HD650... logical choice?

[akwok]

Yeah. I wonder if the HD650's will have a difference.

Right now I don't know if I should upgrade my source to a Benchmark DAC1 (I see a guy selling it in the Source for Sale forums, but for $825 this is highly unlikely). I am also looking at the Headroom Micro DAC ($299!). or get another pair of headphones.

I don't know how substantial the change from the Onkyo DAC to the Headroom DAC will be though.. hmm. No reviews on that Headroom DAC Micro either!

 

[morphie]

Just so youre aware of this, most used DAC-1s go for 900USD and thats IF you find a used unit. 825USD is a DAMN good price for it if you ask me.

 

[akwok]

Yeah.. but $825 is a lot for me.

.

Does anyone know how good a performer the Headroom Micro DAC is, and if there will be a significant difference in upgrading from my Onkyo SE-90PCI sound card => a DAC?

 

[fr4c]

Quote:

Originally Posted by akwok Yeah.. but $825 is a lot for me.

upgradeitis is going to hit sooner or later. you might as well splurge it all at once

 

[akwok]

OH! Fr4c!

Have you ever done an A/B comparision with and without the DAC in your setup? Is there a significant difference, from the Emu 0404 Analog=> Amp => headphones, to the Emu 0404 Digital => DAC1 => headphones?

 

[fr4c]

Quote:

Originally Posted by akwok Is there a significant difference, from the Emu 0404 Analog=> Amp => headphones, to the Emu 0404 Digital => DAC1 => headphones?

not quite an comparison using the E-MU 0404, but this should provide you with some answers

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=122627

 

[akwok]

I -just- finished reading that..

Man oh man. I wonder how big a difference the switch would be.. is the $825 justified?

.

(PLEASE SAY IT ISN'T)

 

[fr4c]

the Apogee Mini-DAC is said to have similiar charateristics to the DAC1, for a much cheaper price.

i havent heard it myself, so i cant really justify any of that.

 

[akwok]

This is the last call.. bought almost everything I want to upgrade for source/amp, now I'm considering the HD650's again. Is the synergy alright with my DAC + amp?

 

[Joey_V]

All I know is that I have had both the 650s and the sa5000... and you know what I stuck with.... just look at my sig

!

The sa5000 is very very comfy for me. The 650s are more comfortable than the hd555 and faaar superior in my opinion with regards to sound.

If I were you, I would try to get the 650s first, then decide which you like more (or keep both) THEN do all your source upgrades.

 

[Oliver :)]

Akwok, you will not find out what you like best if you don't try. So hurray for variety. You can always sell off what looses your contest. My "rational" advice (btw., since when is this place about being thinking rationally or logical action?

) is:

- never upgrade in a stretch. Relax & enjoy what you have. Save up while doing so. Then get the best you can if you still think it is worth it.
- try to single out the weakest link in your rig and upgrade that before you even consider anything else. Great phones will be of no use on a mediocre amp, and a great amp cannot do much about a vastly inferior source. Think about small changes that tend to have high impact (cables, powersupply, physical setup - got Pandafeet?).
- never forget that a vast improvement of one part will automatically render all the other parts inferior causing lots of cost in its wake. Do not put a $8k source in a $1K system, to be drastic, unless you are willing and able to upgrade the rest accordingly. Otherwise you won't be very happy with the turnout.

 

[akwok]

I have the SA5000's already, I'm just thinking of getting the HD650's to compliment them and to dabble my tastes a little..

At this point, it would cost me way too much to upgrade my amp and source; I'm looking to have to drop another $600 on the amp to get a Dynahi and another $500 to get a DAC1 (both at the same time, obviously .

So the closest next thing to upgrade or play with would be the headphones.. hehe

 

[mega]

I say go for it...i have listened to both, and i feel that the HD-650's are the perfect complement for the SA-5000's. They go in total opposite ways in terms of their sonics.

 

[Joey_V]

Quote:

Originally Posted by akwok I have the SA5000's already, I'm just thinking of getting the HD650's to compliment them and to dabble my tastes a little.. At this point, it would cost me way too much to upgrade my amp and source; I'm looking to have to drop another $600 on the amp to get a Dynahi and another $500 to get a DAC1 (both at the same time, obviously . So the closest next thing to upgrade or play with would be the headphones.. hehe

I would say that playing with the hedphones is much more efficient way in getting different sounds - once you're settled, start upgrading the source/amp.

Keep both because they will complement each other very well.

 

[txa]

Agreed. Go with the 650's - they will represent the biggest change in sound from the SA5K. From there, you will either greatly prefer one over the other, or enjoy the two as class-leaders in their delivery of different sounds. And then further, you will know in which direction you would like to make your tweaks to each (brighter, warmer, etc.).