[AndrewHVS]

This might sound completely insane to an experienced user, but I am just a newbie throwing around ideas. I have an old stereo laying around (Stereo model: http://www.qvc.com/Philips-Magnavox-Compact-Stereo-System--w3-CDChanger.product.E73756.html), and was curious if that would make a decent (or at least better than nothing) desktop amp.

Right now all I am doing for sound is hooking up my headphones my desktop's on-board motherboard jack. I currently have Sennheiser HDR 120 wireless headphones, but strongly thinking getting the HD558 (am open to suggestions on that, too, if you guys have a better idea on what kind of headphones I should get). I prefer closed headphones (even though the HD558's are open), and mostly listen to heavy instrumental music, for example, band wise, Blue Stahli is played a lot for me.

I am a complete newbie at headphones and amps in general, with a relatively low budget (around $200). If you need any more information please feel free to ask.


Thanks in advance,


Andrew

 

[proton007]

What I would suggest is, get a USB DAC. That will give you a clean output from the desktop. Then use your stereo's aux-in to amplify.
 
However, your budget is a bit limited, so I think your budget priority should be headphone > dac.
For 200 bucks, I'd say go for a good headphone, you can get the DAC later if you want.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

This might sound completely insane to an experienced user, but I am just a newbie throwing around ideas. I have an old stereo laying around (Stereo model: http://www.qvc.com/Philips-Magnavox-Compact-Stereo-System--w3-CDChanger.product.E73756.html), and was curious if that would make a decent (or at least better than nothing) desktop amp.
Right now all I am doing for sound is hooking up my headphones my desktop's on-board motherboard jack. I currently have Sennheiser HDR 120 wireless headphones, but strongly thinking getting the HD558 (am open to suggestions on that, too, if you guys have a better idea on what kind of headphones I should get). I prefer closed headphones (even though the HD558's are open), and mostly listen to heavy instrumental music, for example, band wise, Blue Stahli is played a lot for me.
I am a complete newbie at headphones and amps in general, with a relatively low budget (around $200). If you need any more information please feel free to ask.
Thanks in advance,
Andrew

Just get the Asus Xonar DG sound card, $26, PCI.
Plug the HD558's straight into the Xonar DG.
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Channel-Sound-Card-XONAR_DG/dp/B0045JHJSS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353031067&sr=8-1&keywords=Xonar+DG
 
Sennheiser HD558, used $138
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-558-Headphones/dp/B004FEEY9A/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1353031301&sr=1-1&keywords=HD558

 

[proton007]

Quote:

Just get the Asus Xonar DG sound card, $26, PCI.
Plug the HD558's straight into the Xonar DG.
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Channel-Sound-Card-XONAR_DG/dp/B0045JHJSS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353031067&sr=8-1&keywords=Xonar+DG
 
Sennheiser HD558, used $138
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-558-Headphones/dp/B004FEEY9A/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1353031301&sr=1-1&keywords=HD558

This is also a good idea.