Improve sound for $200

[yourstruly]

Hi,

I'm looking for a way to improve the sound on my laptop for $200. I listen to music only with headphones. I'm currently just using my default sound card. I'm by all means not an audiophile and I doubt I could tell the difference between good and really good setups, I just want something that's a step up from what I have now.

Thank you.

 

[userlander]

What headphones do you use? That will tell if you need an amp or not.

But a good first step is to get a DAC. I would recommend something like the hotaudio.com "DAC Destroyer":

HotAudio.Com

You would plug that in to a laptop USB port and use that instead of the onboard sound. The difference in just noise reduction alone is worth it, plus those are really good DACs for the money imho, and you will most likely notice an overall better sound quality. If you don't need an amp, that alone can make a big difference.

 

[yourstruly]

I have a pair of audio-technica ath-anc7's.

I also wanted to ask, what are a pair of inexpensive(again 100-200 range), non-noise canceling headphones that sound better than the anc7's, and work well with mp3 players (no amps or anything) and laptops?

 

[Twoguns]

Quote:

Originally Posted by yourstruly /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have a pair of audio-technica ath-anc7's. I also wanted to ask, what are a pair of inexpensive(again 100-200 range), non-noise canceling headphones that sound better than the anc7's, and work well with mp3 players (no amps or anything) and laptops?

I say you should gor for a DAC/HA-combo. There are lots of threads about those in this forum. When comes to versatile cans, you cant go wrong with anything from Grado..

 

[blessingx]

... except if you want to use in versatile settings.

 

[yourstruly]

Can I have some recommendations of DAC's then?