Help with office/desktop chain and/or components for a newer listener.

[Stass]

Hello all,

I’m fairly new to all of this and would like the best sound for my desk/office. I will be listening on headphones and using my PC as music source (I prefer to use it; however, I still need some help in terms of what the best way to use it and/or if using a streamer is better?).

I have an idea of what I should do to achieve good sound, but I want to be sure. If someone knowledgeable can confirm I would greatly appreciate it.

First, my current setup:
PC > (AudioQuest 1.5m Carbon USB) Topping D90 III Discrete > (AudioQuest 0.5m Mackenzie XLR Interconnects) Aune S17 Pro EVO > Headphones (6.5mm Denon AH-D5000 and/or HiFiMan HE1000SE XLR)

I just bought the HE1000SE and have been underwhelmed by their sound. Is it because they need to be burned in? With this system, my 7 year old AH-D5000s sound better (barely used because I bought them and legit just took them out after deciding I want to get a proper system).

I’m wondering if it’s because I’m going straight from PC to DAC via USB and the sound isn’t good?

I keep going down a rabbit hole and wanting better sound and have come upon this thread and other reviews and wanting this DAC. I’m still within return period for my Topping DAC and Aune Amp and am leaning towards an upgrade for both.

My thoughts on the new/upgraded setup:

I have ordered the Gustard U18 DDC and the Gustard X26 III.
I plan to use my current USB cable to go from PC to U18 and an I2S cable to go from U18 to X26III (suggestions for cable?).
For the headphone amp, I’m leaning towards the Gustard H26 or the Violectric V222; however, I’m open to suggestions on the amp as well.

I’m wondering a couple things:

1. Does this “chain” seem fine? I’m wondering if I should utilize the streamer in the X26III to play music?
Should I also plan to hook it up to Ethernet? I’m just not positive on this part as to benefits/drawbacks.

2. Are there any other cables or upgrades that you would suggest?

3. I listen to mostly EDM, but enjoy most types of music. Are there any headphones you’d recommend besides the HE1000SE? I’m also within my return period on those and am quite skeptical about them so far.

4. What would be your recommendation for playing music? I’m mostly leaning towards Tidal at this point, but want to learn if DSD is the way to go (I’m still researching a lot of this stuff as it’s quite new to me).

5. Are there better choices for cables (for the price) besides AudioQuest? I’m sure it’s a hot topic, but wondering. I’ve seen DIY cables but I don’t know if I’m ready for that unless that’s really the best way to do it (get pure silver cables and connectors and make a cable). Advice would be appreciated on the cable topic as well.


Sorry for the huge post and I really appreciate anyone’s help.

Thank you.

 

[msing539]

You have lots of good questions here. I'll share some of my personal experience, just keep in mind it's subjective and some will disagree.

I've owned a genuine AQ Carbon cable. The problem with buying AudioQuest, like certain other brands, is the prevalence of knock-offs. The packaging looks the same and the cables are very close to the real ones, so unless you're buying new stock from an authorized dealer, you run the risk of picking up a fake that was returned in place of a real one. For the money, I'd visit the AliExpress cables thread... China puts out some good cables cheap, and you don't have to spend a ton to get an improvement. From my personal experience, the usb cable from my computer to DDC yielded the greatest improvement in sound. XLR and RCA were a tweak for me. As was power.

If you're listening to mostly EDM (which I listen to a lot of), I don't know the HE1000SE is what I'd pick personally. It's a good headphone, just lacks some fun in my opinion. The Denon D9200 for closed and Meze Elite for open are fun, natural sounding, and play well with most chains. But pair them with an R2R DAC and they are on another level. D9200 doesn't sound like a D5000, in case you were wondering.

If you have a few bucks, pick up a FiiO K11 R2R and pair that with the HE1000. See if it gets you closer to what you're hoping for. I would skip the DDC until the rest of the setup is in place and you're happy with it. If you opt for a dedicated streamer, the DDC might not be necessary. Just note that you're doing music only now at that point... it's not passing PC audio like Netflix, YouTube, etc.

 

[BS5711]

You have a bunch of good gear already.

Chasing DACs, amps and cables isn't going to change the sound of your headphone unless there is something fundamentally different like a change in amplifier output impedance or tangible details of that nature.

If you don't like the sound you are hearing and everything is fundamentally decent gear, working within design limits and there isn't some glaring fault with some part of the set up like a ground loop hum or something broken or faulty then either try a different headphone or use EQ.

