A whole new setup for around $2000?

[Jeff.h]

Well, bank's closed this weekend so I haven't ordered my L3000's yet.

Today I'm wondering what might be some good packages (just to consider) for around $2000 US? As an alternative to just the L3000's w/ cheap amp/soundcard setup.

The package would need to include:
- New Computer Soundcard
- New Amplifier
- New Headphones
- DAC or external device for the computer maybe?
- Headphile recabling - with XLR outputs maybe (always wanted them)

I'm very curious about getting some Darth Beyers (770 based) with XLR-cable like SaltPeanuts' pair in the FS forum. They look great, but I don't know if I like the screening on them that much, all wooded would be my preference for them I think. Also, I was maybe considering Ultrasone PROLINE-750's. I love my 650's (non-PROline), and these one's apparently are a substantial improvement in every area. I could get them and a killer amp, but not sure if it would even be worth the money really. Or better, if it even begin to fair with the L3000's even by themselves.

Anyways, I'm just checking some options/possibilities here, I'll likely go for the L3000. I debate whether I could get an entire setup that would be 'good-enough' for me for the same price as them alone, or less even.

 

[J-Pak]

When I'd be doing the same thing in 1-1.5 years time after med school grad, this is what I'd be getting:

Stax SR-404 earspeaker
Stax SRM-313 energizer
(combo quoted from Eifl = $825)
DAC - VDA1/VAC1 = $500 + mods (roughly $200)
Zu Oxyfuel IC ($100)
Glass toslink ($20)
same E-MU0404 soundcard ($80), maybe high end M-Audio soundcard ($150)

 

[mjg]

Including a dac???


Here's my idea:

If you absolutely must get an l3000, your not going to really have much of a "system". They cost 1500 at best, your options are limited... Unless you want them as collectables, it's not a budget choice by any means, and pretty much a bad move for you.


I'd avoid the very expensive modified cans for now, and look at a bigger picture.

You can easily get away with a grado setup, senn setup, or probablly a sony sa 5000 setup... These are readily available, more exotic cans are a bit pricier and will force you to wait.

Here's how i'd do it:

Alessandro MS2i, headphile recable ~ $450
Headroom Desktop with home Dac, power supply,steps etc ~ $1300
Signal Cable Power Cable (for headroom desktop)- $55
Interconnects: glass ebay toslink ~$30 off ebay
EMU 0404 Soundcard~ $100 off here, or wherever

If you want to use USB option from DAC, subtract the Soundcard, interconnects as well.

You've remained under $2000 and got one hell of a system... Basiclly if your on a budget, l3000 is a bad idea, unless upgrading is your thing and you wanna waste much, much more money in the long run : ] You may sub in whatever cans around that price, and remain with the headroom Desktop setup, going with a dedicated CDP and amp combo seems to bust your budget alot, so i'd look at alternative amp/dac combos, but the dac1 to me is not a suitable headphone amp, so i probablly won't recommend it unless the amp solution is temporary.

Headroom desktop seems liek a sweet deal, you can also look at a user grace 901, or grace 902, though i think think you get alot more for your money with the desktop.
Also, you can save on interconnects this way, and just find a decent bit source, like a semi high end pro soundcard like EMU, Maudio.

Hope this helps.

 

[fatko]

let's have a Grado setup !

RS1 : 699
Zeta Bowl/Flat : 100
RA1 Clone : 50-100
Dack 2.0 : 1000
1212M : 200
Cables etc : 100

oh no .. over budget...but it should sound very great

 

[Jahn]

Grado RS-1.
Apogee Mini-DAC with USB option.
USB cable.
I'm assuming you have a computer!

That's it, enjoy the tunes!

 

[shplorgh]

Perhaps an M902 and some RS-1s with c-pads? Or woodied darth beyers?

 

[Trogdor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahn Grado RS-1. Apogee Mini-DAC with USB option. USB cable. I'm assuming you have a computer! That's it, enjoy the tunes!

That setup just sucks...jesus Jahn...can't you do better?

Trogdor

 

[Chefguru]

just get the l3k and then build a system around it. Get the gilmore lite if you can, upgrade the source later.

 

[jagorev]

How about a setup with a couple of different headphone options (so you'll have some variety). The three headphones here go the range from 'lively' to 'neutral' to 'laidback':

Sennheiser HD 595 - $300
Sennheiser HD 650 - $500
Beyerdynamic DT 880 - $300
Headroom Desktop Amp - $600 (use the USB option, no need for a soundcard or interconnects)
Cardas cable upgrades for all the headphones - $450 (or just pick two of headphones to recable if you want to stay at $2000)

 

[grawk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trogdor That setup just sucks...jesus Jahn...can't you do better? Trogdor

Only thing I'd change from it is get a used PS1 isntead of the RS1.

 

[Patrick82]

How about PS Audio GCHA Headphone amplifier. It has USB input.

 

[sonic32]

Get the L3000's. They will hold their value and sound very good out of a cheap source which you can upgrade later, plus they are easy to drive.