oktapod
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2009
- Posts
- 89
- Likes
- 5
Hi folks - quick question:
How should one apportion their headphone system budget?
Without putting figures on it, would (say) a 50:50 split between headamp and headphone produce a better result than (say) a 20:80 split.
For example, £500 headamp and something like a pair of HD650s as compared to a £250 headamp and Sennheiser HD800s?
My instinct tells me that no matter the quality of the headphone, if the amp isn't driving the headphone well then that quality is being lost. So, the £250 headamp might well be masking the capability of the expensive headphone, whereas the £500 headamp would be more than capable of handling the less expensive headphone.
What I don't want to do, really, is to get into a mind-set of upgrading. I would like to buy once and live with my decision for a number of years. I've had so many changes and inevitably 'upgraditis' spoils ones enjoyment of listening to music. So, I want to do it properly from the outset, but within a particular budget (in my case approximately £1000, though I could feasibly stretch to the HD800+£250 headamp level IF I buy the headamp first and wait a while for the HD800s).
In the meantime, I have a pair of solid but unspectacular AKG K171 Studio headphones, which are good for the money but whose suitability for critical listening is untested (I've been using them with the iMac, connected to a PreSonus Firebox 24/96 audio interface). So, I could feasibly live with them driven by a headamp whilst I save for better headphones.
Anyway, I've waffled on enough. Any input is much appreciated!
Thanks,
John
How should one apportion their headphone system budget?
Without putting figures on it, would (say) a 50:50 split between headamp and headphone produce a better result than (say) a 20:80 split.
For example, £500 headamp and something like a pair of HD650s as compared to a £250 headamp and Sennheiser HD800s?
My instinct tells me that no matter the quality of the headphone, if the amp isn't driving the headphone well then that quality is being lost. So, the £250 headamp might well be masking the capability of the expensive headphone, whereas the £500 headamp would be more than capable of handling the less expensive headphone.
What I don't want to do, really, is to get into a mind-set of upgrading. I would like to buy once and live with my decision for a number of years. I've had so many changes and inevitably 'upgraditis' spoils ones enjoyment of listening to music. So, I want to do it properly from the outset, but within a particular budget (in my case approximately £1000, though I could feasibly stretch to the HD800+£250 headamp level IF I buy the headamp first and wait a while for the HD800s).
In the meantime, I have a pair of solid but unspectacular AKG K171 Studio headphones, which are good for the money but whose suitability for critical listening is untested (I've been using them with the iMac, connected to a PreSonus Firebox 24/96 audio interface). So, I could feasibly live with them driven by a headamp whilst I save for better headphones.
Anyway, I've waffled on enough. Any input is much appreciated!
Thanks,
John