tonedaf
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- May 12, 2007
- Posts
- 31
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- 0
Hi all.
I'm looking for an amp that would be suitable for my current/future headphones. Or perhaps I'm wondering if an amp will be required or is the best use of my $$$.
First, some info on the headphones I currently have and plan to get in the future. I currently have a stock hd650, as well as a ue sf.3. I've found the sf3 quite wanting in terms of sound quality and comfot compared to the hd650, so I'm looking for an iem upgrade - probably the westone 3 (pre-ordered from americantechpushers, but goodness knows when it'll be ready for delivery). Perhaps in the longer term, I may also get an akg701 or bt880 to try them out, but those cost $$$ and for now I'm pretty happy with the hd650. So, I'd like to get an amp that works well with my hd650, and future w3.
I currently already have a 2005 total bithead. With the preordered w3, I'll probably get a "free" minibox-d as well. My currently total bithead is rather annoying with the sf3 as i hear a considerable amount of hiss when no music is playing. The total bithead costs more than the minibox-d, so i'm thinking that it should sound better too. Should I therefore consider upgrading my amp for better pleasure on the hd650 and w3? If so, I've been looking hard at the hornet - but there are so few available used. Maybe also one of the xin amps, but leery if there's a need to diy some parts or wait long for it. i'm also a sucker for the looks of the rsa amps.
If I do get upgrade my amp, I'd like to use it at home as well as out/at work. Home source is just a macbook or a cheap hp laptop - would the headphone out from these sources limit the quality, and would i be better off just using the integrated dac+amp on the total bithead?
When I'm out or at work, I'd probably use a portable audio device or play from a pc/notebook as source. Currently, all I have is a creative neeon 5gb (1st gen), and a shuffle 2nd gen. Neither of these have a line-out, so i don't know if it makes sense to feed the headphone out to my total bithead/minibox-d/new amp. Work cans will likely be the w3 iems as I don't want to lug the hd650s around, and would like some isolation too. I'm also considering getting "better" portable sources - possibly the imod 5.5g, or a regular ipod 5.5g at much lower cost and savings and flexibility in the interconnect cables.
I like to listen to music with nice vocals, and some classical. However, my ears may be "tin" - i can't seem to tell the difference between lossless and lame -v6 through the bithead and hd650. My wife likes pop and rock, and she will usually listen on the hd650s or earbuds.
Guess I've rambled on long enough... would greatly appreciate hints and pointers as to which upgrades would provide best synergy with current and future cans, etc.
I'm looking for an amp that would be suitable for my current/future headphones. Or perhaps I'm wondering if an amp will be required or is the best use of my $$$.
First, some info on the headphones I currently have and plan to get in the future. I currently have a stock hd650, as well as a ue sf.3. I've found the sf3 quite wanting in terms of sound quality and comfot compared to the hd650, so I'm looking for an iem upgrade - probably the westone 3 (pre-ordered from americantechpushers, but goodness knows when it'll be ready for delivery). Perhaps in the longer term, I may also get an akg701 or bt880 to try them out, but those cost $$$ and for now I'm pretty happy with the hd650. So, I'd like to get an amp that works well with my hd650, and future w3.
I currently already have a 2005 total bithead. With the preordered w3, I'll probably get a "free" minibox-d as well. My currently total bithead is rather annoying with the sf3 as i hear a considerable amount of hiss when no music is playing. The total bithead costs more than the minibox-d, so i'm thinking that it should sound better too. Should I therefore consider upgrading my amp for better pleasure on the hd650 and w3? If so, I've been looking hard at the hornet - but there are so few available used. Maybe also one of the xin amps, but leery if there's a need to diy some parts or wait long for it. i'm also a sucker for the looks of the rsa amps.
If I do get upgrade my amp, I'd like to use it at home as well as out/at work. Home source is just a macbook or a cheap hp laptop - would the headphone out from these sources limit the quality, and would i be better off just using the integrated dac+amp on the total bithead?
When I'm out or at work, I'd probably use a portable audio device or play from a pc/notebook as source. Currently, all I have is a creative neeon 5gb (1st gen), and a shuffle 2nd gen. Neither of these have a line-out, so i don't know if it makes sense to feed the headphone out to my total bithead/minibox-d/new amp. Work cans will likely be the w3 iems as I don't want to lug the hd650s around, and would like some isolation too. I'm also considering getting "better" portable sources - possibly the imod 5.5g, or a regular ipod 5.5g at much lower cost and savings and flexibility in the interconnect cables.
I like to listen to music with nice vocals, and some classical. However, my ears may be "tin" - i can't seem to tell the difference between lossless and lame -v6 through the bithead and hd650. My wife likes pop and rock, and she will usually listen on the hd650s or earbuds.
Guess I've rambled on long enough... would greatly appreciate hints and pointers as to which upgrades would provide best synergy with current and future cans, etc.
