[edmelvins]

First of all, I would like to apologize if I posted this in the wrong forum.
 
That said, I have some doubts that I know can be "solved." I've been involved in the audio world for quite a bit now and I've invested in several equipment such as Grado RS-2, DT-770, V-moda M-80 and I've had several cheap amps and DACs in the past but now I have HP-P1 that drives all those headphones. 
 
The problem is, it's hard for me to notice the quality difference between using the HP-P1 to drive the M-80 and using only the iPod to drive it without the DAC. I must say I am able to notice little differences but they're not mind-blowing. Thus it's hard for me to justify spending $650 on a DAC/amp when I can pretty much get the same results with only my iPod.
 
However, I've never had ear-training before and I'm pretty new to this whole thing even though I know the basic stuff. So is there anyone out there that can help me understand better? I'm willing to learn and I hope I can appreciate the sound quality better but now I just don't feel like it's worth all that money.

 

[deadlylover]

Welcome to the club, I also feel that amps and DACs barely make a difference compared to headphones.
 
Oh well, more money for other things I suppose.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Stop chasing gear.
 
Get more music.
 
Make a New Year's resolution to spend 2012 getting into a genre you're not into.  When 2013 rolls around, you'll be happier than dropping thousands on more gear.  You have nice stuff; use it!

 

[edmelvins]

Thanks for the advice! I've been collecting CDs for some time now and I'm glad that I have. That's why I'm thinking about selling my HP-P1 and several headphones and use that money to buy more CDs that I've been wanting to buy. But before I make that decision I want to make sure that I'm not missing anything. To be honest, I can enjoy the music as much no matter what headphones I'm using. Now I'm more confused.

 

[Aynjell]

Quote:

Stop chasing gear.
 
Get more music.
 
Make a New Year's resolution to spend 2012 getting into a genre you're not into.  When 2013 rolls around, you'll be happier than dropping thousands on more gear.  You have nice stuff; use it!

 
There's no better way to increase the value of what you already have equipment wise. Hell, I'm gonna take your advise too, Erik! I'm thinking metal. O.o
 
That said, higher end gear is a double edged sword. One half is the improvement you get from great recordings, the other the improvement you get in terms of realizing how bad bad albums are. Mid-fi is parked at an interesting middle ground of these two extremes (in almost any case I can find anyway) and tends to offer the best value. You get resolution when you need it, and forgiveness when you don't. It's not true for all gear, but most companies tend to park their warmer or more "hi-fi" stuff in that sector, where the high FIDELITY stuff is at the extreme high end.
 
For me, the thing I'm doing right now is cleaning out my music collection. if it sounds bad, it is going to the used music store. I'm trying to get rid of anything I never listen to, etc.
 
What kind of music are you listening to, anyway?
 
 

Thanks for the advice! I've been collecting CDs for some time now and I'm glad that I have. That's why I'm thinking about selling my HP-P1 and several headphones and use that money to buy more CDs that I've been wanting to buy. But before I make that decision I want to make sure that I'm not missing anything. To be honest, I can enjoy the music as much no matter what headphones I'm using. Now I'm more confused.

If the gear sounds good, I wouldn't sell it. If there's some improvement I'd keep what you have, and not upgrade until it is just so boring that you have to for fear of dying of boredom.  Reason is, this type of stuff you grow into. When you upgrade, unless you're at summit-fi already, you're gonna have to grow your ears a bit, and this takes a lot of time. I rocked a Little Dot I+ for just short of two years. It's funny, that little amp tought me so much about myself, and most importantly...
 
It tought me the most important thing to realize in terms of determining when you need an upgrade. I realized my music taste was thinning and thinning and thinning to the point where I was listening to only a few albums out of my collection of some 130+. I realized my gear was restricting me to a certain type of music, slower more ambient stuff. In short, I realized I was restricted and upgraded out of that restriction. I'd wager I'm good for quite some time going forward now, but this is what I'd call the golden rule for when to upgrade. Others may have a differing opinion, and your mileage may vary.

 

[Currawong]

The M80s were designed to sound good straight out of an iPod, so your experience isn't a mystery in my opinion. 

 

[LithoJazoSphere]

This may be obvious, but sometimes obvious things are the most easy to overlook.  What quality files are you playing on the iPod?  It's easier to tell small differences on lossless formats, for example.

 

[edmelvins]

Thanks for the reply guys!
 
@Aynjell
I mostly listen to bands like The Who, The Smiths, Eric Clapton, Louis Armstrong, and some newer ones like Snow Patrol, Coldplay, and a bunch of indie bands.
Thanks for the advice. I think I'm going to sell my HP-P1 and Grado for now and keep my M-80 and DT-770 for studio work.
 
@Currawong
I was thinking about that too but I thought an expensive DAC should be able to make a big difference on it. I guess I was wrong.
 
@LithoJazoSphere
I was going to talk about that in my first post but it seems I forgot about it. Almost all my files are ripped directly from CDs and I mainly use Apple Lossless files. I've tried AIFF and 24/96 files and the results are the same: not exactly mind-blowing.

 

[omegaman]

I sometimes find you don't notice the improvement straight away. Listen to your new kit for a week, then return to your old kit. I'm sure you will notice the difference.

 

[markkr]

For me, I stop visiting Head-Fi.... sad but true, the less you're here... the less you'll worry about the rig.

 

[Kirosia]

Listen to some Taylor Swift. *sigh* If only her albums weren't recorded so poorly.

 

[markkr]

I just tried this, my rig just burst into flames!! Now I appreciate what I used to have 

 
Quote:

Listen to some Taylor Swift. *sigh* If only her albums weren't recorded so poorly.

 

 

[Kirosia]

Quote:

I just tried this, my rig just burst into flames!! Now I appreciate what I used to have 

 

 
You're really tempting me to re-enact the gimp scene from Pulp Fiction.

 

[Tronz]

Don't listen to your rig for like 2 days. It'll sound really, really good when you finally listen.

 

[LithoJazoSphere]

Quote:

Don't listen to your rig for like 2 days. It'll sound really, really good when you finally listen.

Alternatively, listen to some iBuds for 2 minutes and then switch back to your main rig.  It'll have an even stronger effect.