GokieKS
500+ Head-Fier
I had originally posted on the Computer-As-Source board here, but didn't get much in the way of responses, so I figured I'd ask here. (If it's considered cross-posting and not allowed, feel free to delete the other thread or move it here and delete this one).
Anyhow...
My current setup, which I'm finding quite unsatisfactory, is the onboard audio of my Abit IC7-G connected to a Kenwood HTB-206 HTiB system (VR-715 receiver) via TOSLINK, and a pair of Sony MDR-D66SL Eggos plugged into the receiver. I'm a (computer) geek to the core, so my PC is really the center of my life. Not to mention as a student, I don't have the resources for much of anything else - the versatility of the computer is the tremendous draw.
For watching DVDs and AC3-encoded videos, it's fine. I haven't got the room (or money) for bigger and better speakers, and since I rarely watch DVDs as it is, it's not a big concern. I'll upgrade the speakers (much?) later.
Music quality, on the other hand, is - music is playing just about every moment that I'm awake (and sometimes when I'm not =P). The majority of my digital music collection is 320kbps MP3s, encoded using LAME for max quality (been thinking about changing formats, but I can't feel completely reripping/reencoding everything to OGG would be worth the effort, and loseless formats aren't supported on my iRiver iHP-120, so it'll probably stay that way).
My musical tastes are a rather diverse lot, as I listen to just about everything EXCEPT rap, heavy-metal, and country (and rap-rock, if you want to count it as a seperate genre), but with an emphasis on Asian (Japanese/Chinese) pop, Eurobeat, and Classical.
Here's what I'm planning so far:
1. Obviously, the first thing I need is a soundcard. I've been looking more or less for a Via Envy24HT based card with optical-out, but also good quality DACs to connect my headphones to, but the only one I've really been able to find that fits the bill is the Terratec Aureon 7.1 series (Space/Universe). They're kinda pricey though, so I'm wondering, has anyone had any experience with them? And how big of a difference is there, really, between the Envy24HT and Envy24HT-S? The Chaintech AV-710 seems to be very highly regarded, and at $25 or so, I'd have to say it's very very tempting. Lack of an optical-in is a con, but again, the price is unbeatable. Or should I buy the Chaintech, see how it works, and see if I want to spend the money on the Terratec? I don't like the way that train of thought is going... ¬_¬
2. Headphones. My second pair of Sony EX71SLs (US version, $30 from Amazon) somehow seems nowhere near as good as my old set (Japanese imported, a pretty $60), to the point where the low-end bass actually hurts my ears at times (used with my iRiver). So I'm probably going to be using the D66s as portable cans, which gives me an excuse to get a better setup for my home use. From what I've seen/heard, the Sennheiser HD580/600s seem to be my best bet. I don't like bass to be too strong (or I would've found the Eggos quite lacking), and the Grado SR-80s that were my other choice proved to be too much.
I'm open to other suggestions though... I just want them to be under $200, comfortable, and more suited to mild music than heavy rock 'n roll.
3. Amp. This is the one area where I've just about no clue. When dealing with headphones in the $200 range, I really obviously would need an amp of some sort, but I don't know what. I imagine suggestions for amps would depend on the headphones, so any help would be much appreciated.
I really don't have a hard budget for the whole setup, just "reasonable and prudent" (I mean, I might be willing to go up to $400 or $500, but really can't see myself spending more than that).
Thanks in advance,
~KS
Anyhow...
My current setup, which I'm finding quite unsatisfactory, is the onboard audio of my Abit IC7-G connected to a Kenwood HTB-206 HTiB system (VR-715 receiver) via TOSLINK, and a pair of Sony MDR-D66SL Eggos plugged into the receiver. I'm a (computer) geek to the core, so my PC is really the center of my life. Not to mention as a student, I don't have the resources for much of anything else - the versatility of the computer is the tremendous draw.
For watching DVDs and AC3-encoded videos, it's fine. I haven't got the room (or money) for bigger and better speakers, and since I rarely watch DVDs as it is, it's not a big concern. I'll upgrade the speakers (much?) later.
Music quality, on the other hand, is - music is playing just about every moment that I'm awake (and sometimes when I'm not =P). The majority of my digital music collection is 320kbps MP3s, encoded using LAME for max quality (been thinking about changing formats, but I can't feel completely reripping/reencoding everything to OGG would be worth the effort, and loseless formats aren't supported on my iRiver iHP-120, so it'll probably stay that way).
My musical tastes are a rather diverse lot, as I listen to just about everything EXCEPT rap, heavy-metal, and country (and rap-rock, if you want to count it as a seperate genre), but with an emphasis on Asian (Japanese/Chinese) pop, Eurobeat, and Classical.
Here's what I'm planning so far:
1. Obviously, the first thing I need is a soundcard. I've been looking more or less for a Via Envy24HT based card with optical-out, but also good quality DACs to connect my headphones to, but the only one I've really been able to find that fits the bill is the Terratec Aureon 7.1 series (Space/Universe). They're kinda pricey though, so I'm wondering, has anyone had any experience with them? And how big of a difference is there, really, between the Envy24HT and Envy24HT-S? The Chaintech AV-710 seems to be very highly regarded, and at $25 or so, I'd have to say it's very very tempting. Lack of an optical-in is a con, but again, the price is unbeatable. Or should I buy the Chaintech, see how it works, and see if I want to spend the money on the Terratec? I don't like the way that train of thought is going... ¬_¬
2. Headphones. My second pair of Sony EX71SLs (US version, $30 from Amazon) somehow seems nowhere near as good as my old set (Japanese imported, a pretty $60), to the point where the low-end bass actually hurts my ears at times (used with my iRiver). So I'm probably going to be using the D66s as portable cans, which gives me an excuse to get a better setup for my home use. From what I've seen/heard, the Sennheiser HD580/600s seem to be my best bet. I don't like bass to be too strong (or I would've found the Eggos quite lacking), and the Grado SR-80s that were my other choice proved to be too much.
I'm open to other suggestions though... I just want them to be under $200, comfortable, and more suited to mild music than heavy rock 'n roll.
3. Amp. This is the one area where I've just about no clue. When dealing with headphones in the $200 range, I really obviously would need an amp of some sort, but I don't know what. I imagine suggestions for amps would depend on the headphones, so any help would be much appreciated.
I really don't have a hard budget for the whole setup, just "reasonable and prudent" (I mean, I might be willing to go up to $400 or $500, but really can't see myself spending more than that).
Thanks in advance,
~KS
