Amp+DAC or a Sound Card?

Dec 9, 2007 at 6:38 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 14
amitz

amitz

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Hello,
I have AKG K601 headphones, decent mp3 player (Rio Cali) and onboard ALC850 sound card.

My question is: what should I get for better sound quality?

I use my K601 at home so I don't have any preference. The sound quality is the second factor for me, besides the price.

My price limit is 200-250$.

I live in Israel so international shipping is must.

Thanks,
Amit
 
Dec 9, 2007 at 8:51 PM Post #3 of 14
Sorry, forgot to mention that I also play games on the PC.
It's not the main use of the PC but it's another use..
I was a heavy gamer at the past so I still play sometimes with my not-so-bad rig.
If interested, my rig is:

Athlon64 3200+ @ 2.5ghz
DFI nForce4 Ultra-D
G.Skill 2GB PC4000 HZ
eVGA 7800GT 256MB
Viewsonic VP930-3 19" LCD
Altec Lansing FX-6021 speakers
AKG K601 headphones.
 
Dec 9, 2007 at 10:43 PM Post #4 of 14
Quote:

Originally Posted by cconnaker /img/forum/go_quote.gif
FubarIII USB DAC with Headphone Amp.


I'm considering one of these. Do you have one? Or tried one??

Quote:

Originally Posted by amitz /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Sorry, forgot to mention that I also play games on the PC. It's not the main use of the PC but it's another use. I was a heavy gamer at the past so I still play sometimes with my not-so-bad rig.


Creative X-Fi ... best model [Elite Pro] you can afford.
 
Dec 10, 2007 at 3:35 AM Post #7 of 14
Quote:

Originally Posted by cconnaker /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I have just done a lot of research and think it is a pretty good product for the price.


Agreed. I'm more inclined towards the best value for the $$ these days (and what can fit into my modest home ... lol). Any speaker thoughts to match the Firestone? Thanks for the response.
smily_headphones1.gif
 
Dec 10, 2007 at 4:38 PM Post #9 of 14
Quote:

Originally Posted by cconnaker /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Are you going to try to attach speakers to the Fubar or just headphones?


Originally, just headphones. After reading up the growing mini-amp selection, I might consider amp/speakers, just not immediately. My earliest setup was amp/speakers, but interference problems and desk space became primary concerns. Right now I'm more focused on headphones, especially so others don't have to be subjected to my music selections. Why?
 
Dec 10, 2007 at 4:43 PM Post #10 of 14
Quote:

Originally Posted by DocHamm /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Originally, just headphones. After reading up the growing mini-amp selection, I might consider amp/speakers, just not immediately. My earliest setup was amp/speakers, but interference problems and desk space became primary concerns. Right now I'm more focused on headphones, especially so others don't have to be subjected to my music selections. Why?


I thought you were going to drive speakers with this headphone amp and was going to suggest one of their other products. It sounds like you have everything under control.
 
Dec 10, 2007 at 5:46 PM Post #11 of 14
Quote:

Originally Posted by cconnaker /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I thought you were going to drive speakers with this headphone amp and was going to suggest one of their other products...


Which one?
 
Dec 11, 2007 at 1:10 AM Post #12 of 14
I sent back the Fubar III and the SUPPLIER because I'm disappointed. Thanks for the 30 days money back guarantee. I expected that that the Fubar would be much better than my sound card, the X-Meridian from Auzentech with the OpAmp LM4562, DC Coupled and Black Gate's replacing caps. But the Fubar is far from approaching the quality of my sound card. With the Fubar the sound is veiled and without soul. And more, the Fubar with the SUPPLIER are providing barely enough power to my headphones, the Beyer 600Ohms...
 
Dec 11, 2007 at 2:01 AM Post #13 of 14
I cant think of too many desktop or home headphone amps that would adequately power a 600 ohm headphone, so forget about something as tiny as the Fubar.

First off, high gain settings are not as clean as low gain. When using the Corda Opera (which outputs at a solid 500mW), you have to use high gain to get a decent volume level out of an 80 ohm Beyer. So I can't even imagine a 300 ohm headphone like the HD650, let alone a 600 ohm Beyer.

As far as I'm concerned, the lower the impedance the better. 25 ohms is perfect (Denon D5000), and I don't think I would ever want to go past 40 as I prefer low gain due to it's cleaner sound.
 
Dec 11, 2007 at 2:33 AM Post #14 of 14
Quote:

Originally Posted by IPodPJ /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I cant think of too many desktop or home headphone amps that would adequately power a 600 ohm headphone, so forget about something as tiny as the Fubar.

First off, high gain settings are not as clean as low gain. When using the Corda Opera (which outputs at a solid 500mW), you have to use high gain to get a decent volume level out of an 80 ohm Beyer. So I can't even imagine a 300 ohm headphone like the HD650, let alone a 600 ohm Beyer.

As far as I'm concerned, the lower the impedance the better. 25 ohms is perfect (Denon D5000), and I don't think I would ever want to go past 40 as I prefer low gain due to it's cleaner sound.


i used my dt770 600 ohms with the built in amp of the emu 0404 usb and the sound is quite okay. Driving them through the Melos is another level of satisfaction
 
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