[newguy2012]

hey guys, 
 
Anyone recommend any particular closed-back cans for taking places and preferably with a decent case so I can store in my school bag and not ruin them. Probably willing to spend approximately 300 USD, but could slide a bit either way. 
 
I'm one who mostly listens to rock like soundgarden and pearl-Jam on the go as well.
 
Also, any tips on portable amp/DAC that is awesome but doesnt break the bank (under 140 USD or so)
 
cheers

 

[PurpleAngel]

JVC HA-S500-Z headphones, $77
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300788413563
You can get several different kinds (Velvet or leather) of ears pads for the HA-S500, for $15 a pair
 
With the following mp3 players, you really have no need to add a DAC/Amp.
But a Fiio E6 is a nice and cheap amp. (but very decent).
 
Sansa Clip Zip 4GB mp3 player, $40
http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Sansa-Clip-Player-SDMX22-004G-A57G/dp/B005FVNGZA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1350441208&sr=8-2&keywords=clip+zip+gray
Sandisk 16GB micro SDHC memory card, (for Clip Zip), $8
http://www.amazon.com/Sandisk-16GB-MicroSDHC-Memory-Class/dp/B001F7AJKI/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1350441175&sr=1-1&keywords=sandisk+microsdhc
 
Sony NWZC E465BLK 16GB mp3 player, $119
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-NWZE465BLK-Walkman-MP3-player/dp/B005EQS9KS/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1350441341&sr=1-1&keywords=Sony+e465
 
I've been using the Clip Zip for a few weeks (nice little player), but switched over to the Sony E465 because it has a bigger screen and I have 48 year old eyes.

 

[micrors4]

You should look into the Sennheiser HD-25 II and the fiio E7 as a portable setup, if you use an ipod make sure to get a LOD cable for it to connect to the amp to get the most out of it.

 

[punks15]

HD25 plug it directly to clip/ipod/others and you're good to go

 

[newguy2012]

so is the LOD cable so it connects from the bottom of the ipod instead of the 3.5mm jack?
 
And yea, I was sort of looking at these
 
http://ultrasone.com/stores/us/Ultrasone-Pro/Ultrasone-PRO-750.html
 
apparently they are reasonable, as I'm looking for quite good portable quality.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

so is the LOD cable so it connects from the bottom of the iPod instead of the 3.5mm jack?
 
And yea, I was sort of looking at these
 
http://ultrasone.com/stores/us/Ultrasone-Pro/Ultrasone-PRO-750.html
 
apparently they are reasonable, as I'm looking for quite good portable quality.

The LOD connection provides a slightly cleaner analog output signal because it bypasses the iPods internal headphone amplifier.
It's $155 for the cheapest external DAC (HRT iStreamer) that can connect to the iPods (or iPhones) LOD port, and it's not really portable.
The Fiio E11, with the LOD cable is a good price/performance value for using with iPods & iPhones.

 

[planx]

Quote:

so is the LOD cable so it connects from the bottom of the ipod instead of the 3.5mm jack?
 
And yea, I was sort of looking at these
 
http://ultrasone.com/stores/us/Ultrasone-Pro/Ultrasone-PRO-750.html
 
apparently they are reasonable, as I'm looking for quite good portable quality.

 
Yes, the LOD bypasses the internal amping of the iPod and sends a cleaner signal to whatever device. If you're planning on using this setup as a transportable where your laptop is involved, the JDSLabs ODAC is a great DAC and just simply amp with with a Fiio E6, E11, JDSLabs C421 or whatever you can think of and you will have yourself a killer transportable. 
 
If you want a purely portable using DAPs, I strongly suggest the LOD and an amp for more than enough juice for most headphones. I currently use my iPhone+Fiio E11 together with my Beyerdynamic COP and I love it as a portable rig. I sold my HD-25s because I HATE supra-aural comfort.

 

[alv4426]

Those Ultrasones are big, maybe too big for portable use. But the have excellent build quality and are comfortable.
EDIT: I just saw your music preferences and I would't recommend the PRO750 because for some reason guitars (mostly acoustic) sound weird IMO. I would definitely recommend the HD25-1ii its a GREAT portable and works very well with your preferences. 

 

[newguy2012]

awesome, and would a portable amp be great for the sennheiser HD25's too? say a Fiio E7 or something like that??

 

[planx]

Quote:

awesome, and would a portable amp be great for the sennheiser HD25's too? say a Fiio E7 or something like that??

 
If you want a dedicated amp, I find the E11 to be the better "amp" while the E7 can both function as a DAC and Amp. I found great the HD-25 and E11 to match nicely and the Bass boost gave it a nice sub-bass boost.

 

[newguy2012]

Okay, cool. So you for a portable setup u reckon the Sennheisers + E11 would produce better sound for mostly rock songs etc than the E7?

 

[planx]

Quote:

Okay, cool. So you for a portable setup u reckon the Sennheisers + E11 would produce better sound for mostly rock songs etc than the E7?

 
Produce a better sound? Can't exactly back that up, but certainly sounds good. I just found the E11 to be the better amp than the E7 to my preferences. I remember the E7 matching well with a lot of different IEMs and cans, but I remember the E11 matching even better with a lot of the same IEMs and cans

 

[punks15]

And E11 is definitely more powerful