Gilmore Lite -- End it all amp?

[Azure]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borat Listen, you've got a good portable source that can play FLAC. Nobody is disputing that. It is just awkward to use it with a home amplifier and home cans that's all. But by all means, if you have the funds and it makes you happy then go for it.

Well, is there a home source that doesn't use CDs, isn't a sound card, and costs <$350? That's my main gripe, can't use CDs and can't use my computer.

EDIT: I just read that the line out on the Karma isn't a true line out? I also read that a true line out wouldn't go through the EQ, which is VERY bad news as I can't live without my EQ setting. So, with the X5L (I'm guessing not Karma?) the I would hear a flat EQ with the G-Lite? Is there any sort of way to use an EQ with an amp with line out (Is there an external device that you guys use or something?)?

 

[Borat]

Well, there is the HeadRoom Micro DAC

But that is another $300 on top of the GLite if you still plan on buying that. I wouldn't do it unless you have a lot of disposable income, which I did not have at your age. Heck, I still don't have much.

If it makes you feel any better, I would trade my iPod for your Rio Karma any day. So don't take it as me saying your source is bad, it definitely isn't.

 

[Azure]

I don't really understand DACs; why are you recommending me one (I thought they are meant to be used with things like optical out and not plain old line out?)? What good would a DAC do for me in my situation (Serious question)?

I know the Karma isn't bad, but when it comes to $350 headphones and a $300 amp, the Karma doesn't appear to be the best choice. I guess the bottlenecking would make the purchase very wasteful.

 

[Borat]

I thought the Rio Karma had a digital out, my bad.

I could have sworn I saw a picture of someone using the Karma + Micro DAC + Micro Amp with Sennheiser HD650 + Cardas. It must have been a different portable.

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

Yes, it can be an end-it-all amp.

However, I seem to prefer the M^3 with the headphones I use (MS-2).

I do not like the fact that you cannot voice the Gilmore Lite for your headphones.

-Matt

 

[Azure]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyfrenchman27 I do not like the fact that you cannot voice the Gilmore Lite for your headphones. -Matt

What?

 

[Thaddy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure What?

Maybe he means through different opamps?

 

[Azure]

Well, I thought that there was already a good synergy between the DT880s/SA5ks and the G-Lite, so I wouldn't have to worry about the absence of rolling op-amps?

 

[Mr Iriver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure I don't really understand DACs; why are you recommending me one (I thought they are meant to be used with things like optical out and not plain old line out?)? What good would a DAC do for me in my situation (Serious question)? I know the Karma isn't bad, but when it comes to $350 headphones and a $300 amp, the Karma doesn't appear to be the best choice. I guess the bottlenecking would make the purchase very wasteful.

The great thing about the micro DAC is that you can also connect it to the computer through the USB, having a great source with the DAC acting as a high end soundcard, (though with no amplification.)

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thaddy Maybe he means through different opamps?

Yes.

-Matt

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure Well, I thought that there was already a good synergy between the DT880s/SA5ks and the G-Lite, so I wouldn't have to worry about the absence of rolling op-amps?

Again, it depends on your preferences.

-Matt

 

[philodox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure I read that AKG is going out of business or something

Whaaaat!?!?

Where did you read this?

 

[Azure]

Quote:

Originally Posted by philodox Whaaaat!?!? Where did you read this?

It was in one of the threads in the headphone forum; something got to do with the K501s and AKG closing shop (Though I guess it could have just been something about them discontinuing the K501s).

Quote:

The great thing about the micro DAC is that you can also connect it to the computer through the USB, having a great source with the DAC acting as a high end soundcard, (though with no amplification.)

That's good, but I can't/don't want to use my computer as source.

 

[philodox]

I hope so... sheesh, you think they would have called at least... broke it to me gently.

 

[Azure]

So, should I get the iAudio X5L first or the Gilmore Lite? See, the way I'd like to do it is get all the necessary stuff for the headphones to sound first and then finally get the headphones at the end so I can do justice to them and compare them to the A500s. So, for the SA5k's I need an amp for them to sound good. I'd rather get the amp first and the headphones second as listening to them for the first time unamped might turn me off. So, that's Gilmore Lite first, then SA5k's. But, in order to get the most out of the Gilmore Lite, I need a better source. Would an iAudio X5L suffice as a home source? So then I'll get them in this order:

iAudio X5L ($329) -> Gilmore Lite ($299) -> Sony MDR-SA5000 ($370)
(~3 months)------->(~9 months)-------->(~15 months)

15 months to get my next rig...too long?