[chillaxing]

even though your streaming, you still want to get the cleanest signal and output.  So a decent dac will benefit you.  
 
If this is strictly desktop.  you can go with a schiit  Modi uber and Magni uber.  it run you around $150-200 used for the set.  

 

[bassplz]

What's the consensus on the Fiio e10k?

Also, do most people here listen to FLAC or other lossless formats?

 

[chillaxing]

What's the consensus on the Fiio e10k?

Also, do most people here listen to FLAC or other lossless formats?

 
 
if your gonna go with that, go with a e18.  The e18 has its own battery so it won't draw from your phone or laptop when your on the go.
 
 
I stream and use flac

 

[bassplz]

I want an amp (+/- DAC) that will maximize the bass (so I'm assuming a bass boost function is good for that but I'm not sure) for under $150.

Not sure if amp bass boost is simply a built in equalizer. Or if it's separate.

 

[bassplz]

After some research, I have it narrowed to the e17k and the e12.

I will be listening mostly from a MacBook Pro streaming Spotify at 320kbps.

From what I understand, e12 amp > e17 amp but without the DAC

- would a DAC be beneficial on a MacBook Pro with the sz1000?
- what would be the difference in the bass quality/quantity between the e12 and e17k?

Thanks for the help, much appreciated.

 

[chillaxing]

After some research, I have it narrowed to the e17k and the e12.

I will be listening mostly from a MacBook Pro streaming Spotify at 320kbps.

From what I understand, e12 amp > e17 amp but without the DAC

- would a DAC be beneficial on a MacBook Pro with the sz1000?
- what would be the difference in the bass quality/quantity between the e12 and e17k?

Thanks for the help, much appreciated.

 
 
The e12 has more power than the e17k.
 
If you like the sound quality of the macbook pro then get the e12.  The e12 is just gonna just amplify the signal that's been converted from your laptops internal dac.
 
if your unsatisfied with the sound quality coming from the laptop then get the e17k.
 
quantity, your gonna get more from the e12
 
quality, it can be argued.  Technically your gonna get better bass from more power cuz your not maxing out the amp to get to the desired db that you want.
 
If you gonna get a amp only.  I suggest the cayin c5.  It has a much better bass boost.

 

[bassplz]

The e12 has more power than the e17k.

If you like the sound quality of the macbook pro then get the e12.  The e12 is just gonna just amplify the signal that's been converted from your laptops internal dac.

if your unsatisfied with the sound quality coming from the laptop then get the e17k.

quantity, your gonna get more from the e12

quality, it can be argued.  Technically your gonna get better bass from more power cuz your not maxing out the amp to get to the desired db that you want.

If you gonna get a amp only.  I suggest the cayin c5.  It has a much better bass boost.

Thanks for the reply. I'm satisfied with the sound quality of the MacBook but I'm completely new to this type of stuff so I'm not sure what even higher quality sound would be like.

As far as the c5, I'm looking to spend around $100 for the amp+/-DAC. I don't find it sensible to spend more on the amp than the headphones, at least not at this stage.

Am I wrong in assuming that the e12 is the most powerful/bass boosting amp in the $100 range?

 

[chillaxing]

Thanks for the reply. I'm satisfied with the sound quality of the MacBook but I'm completely new to this type of stuff so I'm not sure what even higher quality sound would be like.

As far as the c5, I'm looking to spend around $100 for the amp+/-DAC. I don't find it sensible to spend more on the amp than the headphones, at least not at this stage.

Am I wrong in assuming that the e12 is the most powerful/bass boosting amp in the $100 range?

 
 
Go for it, its a good amp

 

[bassplz]

Go for it, its a good amp

Any thoughts on the brainwavz angled memory foam pads or the hybrid ones? I don't wanna buy the 55x headphones just for the pads

 

[chillaxing]

Any thoughts on the brainwavz angled memory foam pads or the hybrid ones? I don't wanna buy the 55x headphones just for the pads

 
 
if impact is what your after, then hunt down a pair of 55x.
 
I don't know about the pleather hm5 but I lost all impact when i put on the velor hm5

 

[Hawaiibadboy]

Any thoughts on the brainwavz angled memory foam pads or the hybrid ones? I don't wanna buy the 55x headphones just for the pads

The headphones can be had for about $20 on ebay and is about the price of aftermarket pads. Some sellers sell just the pads so maybe a check of ebay would yield some results?

 

[Kingston12]

I have found my way here from the basshead IEM thread. I have a set of Sony XB90s that were recommended there and they have now become my main IEMs.
 
I am looking to get equivalent basshead over-ears and the SZ2000s seem like the ones to get.
 
My question is about amps. I have an Oppo HA-2 that I run with all of my headphones and IEMs, including the XB90s.
 
Will this work ok with the SZ2000, or will I get much better bass by buying something like a Cayin C5? I'll keep the HA-2 anyway as it pairs well with some of my other phones.
 
Thanks for any advice on this!

 

[bassplz]

The headphones can be had for about $20 on ebay and is about the price of aftermarket pads. Some sellers sell just the pads so maybe a check of ebay would yield some results?

Thanks I'll check eBay out. So sz1000 with 55x pads, Fiio e12, and some EQ changes is a good setup? DAC seems unnecessary but I don't know much.

 

[Hawaiibadboy]

Thanks I'll check eBay out. So sz1000 with 55x pads, Fiio e12, and some EQ changes is a good setup? DAC seems unnecessary but I don't know much.

 
Pretty much.
 
This is 55x pads sz1000 and an ipad with an e12 amp

 

[bassplz]

Pretty much.

This is 55x pads sz1000 and an ipad with an e12 amp

So I saw in the first post that you used the equalizer app for the iPad

What do you recommend for a MacBook? I've heard spotEQ is good, but I've also heard of media monkey/ Jammix enhancer and other plugins. Is that overkill, should I stick to one EQ program?

Thanks man