How do you know if your headphones are the weakest link?

[drxpert]

I'm thinking of buying either the Eastsound CD-E5, or the HD650s. Looking at my current setup, I don't know if the E5 will be overkill for my DT990s. It would be really disappointing if I spent so much on the E5 only to find that my cans are the bottleneck.

Will I notice better sound out of the ipod/650s or E5/990s?

 

[Inter]

Sadly there is no such thing as overkill when it comes to audio equipment.

However, the higher up the hifi chain you become, the less forgiving the equipment usually gets so the Eastsound (I have never heard it, it's on my wishlist as well, hehe) will probably play cd's much more accurately than whatever you had previously and that's a good thing. The DT990 is a great can, I listen to it for many things, and I wouldn't worry if it would have a hard time dealing with the clear sound the cd player produces.

What you might worry about is whether you like a very revealing sound or not. On older recordings or poorly mixed recordings, those flaws can be easily heard with high end equipment.

 

[markl]

I've always found the opposite-- as my front-end gear has improved, more and more CDs sound better and more listenable, not worse. It's the low-end stuff that distorts and grates, and fails to resolve properly, making many otherwise fine CDs unlistenable. I don't think it's true that as you upgrade, music sounds worse.

That would really suck!

 

[PsychoZX]

Go for the eastsound. You have a good set of cans already. It is your source that is the weakest link in the setup you have listed in your sig.

 

[PsychoZX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by markl I've always found the opposite-- as my front-end gear has improved, more and more CDs sound better and more listenable, not worse. It's the low-end stuff that distorts and grates, and fails to resolve properly, making many otherwise fine CDs unlistenable. I don't think it's true that as you upgrade, music sounds worse. That would really suck!

I agree even the worst recordings in my collection sounded better once I upgraded.

 

[Solude]

Really a no contest on your rig. Upgrade your source, then amp, then see where you want to go with headphones.

 

[drxpert]

Thanks for the replies, seems like I'll be saving up for the E5!

 

[Wmcmanus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inter Sadly there is no such thing as overkill when it comes to audio equipment.

Ooooooooohhhhhh, I'm not so sure about that comment!

As others have said, a source upgrade will really make you smile. The Eastsound CD-E5 is an absolutely tremendous value and can't really be touched at its price point. I think it competes quite well with a lot of CD players in the $2k-$3k range. You can get 'different' for the same money, but you can't get 'better' in an objective sense, so it's definitely a good one to have your sights set on.

 

[K2Grey]

I'm inclined to think the difference between the DT990 and HD650 has more to do with taste than quality per se. It may not quite be a sideways step, but its at least a diagonal one rather than a step straight up.

 

[Alex M]

Quote:

Originally Posted by drxpert It would be really disappointing if I spent so much on the E5 only to find that my cans are the bottleneck.

Why would you be disappointed? A better source should lead to better sound with your current headphones. And you can always upgrade the headphones later if they indeed become the bottleneck of your new setup.

 

[Jahn]

I would go source first - you already have a very nice top end can, and getting a better source will just enhance it - and any future cans you might get.