Complete Setup for $1000?

[The Monkey]

It will be tough to pull off a decent balanced rig for $1k.

 

[baka1969]

I just thought of an interesting setup. What about the:

V-Dac > Headroom Micro Amp > RS1?

If picked up on the Sales Forum you should be within budget.

A fun and refined setup.

 

[havox]

That would be good but I don't really care for on ear headphones, I love the look of the he-5s though

 

[DayoftheGreek]

With that in mind, you could get the HE-5 EF5 combo from headroom for $900, then pick up a uDac for $100. I was very interested in this combo myself and I have heard many people refer to it as the best $1000 setup you can buy.

I don't know if this was just a flavor of the month thing, but there were certainly lots of great reviews for this pairing.

 

[lordsegan]

Little Dot DAC_I (balanced) --> Little Dot MKVII+ Amp (balanced) --> balanced headphone of your choice (HD600, AKG 702, D5000, Grado 225).

Requires a DIY cable or you will be WAY over budget. And depending on the phones you get, still over $1000.

Sorry about your wallet.

 

[AmanGeorge]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monkey /img/forum/go_quote.gif I strongly recommend seeking out a used Stax rig. A pair of Lambdas and an SRM1/MK2 amp can be found for $400-$500 if you're patient. The combo, in my opinion, is significantly better than most dynamic rigs that are even 2-3x the price.

x2. I sold my HD800 for this exact combo, although I think you're likely to pay a little more than $500 for it.

 

[loopfreak]

Quote:

I'm thinking some balanced k701s or 650s unless someone has some other reccomendations and I have no clue for amp and dac

If you go with k702/1 which would be my choice consider lake people g100 amp

 

[grokit]

Nothing is a better value under a grand right now than the HiFiMAN HE-5 / EF5 combo, IMHO:

You could even afford a uDac for now, it's a great extra DAC for the laptop bag later!

 

[havox]

Stax are great in sure I just can get over the terrble looks lol, and I could spend a bit more but I may not be able to get it all right away. Also dumb question but what makes balanced headphones so good?

 

[AmanGeorge]

^HE-5/EF-5 is also a solid choice which you will find much praised around these parts

Agreed, Stax headphones are ugly, but you're not going to be walking around with the headphones, amp, and DAC, now are you?

 

[DayoftheGreek]

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/wha...lifier-140716/

This thread is quite helpful.

 

[Sophonax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwoo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Used RS1is can be found for around ~450

Where did you find this? I've never been able to find them for much less than 600, even among used RS1is...

 

[eucariote]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sophonax /img/forum/go_quote.gif Where did you find this? I've never been able to find them for much less than 600, even among used RS1is...

A RS1 is on sale, right now for $375

oops, look like it is now reserved for someone.

 

[dorkvader]

Yes, I was looking into RS1s, I saw two or three that went for (or were on sale for) about 425-475, if I recall correctly. I'm thinking of getting one, someday.

If you don't want to make a tradeoff between good looks and good sound, I think the HE-5 is a darn good looker. You can maybe DIY-up a good amp for a couple hundred, and save the rest for a DAC.

 

[Ypoknons]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monkey /img/forum/go_quote.gif It will be tough to pull off a decent balanced rig for $1k.

Indeed. I was playing around with the options:
Matrix Mini-i $330
Little Dot Mk. VII+ $400
Sennheiser HD600: $400
Cardas balanced cable: $300

So you'll need a better deal or used equipment to get this close to $1K. And in terms of sounding better, I have no idea how it'll sound relative to other rigs, all things considered.