[Soundsgoodtome]

  If you say so.  To be fair, I used the NFB-15 and the D100 over optical as well.  And I have used the NFB both ways and heard no difference.  Obviously everyone's ears are different, YMMV, yadda yadda.

Well you have more experience than I do on the Modi. I guess the ODAC vs Modi comparison is just off as they're 'neck to neck' found here. Like the D100 and ODAC sounding very close. But onboard optical usually means you're using onboard sound as a transport, which typically are less than stellar. But yes, unless you have the actual tested units then YMMV always
 

  I was using optical out of the Sound Blaster Omni so I can use it as a DSP (virtual surround).  Maybe that's the difference?  The SB is a decent unit and blows away most onboard sound.

In that case there might be a difference in transport quality as SB usually does things better than onboard realteks etc.

 

[Stillhart]

 
Well you have more experience than I do on the Modi. I guess the ODAC vs Modi comparison is just off as they're 'neck to neck' found here. Like the D100 and ODAC sounding very close. But onboard optical usually means you're using onboard sound as a transport, which typically are less than stellar. But yes, unless you have the actual tested units then YMMV always
 

I was using optical out of the Sound Blaster Omni so I can use it as a DSP (virtual surround).  Maybe that's the difference?  The SB is a decent unit and blows away most onboard sound.

 

[money4me247]

the black AKG K551SLV is $199 on amazon
 
http://www.amazon.com/AKG-K551SLV-Closed-Back-Reference-Class-Microphone/dp/B009KOTNA0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406860183&sr=8-1&keywords=AKG%2BK551SLV
 
seems like the lowest price for it according to camelcamelcamel: http://camelcamelcamel.com/AKG-K551SLV-Closed-Back-Reference-Class-Microphone/product/B009KOTNA0

 

[NyquistRate]

  "Very good" HD 600 from an Amazon third party seller for $264:
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00004SY4H

Or $332.24 new.  Price is coming and going.  Put in cart and check back.

 

[HemiSam]

  the black AKG K551SLV is $199 on amazon
 
http://www.amazon.com/AKG-K551SLV-Closed-Back-Reference-Class-Microphone/dp/B009KOTNA0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406860183&sr=8-1&keywords=AKG%2BK551SLV
 
seems like the lowest price for it according to camelcamelcamel: http://camelcamelcamel.com/AKG-K551SLV-Closed-Back-Reference-Class-Microphone/product/B009KOTNA0

 
I have to say, I dig the look of the AKG's.  The reviews I read when shopping a while back were OK...medium+ perhaps, but I'm curious and that does seem a reasonable price for what you get.
 
Thanks for posting.
 
And a big thanks for views on DAC's that are dated but that price well...a lot of experience on this site and I find the input largely well thought out.
 
HS

 

[KG Jag]

The Audeze LCD-2 Bamboo - B-STOCK from Headroom for $825:
 
http://www.headphone.com/collections/b-stock/products/copy-of-audeze-lcd-2-bamboo-b-stock

 

[xero404]

  The Audeze LCD-2 Bamboo - B-STOCK from Headroom for $825:
 
http://www.headphone.com/collections/b-stock/products/copy-of-audeze-lcd-2-bamboo-b-stock

Razordog has one for $795 http://www.razordogaudio.com/products/audeze-lcd-2-high-performance-planar-magnetic-headphone-bamboo-leather. I woulda got this and had it in my cart until Brian made me an offer i couldn't refuse. 

 

[DVass13]

128 GB microSD cards $99.99 at Amazon right now:  http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Ultra-MicroSDXC-Memory-Adapter/dp/B00IIJ6W4S

They have hit this price before but have been sitting at around $113 for the past few weeks. Good deal if you have something like a Fiio X3/X5. Just picked up two myself for my X5.

 

[BloodyPenguin]

AKG K242HD for $89 shipped. Use coupon Code: [K242HDAKG89]

http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=K242HD&CJPID=CJ

..

 

[DVass13]

Also, Guitar Center is offering 15% off eGiftcards from now through August 3rd. If you have a Discover card, you can get 10% cash back on all online Guitar Center purchases. Furthermore, Guitar Center price matches all competitors (including Best Buy, Buysonic, and even Massdrop [I believe I can mention it in this instance since I'm not mentioning a specific deal but just the website in general.] ).
 
But wait, there's more! Guitar Center also matches 10% of the difference between their price and the competitor price. So, for example:
 
AKG Q701 on Guitar Center: $399
AKG Q701 on Amazon:        $190
 
AGK Q701 price match + 10%:    $169
 
Guitar Center eGiftcard for $170 at 15% off:    $145
 
10% cashback from Discover for buying eGiftcard through Discover website:   $14.50
 
Final price of AGK Q701:   ~$130 + tax and free shipping
 
 
It's a bit of a roundabout way to do things, but it seems to have worked in my case. 

 

[rudyae86]

Also, Guitar Center is offering 15% off eGiftcards from now through August 3rd. If you have a Discover card, you can get 10% cash back on all online Guitar Center purchases. Furthermore, Guitar Center price matches all competitors (including Best Buy, Buysonic, and even Massdrop [I believe I can mention it in this instance since I'm not mentioning a specific deal but just the website in general.] ).
Oh laawwd, there goes my next paycheck lol Buysonic probobly still has the M50x for 120 bucks i think...ao it should be a good deal if GC price matches plus 10% and buying an e gift card. Would drop to low 100 i think
But wait, there's more! Guitar Center also matches 10% of the difference between their price and the competitor price. So, for example:

AKG Q701 on Guitar Center: $399
AKG Q701 on Amazon:        $190

AGK Q701 price match + 10%:    $169

Guitar Center eGiftcard for $170 at 15% off:    $145

10% cashback from Discover for buying eGiftcard through Discover website:   $14.50

Final price of AGK Q701:   ~$130 + tax and free shipping


It's a bit of a roundabout way to do things, but it seems to have worked in my case. 

Oops, put in what i wanted to say within the quote lol

 

[DVass13]

 

 
They will do exactly that. I went with the M40x as a beater/travel pair since I preferred the M40fs over the M50.

 

[Stillhart]

  Also, Guitar Center is offering 15% off eGiftcards from now through August 3rd. If you have a Discover card, you can get 10% cash back on all online Guitar Center purchases. Furthermore, Guitar Center price matches all competitors (including Best Buy, Buysonic, and even Massdrop [I believe I can mention it in this instance since I'm not mentioning a specific deal but just the website in general.] ).
 
But wait, there's more! Guitar Center also matches 10% of the difference between their price and the competitor price. So, for example:
 
AKG Q701 on Guitar Center: $399
AKG Q701 on Amazon:        $190
 
AGK Q701 price match + 10%:    $169
 
Guitar Center eGiftcard for $170 at 15% off:    $145
 
10% cashback from Discover for buying eGiftcard through Discover website:   $14.50
 
Final price of AGK Q701:   ~$130 + tax and free shipping
 
 
It's a bit of a roundabout way to do things, but it seems to have worked in my case. 

Very very nice deal!  I think I may need to get a Discover at some point so I can get in on these Slickdeals-type deals.
 
Good thing (too bad?)  I don't need any headphones right now!
 
HD650 $499
Amazon $389
Pricematch + 10% = $378
eGiftcard 15% discount = $321.30
10% Discover:  $32.13
Final:  $289.17!

 

[thomascrown]

Factory refurbished DT1350:
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B004QMH8KI/ref=dp_olp_refurbished?ie=UTF8&condition=refurbished
 
149$ seems a pretty good deal to me

 

[Saoshyant]

...I might need to go to guitar center