thrand1
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2009
- Posts
- 110
- Likes
- 17
Hi,
Currently own the Shure SRH-940s, which I feel do a great job with a lot of what I listen to. I am unsure if there is anything I can buy to help upgrade the sound even further. Currently my primary listening setup is an iPod Classic at my work desk. A few thoughts, random questions, observations:
- Was considering the Objective2 headphone amplifier. The iPod Classic's output impedance (5ohms) is pretty close to violating the 1/8th rule with these phones (42 ohm), wondering if "correcting that" with the O2 would provide an audible difference with these headphones? Listening to a 3rd generation iPod touch (7ohms) did seem to sound worse on the same material. I like the overall sound of these headphones, sometimes they can seem a smidge "hot" on the treble depending on the recording, so I don't know if he sound signature is altered at all by the output impedance of the iPod. I wish I had the chance to try the O2 before buying.
- If I get a headphone amp, I only need it to be "transportable", not necessarily "super portable" (i.e. fitting in a pocket) so form factor is not much of a consideration.
- I have been considering getting a smartphone, perhaps iPhone5 or 4S, both of which have a slightly better output impedance than iPod Classic. Having iOS 7 means potential for use with a USB DAC/amp, perhaps the MicroStreamer?
- Not really sure about potential for buying entirely new cans, as I feel I'd have to bump the budget beyond what I am comfortable with for something like NAD HP50s, which seem to fit the bill of an overall neutral sound signature (which is my preferred signature!) with excellent measured performance in recent reviews.
If you were in my shoes, any suggestions, or would anything within my budget not yield that much of an improvement? Any suggestions are welcome...thanks for your thoughts, experience, and advice.
Currently own the Shure SRH-940s, which I feel do a great job with a lot of what I listen to. I am unsure if there is anything I can buy to help upgrade the sound even further. Currently my primary listening setup is an iPod Classic at my work desk. A few thoughts, random questions, observations:
- Was considering the Objective2 headphone amplifier. The iPod Classic's output impedance (5ohms) is pretty close to violating the 1/8th rule with these phones (42 ohm), wondering if "correcting that" with the O2 would provide an audible difference with these headphones? Listening to a 3rd generation iPod touch (7ohms) did seem to sound worse on the same material. I like the overall sound of these headphones, sometimes they can seem a smidge "hot" on the treble depending on the recording, so I don't know if he sound signature is altered at all by the output impedance of the iPod. I wish I had the chance to try the O2 before buying.
- If I get a headphone amp, I only need it to be "transportable", not necessarily "super portable" (i.e. fitting in a pocket) so form factor is not much of a consideration.
- I have been considering getting a smartphone, perhaps iPhone5 or 4S, both of which have a slightly better output impedance than iPod Classic. Having iOS 7 means potential for use with a USB DAC/amp, perhaps the MicroStreamer?
- Not really sure about potential for buying entirely new cans, as I feel I'd have to bump the budget beyond what I am comfortable with for something like NAD HP50s, which seem to fit the bill of an overall neutral sound signature (which is my preferred signature!) with excellent measured performance in recent reviews.
If you were in my shoes, any suggestions, or would anything within my budget not yield that much of an improvement? Any suggestions are welcome...thanks for your thoughts, experience, and advice.
