Schizeophonic
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2003
- Posts
- 76
- Likes
- 13
Head-fiers:
I have been a longtime lurker on the site (extremely helpful community!), but now getting back into the hobby since my current endeavors have me near a computer most of the day.
My current computer setup consists of computer FLAC files (and sometimes google play all access) being fed into the following:
a.) NuForce Icon HD - flexible, sounds good with no real issues
b.) HK3490 Stereo receiver (love it) - I think its now discontinued - WHY!?!?!
c.) Infinity primus p163 bookshelf speakers - They make sounds come out of the computer when my headphones aren't on... but the high end is a bit overdone)
d.) Headphones are the Sennheiser HD650s (numero uno), Sennheiser Momentum, and Sony XB700. I use the headphone amp out of the Icon HD.
I currently would like to buy a new DAC/Amp. I recently bought a Vali off of Physther to try it out - its currently in the mail. I need some help getting a new amp/dac. Currently like how the 650's sound, but want more soundstage and magic (you know, the dragon all head-fiers are chasing). Additionally, I like crossfeed circuits, and I find myself sometimes using the HK headphone out because it has dolby headphone, and I actually DO like it sometimes - mainly because it gets the sound out of my head. I grew up around a dad that listened to tube amps and hi-fi speakers where smoothness was the name of the game, so that's the sound I am accustomed to....
Based upon some research I am reviewing the following (Budget less than 500):
a.) Bottlehead Crack - seems like this may be the de facto standard for 650's. I think you can get a line level signal by doing some hocus pocus to the headphone jack?
b.) Woo Audio WA3 (used) - Like the looks, but sounds like it may be more colored than the crack (which I wonder if I would prefer). Like that it has a preamp output since this may help tame the speakers.
c.) Maverick Tube Magic - Is this in the same league?
Any thoughts here? Right now my gut is telling me buy a pre-built Crack from the sell forums and enjoy. Might need to buy a schiit modi as well, but don't know if the DAC is any better than what I already have. Sigh, this hobby gets expensive!
Thanks in advance for any input!
I have been a longtime lurker on the site (extremely helpful community!), but now getting back into the hobby since my current endeavors have me near a computer most of the day.
My current computer setup consists of computer FLAC files (and sometimes google play all access) being fed into the following:
a.) NuForce Icon HD - flexible, sounds good with no real issues
b.) HK3490 Stereo receiver (love it) - I think its now discontinued - WHY!?!?!
c.) Infinity primus p163 bookshelf speakers - They make sounds come out of the computer when my headphones aren't on... but the high end is a bit overdone)
d.) Headphones are the Sennheiser HD650s (numero uno), Sennheiser Momentum, and Sony XB700. I use the headphone amp out of the Icon HD.
I currently would like to buy a new DAC/Amp. I recently bought a Vali off of Physther to try it out - its currently in the mail. I need some help getting a new amp/dac. Currently like how the 650's sound, but want more soundstage and magic (you know, the dragon all head-fiers are chasing). Additionally, I like crossfeed circuits, and I find myself sometimes using the HK headphone out because it has dolby headphone, and I actually DO like it sometimes - mainly because it gets the sound out of my head. I grew up around a dad that listened to tube amps and hi-fi speakers where smoothness was the name of the game, so that's the sound I am accustomed to....
Based upon some research I am reviewing the following (Budget less than 500):
a.) Bottlehead Crack - seems like this may be the de facto standard for 650's. I think you can get a line level signal by doing some hocus pocus to the headphone jack?
b.) Woo Audio WA3 (used) - Like the looks, but sounds like it may be more colored than the crack (which I wonder if I would prefer). Like that it has a preamp output since this may help tame the speakers.
c.) Maverick Tube Magic - Is this in the same league?
Any thoughts here? Right now my gut is telling me buy a pre-built Crack from the sell forums and enjoy. Might need to buy a schiit modi as well, but don't know if the DAC is any better than what I already have. Sigh, this hobby gets expensive!
Thanks in advance for any input!
