[bizkit]

I've recently had to detach myself from my beloved vinyl collection (aka the 2nd wife) for an extended period of time and I'm now exploring ways to fill the void until I get back home. Normally, I would use the search function, but DACs (or anything digital) are a completely foreign subject to me and I'm short on time/sanity. So I just come out and ask it.....

What is the best set-up I can get for $2500?


Source: Dell Precision M6400 Covet
+
???????:
+
Cans: Sennheiser HD800
=
Profit


Please give me some tube free options to shove in the gray area between the two

 

[Sennshead]

b/c your using mostly vinyl, you might consider an amp with a crossfeed option (headroom has some nice options).

 

[paaj]

Are that Dell and HD800 included in your $2500 budget? or is the $2500 solely for DAC + amp?

 

[chipzahoy]

How about a nice AD/DA like the Lavry Blue? If done properly, vinyl rips are in a different league compared to CD rips.

 

[krmathis]

Source: Dell Precision M6400 Covet
+
DAC/Amplifier: Red Wine Audio Isabellina HPA
+
Cans: Sennheiser HD800
=
Bliss!

..or so they say. As I have never heard it...

 

[bizkit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by paaj /img/forum/go_quote.gif Are that Dell and HD800 included in your $2500 budget? or is the $2500 solely for DAC + amp?

The $25000 is just for the DAC/AMP

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sennshead /img/forum/go_quote.gif b/c your using mostly vinyl, you might consider an amp with a crossfeed option (headroom has some nice options).

I won't have access to my vinyl for a year or so. I'm try to find a suitable (ie sturdy) replacement for the time that I'm gone.



Quote:

Originally Posted by krmathis /img/forum/go_quote.gif Source: Dell Precision M6400 Covet + DAC/Amplifier: Red Wine Audio Isabellina HPA + Cans: Sennheiser HD800 = Bliss! ..or so they say. As I have never heard it...

Thank you!

Buy Now in 5....4....3....2.....


Oh,

Is Red Wine Audio an advertiser (aka support the site by clicking on a link) on here or is there another way to support forum for the quick resolution to my problem.

 

[FallenAngel]

RedWineAudio Isabellina did get nice reviews, though I haven't heard it.

Yes, RedWineAudio is a sponsor of Head-Fi. You can also contribute to Head-Fi (and get some nice perks for it, like a larger mailbox).

 

[bizkit]

I've been a headfi browser for years, so it's about time that I pay my dues.

 

[krmathis]

^ Then I suggest you -> http://www.head-fi.org/forums/payments.php
While supporting Red Wine Audio by buying one of his products.

 

[Csericks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bizkit /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've been a headfi browser for years, so it's about time that I pay my dues.

Given your location I'd say that you are more than paying your dues! Thanks for your efforts.

 

[Currawong]

I'll throw in the Audio-gd Reference 1 DAC and Phoenix set which is exactly your budget then. You'll need to have the HD-800s re-terminated balanced for best results with the amp. If you don't want to go balanced (which requires either a 4-pin XLR plug or 2x 3-pin XLR plugs in place of the regular headphone plug) then it'll still be a great rig. Re-terminating them wont necessarily mean you can't use the headphones with a regular amp, as the last bit of the cable with the plug on it can be used as an adaptor.