dtaylor3911
New Head-Fier
Hi all, I currently have the following setup and would appreciate advice on how to improve:
full headphones: AT-M50X and Fidelio X2HR
IEMs: soundmagic E10
Steinberg Ci1 USB interface
Fiio E11K portable amp
Presonus Eris E5 monitors and Temblor T10 subwoofer
Huawei Mate 20X
Sony NWX639F mp3 player with dedicated line out
I listen mainly to streamed music (Amazon music) - I tried HD in a free trial a few months ago with my mate 20x but couldn't really tell the difference. Recently I have listened to FLAC, 320kbs and 128kbs mp3 files and again pretty much cant tell them apart.
I'm keen to get a desktop dac / amp and like the Fiio K5 pro. Unsure though as I am not certain there will be sufficient difference to make the purchase worth it. I've looked at network streamers also but don't think I need this tech as listening is at my PC home office through monitors / headphones. Also thought about a newer audio interface but I want digital inputs and don't record so don't need analog mike inputs etc, and assume a headphone amp with power supply has more power to drive headphones. Not sure if the issue is my ears (I'm 55) although have normal hearing I think. So options are:
1. What is most bang for buck - I assume desktop amp / dac, is this right and any advice?
2. stream Hi res - not sure is worth it?
3. different headphones - I like warmth and wide soundstage so assume open full headphone - but what is a step up from X2HR, which tbh are very nice to me.
I'm struggling to justify / identify anything that will make a clear difference, but would welcome advice, esp regarding amp/dac choices, as I think this is a limiting factor in my setup. Can justify spending up to say £350 at the moment.
many thanks
DT
full headphones: AT-M50X and Fidelio X2HR
IEMs: soundmagic E10
Steinberg Ci1 USB interface
Fiio E11K portable amp
Presonus Eris E5 monitors and Temblor T10 subwoofer
Huawei Mate 20X
Sony NWX639F mp3 player with dedicated line out
I listen mainly to streamed music (Amazon music) - I tried HD in a free trial a few months ago with my mate 20x but couldn't really tell the difference. Recently I have listened to FLAC, 320kbs and 128kbs mp3 files and again pretty much cant tell them apart.
I'm keen to get a desktop dac / amp and like the Fiio K5 pro. Unsure though as I am not certain there will be sufficient difference to make the purchase worth it. I've looked at network streamers also but don't think I need this tech as listening is at my PC home office through monitors / headphones. Also thought about a newer audio interface but I want digital inputs and don't record so don't need analog mike inputs etc, and assume a headphone amp with power supply has more power to drive headphones. Not sure if the issue is my ears (I'm 55) although have normal hearing I think. So options are:
1. What is most bang for buck - I assume desktop amp / dac, is this right and any advice?
2. stream Hi res - not sure is worth it?
3. different headphones - I like warmth and wide soundstage so assume open full headphone - but what is a step up from X2HR, which tbh are very nice to me.
I'm struggling to justify / identify anything that will make a clear difference, but would welcome advice, esp regarding amp/dac choices, as I think this is a limiting factor in my setup. Can justify spending up to say £350 at the moment.
many thanks
DT
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