[pranjith1993]

Hi Guys
I am currently looking for a Ingrated Amplifier i.e NAD,Cambridge or Rega for my Sr80i. I am currently playing my Grado's through the Headphone socket of my MSI laptop. The files that I am playing are high-res Flac and Wav files, Aslo had planned to buy an external dac .i.e cambridge dac magic or acram r dac to connect my Ingrated Amplifier, My budget is 600 dollars (Aus).
 
Thank You
 
 

 

[Parall3l]

The Grado sr80i is sold for $100, getting an amp and a DAC that costs up to $600 together seems like over kill to me. Unless you plan to upgrade your headphones later. You can get a tube amp with DAC at one third of that price.

 

[Chris_Himself]

Upgrade to an MS-2i before you consider buying all that expensive gear. 
 
I used to run SR-225's out of a Gilmore Lite but I found it to be overkill... 
 
As for the DACMagic, I feel the Audio Gd NFB-12 and Matrix Cube are both better dac/amps for the money. Also the RCA's on my particular DACmagic I was listening to were not that good, so that kind of left a bitter taste.

 

[Sonic Defender]

Another less considered part of the chain is the actual recording quality of the albums you play. Without a doubt a poor recording on a great rig will still sound poor, just less so. A good recording on even a moderate system is certainly going to bring-out the best in the system. Aside from that, I have to concur that speakers/headphones are one part of the chain that can dramatically improve the sound quality and as such the SR60i is a nice set, but it won't be up to the task of really improving your listening experience beyond a point.
 
If you like the Grado sound, and many do, consider the SR225, espescially if you can get a used set. The consensus seems to be that of the SR range the 225 is the best value for the money and can be far more versatile than only a rock can. I had my 225s for more than two years and loved them. I listened to jazz, some electronica such as Thievery Corporation, Chemical Brothers, Peter Gabriel, Tool, Rush, Holly Cole Trio .... and found the 225 to be very capable. I would strongly encourage you to invest in your headphones first as you are most likely to benefit from such a move far more than any other move at this juncture, IMO only of course.

 

[pranjith1993]

Some suggestions on headphone amps with a dac I was also considering the schiit Audio (asgard or valhalla tube amp). The files I am listenning to are good flac and wav recordings. I am planning to upgrade maybe after I finnish year 12, heaps of studying. But the problem is in Australian there are not many hi fi stores specalisting in headphones when compared to the USA and UK.

 

[Parall3l]

Quote:

Some suggestions on headphone amps with a dac I was also considering the schiit Audio (asgard or valhalla tube amp). The files I am listenning to are good flac and wav recordings. I am planning to upgrade maybe after I finnish year 12, heaps of studying. But the problem is in Australian there are not many hi fi stores specalisting in headphones when compared to the USA and UK.

 
I live in Australia as well, hard to find Grados in Australia. I'm guessing that you plan to buy a really good amp/DAC and use it as you move to higher end headphones. If that is the case then  go for it, provided that you have money for the headphones. ($600 AUD amp/DAC can drive most headphones on this planet)

 

[pranjith1993]

I am in year 10 and have saved up $500, I was planning to buy a good dac and amp combo ok. I was thinking fiio e7 and e9 combo for the timing as it pretty cheap to compared to the others. And I have no plans of upgrading until after year 12.

 

[Parall3l]

Your in year 10 as well? How are you finding the math? Hard as hell for me 

 If you don't plan to upgrade until year 12, then a cheaper amp/DAC combo + a better headphone should work better for you. IMO with out amps, a headphone is not performing at its fullest potential but upgrading headphones would almost always result in the biggest improvement. 
 
Good luck on finding the right set of equipments 

 

[pranjith1993]

Yea doing good in maths thanks alot for you advice and help Parall31 and those who contributed to this. I think the fiio e7 and e9 combo should do fine for the thinking. 
 
Thanks Heaps