I know that flies in the face of everything you have been reading but I went through the same nonsense of chasing DACs and amps looking for sound improvements only to eventually come to the realisation that most of what you read is either technically wrong or blown all out of proportion and that the sound quality is nearly entirely down to the headphones.

You have already stated that you are enjoying one headphone more than the other on the exact same equipment, there is a strong clue there telling you the equipment isn't responsible for the sound anywhere near as much as the headphone is.

Others will say that is all nonsense and that is fine but please try different headphones before you spend more money on other gear trying to make the headphone you have sound better.

 

[earmonger]

You have a bunch of good gear already.

Chasing DACs, amps and cables isn't going to change the sound of your headphone.

.....the sound quality is nearly entirely down to the headphones.

...please try different headphones before you spend more money on other gear trying to make the headphone you have sound better.

This. ^^^^^^^^

It's the headphones. Once you have strong enough amplification -- and you do -- the other stuff is going to have only marginal effect compared to how the headphones themselves are tuned.

Since you don't like the HifiMan, send them back. What is it about the Denon that you prefer? Different bass, different treble, different soundstage, different presentation of instruments? If you can add more details about what you're looking for, people can suggest an upgrade.

 

[Stass]

This. ^^^^^^^^

It's the headphones. Once you have strong enough amplification -- and you do -- the other stuff is going to have only marginal effect compared to how the headphones themselves are tuned.

Since you don't like the HifiMan, send them back. What is it about the Denon that you prefer? Different bass, different treble, different soundstage, different presentation of instruments? If you can add more details about what you're looking for, people can suggest an upgrade.

I felt that I had better separation/detail with the Denons and the bass was better for me. Overall, it seemed that the 1000se was a similar sound but with less detail and bass. Maybe I expected a more radical change when trying the headphones. It was mostly underwhelming since there wasn’t much change.

 

[theveterans]

Planar sounds different than dynamics (dynamics have better tactility in the notes edges than planars on the same level until you're at Susvara level ONLY). IMHO, better to stick with DD headphones like ZMFs which should be more to your liking than planar headphones

 

[Stass]

Planar sounds different than dynamics (dynamics have better tactility in the notes edges than planars on the same level until you're at Susvara level ONLY). IMHO, better to stick with DD headphones like ZMFs which should be more to your liking than planar headphones

Do you have a recommendation up to $2k for which would be good? Also, is the jump to $3k worth it? I have it in my budget , but have already spent quite a bit.

I do understand that the headphone quality is a must so I’d be willing to make the jump if it really changes things by a good margin.

 

[earmonger]

You don't need to go up to $3k.

Up in that price range, there's a real law of diminishing returns on sound quality. Mostly you're paying extra for design, exotic materials and marketing.

$2k should provide excellence.

 

[theveterans]

Do you have a recommendation up to $2k for which would be good? Also, is the jump to $3k worth it? I have it in my budget , but have already spent quite a bit.

I do understand that the headphone quality is a must so I’d be willing to make the jump if it really changes things by a good margin.

You don't even need 3K! Even 1K such as the ZMF Bokeh Open that I use personally would be a noticeable jump from the Denon. Sounds really good with rock and EDM. Then you also have the ZMF Atrium Open which is a R&B master. ZMFs are also known for really holographic spatial presentation as well and have that tactility in the notes that makes them feel palpable

 

[Ficcion2]

Without EQ; I don’t think the HEKs are optimal for EDM.

I’m confused that you don’t find them open though; as I’m willing to be that the Denons soundstage are no where close HEK series due to them being a closed back.

Maybe you just prefer a dynamic driver?

As someone else mentioned; don’t try to change the sound with DAC, cables and even amps unless it’s a serious mismatch. It won’t change them.

My suggestion is find a used Final D8000 Pro.

 

[colonelkernel8]

nvm

 

[theveterans]

Get a Dan Clark Audio E3. Seriously.

He’s gonna hate that headphone. Zero dynamics

 

[fidgeraldo]

Fostex TH900mk2.
It can also be found for a great price.

Cheers!

 

[colonelkernel8]

nvm

 

[theveterans]

Lmao. What are you even talking about?

Lmao. It's super obvious next to a Denon or ZMF headphone or Fostex TH900mk2 that DCA is too wimpy in bass and dynamics