Wizard77
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2002
- Posts
- 14
- Likes
- 0
I recently won US$3,000 in a contest and need some serious help shopping. I finally have the money to get good equipment and want to do it right. Unfortunately, I'm a clueless Newbie. I've read thousands of posts here to educate myself. But, I still have questions. Please help me. I hope I'm posting on the right forum. I have Amp and Source questions, but also headphone issues.
Here's my situation...
I like all music, but listen to classical (instrumental only) 90% of the time and want the systems optimized for that. I'm putting together two systems (one for work, one for home). I listen to each system about 20 hours per week. But, I want the home system to be much better. I want the work system to be good, but I use it primarily to keep me from getting distracted from all the noise around me. The only component I have is the work source (Sony D-EJ756CK). I'd like to keep that and add an amp, cable and headphone (absolutely need closed cans). Portability is not important. For home, I need: source + interconnects +amp +cable +headphone (different from work cans). I'm not getting a tuner, turntable, equalizer or speakers at this time. Buying one system and porting it from work to home is not an option (see disability issue below). And, I'm not interested in buying used equipment. Obviously, I would like all the pieces to be well matched. I understand that a system is only as good as it's weakest link.
I have one special issue. I am disabled. It is difficult for me to get around and do things. For example, I'm only 90 minutes from Philadelphia, but couldn't get to the Headroom (HR) show. Demo'ing equipment is almost impossible for me. So, I have to totally trust your opinions and buy through the mail. Even returning an item via the Post Office would be difficult, so I'd like to get this right the first time. My disability doesn't affect my ability to listen to music. I have ears and hands!! However, with apologies to the tube people, tinkering with equipment in any way is not desired.
Here's what I've come up with so far, my reasoning, and the price. Please give me your opinion about my choices, especially as to how well the components meet my needs and mesh with the other pieces of the system.
Work amp: HR Little ($260). As you'll see below, I've designed the systems so that I could order everything from HR (except the home source). Their 30 day return policy is nice because I can't demo the equipment. Also, if I have a problem with a component, I can deal with fewer suppliers (helpful due to my disability). Also, I like that the Little works off of A/C rather than batteries like the Corda.
Work cans: Beyer DT831 ($220). I need closed cans. Your posts indicate that these cans are more easily driven than the Senn HD 600. So, I thought these would be good for my cheaper system and driven fairly well with a budget amp. My second choice is ATH W100 (also closed). I think I would like the more distant sound stage of the Beyers. Plus, being brighter, I felt they'd be super for classical. I know many like the W100 better.
Work cable: None ($0). I haven't read much about a cable improving the 831 (like it does the HD 600).
After you see my home components, you'll think that MacDEF has a mini-me!
Home source: Sony SCD-C555ES ($800). I'm really confused here. I have a pretty good feel for the CD/SACD issue now, but I still don't know which way to go here. I don't own any SACD's now. But, because I want my system to last and can't tinker with it much, I thought the 555 would cover my bases. Right now, redbook playback quality is paramount, but I felt I should prepare myself for the future. I may have an extra $1,000 in two years, so would it make sense to get a great redbook player now and a SACD player in two years when, perhaps, the SACD format is better established? Also, I don't understand issues such as 5.1 channel/2 channel or analog/digital. Help!
Home interconnects: DiMarzio ($80)? These seem to be the only ones HR offers.
Home amp: HR Maxed Out Home ($1000). I definitely feel SS is better than tube for me. My confusion here revolves around matching source/amp/cans. Would I be better off with less amp (HR Home -- $700) and more source (??? -- approx $1,100), or more amp (HR MOH Ref Module -- $1,150) and less source (??? -- approx $650)? What's the best match? I'm not sure about the MOH upgrade path either. Also, I don't feel comfortable with all the HR choices (dual input vs. loop out option). I know that all these questions depend upon my choice of cans, so see below.
Home cable: Cardas for Senn HD 600 ($150). I've heard so many great things about them on various threads.
Home cans: Sennheiser HD 600 ($300). Makes the MacDEF mini-me complete! Seriously, I picked these for many reasons. They should be a bit more relaxed than the Beyers. At home I want to kick back more. Open cans are OK for home. Having chosen closed cans for work, I think I'd like to get an open pair here to begin to educate my ears to the differences. Also, I have very slight damage to my midrange hearing in my left ear. I felt the HD 600s (supposedly good with the midrange) would be better for me. I prefer cans that fit entirely around the ear instead of on or in them. Comfort is important due to my long listening times (6 hours at a stretch). All around, the HD 600s seem to be superb cans that will serve me well over the long term. My second choice is the AKG 501s. Many posters think the 501 has a wider sound stage than the HD 600s and are good for classical. Because they are more easily driven, they may enable me to get by with less amp and afford a better source. I'm not sure how to decide between the tradeoff's of the two cans.
The total comes to $2,810. With tax/shipping we should be close to $3,000.
I realize this is alot of questions/issues. But, I have no where else to go. I know that each of you has your own personal preference about components. But, I'd like to know what you would do about all these issues if you were me, with my unique limitations? It'd be great if you could give me your own choices for each of the systems and why. Finally, is there anything I'm missing? Do I need any special adapters or anything else to get the system to work?
