Rust In Peace
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2013
- Posts
- 63
- Likes
- 14
Hi, looking for some advice...
My current setup is as follows:
-Krix Equinox Mk. II Speakers
-Presonus Audiobox USB Interface
-Technics SU-500 Integrated Amplifier
-Technics SL-210 Turntable
-Sennheiser HD449 Headphones
It's mostly listening for rock/metal music, think everything from bands like America & Crowded House all the way through to bands like Slayer & Neurosis. As well, some gaming & casual movie/tv show watching but the main focus is music. At the moment I mostly listen to digital files in high quality FLAC format such as CD and vinyl rips plus some actual vinyl listening but my turntable kind of sucks.
So far I'm extremely happy with the speakers and maybe the interface. But I have a few questions which I think are relevant here.
1) Should I upgrade the Interface? It already provides a pretty good increase in sound quality over the on-board motherboard audio (ALC892). It sounds far more natural, less 'squashed' and seems to have more bass. The on-board seems to have some slight clipping as well. However, I wonder whether a dedicated DAC would provide any/if at all of a further increase in sound quality. I also use the interface for recording guitar (nothing serious but still essential to have this ability) so I would still need an audio interface regardless. Additionally, the headphone out on the Presonus is not very good, at least with my headphones, so if I did upgrade to a DAC I would probably go for an integrated DAC/headphone amp. I use the headphone out on the Technics amp as it sounds better.
2) Furthermore, is it even possible to use an audio interface and DAC at the same time with low latency? The interface for input and DAC output. The interface is obviously optimised for low latency with appropriate drivers etc. This is crucial for playing/recording guitar through a PC. The best option obviously seems to be a higher end Audio Interface, however that's if it would provide a better quality DAC sound, at least a quite noticeable difference, to the same level between the onboard and my current interface.
3) I definitely want to upgrade headphones. The HD449s I would say are ok, the vocals especially I have always thought are very good but the rest is not that great. I think I would like a more 'open' sound and as well 'wider' on the horizontal axis (if that's possible?). Some more separation, detail and clarity would be nice as well. Overall I think I tend to go for a fairly neutral sound that is punchy. I have seen some HD598s for a good price ($230 on sale from $400). Maybe a good choice?
4) I will also upgrade the amplifier and turntable but they are more straight forward to just see what I like best. Any suggestions? Thinking something along the lines of Rotel RA-10 and Pro-ject Debut Carbon.
5) Say I do upgrade headphones yet it's not necessary to upgrade audio interface, I will probably still need a headphone amp unless the amp I upgrade to will be sufficient enough... ? Also, it is possible to run two output devices at the same time in windows i.e. USB interface and USB headphone amp.
Thanks
My current setup is as follows:
-Krix Equinox Mk. II Speakers
-Presonus Audiobox USB Interface
-Technics SU-500 Integrated Amplifier
-Technics SL-210 Turntable
-Sennheiser HD449 Headphones
It's mostly listening for rock/metal music, think everything from bands like America & Crowded House all the way through to bands like Slayer & Neurosis. As well, some gaming & casual movie/tv show watching but the main focus is music. At the moment I mostly listen to digital files in high quality FLAC format such as CD and vinyl rips plus some actual vinyl listening but my turntable kind of sucks.
So far I'm extremely happy with the speakers and maybe the interface. But I have a few questions which I think are relevant here.
1) Should I upgrade the Interface? It already provides a pretty good increase in sound quality over the on-board motherboard audio (ALC892). It sounds far more natural, less 'squashed' and seems to have more bass. The on-board seems to have some slight clipping as well. However, I wonder whether a dedicated DAC would provide any/if at all of a further increase in sound quality. I also use the interface for recording guitar (nothing serious but still essential to have this ability) so I would still need an audio interface regardless. Additionally, the headphone out on the Presonus is not very good, at least with my headphones, so if I did upgrade to a DAC I would probably go for an integrated DAC/headphone amp. I use the headphone out on the Technics amp as it sounds better.
2) Furthermore, is it even possible to use an audio interface and DAC at the same time with low latency? The interface for input and DAC output. The interface is obviously optimised for low latency with appropriate drivers etc. This is crucial for playing/recording guitar through a PC. The best option obviously seems to be a higher end Audio Interface, however that's if it would provide a better quality DAC sound, at least a quite noticeable difference, to the same level between the onboard and my current interface.
3) I definitely want to upgrade headphones. The HD449s I would say are ok, the vocals especially I have always thought are very good but the rest is not that great. I think I would like a more 'open' sound and as well 'wider' on the horizontal axis (if that's possible?). Some more separation, detail and clarity would be nice as well. Overall I think I tend to go for a fairly neutral sound that is punchy. I have seen some HD598s for a good price ($230 on sale from $400). Maybe a good choice?
4) I will also upgrade the amplifier and turntable but they are more straight forward to just see what I like best. Any suggestions? Thinking something along the lines of Rotel RA-10 and Pro-ject Debut Carbon.
5) Say I do upgrade headphones yet it's not necessary to upgrade audio interface, I will probably still need a headphone amp unless the amp I upgrade to will be sufficient enough... ? Also, it is possible to run two output devices at the same time in windows i.e. USB interface and USB headphone amp.
Thanks