[kottav]

Hi Summit-Fi, I'm looking to build a new high end system. I need an entire system (DAC, amp, and headphones).
 
-My max budget is $1300.
-My music preferences are: Rock, Electronica, Pop, and Jazz
 
I look for convincing soundstage, bass impact, and natural representation in a headphone.
 
I have thought about going with the HE-500 and a Audio-GD NFB-10. I think an LCD-2 setup would better suit my needs but I can't seem to find any amp/dac combination that would do them justice in the $300-$450 range.
 
I look forward to you recommendations, fellow Head-Fi'ers.

 

[snaps11]

Used Burson HA-160D and Sennheiser HD-650.  Not the best soundstage performer but will be a good all around setup.  If you could stretch the budget a little you could get a new HA-160D. HD-650 does not do the best with rock because its it has more mid range and a rolled off top end.
 
Basically you can't really get a bass heavy headphone that has a focus on treble as well. 
 
HD-650 - Bassy with very smooth mids.  More on the warm side very analog pairing with the HA-160D.  Very good all around natural headphone.
 
If you dont want to spend the cash on the Burson im sure a Schiit Lyr would be just fine then you could maybe do a Schiit Bifrost for a source.  Not Summit-Fi but good enough.
 
Can't get champagne with a beer budget

 

[kottav]

Thanks for the reply! I'll look into it.
It seems I have more of a keystone light budget in the land of Summit-Fi. 

 

[devgru]

Deleted.

 

[Moostrkraaft]

If you think you'll ever want to upgrade, buy the dac and amp separately

 

[Currawong]

Quote:

 
-My max budget is $1300.
-My music preferences are: Rock, Electronica, Pop, and Jazz
 
I look for convincing soundstage, bass impact, and natural representation in a headphone.
 
I have thought about going with the HE-500 and a Audio-GD NFB-10. I think an LCD-2 setup would better suit my needs but I can't seem to find any amp/dac combination that would do them justice in the $300-$450 range.
 
I look forward to you recommendations, fellow Head-Fi'ers.

 
I have similar tastes in music, so I'd say IMO you're on the money already. The NFB-10 matches well with the LCD-2s if you can increase your budget. Being that the HE-500s are tuned less brightly than the other Hifiman orthos they should work well with the NFB-10, which has plenty of kick. 

 

[kottav]

Yeah the LCD-2/NFB-10 combo looks mighty good. I agree, but the wallet has other ideas!

 

[obobskivich]

Koss ESP/950, pick something for your source (I use my PC or CDP, neither of which is easily bought) - you have ~$600 remaining. Alternate, Grado (pick one, I like RS-1, but hear good things about RS-2 and PS-500, and think GS-1000 could be considered with your budget) + whatever (they're EASY to drive).

 

[Magick Man]

The best BFYB in that range are the Koss ESP/950 and the HE-500. If you go the HE-500 route, I'd go for something slick, like this. It's a nice little, DAC/IA/HP amp. It'll drive any set of headphones, plus you can use it for your desktop speakers.

 

[obobskivich]

The best BFYB in that range are the Koss ESP/950 and the HE-500. If you go the HE-500 route, I'd go for something slick, like this. It's a nice little, DAC/IA/HP amp. It'll drive any set of headphones, plus you can use it for your desktop speakers.

They also make one that drops the speaker amp for about $200 less, don't know if the HP amp is the same component though. I'm assuming yes though.

 

[Magick Man]

They also make one that drops the speaker amp for about $200 less, don't know if the HP amp is the same component though. I'm assuming yes though.

I was also thinking that if he ever wanted to run HPs directly off the speaker taps, "wallah".

 

[estreeter]

Even used, I have to wonder if the terms 'budget' and 'summit-fi' belong in the same sentence ? Here in Oz, that budget will get me the LCD-2 Rev 2 and some CDs, Huzzah.  

 

[killmurer]

I was on the same budget.

Ended up with used (lightly) LCD 2s and nfb-10 for $1250.

 

[kottav]

That Teac dac/amp is a cool idea. How do the Koss 'stats sound? I'm loving all the good ideas, guys!
 
What do you guys think of a used LCD-2 ($850), Matrix M-Stage ($260), and a HRT Music Streamer II ($150)?
That's the setup I'm leaning towards at the moment.

 

[obobskivich]

How do the Koss 'stats sound?

Like Heaven. What do you want to know, specifically?

Alternately, one of the least-read comparisons on Head-Fi might help you a bit:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/618153/battle-of-the-american-titans