thing is that I *do* play games... all the time. It seems like I'm hearing that with this caveat, I'd do best to avoid the E-Mu cards?

For what it's worth, I've been communicating with the seller/maker via the eBay "Ask Seller a Question" feature and I've found him/her to be very responsive and willing to answer any questions.

Now my head hurts... I thought that a "higher" impedence (300 ohm is higher than 50 ohm, right?) meant "more" resistance. Wouldn't this imply that you'd need more power to drive the HD-650's? At least... that's what I've gleaned from some of the billions of threads I'd already read here. Now...

Also, I've noticed that the 0404 will require an amp, whereas the Revo5.1 will not... what about the X-Fi?

OK, now I'm confused... is the Revo5.1 essentially sending a "line out" signal through a built-in amp and then sending that out through the headphone port? Also, shouldn't the HD-600's be HARDER to drive with the 0404 than the HD-595's would... or am I completely misunderstanding impedence....

Based on a lot of searching through the forums here (and other considerations... such as my budget), I've tentatively narrowed down my search for a new soundcard to the following cards: EMU 0404 M-audio Revolution 5.1 X-Fi XtremeMusic (cheapest X-Fi model) Aside from the differences in...

Yeah, I had already searched and didn't find anything directly on point... I'll start a new thread.

I just hit Century and Paradise (same strip mall) and listened to Sennheiser 580's, and 595's as well as Grado 225's and 325's. I'll be buying the 595's soon. Thanks for all the help.

So... is there a relevant thread that I don't know about that discusses the relative virtues of the Revo5.1 and the 0404 or should I start a new thread?

Quote: Originally Posted by IstariAsuka You'd have to buy the $400 X-Fi card to get the same audio quality as you get out of the 1212m. The only advantage the X-Fi card really has is for gaming (and, I suppose, multichannel). However, you're paying quite a premium over the 1212m for that...

Quote: Originally Posted by chrisfromalbany Why not get a EMU 1212 and not use an amp. HD595 (50 ohm) are a pretty efficent headphones anyways. I think the upgrades sound card make more of a difference then the entry level amp. Otherwise you down the road will need to upgrade the Scard...

OK. I've decided on Sennheiser HD-595's (50/120 ohm version is negotiable, but probably 50). I'll be using them with my computer. I've currently got a Soundblaster Live! Audigy (1st gen). I know I'll be needing a better sound card (and perhaps an amp). The Chaintech AV-710 seems decent as...

So... I'm pretty sure I'm going to be getting a pair of HD-595's and I was thinking about amping them with one of these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...%3AUS%3A1&rd=1 Then I have to worry about my computer source. I've been giving some serious thought to the AV-710, but I'm curious...

I'd love to audition them, anyone know any hi-fi stores in the south Bay Area (San Jose, Santa Clara, etc.) in California?

Sorry, thought I had specified. These are going to be plugged into a PC primarily. I listen to all sorts of music, everything from classical to classic rock. I'll be playing games with them too. Now, the reason I want a pair of *good* phones is because I would like to be able to use them...