Dell headphone out v. $1300 setup

[vcoheda]

As of last week, my computer set up was:

1. Diyeden DAC via USB cable ($200)
2. Twisted Pair Ultra ICs ($125)
3. Gimore Lite w/DPS ($500)
4. HD650 w/ Blue Dragon ($450)

But I recently sold my Diyeden to fund an Apogee Mini-DAC, so until that arrives, I have no way to listen to music from my computer except through the headphone out of my Dell. At first I refused to do this, because I am a headphone snob, elitist, etc

and would not stoop to that level; but today, I was bored and needed some tunes. I plugged some $40 Sony earbuds into my Dell and started my usual play list. The music sounded surprisingly very decent. I was shocked. Yes. The bass is bloated, the imagining/depth is lacking, the detail is not quite there, but the highs and lows sounded pretty good. I would say it sounded about 60-65 percent, if not a bit more, as good as my previous setup.

I found this odd. I thought it would sound much worse.

 

[Duggeh]

Music is still the music. So long as your source isnt filthy vinyl or a worn cassette, your going to get the jist of it, and for a lot of music, it doesnt matter much anyway. When so much music is recorded, mastered and encoded the way it often it, the law of dimishing returns regarding equipment kicks in sooner than it would otherwise. Im assumgin you were listening to pop/rock. I definately have an easy time with most of that sort of music out of a portabel cassette player. Cant go near jazz ro classical with it though.

 

[Advil]

I've done this before, It's quite the experience isn't it

Oh the money we'll pay for the most subtle changes!

 

[epaludo]

YEAH, my XPS M1210 has an excellent audio output. I love to watch DVDs on it with my RS-1. It sounds awesome ...

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Advil /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've done this before, It's quite the experience isn't it Oh the money we'll pay for the most subtle changes!

subtle changes?

 

[Thelonious Monk]

iBuds are a good 50% of the original recording (severe bass rolloff hinders this)

JVC Marshmallows/Koss KSC75 are probably 80%

Grados, Senns, beyers, AKGs etc are all 85% and above.

you'll notice the difference a lot more if you A-B compare your incoming DAC with the headphone out. its not like decent earbuds are AM radio through fart cannons and a PVC pipe... hi-fi is all about the extra refinement, detail, and your preference for presentation of the recording. i'd be satisfied with nothing but a pair of KSC75 and Marshmallow. however, luckily i have cash so i don't need to and i get that extra 10%, which is what it's all about!

 

[splaz]

I don't know. Some ear buds have made me cringe a little and I'm not all that fussy, have no desire at the moment to upgrade my headphones.

Just sounded so... tinny and lifeless.

 

[vcoheda]

okay. 3 straight days of earbuds out of dell headphone out. not happy any more. sounds very bad now. congested & bloated, thin, dull, no bass, no depth, no detail, no sparkle. basically just not enjoying the music as much as before. plus ears hurt after a few hours.

overall, just sounds very blah.

can't wait for my Apogee Mini-DAC.

 

[clarke68]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcoheda /img/forum/go_quote.gif okay. 3 straight days of earbuds out of dell headphone out. not happy any more.

Try your HD580s, or any of your other good 'phones. I like my 580s plugged directly into my iPod or the side of my (work's) Dell laptop...doesn't sound nearly as bad as it's supposed to according to most of what you read around here.

I agree with Thelonious Monk, 85% of good sound is in the cans.

 

[phergus_25]

Iv done this before. listened to somethign i know is ****** but its not as bad as i though it would be and i think its great. You find out eventually its not that great.
however i have fallen in love with my $160 speakers over my $700 hps.

 

[uzziah]

audiophilia is about chasing perfection; it's not a matter of leaps and bounds, and it's not a necessary hobby to enjoy music

 

[vcoheda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarke68 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Try your HD580s, or any of your other good 'phones. I like my 580s plugged directly into my iPod or the side of my (work's) Dell laptop...doesn't sound nearly as bad as it's supposed to according to most of what you read around here. I agree with Thelonious Monk, 85% of good sound is in the cans.

I'm going to try this, my HD580s out of my Dell. Haven't used them in a while. Here is their big chance.

Won't have my Mini-DAC at least for another few days, so got nothing to lose. Has to sound better than what i am using now (i hope).

 

[vagarach]

Also, unlike high-end (and low end) headphones, the qualities of every single onboard sound system haven't been discussed in very great detail, so you never really know. The new ibuds are really, really good, and could be used with no qualms for quite a long time!

I have experienced this though, over the summer all of my gear was packed, and so all I had to use was the builtin audio on my dell inspiron 600m, and mx400s. I never much listened to music, because after while it became really grating, and I would become restless. Still, apart from music, the pair did a good job on movies and other audio.