[KPeter]

Hello,
This is my first post here, and I'm pretty much newbie as far as audio is concerned. Currently I have a pair of HD497s and they are (most of the time) connected to my PC through a Terratec DMX 6 Fire LT sound card. I am wanting to achieve better sound from my PC, but I'm not sure on exactly how or what.

Firstly, should an amp be used with a PC (I assume this merely enhances the treble/bass?), and if so could you please recommend one / places to purchase it (I realise that this isn't the amp forum, but it's also a post regarding headphones, so

). I'm in the UK, and my total budget is roughly £200 ($316), and assuming that I get a pair of HD600s with it, it would leave £80 ($126) for the amp (is this enough - I really have no idea, but I'd imagine they get very expensive?).

I have 'set my mind' on the HD600s pretty much entirely by brand name, and they generally seem to be well thought of. I guess that they'd be a safe option, and all top headhpones have high / low points to them? Will be used to listen from the Rolling Stones and Simon and Garfunkel to Verdi and Tchaikovsky.. I was thinking of buying the HD 600s from askdirect.co.uk (a shop also on Tottenham court road).

If you recommend that I should not bother with an amp, would the HD600s still be a wise choice. Apparently they can cause damage to soundcards due to the large voltage they need (or similar? - something I read somewhere)?

Your comments would be greatly appreciated

Thanks,

Peter.

 

[zeplin]

kPeter,

very good choice to pick the HD600's as your first high end cans! they are truely awesome cans...when fed from the right equipment (a very big emphasis on that).
as far as a particular amp to suggest to you, i'm not too knowledgeable about what amp does what exactly because i've only heard a small number of headamps amps...but i can say that i have the Headroom Cosmic (bought on headphone.com), and the HD600's sounds wonderful with that amp, and also an average/budget home cd player as a source. also, Meier-Audio.com have been known to produce some pretty high quality amps...all of the amps in their line-up are awesome, or at least better than average. however, an amp you WILL need if you wish to bring out the most in your HD600. if you don't go with an amp (which is still ok), you might not like the HD600's type of presentation...many complain of a too laid-back sound that is quiet and somewhat recessed. i myself have experienced this sllightly laid-back sound due to the lack of higher quailty components that i owned before hand. on the other hand, there are people on head-fi that use very high quality soundcards for their PC, and rave about very good sound quality...and i could imagine that because some computers can have powerful amps...and that combined with a nice soundcard could provide you with a very enjoyable sound! for now, wait until you read what other people have to say regarding your questions, and slowly but surely form a basis of what type of equipment you might want to go with. good luck and welcome to the head-fi forums. oh, and also watch out for a serious disease that has been affecting a lot of people around here...some of the symptoms are: pulse buying 300$ headphones on a website you "accidentally" came accross, convincing yourself at all costs, a number of times, to buy new audio equipment whenever you feel like it or get the urge, and kast but not least, your wallet feeling really light all of the sudden

 

[KPeter]

Thanks very much for posting that

.

So I've now got my mind set on an amp with the HD600s. However, the amps on that site Meier-Audio.de are all out of my current budget. Do headphone amps get any cheaper, and, if they do, is it worth getting amps of a lower price price (or are they just too poor quality to be worth it)?

For those of you that are in the UK, are there any online shops which you purchase your equipment from, specifically amps, or do you order from overseas/at local shops? Also, for shopping for things like high quality cables (for the HD600s, and also for 'from a PC sound card to an amp' (is this a minijack to jack, or a minijack to twin left channel/right channel connectors?))?

And I hope, or at least hope for the sake of my wallet that after buying the HD600s & amp, I will be satisfied enough with them not to go on larger spending sprees

.

Thanks greatly!

 

[pbirkett]

Hey mate, if you want a cheap Meier Audio Corda HA-1, then make me a sensible offer for mine, its just in a wardrobe collecting dust.... I dont exactly want silly money for it...

 

[KPeter]

Quote:

Originally posted by pbirkett Hey mate, if you want a cheap Meier Audio Corda HA-1, then make me a sensible offer for mine, its just in a wardrobe collecting dust.... I dont exactly want silly money for it...

I would serious consider that, but I'm not getting the 'gear' right now anyhow (by the end of the year I'd hope).

Thanks though

.