Looking for Feedback on Rig Upgrade

[oshox]

I'm currently using a standard 80GB iPod (w/ Rockbox) connected to a Little Dot Mk III and a pair of Beyerdynamic DT-880 2005 Edition 'phones.
As a side note, I'd heartily reccomend this to anyone looking for an inexpensive starter rig. My favorite song to show it off is "Over The Hills and Far Away" by Led Zepplin, but Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, Tool, Godspeed You! Black Emperors, 65daysofstatic, Pink Floyd, The Killers, they all sound amazing! The Beyerdynamics are also incredibly comfortable, allowing for hours-long listening sessions.
The only songs that come through less-than-stellar are my Claude Debussy and Bad Religion recordings. Those are both nearly all highs, and sound a little harsh.

Anyway, to get to the point, I have some money set aside to see how much better it gets. First, I'd like to send my iPod to Red Wine Audio to have it modded, and a an ALO Cryo RCA cable to go with it.

Second, I was going to send my DT-880's into Headphile to have them recabled to their BlackMax cable.

Lastly, I was going to swap out my amp for a Doge 6210, and shop around for some nice tubes. I haven't decided which, yet...

I'd love any feedback or suggestions. This is definately a costly project, and I'd like to know beforehand that I'll be getting my money's worth!

 

[EugeneK]

If you're already on a desktop sized amp, why not go with a desktop sized source?

I would get a DAC for my PC/lappy or a CD player.

 

[revolink24]

Agreed. Go desktop DAC or something. Cables aren't worth it, IMO. Getting an iMod is nice too, but a $5 line out dock would work as well as the ridiculously priced ALO ones.

 

[atothex]

I'd categorize your proposed upgrades as money misspent.

 

[stewtheking]

I'd say you were better off trying out some different 'phones. Look around for used, and as long as you buy and sell sensibly, you'll only end up paying shipping over time.

 

[oshox]

That's exactly why I ask!

I'm using an Analog2 copper cable for the interconnect, now. I've read so much raving over the iMod, is it really not much nicer than a dock cable? I could skip the ALO Cryo cable and just get the much-cheaper 1/8"-out dock.

I was looking at a good desktop DAC, but I move my amp around a lot while my PC certainly doesn't. I'd definitely consider it if I ever picked up a laptop, but for now it'd just be inconvenient.

Money for the recable would be better spent on another set of phones, such as HD-595, AKG-702, or SR-325is, agreed?

Any opinions on an amp upgrade?

 

[Cankin]

I'd say either pick up a Pico DAC or get another headphone like K701/2 or HD600.

 

[finbad]

Firstly, question the recording quality.

Question the source, its DAC(s).
(Here is where I would suggest your system upgrade $ is invested and is the obvious weakness in your chain of components)

The 880s are known to have very extended HF which can only be tamed and be made to present sweetly at the source, presupposing the music was mastered better than what is unfortunately all to common.

The 880s are already Hi-Fidelity including their stock cable, and are presenting and revealing problems upstream in the component chain(see above).

Stick with your amp as is, forget recabling the cans, and invest in your source, being mindful of recording quality; IME&O ...

Best regards and good luck~

 

[oshox]

So, say, something like a Little Dot DAC_1?

 

[finbad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oshox /img/forum/go_quote.gif So, say, something like a Little Dot DAC_1?

Being a Big fan of CA products in terms of SQ , build, utility and price, I would suggest the Cambridge - Dac Magic - Digital to Analog Converter.

Check out the threads here in the Source component sub-forum, highly regarded, and I do not believe you would be disappointed with your system SQ and its functional utility for upgrade $$$ spent...

Note, they hardly ever come up for sale used, but DACs last a long time and that route should be explored too

~ Do avail yourself to cables by Blue Jeans

Hope this helps in your well spent upgrade decisions~

~

~

 

[Billyk]

DIY??
A Bantam DAC can be built for about $40.00 and sounds very good. The Gamma2 is almost out and is getting rave reviews.