Hey everyone,
I'm looking for recommendations to improve my desktop audio setup, considering the following:
Budget: I'm thinking up to around $1500, but it's flexible.
HEADPHONES
For many years I have used my Sennheiser RS180 which I love. But I want something better:
Purpose: Music
Music I listen to: Key distinct examples that are not just work background would be Pink Floyd, Infected Mushroom, epic soundtracks like Interstellar's, a variety of classical composers, single/few instruments music like Celtic and Nordic Folk (e.g. Wardruna), spanish guitar, bossa nova.
Sound: soundstage and warmth, not too much bass. (even though I love Infected Mushroom... I like to keep the bass just fair)
Type: I think open and circumaural is best for the purpose as there is no room noise, but it's not mandatory.
Look/Style: I guess this only matters for some... but I'm a stickler for a certain "fine style" (which I know is subjective) when it comes to every day items such as headphones, so as a reference example I find Meze's Classics 99 and Empyrean beautiful... but the Sennheiser 600s to 800s not so much. Nice finishes, wood, aluminium, leather, cables, etc. I care about that :- )
Candidates so far: Klipsch HP-3. Meze Classics 99. Audeze LCD2. Grado GS1000e. Fostex T60RP. I've been also considering the Meze Empyrean which is off budget, but not impossible... but maybe going from nothing to some of the top headfirst is not adviseable?
AMP+DAC
I have a Xonar Audio DX 7.1 soundcard but I would like to keep it for now only to output to speakers and possibly one day I will remove it in favor of external solutions. So I would like an external AMP+DAC.
Purpose: Drive the new Headphones and possibly serve as DAC as well for the RS180 instead of how they are setup atm which is to my RØDE NT-USB mic.
Candidates so far: Schiit stack (not sure what/which), JDS Labs The Element II
All help and suggestions are appreciated!
Best regards,
morunas
I'm looking for recommendations to improve my desktop audio setup, considering the following:
Budget: I'm thinking up to around $1500, but it's flexible.
HEADPHONES
For many years I have used my Sennheiser RS180 which I love. But I want something better:
Purpose: Music
Music I listen to: Key distinct examples that are not just work background would be Pink Floyd, Infected Mushroom, epic soundtracks like Interstellar's, a variety of classical composers, single/few instruments music like Celtic and Nordic Folk (e.g. Wardruna), spanish guitar, bossa nova.
Sound: soundstage and warmth, not too much bass. (even though I love Infected Mushroom... I like to keep the bass just fair)
Type: I think open and circumaural is best for the purpose as there is no room noise, but it's not mandatory.
Look/Style: I guess this only matters for some... but I'm a stickler for a certain "fine style" (which I know is subjective) when it comes to every day items such as headphones, so as a reference example I find Meze's Classics 99 and Empyrean beautiful... but the Sennheiser 600s to 800s not so much. Nice finishes, wood, aluminium, leather, cables, etc. I care about that :- )
Candidates so far: Klipsch HP-3. Meze Classics 99. Audeze LCD2. Grado GS1000e. Fostex T60RP. I've been also considering the Meze Empyrean which is off budget, but not impossible... but maybe going from nothing to some of the top headfirst is not adviseable?
AMP+DAC
I have a Xonar Audio DX 7.1 soundcard but I would like to keep it for now only to output to speakers and possibly one day I will remove it in favor of external solutions. So I would like an external AMP+DAC.
Purpose: Drive the new Headphones and possibly serve as DAC as well for the RS180 instead of how they are setup atm which is to my RØDE NT-USB mic.
Candidates so far: Schiit stack (not sure what/which), JDS Labs The Element II
All help and suggestions are appreciated!
Best regards,
morunas
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