Let me thank each of you in advance for your help. I was drawn to this community due to the incredible help you give to total strangers. It is clear that you have an incredible passion for this hobby. I look forward to joining you! After hearing your opinions and talking with Todd at HR, I will post my final choices. Then, I'll let you know how it's all working out once I'm set up. Once again, thanks!
Here's my situation...
I like all music, but listen to classical (instrumental only) 90% of the time and want the systems optimized for that. I'm putting together two systems (one for work, one for home). I listen to each system about 20 hours per week. But, I want the home system to be much better. I want the work system to be good, but I use it primarily to keep me from getting distracted from all the noise around me. The only component I have is the work source (Sony D-EJ756CK). I'd like to keep that and add an amp, cable and headphone (absolutely need closed cans). Portability is not important. For home, I need: source + interconnects +amp +cable +headphone (different from work cans). I'm not getting a tuner, turntable, equalizer or speakers at this time. Buying one system and porting it from work to home is not an option (see disability issue below). And, I'm not interested in buying used equipment. Obviously, I would like all the pieces to be well matched. I understand that a system is only as good as it's weakest link.
I have one special issue. I am disabled. It is difficult for me to get around and do things. For example, I'm only 90 minutes from Philadelphia, but couldn't get to the Headroom (HR) show. Demo'ing equipment is almost impossible for me. So, I have to totally trust your opinions and buy through the mail. Even returning an item via the Post Office would be difficult, so I'd like to get this right the first time. My disability doesn't affect my ability to listen to music. I have ears and hands!! However, with apologies to the tube people, tinkering with equipment in any way is not desired.
Here's what I've come up with so far, my reasoning, and the price. Please give me your opinion about my choices, especially as to how well the components meet my needs and mesh with the other pieces of the system.
Work amp: HR Little ($260). As you'll see below, I've designed the systems so that I could order everything from HR (except the home source). Their 30 day return policy is nice because I can't demo the equipment. Also, if I have a problem with a component, I can deal with fewer suppliers (helpful due to my disability). Also, I like that the Little works off of A/C rather than batteries like the Corda.
Work cans: Beyer DT831 ($220). I need closed cans. Your posts indicate that these cans are more easily driven than the Senn HD 600. So, I thought these would be good for my cheaper system and driven fairly well with a budget amp. My second choice is ATH W100 (also closed). I think I would like the more distant sound stage of the Beyers. Plus, being brighter, I felt they'd be super for classical. I know many like the W100 better.
Work cable: None ($0). I haven't read much about a cable improving the 831 (like it does the HD 600).
After you see my home components, you'll think that MacDEF has a mini-me!
Home source: Sony SCD-C555ES ($800). I'm really confused here. I have a pretty good feel for the CD/SACD issue now, but I still don't know which way to go here. I don't own any SACD's now. But, because I want my system to last and can't tinker with it much, I thought the 555 would cover my bases. Right now, redbook playback quality is paramount, but I felt I should prepare myself for the future. I may have an extra $1,000 in two years, so would it make sense to get a great redbook player now and a SACD player in two years when, perhaps, the SACD format is better established? Also, I don't understand issues such as 5.1 channel/2 channel or analog/digital. Help!
Home interconnects: DiMarzio ($80)? These seem to be the only ones HR offers.
Home amp: HR Maxed Out Home ($1000). I definitely feel SS is better than tube for me. My confusion here revolves around matching source/amp/cans. Would I be better off with less amp (HR Home -- $700) and more source (??? -- approx $1,100), or more amp (HR MOH Ref Module -- $1,150) and less source (??? -- approx $650)? What's the best match? I'm not sure about the MOH upgrade path either. Also, I don't feel comfortable with all the HR choices (dual input vs. loop out option). I know that all these questions depend upon my choice of cans, so see below.
Home cable: Cardas for Senn HD 600 ($150). I've heard so many great things about them on various threads.
Home cans: Sennheiser HD 600 ($300). Makes the MacDEF mini-me complete! Seriously, I picked these for many reasons. They should be a bit more relaxed than the Beyers. At home I want to kick back more. Open cans are OK for home. Having chosen closed cans for work, I think I'd like to get an open pair here to begin to educate my ears to the differences. Also, I have very slight damage to my midrange hearing in my left ear. I felt the HD 600s (supposedly good with the midrange) would be better for me. I prefer cans that fit entirely around the ear instead of on or in them. Comfort is important due to my long listening times (6 hours at a stretch). All around, the HD 600s seem to be superb cans that will serve me well over the long term. My second choice is the AKG 501s. Many posters think the 501 has a wider sound stage than the HD 600s and are good for classical. Because they are more easily driven, they may enable me to get by with less amp and afford a better source. I'm not sure how to decide between the tradeoff's of the two cans.
The total comes to $2,810. With tax/shipping we should be close to $3,000.
I realize this is alot of questions/issues. But, I have no where else to go. I know that each of you has your own personal preference about components. But, I'd like to know what you would do about all these issues if you were me, with my unique limitations? It'd be great if you could give me your own choices for each of the systems and why. Finally, is there anything I'm missing? Do I need any special adapters or anything else to get the system to work?
Let me thank each of you in advance for your help. I was drawn to this community due to the incredible help you give to total strangers. It is clear that you have an incredible passion for this hobby. I look forward to joining you! After hearing your opinions and talking with Todd at HR, I will post my final choices. Then, I'll let you know how it's all working out once I'm set up. Once again, thanks!
