Chipp
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2007
- Posts
- 201
- Likes
- 10
What to do, what to do? First off, this thread could probably go in 3 or 4 forums, so I put it here because it's the most general. Now, for some background info. I had a birthday a few days ago. My parents would like to buy me a gift, around $100 (can be over, but that's my benchmark). I was originally planning on a LM3875-based amp, but because I would have to purchase all the tools and such for the project as well as the amp parts, the price quickly broke $180, and that was simply too much, especially considering I'd never even heard one. (I am working off the budget of a 16-year-old, who until this said birthday could not have a job.
) So, I've got about $100 to spend of my own cash, so let's bring the total max up to $200 USD.
So, now to headphones. I own ER6i's and love them. However, I'm thinking upgrade. That was the easy decision. The hard part is what to upgrade exactly? I'd thought about amping the Ety's, but since I do most of my listening at home I though I could probably do better with some cans. I originally was set on HD280 Pros, but kept looking around and took note of the ATH900s and HD555, as well as the HD25 and Grado's offerings.
I'm mostly a rock listener (Chili Peppers, Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam, Modest Mouse, etc) but I also enjoy jazz and trance. At some point or another though, I do listen to almost every genre, so I'd like to avoid headphones that are outright terrible for a certain type of music (if there is such a thing.
)
I've also considered amps, possibly buying one myself for whatever headphones I may end up with. I had planned (several months ago) to get a LDM+, but since then have seen terrible reviews of it, and also (thanks to some monster reviews here) discovered about 15 other companys/amps that I had no idea were around. Needless to say, I'm somewhat clueless here and have a ton of research to do on these.
DACs. I know what they do and what they're used for, but thats about it. Would I benefit from one right now? My sound card is a SB Live! 5.1, which is OK, but far from optimal. Upstairs, currently any digital work is handled by a HK AVR210, again not bad, but I'm certain better is readily available. I just don't know what it is, or even where to look for it, whatever "it" is.
And finally, "other options". I don't know what it is, but if you feel I'd be better served putting my money somewhere else, please tell me.
Thanks guys. My forte is speakers and vintage gear, I'm afraid I just don't know much about headphones and true audiophile gear, so I await your advice.
So, now to headphones. I own ER6i's and love them. However, I'm thinking upgrade. That was the easy decision. The hard part is what to upgrade exactly? I'd thought about amping the Ety's, but since I do most of my listening at home I though I could probably do better with some cans. I originally was set on HD280 Pros, but kept looking around and took note of the ATH900s and HD555, as well as the HD25 and Grado's offerings.
I'm mostly a rock listener (Chili Peppers, Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam, Modest Mouse, etc) but I also enjoy jazz and trance. At some point or another though, I do listen to almost every genre, so I'd like to avoid headphones that are outright terrible for a certain type of music (if there is such a thing.
I've also considered amps, possibly buying one myself for whatever headphones I may end up with. I had planned (several months ago) to get a LDM+, but since then have seen terrible reviews of it, and also (thanks to some monster reviews here) discovered about 15 other companys/amps that I had no idea were around. Needless to say, I'm somewhat clueless here and have a ton of research to do on these.
DACs. I know what they do and what they're used for, but thats about it. Would I benefit from one right now? My sound card is a SB Live! 5.1, which is OK, but far from optimal. Upstairs, currently any digital work is handled by a HK AVR210, again not bad, but I'm certain better is readily available. I just don't know what it is, or even where to look for it, whatever "it" is.
And finally, "other options". I don't know what it is, but if you feel I'd be better served putting my money somewhere else, please tell me.
Thanks guys. My forte is speakers and vintage gear, I'm afraid I just don't know much about headphones and true audiophile gear, so I await your advice.
