[cvince]

I am wondering what is the best upgrade in terms of price/improvement in sound quality for around $300.

My rig is as follows:

Pioneer DV525->Gilmore lite-> Grado HF-1s

I've been doing some research recently, and I am currently contemplating the purchase of a Zhaolu D2.0 toslink'd to a Chaintech AV-710 in my PC. Would this be the best way to spend $300? Or are there even better methods of which to improve sound quality like a better CDP, headphones (I hope not), or a better sound card?

 

[daggerlee]

Upgrading your source would be a good idea. You could get a spec'd out Zhaolu at your budget, or you could buy a stock one and mod it yourself. Dont know much about the Chaintech but I am using a HagUSB as my transport to my computer and I love it.

 

[mrarroyo]

Grado cans love tubes, so I would sell the Gilmore Lite for about $225 or so. I would look for an used tube amp like a Musical Fidelity X-Can V2 or V3. Maybe if you get lucky an used Mapletree Ear Purist + HD.

If you can find an use Mapletree which used go for about $450 to $525 that would be right in you price range of $500 ($300 plus $225 from the sale of the Gilmore). If not go for the Musical Fidelity whcih sell for $175 for the V2 and $300 for the V3. The I would have the Musical Fidelity modded "a la" PinkFloyd.

Good luck.

 

[cvince]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo Grado cans love tubes, so I would sell the Gilmore Lite for about $225 or so. I would look for an used tube amp like a Musical Fidelity X-Can V2 or V3. Maybe if you get lucky an used Mapletree Ear Purist + HD. If you can find an use Mapletree which used go for about $450 to $525 that would be right in you price range of $500 ($300 plus $225 from the sale of the Gilmore). If not go for the Musical Fidelity whcih sell for $175 for the V2 and $300 for the V3. The I would have the Musical Fidelity modded "a la" PinkFloyd. Good luck.

really?

I've heard that grados have an awesome synergy with the gilmore lite. Is this untrue?

 

[wax4213]

From what I've heard, the Gilmore Lites were designed partially with Grado cans in mind, now, whether that means there's any special synergy or not I do not know. I doubt you could go wrong with a Gilmore Lite, but personally, I'm looking more into the Headfive for my SR-60's, and hopefully some SR-225's in the not-too-terribly-distant future.