Oh boy, what to get next?

[KONAKONA]

Well I finally found out how much cash I got to work with for my next upgrade. I have 407 USD, minus music, which comes to about 275$. So I have a few options,

1) ibasso D10: These just got back in stock, and they are also a very good amp/dac combo FWIR, but all I would have to run them with are my current cans, mainly the Q40s and KSC 75s.

2) Yuin G1A + cheaper amp/dac: The G1As look to be very good with a nice amp. They are said to be the best clip-ons, and clips happen to be best for hiding under my hair at school. However, school just got out, and I'll probably have another 150 saved up at the end of summer. I will have to have a better amp with them; I don't quite like the muddyness of my e5, and these (FWIR yet again) need a good amp to shine. I'm guessing the amp/dac would be something along the lines of a nuforce icon mobile, but I'll have to go back to the big amp/dac comparison thread and read some more.

3) drop everything else and get some KH-K1000s: Probably not going to do this due to lack of amp and what not.

4) something else? Some combination of headphone(s) and a portable amp (or amp/dac) that totals under 275. I'd be looking to try something different from what I got now, so probably something open....ad700 maybe?

Alright I'm off to go read that heug portable amp thread again.

EDIT: yeah the icon mobile looks good. So that would be the choice for the cheaper amp/dac. Leaning for either 2 or 4 at this point, but no one has replied yet.

 

[Fungi]

I would go with option 1. The Q40 should be good enough until your next heapdhone upgrade, and a source+amp upgrade would be very nice.

 

[KONAKONA]

Bump, although the D10 is nice, I feel like I want to try out new sounds moreso than perfecting what I already have. The current plan I've come up with is,

-Nuforce icon mobile
-ATH-AD700
-SR-60(i?)

Unless there is anything heug here that is a problem that I somehow missed I'll probably go with this, or if anyone has some nice suggestions that catch my attention. I can always sell something if I don't like it and I get to hear what they sound like too.

Also, I'm starting to think that I might skip the D10 and go for a hifiman 801, if the reviews turn out good. That is a long ways off though. G1As come before it, and hopefully before the end of summer.

 

[Oggranak]

Well, without an amp, I'd be looking at Grados/Alessandros and Audio-Technicas.

Some ideas?:

AD900
ESW9
SR225

 

[KONAKONA]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oggranak /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, without an amp, I'd be looking at Grados/Alessandros and Audio-Technicas. Some ideas?: AD900 ESW9 SR225

Well I was planning on getting an amp/dac (see: nuforce icon mobile) to bring out a bit more in my Q40s as well as whatever I get. Been listening out of my computers intergraded and my U5, so methinks a DAC would be nice....

I'm mainly looking for a 'get this instead of the AD700/SR-60' at this point, if there is something to get instead.

 

[CDBacklash]

If you're interested, the compass is promo price until june.
its a little more expensive than i thought at 258 usd but apparently is very good value for money.
You could then get second hand CDs (if you're not against it) and a lower-end grado [or an Alessandro MS1 @99 usd from official (available for cheaper elsewhere probably)]... i guess
Up to you of course

 

[Oggranak]

I just got a Compass and I screwing love it. All those naysayers who thought the difference wouldn't be noticeable to untrained ears were wrong.

Portable amps... meh. Besides, even if you get a portable amp, you'll still be looking at the easy-to-drive category, IE Audio-Technica/Grado/Alessandro/Ultrasone.

After shipping and such, the Compass alone would be over your budget, unfortunately.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Skip the new music, sell a couple of unused DVDs or games, then order the HF-2.

I have no idea what it is, but you're going to love it.

 

[Oggranak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif Skip the new music, sell a couple of unused DVDs or games, then order the HF-2. I have no idea what it is, but you're going to love it.

Ugh, all this speculation about the HF-2 is making me want to jump on a pair, but I can't afford to.

 

[dcpoor]

i second the HF2 recommendation. it's a rare opportunity you should probably jump on.

 

[CDBacklash]

stay away from the FOTM.
I'm sure it'll probably be great. but oh man the FOTM is strong with this one.
not sure if i want to jump on a pair of DT880 manufakturs or the hf2
>.<

 

[KONAKONA]

Sorry guize, I woulden't spend 500$ on a headphone if I didn't have a good idea of what it's going to sound like. The HF-2 being a grado, and me not hearing a grado before, it's a no. Sorry.

I'm starting to wonder about used CDs, I'd probably be OK with it if it was box n all, as EAC can do a good rip of a properly raeped CD, but methinks I'll stick with new this time. Not much in the 'just need a wee bit more cash' category just yet.

Yes yes I know what some of you think of portable amps, and I ain't one of you just yet. The amp bit will mainly be for my Q40s, as they need just a tidbit more power for the bass to be finalized. (My fiio can pull it off with bass boost off, but it messes up the other freqs.) I'm focusing more on the DAC than the amp, which will help the easy to drive cans more than the amp will.

....darn it I've started thinking about the MS-1. Time for searching.

 

[KONAKONA]

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UAAAAAAAA darn it I've been swayed yet again! (Point for CDbacklash, and darn you!)

Getting the icon, ad700, and ms1 before I change my mind, I'm not ordering the music for a few more days so I'll find a way to get a few extra dollars.

Off to order. Oh, my wallet said a few choice words that I can't repeat here, but I have a feeling it doesn't like you guys.

 

[mbd2884]

Just get the AD900 and call it a day.

 

[CDBacklash]

what do i win?

@ mdb, whilst an ad900 is an upgrade over the 700, im not sure its a good investment just to get a flavour of the ATH sound since you will still have the coloured mids and quiet bass. nor am i particularly sure it justifies the large price difference