[Kcharng]

Assuming mid fi level equipments where your dollars will achieve maximum value. If you have $2,000 dollars to spend, what percentage would you spend on

1.Power (conditioner, filter)
2.Interconnects (USB, headphone, Rca cables)
3.Source
4.Dac
5.Amp
6.Headphone


Sent from my SM-N920C using Tapatalk

 

[theveterans]

Power = 2.5%, standard surge protector
Cables = 3%, mono price cables
Source = 0%, i.e. Your existing laptop
DAC = 14%% , mimby
Amp = 25% Jotunheim
The rest for headphones.

 

[Maelob]

It is never 2k LOL - don't forget to add additional 500 six month later for an upgrade then selling 1k in equipment to get a 2k piece and then trading another piece for another and it will never end.  Welcome to the hobby..... 

 

[watchnerd]

  Any comparison Jot+DAC with the Grace Design m9XX? We are talking of the same price.
 
More Power and balanced outputs Vs a better DAC?

 
As an amp, the Jotunheim just crushes the m9XX in terms of output power and balanced connections.
 
Is that overkill for your needs? Maybe.
 
As a DAC, though, the m9xx offers more input choices.
 
However, as far as I can tell the m9XX isn't a balanced DAC, FWIW.

 

[BarDash]

Other optional accessories: headphone stand and new larger desk to hold all the stuff accumulated with this hobby! (Speaking from experience of course)

 

[Zachik]

   
here is the link from Schiit website. 
http://schiit.com/public/upload/drivers/Schiit_USB_1_03.zip
 
This version should work fine. 

 
Worked!!  

 
Thank you all, for pointing me to the alternate driver (that I missed despite reading the driver page 3 times...)

 

[Dephezz]

Assuming mid fi level equipments where your dollars will achieve maximum value. If you have $2,000 dollars to spend, what percentage would you spend on

1.Power (conditioner, filter)
2.Interconnects (USB, headphone, Rca cables)
3.Source
4.Dac
5.Amp
6.Headphone


Sent from my SM-N920C using Tapatalk

1. 40$. Standard surge protector
2. 40$-AQ Forest USB. 60$-Good XLR cables from DAC to Jodie. 
3. 200$. Uptone regen to clear schitty laptop/pc usb.
4. 700-900$ Used good R2R/Multibit DAC.
5. 400$. Jodie
6. 500$. A-T MSR7/a990z/1000x/z or Beyer DT880/DT1770/DT1990, or Sennh 600/650 or add cash and go for Elear.

 

[SearchOfSub]

Standard powercord for PC
AQ usb cable - AQ XLR cable
AQ Jitterbug
Jotneheim w/ balanced dac built in/ Used AQ powercord for Jotneheim
AQ Nightowl Carbons.

 

[Allanmarcus]

I would echo using Monoprice for cables. Most people cannot hear any difference between a $1000 cable and a $10 cable, so why waste money on $100 for cables. 
 
I would not get a Regen or a Wyrd unless you have specific issues with your DAC (note, I have both). Even then, get a used Regen for ~$100 or a used Wyrd for less -- but only if you have issues.
 
For a DAC, any decent $250/300 DAC will be great. A used Bifrost. A new or used Mimby. Even a Modi is great. The Peachtree DAC-ITx is also very good, especially used for $200 or less. A CEntrace DACmini CX for $300 is also excellent. As are a dozen other DACs in this price range. The iDSD Micro or CEntrace DACMini CX might be a great starter system, and then get a better amp after you try it and really A/B test to see if you are getting value from a separate amp.
 
The Jodie is an excellent amp, but the iCan SE is as well, and has bass boost and 3D (both analog, not DSP). If you also want an integrated speaker amp, you must look elsewhere. Still, there are many amps in the <$500 price, but the Jodie represents and excellent value.
 
The headphones will represent your highest price single item, and will affect your decisions on all the other equipment (for the most part). Bottom line, if you are like most of the fools here (as am I , you will always want something better/different. Make sure to try as many brands and headphones as you can. Go to meets and shows and stores. The difference between a $500 headphone and $1000 headphone is significant. The same price difference between DACs and amp will be very small for vast majority of people. The price difference in interconnect and headphone cables vs the value is insignificant. Cable upgrades are for people that have money during holes in their pockets are are looking for that last 1% better sound, even if they cannot tell the difference in an A/B test Mostly they hear a difference and call it "better" because the cable costs more.

 

[MWSVette]

Assuming mid fi level equipments where your dollars will achieve maximum value. If you have $2,000 dollars to spend, what percentage would you spend on

1.Power (conditioner, filter)
2.Interconnects (USB, headphone, Rca cables)
3.Source
4.Dac
5.Amp
6.Headphone


Sent from my SM-N920C using Tapatalk

 
OK I'll give it a go...
 
1)   $20.00 surge protector,  $100.00 Schiit Wyrd.
2)   $20.00 - $40.00 Schiit Pyst as required for your set up.
3)   $0.00  Use an old PC or laptop.
4)   $250.00 Schiit Modi Multibit
5)   $400.00 Schitt Jotunheim
6)   That leaves $1150.00 for one or two sets of complimentary headphones...

 

[xuan87]

I would....
 
1)   $20.00 surge protector
2)   DIY cables, say... $20 for all materials
3)   Current desktop with optical out to...
4)   $250.00 Schiit Modi Multibit
5)   $400.00 Schitt Jotunheim
6)   $1,310 for headphones. I may be able to get a pair of MrSpeakers Ether at this price during Black Friday.
 
This would have been perfect, since I have 1 to 5 right now (in fact, listening to this very setup as I'm typing this) and 6 is my ideal and best-sounding headphones I've heard thus far, even including the Ether Flow. 
 
Unfortunately I don't have $1,310 lying around (well, actually I do, but I've saving up for my own place) that I can splurge on an Ether, so I'm happily listening to the THX00 and R70X with the Jodie.

 

[Alchemist007]

1.Power $135 (whole computer system UPS)
2.Interconnects $100
3.Source ?
4.Dac $ 100 jot
5.Amp $ 400 jot
6.Headphone $1100 used LCD3

 

[bosiemoncrieff]

If I only had $2k I'd get n90q and 18 months of tidal

 

[GearMe]

$20 for cables
$350 for Valhalla 2..."Go ahead. Use it with Grados. Run it with AKGs."
$250 for Modi MB
$999 for HD800 (yes...someone called these mid-fi in a thread recently; hard to argue when the cost is compared to the rash of $4000 cans lately)
$150 for DT990
$150 for Q701
$80 for SR60

 

[bavinck]

$20 for cables
$350 for Valhalla 2..."Go ahead. Use it with Grados. Run it with AKGs."
$250 for Modi MB
$999 for HD800 (yes...someone called these mid-fi in a thread recently; hard to argue when the cost is compared to the rash of $4000 cans lately)
$150 for DT990
$150 for Q701
$80 for SR60

If you have super bright tastes, sure.