[marcus2704]

I have Senheiser HD800S headphones along with a HDV820. Currently, I use my laptop over USB to play Tidal HIFI. Is my source a bottleneck and if so, what should I be looking at, or is it sufficient enough? Its just 1s and 0s isnt it, so does it even matter? If it helps, I also own a Astell & Kern SR15, although I dont utilise that in my setup.

 

[Monsterzero]

If possible I would suggest taking some time and compare the AK vs. your laptop and listen for any differences in sound.
Typically computers arent the greatest source as they introduce electrical noise into the system. Noise is often hard to detect until its gone,then you notice it.

I would also suggest watching some vids on the matter. This guy does excellent work on his channel,and until very recently all of his reviews on source products were under $2k,then something changed...lol

 

[theveterans]

I have Senheiser HD800S headphones along with a HDV820. Currently, I use my laptop over USB to play Tidal HIFI. Is my source a bottleneck and if so, what should I be looking at, or is it sufficient enough? Its just 1s and 0s isnt it, so does it even matter? If it helps, I also own a Astell & Kern SR15, although I dont utilise that in my setup.

I just use my good old Surface Pro laptop. Although it's best to have a really good USB transport that isolates the USB data and supply an external power rather than your laptop's USB power so I use the iFi iUSB 3.0 with iFi Gemini USB 2.0 cable before it's fed to my DAC

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I have Senheiser HD800S headphones along with a HDV820. Currently, I use my laptop over USB to play Tidal HIFI. Is my source a bottleneck and if so, what should I be looking at, or is it sufficient enough? Its just 1s and 0s isnt it, so does it even matter? If it helps, I also own a Astell & Kern SR15, although I dont utilise that in my setup.

As far as handling the digital signal goes, as long as it's compatible with the DAC and file formats (ie no downsampling, no noise via USB, actually runs via USB so no poweer nor software issue, etc), the only thing you really have to worry about with using computers is cooling system noise and whether you like the interface.

 

[marcus2704]

Thanks all, my feeling at the moment is to stick with what I have as it would appear to have little gain by purchasing new equipment.

 

[Andrew DiMarcangelo]

If you've never heard the benefits of a great DAC, you won't know what you're missing. But as soon as you hear it, you'll hear it. If you can budget even $400, you'd vastly improve your setup with a Mojo.

 

[marcus2704]

So introducing a Chord Mojo would give my setup a notable improvement? Is the DAC of the HDV820 in itself not higher quality than a Mojo?

 

[Andrew DiMarcangelo]

So introducing a Chord Mojo would give my setup a notable improvement? Is the DAC of the HDV820 in itself not higher quality than a Mojo?

My apologies, I misread your original post. I thought you meant you had an HD 800S and HD 820 (headphones). I like the Mojo more than any Sabre DAC that I've heard, but my post earlier was thinking you weren't using any DAC.

 

[Chris Kaoss]

Thanks all, my feeling at the moment is to stick with what I have as it would appear to have little gain by purchasing new equipment.

Trust your feeling.
To only thing i'd add is a headphone that compliments the hd800.
HDV is great stuff, imo.

 

[marcus2704]

Trust your feeling.
To only thing i'd add is a headphone that compliments the hd800.
HDV is great stuff, imo.

I have the HD800S headphones, along with the HDV820

 

[Chris Kaoss]

I know.
It's a good set of headphone.
I'd have a look to another set for some different fun instead of up- or downgrading your dac/amp.
The headphone takes the most amount of the sound imaging, like speakers do.
A dac is only a small part of the whole. That's my 2 cents.
If you're not satisfied with your setup, go for a different sound by adding another headphone to your rig.

About the source.
What's the matter of your thoughts about a bottleneck in it?

Noone could answer this question untill an private audition, i believe.
The best way is to borrow, maybe from a friend or an audio store, a different source device playing the same music files.
Only your ears could tell you the truth.

I for myself am not at the race adding several devices to the chain. Each device alters the signal a bit, imo.
But If you ask 5 people, you'll get 7 opinions, i guess. ^^

Welcome to the hi-fi, oh no, better call it audiophile world. Haha.
Don't hit me for.

Wish all the best experience listen to music.