[recephasan]

Hi all,
I've been contemplating new ways of spending money and an ingenious solution popped in: I decided to upgrade my headphone system!
After giving myself the Nobel Prize for this discovery, I hereby turn to my fellow can users and pose the following question:

I have:
Sony DVP-NS500V
Art DI/O with Stancor P/S
Outlaw PCA interconnects
Radio Shack Digital coax. cable
Grado RA-1
Grado RS-1, RS-2, SR-125

What do you guys think I could (or should) upgrade in this system? I think it's worth mentioning that even though the extra cash in my wallet itches, it is bad for me to spend lots of money (or so I read) as I am not a millionnaire yet (working on it ... buying lottery tickets).

Somebody please help me spend my money!

 

[bifcake]

I would upgrade the DAC.

 

[darkclouds]

Or try to get the DI/O modded.

 

[Kubernetes]

I would upgrade your amp. Your transport and DAC seem fine to me, although those would be your next upgrades after a new amp.

 

[Andrew Pielet]

How about a headphone other than grado? And a new amp to boot.

 

[radrd]

You could get either (or both) the DI/O or the NS500V modded.

Though I have no idea what effect the mods for the NS500V would have on the sound since you are using it as a transport.

 

[chillysalsa]

I would also upgrade the DAC...
Try to audition:

Musical Fidelity A324
BelCanto DAC 2
Audio Note DAC 1.1

 

[recephasan]

Hmmm, getting a new DAC is tempting but I think I'll wait and see who else comes up with upsampling DACs - I have a feeling they will start popping up after 1-2 years when the components get cheaper and people start buying them. Maybe there will be CDPs with upsampling DACs built in.

About the DIO mods, I understand it gives better sound but really how much better (I need an exact number down to the third digit after the decimal point, dammit! )

I have (today) put in an order for the HD600s (B stock at Headroom), so I think I'm set there.

Also, upgrading the amp is fine but which amp (the etherial question)? No, I cannot afford the Holmes-Powell or even the Zeus. The micro-ZOTL looked tempting last year but I read the bass is not too rich.

Thank you all. Keep it coming!