reemixx
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2007
- Posts
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I'd like to build a high quality 2 channel audio setup around my iMac.
Currently, I'm using the Lexicon Omega with some Audio Technica AD700 headphones. My iMac isn't my recording rig though, which is where I pulled the Omega from, and I don't really need so many inputs and outputs for this new setup. It'll mainly be just for headphones, with the possibility of hooking up some active speakers later on (have a set of old Altec-Lansing desktop speakers at the moment).
The setup will be for heavy music listening, and some movies (but I'll likely purchase a separate USB DAC for movies, something that can emulate surround sound in headphones, because I don't want that feature at a sacrifice to audio quality for music. Can anyone recommend me something here?).
At the moment, the sound is quite good. The headphone amp in the Omega is more than adequate power-wise, especially for the efficient AD700's. The soundstage is reasonably wide, but tonal separation could be better. Basically, I want something just to enjoy my music with. Something sort of warm sounding, not overly analytical, but without so much colouration of the sound that it becomes completely different to what it should sound like (if that makes sense, as I know all audio equipment colours the sound in some way). This setup will no doubt grow and evolve over time, as I find the funds and gain more experience with audio. But for now, all I want is my foot in the door to a high quality audio setup.
I have a strict budget, about $250 would be preferable, but $300 is also possible. Because of that, I've decided to go for a DAC + amp combo. Is this a smart thing to do? Or, because the AD700's don't really NEED a headphone amp, should I spend more on a quality DAC and purchase the amp later?
I was looking at a few different combos:
Zhaolu d2.5 (heard good things about it, and the price is good)
iBasso D1 (don't know a lot about it to be honest, but many people seem to like it)
FoobarIII (the price is attractive, and it has good reviews)
01 Amp-DAC (I'd have to save a bit longer for this one though)
E-MU 0404 USB (don't really need the MIDI ports etc)
edit: guess I should add the Corda Move to the list as well
Would any of these offer a lot of improvement over the Omega? Any other recommendations? Or will I need to spend big to get a noticeable sound improvement? I don't have a lot of space at the moment, but I also don't need portability and don't want to sacrifice quality just for something small. The iMac also has has an optical out, so I could put that to use instead of USB.
Sorry for the long post
Currently, I'm using the Lexicon Omega with some Audio Technica AD700 headphones. My iMac isn't my recording rig though, which is where I pulled the Omega from, and I don't really need so many inputs and outputs for this new setup. It'll mainly be just for headphones, with the possibility of hooking up some active speakers later on (have a set of old Altec-Lansing desktop speakers at the moment).
The setup will be for heavy music listening, and some movies (but I'll likely purchase a separate USB DAC for movies, something that can emulate surround sound in headphones, because I don't want that feature at a sacrifice to audio quality for music. Can anyone recommend me something here?).
At the moment, the sound is quite good. The headphone amp in the Omega is more than adequate power-wise, especially for the efficient AD700's. The soundstage is reasonably wide, but tonal separation could be better. Basically, I want something just to enjoy my music with. Something sort of warm sounding, not overly analytical, but without so much colouration of the sound that it becomes completely different to what it should sound like (if that makes sense, as I know all audio equipment colours the sound in some way). This setup will no doubt grow and evolve over time, as I find the funds and gain more experience with audio. But for now, all I want is my foot in the door to a high quality audio setup.
I have a strict budget, about $250 would be preferable, but $300 is also possible. Because of that, I've decided to go for a DAC + amp combo. Is this a smart thing to do? Or, because the AD700's don't really NEED a headphone amp, should I spend more on a quality DAC and purchase the amp later?
I was looking at a few different combos:
Zhaolu d2.5 (heard good things about it, and the price is good)
iBasso D1 (don't know a lot about it to be honest, but many people seem to like it)
FoobarIII (the price is attractive, and it has good reviews)
01 Amp-DAC (I'd have to save a bit longer for this one though)
E-MU 0404 USB (don't really need the MIDI ports etc)
edit: guess I should add the Corda Move to the list as well
Would any of these offer a lot of improvement over the Omega? Any other recommendations? Or will I need to spend big to get a noticeable sound improvement? I don't have a lot of space at the moment, but I also don't need portability and don't want to sacrifice quality just for something small. The iMac also has has an optical out, so I could put that to use instead of USB.
Sorry for the long post