bunit
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2010
- Posts
- 46
- Likes
- 10
Hi, I've been a lurker for a really long time, pretty much since I signed up but haven't posted much. As of now I have an M50 and thats pretty much it as far as head-fi sourced gear goes.
I tried using the search form, and just browsing the forums for some answers but I didn't really find anything definitive.
Priorities:
1) Music (SQ)
2) Gaming (Dolby Headphone or CMSS-3D needed for positional audio purposes)
3) Price
4) Portability doesn't really matter too much.
-I'm planning on getting Ultrasone Pro 900s, which from my reading seems to not be the hardest headphone to drive in the world, but one that still benefits from amping.
-I plan on getting a soundcard - either an Asus Xonar Essence ST/STX or cheaper solution, depending if I can get away with it sound quality wise. I've heard some good things about the Creative X-Fi Titanium HD (especially compared to previous iterations from much-maligned Creative). I'm not sure, because I haven't tried either, but I think I would prefer Dolby headphone over CMSS-3D for gaming purposes. I don't have a super strong opinion on this - my reason is just internet research, drivers, and some youtube demos of each of the technologies so any input on those would be great. Make no mistake though, music is still first. I'm not thrilled about dropping $170+ on a soundcard so if anybody has any other suggestions for decent quality besides the Essence ST/STX, I'm all ears.
-I plan on getting an amp - either the much anticipated FiiO E11 or a standalone full-sized amp below $100 (need suggestions on this too, I've been researching but haven't found much). Do I even need an external amp though, if I get the Essence? (External amp would need to be under $100). I've heard that standalone desktop full-size amps are usually better than their portable counterparts - and that makes sense to me, but I really don't know much about the subject. I know the Essence has a headphone amp built in...is it good comparable to headphone amps <$100 or would buying a separate amp in that price category be a worthwhile venture?
-With a card like the Essence, do I even need an external DAC? I mean, if I'm only going to spend 50-100$ on an external DAC will it be any better than the sound card? I'm leaning heavily against buying an external DAC if I already have the Essence, but if I opt for a cheaper soundcard (Way cheaper) then I'd be open to potential AMP/DAC combinations <$200.
Basically, I'm mostly wondering whether or not it's even worth it to purchase an external amp and/or DAC (with a budget of $100-$150 for both) if I'm going to have a Xonar Essence ST/STX? Should I be taking this another direction, and looking at solutions like a Mixamp for my Dolby Headphone needs? I'm a little lost and not sure what to do, so any help is greatly appreciated. I've figured out the cans, I've figured out the sound card (somewhat...), have an idea for the amp/dac but don't really have a clue whether or not there is any real point in getting them if I"m going to be very budget constrained.
If this is confusing, sorry, so I"ll try and summarize. Basically, two options:
A)
-Ultrasone Pro 900s
-Xonar Essence ST/STX
-Is an amp even necessary? If so, E11 or budget desktop amp <$100
Cost: 170 + 60 (E11 supposed price point) = 230 or if more expensive desktop amp = $270
B)
-Ultrasone Pro 900s
-Much cheaper soundcard - either a cheap Xonar or X-Fi purely for Dolby Headphone processing/CMSS-3D stuff
-External Amp - E11 or budget desktop amp <$100
-DAC as a part of DAC/Amp combo <$200 or external DAC < $100
Cost: ~roughly $240 depending on which sound card I get
I'm mostly confused about the budget AMP + Essence situation, with a bunch of side questions sprinkled all over the place.
Thanks for any help
I tried using the search form, and just browsing the forums for some answers but I didn't really find anything definitive.
Priorities:
1) Music (SQ)
2) Gaming (Dolby Headphone or CMSS-3D needed for positional audio purposes)
3) Price
4) Portability doesn't really matter too much.
-I'm planning on getting Ultrasone Pro 900s, which from my reading seems to not be the hardest headphone to drive in the world, but one that still benefits from amping.
-I plan on getting a soundcard - either an Asus Xonar Essence ST/STX or cheaper solution, depending if I can get away with it sound quality wise. I've heard some good things about the Creative X-Fi Titanium HD (especially compared to previous iterations from much-maligned Creative). I'm not sure, because I haven't tried either, but I think I would prefer Dolby headphone over CMSS-3D for gaming purposes. I don't have a super strong opinion on this - my reason is just internet research, drivers, and some youtube demos of each of the technologies so any input on those would be great. Make no mistake though, music is still first. I'm not thrilled about dropping $170+ on a soundcard so if anybody has any other suggestions for decent quality besides the Essence ST/STX, I'm all ears.
-I plan on getting an amp - either the much anticipated FiiO E11 or a standalone full-sized amp below $100 (need suggestions on this too, I've been researching but haven't found much). Do I even need an external amp though, if I get the Essence? (External amp would need to be under $100). I've heard that standalone desktop full-size amps are usually better than their portable counterparts - and that makes sense to me, but I really don't know much about the subject. I know the Essence has a headphone amp built in...is it good comparable to headphone amps <$100 or would buying a separate amp in that price category be a worthwhile venture?
-With a card like the Essence, do I even need an external DAC? I mean, if I'm only going to spend 50-100$ on an external DAC will it be any better than the sound card? I'm leaning heavily against buying an external DAC if I already have the Essence, but if I opt for a cheaper soundcard (Way cheaper) then I'd be open to potential AMP/DAC combinations <$200.
Basically, I'm mostly wondering whether or not it's even worth it to purchase an external amp and/or DAC (with a budget of $100-$150 for both) if I'm going to have a Xonar Essence ST/STX? Should I be taking this another direction, and looking at solutions like a Mixamp for my Dolby Headphone needs? I'm a little lost and not sure what to do, so any help is greatly appreciated. I've figured out the cans, I've figured out the sound card (somewhat...), have an idea for the amp/dac but don't really have a clue whether or not there is any real point in getting them if I"m going to be very budget constrained.
If this is confusing, sorry, so I"ll try and summarize. Basically, two options:
A)
-Ultrasone Pro 900s
-Xonar Essence ST/STX
-Is an amp even necessary? If so, E11 or budget desktop amp <$100
Cost: 170 + 60 (E11 supposed price point) = 230 or if more expensive desktop amp = $270
B)
-Ultrasone Pro 900s
-Much cheaper soundcard - either a cheap Xonar or X-Fi purely for Dolby Headphone processing/CMSS-3D stuff
-External Amp - E11 or budget desktop amp <$100
-DAC as a part of DAC/Amp combo <$200 or external DAC < $100
Cost: ~roughly $240 depending on which sound card I get
I'm mostly confused about the budget AMP + Essence situation, with a bunch of side questions sprinkled all over the place.
Thanks for any help