Reiniku
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2005
- Posts
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I find myself very much willing to invest into upgrading my current computer setup, but in a more acoustic sense. So where better to ask for advice than the largest money sink in the planet?
I'm hoping to spend something along $400, so hopefully that leaves my options fairly open in regards to all this. Of course if I can figure out something nice with what I have, no complaints
. Realistically, Computer As Source is my only real means for music (other than my car/ipod). Hell, all my CD's are packed away in a box and in a location I cannot even begin to fathom. Basically, all my music is digital, be it mp3 or FLAC.
I really wanted to up the listening quality from home and I have 2 sources from which I can do it.
My first is my desktop computer, which has a very old SB Audigy 2ZS. If any more specs past that are necessary, please let me know.
My second is my HTPC, with a DFI NF4 Lanparty Expert, whose onboard sound (Karajan audio module - Realtek ALC850 8-channel AC'97 audio CODEC), is hooked up to a Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K A/V Receiver via SPDIF Coax.
Amidst all this I have a pair of HD555's that have served me well.
I'm not sure if any of this is of particularly good starting ground but for starters I'm almost set on getting a pair of Grados (SR80 or MS1) and AD700's or DT880's. I'm under the impression that if I go unamped the DT880's are practically useless, so I'm keeping my options open on headphones here. I want to focus on making a setup suitable for anything I would purchase.
Should I be looking on upgrading my Sound Card on my Desktop PC or is there a good alternative to using my A/V Receiver on my HTPC? I'm slightly worried about powering the DT880's, what kind of amping should I look into (maybe a DAC?) and how should my setup be configured?
How good is the VSX-1018 for Headphones? To be honest, I'm not at home right now and have never really tried using my HD555's on them. I guess there's no better judge than my own ears, but input is also greatly appreciated.
Pioneer USA - Pioneer A/V Receivers
Here's the product page for it, if it's of any help.
I'm hoping to spend something along $400, so hopefully that leaves my options fairly open in regards to all this. Of course if I can figure out something nice with what I have, no complaints
I really wanted to up the listening quality from home and I have 2 sources from which I can do it.
My first is my desktop computer, which has a very old SB Audigy 2ZS. If any more specs past that are necessary, please let me know.
My second is my HTPC, with a DFI NF4 Lanparty Expert, whose onboard sound (Karajan audio module - Realtek ALC850 8-channel AC'97 audio CODEC), is hooked up to a Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K A/V Receiver via SPDIF Coax.
Amidst all this I have a pair of HD555's that have served me well.
I'm not sure if any of this is of particularly good starting ground but for starters I'm almost set on getting a pair of Grados (SR80 or MS1) and AD700's or DT880's. I'm under the impression that if I go unamped the DT880's are practically useless, so I'm keeping my options open on headphones here. I want to focus on making a setup suitable for anything I would purchase.
Should I be looking on upgrading my Sound Card on my Desktop PC or is there a good alternative to using my A/V Receiver on my HTPC? I'm slightly worried about powering the DT880's, what kind of amping should I look into (maybe a DAC?) and how should my setup be configured?
How good is the VSX-1018 for Headphones? To be honest, I'm not at home right now and have never really tried using my HD555's on them. I guess there's no better judge than my own ears, but input is also greatly appreciated.
Pioneer USA - Pioneer A/V Receivers
Here's the product page for it, if it's of any help.