[Superfrag]

So I enrolled in college.. and my open HP's (AD900) wont do cause they leak too much sound. So I thought I'll go for the W1000.

Now I need help in deciding which components to pair it up with. I can spend upto $700.. max $800 for both the DAC as well as the Amp. Any suggestions?
FWIR, Gilmore Lite or the millet tube amp seems to be good choices... Im not sure though.

Also, I really love the AD900, so if you have any other setup in mind, do let me know.

I listen to all forms of rock(classic,soft etc) except metal and hard rock.

 

[Superfrag]

Anyone?

 

[AmanGeorge]

Either of those options should be a good match with the AT - when I had them on hand they weren't incredibly demanding of their amplification, and both the Gilmore and Millett should be pretty good with low-impedance headphones. If you buy the Nuforce uDAC hype (I just bought one to hear for myself), for $100 you can pick up a decent DAC and leave yourself a lot more money for a great amp - something like a Woo WA6 could be a nice contender.

 

[Superfrag]

Wow, that seems like a really nice amp. If I do go for tubes... I wanna know whats the cost of maintenance, and how often do I have to change tubes and whats their cost? It will be my first tube amp.. Only had solid states till now.

 

[Ra97oR]

From what I heard form the reviews (haven't heard W1000 myself), it seems that not much people like them with rock. Maybe A2000X be a better choice?

 

[Superfrag]

Ive heard the Grado SR60/SR80 and the SR325 at Jaben in Singapore.. and I did not like the sound signature at all. And I do listen to some classical music too.. and most of my rock is pretty soft rock. And did I mention I need closed Headphones? FWIR, the AT closed Headphones have the least bass quantity.. and Im not a fan of bass. I just want enough bass.. not more not less. And the other closed HP's, the Denon's and Ultrasones all have quite a lot of bass quantity.

 

[Ra97oR]

A2000X is a closed phone, IMO sounds better than a W5000.

 

[Superfrag]

Ah.. whats the approximate price and from where I can order it?

 

[jc9394]

I have the W5000, I prefer Gilmore Lite with PICO DAC a lot better than Millett Max. Woo Audio is very nice paring with my W5000 but it does need the Sofia Princess tube to smooth out the mid on my W5000.

 

[Superfrag]

So Millett is out! Which would you prefer, the Gilmore or the WA6?

 

[jc9394]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ra97oR /img/forum/go_quote.gif A2000X is a closed phone, IMO sounds better than a W5000.

This I have to disagree, when pairing W5000 with HA5000, it is much better than A2000x with HA5000.

 

[jc9394]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superfrag /img/forum/go_quote.gif So Millett is out! Which would you prefer, the Gilmore or the WA6?

I sold my Millett and Gilmore and keep my WA6 and HA5000. Honestly for you budget, I don't think you can get a better (Gilmore Lite with PICO DAC ) amp/dac that pair well with all Audio Technica headphones

 

[Ra97oR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jc9394 /img/forum/go_quote.gif This I have to disagree, when pairing W5000 with HA5000, it is much better than A2000x with HA5000.

IMO the W5000 is abit too smooth for my music, it is certainly a very good phone, but doesn't really suit rock.

 

[jc9394]

If you have a chance, you should try it with HA5000. It change my mind since I got it, I keep my HD600 for rock but it is sitting in the closet since I got the HA5000.

 

[Superfrag]

So Pico + Gilmore + W1000 is what Im gonna be looking at..
Any other suggestions ? Esp. the DAC Part?
The HA5000 is a bit too expensive.