[jiesteve]

Hi,

I'm in the market for a new system upgrade. What's the best I can get system (source+amp+headphone) combo I can get for ~1K USD?

Right now I have Beyer DT250-80's and a META42 portable amp. I'm looking for closed headphones (I work in a cubicle, don't want officemates to hear what I'm listening) and a plug-in amp. As for the source, I'm thinking about getting a SACD source.

Thanks in advance!

 

[commando]

You could try what i'm going for - CD3000 with PPA and AOS DAC daughterboard. Price would be in the $1000 regions (I don't have all the prices on hand so I can't add it up). The CD3Ks are fine for an office, they're more open than closed but they work ok for me. This would be a nice upgrade for you. Figure $375 for the CD3Ks, $660 for the PPA, $20 for the cable = $1055. With a Piccolo instead of the PPA DAC figure $975, and it'd be more flexible (it costs $250).

For more isolation you could go for A900 ($200) + Pimeta/PPA ($200/$350). A usb source or something like a piccalo might work well. I don't know if the A900 would be much of an upgrade though.

The other reasonable closed cans are the AKG271 ($150), but again, not really a step up from the Beyers, they're more a side step.

Edit - added prices

 

[rajs]

Commando -- Where are you buying your CD3000's from .. Cheapest I found was ~ 392 for them. Any pointers would be appreciated.

 

[gsferrari]

Source : Sony DVP-NC555ES
AMP : DIY PPA / Singlepower PPX3
Cans : Sennheiser HD650 / Grado SR 225 or both

 

[Abula]

You can get them the CD3000 at etronics.com, they are out of stock, but that was the place that I bought them from.

 

[raif]

if you don't mind going computer audio, I would suggest buying an m-audio transit and jpelg's benchmark dac1.

No sacd, but top quality redbook + ease of computer storage(or just play cds from the drive) for ~800.

Unless you buy the cd3k, any other closed phones would be more of a lateral transfer than a true upgrade. Also, I wouldn't even consider the cd3k a closed phone in terms of isolation. They don't leak as much sound as an open designed phone, but I could hear background office noises(eg talking, typing, other sharp sounds) just as much as with my senn hd650.

Personally, I would take the 650s over cd3k for extended listening sessions any day of the week. The treble energy would really get to me after an hour or so, even with a ppa/627 combo.

 

[commando]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajs Commando -- Where are you buying your CD3000's from .. Cheapest I found was ~ 392 for them. Any pointers would be appreciated.

You can find low prices by using http://froogle.google.com

Like someone else pointed out and I probably said above, it doesn't have much isolation, it's probably more an open phone than closed.

 

[marios_mar]

For me the best way is this:

Get a SACD/CD digital source such as Sony XB-7x0QS (I own it and it is a an audiophile level player with great detail) and acquire a used SR303 Stax electrostatic combo.

This way you'll go almost to the end of the line and stop worrying so much if future headphone upgrades will vastly improve your system.

 

[asdfeproiu9]

I second raif's suggestion of a computer-based office system; my secondary system may not sound as good as my CD-based one, but the ease of use makes me listen to my computer more.

[shameless plug]

Coincidentally, I have a HD650 for sale and unless you listen to music at loud volumes, sound leakage should not be a problem.

[/shameless plug]

 

[marios_mar]

oops sorry i dint see the closed thing part!