[Velocity]

Hi!
As you can se I´m new to this forum, and that goes for my knowledge for headphones,amp,dac to. 
I had a pair of HP890 back in time, now im sitting with Creative aurvana live, wich doesnt sound exciting at all.
What I want is to play music directly from my laptop, which isnt really a good source because of its really bad intergrated soundcard. But I travel alot and produce music to, so it has to be the laptop. 
 
I have done some research though, about the headphones I want. It gonna be mainly for trance, and with trance I mean like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAJAIxaV7a8
Trance with need of big soundstage and clairity. 
And many recommends the BT990. Cause of its big sounding stage. Iike you can jump right in to the music. And thats really what im looking for. But if you have another suggestions please let me know.
 
The main problem I have is how im gonna drive the cans?
Should I buy dac and then a amp? 
Can anyone explian simple what a dac does really?
 
I read about the M1 HPA amp, sounds pretty neet with built in usb dac that would sold my laptop problem?
 
Im asking you, what are youre suggestions.
Thanks!

 

[NA Blur]

A DAC or Digital to Analog Converter is a device that converts the 1's and 0's of assembly language ( CD or MP3 bits ) to an analog signal that your headphones can use.  Sound generation is an analog process due to both a voltage and pressure requirement of the diaphragm and voice coil.  If you use an iPod or listen to music through your computer there is a DAC process involved.  Most higher end DAC's are able to due this process with better accuracy as well as increasing the signal to noise ratio which can lower the audible noise in your system.
 
That said a DAC will not magically make your headphones sound better.  It may clean up the sound a bit, but it is not the source that drives your headphones.  That would be the amp section of your computer or iPod.  The DAC delivers the bits to the amp and the amp drives the analog process of voltage conversion into sound waves.
 
If you want sound stage try the ATH-AD700's.  They have a great sound stage and can be driven easily by laptops and iPods.
 
What would help us the most is to give us a budget and we can suggest accordingly.  Otherwise we might suggest something outside of your budget which really does not help you at all.
 
Suggestions:
 
1.)  $40 - $50
Sennheiser HD-205 II
http://www.headphone.com/headphones/sennheiser-hd-205-ii.php
 
2.)  $90 - $150
Audio Technica ATH-AD700
 
3.)  $130
Sennheiser HD-518
http://www.headphone.com/headphones/sennheiser-hd-518.php
 
4.)  $200 - $300
Beyerdynamics DT990 32 Ohms
http://www.headphone.com/headphones/beyerdynamic-dt-990---32-ohm.php
 

 

[Croozer]

Denon AH-D 2000 or 1100 headphones
FiiO E7/E9 amp and DAC

Excellent set up and you will have nice bass response, you can also try the Sony MDR-XB700.