new rig help.

[daidalas]

hello all, this is my first post here and i am very new to the world of high quality audio. currently run onboard audio on old dell with m-audio studiopro 3.

soon to be phenom II system with a $700 budget for audio.

Here's my current plans.

Asus xonar essence stx - $200

sennheiser hd595 headphones - $160

2.0 loudspeakers - (thinking either audioengine a5 actives or infinity primus p162 passives)

i know the audioengines will work fine, but how can i get passive speakers to work with essence stx? what other equip do i need and is it feasable in this budget? i have NO CLUE! thanks for your help audiophile friends!

any other recommendations greatly appreciated!

daidalas

 

[emelius]

welcome to head-fi, sorry about your wallet...

do a search for the Dayens Ampino...read the 6moons review...you could use that to power some inexpensive speakers now and still be able to use it later if you want to upgrade...

please note that i'm attempting to use you here as i'm looking for impressions on both the Ampino and those Infinity speakers (as stereophile has been raving about that line for years and years)...i don't think you can go terribly wrong with either...

may i ask, do you listen to mainly lossless or lossy media?...it's been my experience that an all solid state computer-as-a-source system can sound sterile, harsh, compressed etc. if the wrong mix of components and source material is used...you might want to consider using a tube buffer (or a tubed headphone amp with preamp out) to soften the sound and add some pleasing distortion...

or not

...

 

[daidalas]

most of the music i listen to is lossless (flac) encoded from cd's. already ordered the a5's, got a killer deal for 99.50 on amazon due to a pricing error. that leaves my budget upgraded though! i now have 6 hundo for the rest o the gear.

next step im thinkin is get my ass out and listen to some headphones somewhere and hope i find a product that i click with.

 

[roker]

I got the 595s the other day and they sound great unamped, but I plan on amping them soon. I also plan on getting some grado 225s to have some variety.

Anyway, I'd say your only a dac/amp and a headphone away from experiencing some superior sound.

DAC/amp combos are always nice, and you can usually use the knob to control the volume levels of your headphones and your speakers (good all in one-er).

P.S. don't forget to get your FLACs or ALAC audio files piled up.

 

[MrKazador]

I say skip the HD595 and get something else. You'll need an amp for the passive speakers like a T-Amp.

 

[roker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrKazador /img/forum/go_quote.gif I say skip the HD595 and get something else. You'll need an amp for the passive speakers like a T-Amp.

Ok I'll bite

What's a better mid priced headphone (new) than the 595?

 

[MrKazador]

The HD555 uses the same driver as the HD595. I don't think its worth to spend an extra $70 for a leather headband and no inner foam piece.
http://mikebeauchamp.com/dump/hd555-...hd595-open.jpg

 

[roker]

*see below*

 

[daidalas]

amazon has the denon adh2000 closed headphones for $214, ordered them tonight. once i get them/order xonar essence ill post impressions.

also, got my a5's today, sound excellent to my ears w/ onboard audio on old dell, cant wait to hear with better gear behind them

 

[roker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrKazador /img/forum/go_quote.gif The HD555 uses the same driver as the HD595. I don't think its worth to spend an extra $70 for a leather headband and no inner foam piece. http://mikebeauchamp.com/dump/hd555-...hd595-open.jpg

it also comes with a headphone holder

I believe if you price in a headphone stand and more comfortable band it makes it kind of worth it.

I only paid 50 more for mine.

but are they the exact same otherwise?