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Hi, I'm planning to build my own PC and I'm having a trouble deciding on the audio parts. My budget is around $1000 and I can go as high as $1300 if I really need to. I'm looking to get a pair of speakers, sound card, and a pair of headphones. Right now, I'm planning to get ASUS Xonar Essence STX, Audioengine a5+, and AKG K550 and Fiio e17 so I can take it on the go. However, my friend recently recommended the HiFiMan HE-400. I read that it's probably the best headphones for that price. My friend also recommended the asgard amps to go with it. So, could someone comment on this or add another suggestions? Thanks in advance.
By "take it on the go" do you need to listen to it while moving or just to lug it to a destination where you can sit down and listen? Because the E17 and the STX are basically performing the same task, except one of them uses a battery while the other one has less compromises in the design. Also I'm not sure if you can walk around listening to the HE400, but then I hate how thick full-size headphone cables and larger, open-back cups get in the way when I tried it.
If for example I were in your place and I will listen primarily to speakers as my reference system, then headphones only at night (to not piss of other people in the house, of the neighbors), and surround gaming audio isn't important if at least for this, I'd get something like the set-up below :
Speakers : Swan M200MkIII (around $400 I think)
Headphone Amp-
DAC-
Preamp : NuForce Icon
HDP* (around $400)
Headphones : AKG K550** (around $300)
*(1)You can use its volume knob to control the speakers' volume, mutes it when headphones are inserted, and you'll be using the same DAC circuit for either one - all in tiny box that uses a small netbook power supply that you can take on an extended trip, or if you have a spare compatible PSU, leave one at work and get a bag that can carry your daily stuff plus has a padded compartment for the HDP. One caveat though - as much as its the most versatile for that price I didn't get one because there's a bit too much in the lower midrange with my HD600, but then again I liked Meier amplifiers and more people tend to like NuForce's sound more so you might be in the latter group.
(2) Older versions are a lot cheaper too if you can find them; and there's also the D1080MkIV at around $200. The main difference is the cabinet design - not only is the M200 better looking, but the enclosure is larger and probably better dampened, so it may have stronger bass.
**Tried it with an Ibasso DX100 I had on loan and this was really good - I ended up listening at the store, standing, for over an hour. My Galaxy S3 is too far from the DX100 and will likely drain its smaller battery sooner but compared to the Focal Spirit Ones, which had 1) small ear cups and 2) non-existent treble with smartphones. Since I'm more likely to let my ears cool than remove my headphones from listening fatigue anyway, I'm getting the K550 myself next year pending reviews on the Fiio X3 player. It might be good enough with my smartphone but not $300 good for me when cash is a little tight, with my car's system a higher priority than a portable personal set-up.