There is WAY to much info here!

[AVALover5498]

I've been browsing these forums for awhile now and I get soooooo much conflicting information about EVERYTHING it's crazy haha.

I have some pretty simple questions that I hope someone can help me with.

I'm new to the "Audiophile" thing. Music is my life and so far all I've heard it out of is crappy ipod earbuds and computer speakers that sound like a dying rabbit. I came across a lot of reviews about AKG K601's and I'm pretty sure those are the headphones I want. The problem is I have no Idea what amp to get. I was thinking about a portable amp but people are saying that they are not powerful enough to power the AKG's. So, what do I get? Do I need any special chords? Do I use my computer as a music source of do I have to buy and Ipod or some other music device? Do I need special cables? do I need something else besides the amp?

I want the most basic setup for a begginer. I don't want anything too fancy. Let's try and keep it under $400 including the headphones.

I don't know if I'm asking to much, just let me know. I love researching things but there is sooooo much info on here it's confusing. Asking questions is learning to I guess.

Thanx everyone,
-Chris-

 

[ricmat]

Hi!

well, first in you consider to get an amp, then grab the K701, not the K601... ...

second, yes you will need an amp

third, if you use your pc as a source, you will need a DAC too... ...




oh! and fourth?... sorry for your wallet!

 

[MusicallySilent]

Ok I wont call myself an expert but I will answer a few questions and ask you some to get started.

Special cords,
If you intend to use it with a pc you will want a mini to mini/rca cable assuming your pc is stereo mini out (same goes for any mp3 player) Blue jeans cable has affordable cables, some mono price cables are good for beginners too.
If you are using an ipod you will want a line out dock, you want it to be terminated in the plugs your amp needs, most portables use a 3.5mm stereo mini plug, most home amps use a pair of rca plugs but it doesnt sound like you have an ipod.

There are two amp choices Tubes and Solid State, from what I have read it appears that Tubes color sound and make it less neutral than Solid State, the AKGs are already colored from what I have read with reviews so I would assume to go solid state

Then there is your portable or home amp decision, there are some pretty powerful portable amps out there, and some pretty weak ones too, if your primary usage is going to be at home you could easily find a quite powerful nice home amp for the same price as a portable.

150-200 range gives you a lot of DIY amps you can have people make. There are quite a few commercial amps that fall in that range too but sadly I am having issues pulling names out of my head.

Keep in mind I haven't really heard any equipment so this is just repeated info I have read because I am also interested in k601s

-MS

Note: future posters, feel free to shoot anything down as wrong.

 

[AVALover5498]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MusicallySilent /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ok I wont call myself an expert but I will answer a few questions and ask you some to get started. Special cords, If you intend to use it with a pc you will want a mini to mini/rca cable assuming your pc is stereo mini out (same goes for any mp3 player) Blue jeans cable has affordable cables, some mono price cables are good for beginners too. If you are using an ipod you will want a line out dock, you want it to be terminated in the plugs your amp needs, most portables use a 3.5mm stereo mini plug, most home amps use a pair of rca plugs but it doesnt sound like you have an ipod. There are two amp choices Tubes and Solid State, from what I have read it appears that Tubes color sound and make it less neutral than Solid State, the AKGs are already colored from what I have read with reviews so I would assume to go solid state Then there is your portable or home amp decision, there are some pretty powerful portable amps out there, and some pretty weak ones too, if your primary usage is going to be at home you could easily find a quite powerful nice home amp for the same price as a portable. 150-200 range gives you a lot of DIY amps you can have people make. There are quite a few commercial amps that fall in that range too but sadly I am having issues pulling names out of my head. Keep in mind I haven't really heard any equipment so this is just repeated info I have read because I am also interested in k601s -MS Note: future posters, feel free to shoot anything down as wrong.

Thank you guys so much for the replies.

I just ran across an amp that looks interesting and isn't too spendy but so far I haven't heard anything bad about it. It's the Headamp Gilmore Light. Have any of you guys used this?

Would it be a good pair with the AKG's? I would use it with my pc so what else would I need?

Again, thanx for the replies,
-Chris-

 

[AVALover5498]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricmat /img/forum/go_quote.gif oh! and fourth?... sorry for your wallet!

Haha, being 17 sucks...no one wants to hire me. I've applied everywhere.

-Chris-

 

[CountChoculaBot]

You're new here. I'll be blunt: LEAVE. NOW.

That $400 budget? It's going to go up to $600 with some nagging. Once you hear that $600 system, you're going to want a $1000 system. It only gets worse from there.

Anyway, my recommendation is to get

Denon D2000: $215-$220 (Buy.com, Sureneeds.com)
Super DAC707: $90
Home (don't go portable) PIMETA: $100ish used

The good thing about this setup:
The D2000 are the same as the well regarded $450ish D5000, except the D2000 don't have wood earcups (these do affect acoustics) and have a crappier cable.

It's also very upgradeable:
The D2000 (and D5000) can be subjected to the Markl mod. It's relatively new, but most reports say it makes them sound fantastic. You can do it yourself; the parts cost is about $50ish. Markl is also willing to do it for you for a decent chunk of change.

The D2000 also benefits well from a recable. The cost ranges from $100 to $200ish. If you do the Markl mod, it's recommended you get a recable beforehand. This also eliminates one advantage the $450 D5000 has.

You can sell the PIMETA here later on and upgrade to a different amp, like the $200ish CKKIII later on as well.

 

[ricmat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVALover5498 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thank you guys so much for the replies. I just ran across an amp that looks interesting and isn't too spendy but so far I haven't heard anything bad about it. It's the Headamp Gilmore Light. Have any of you guys used this? Would it be a good pair with the AKG's? I would use it with my pc so what else would I need? Again, thanx for the replies, -Chris-

yes, it is a very interesting amp... ... but I really think you should try to listen some tubes... ... because they pair considerably well with the K701!

try to watch into some MS X-cans, or some darkvoice... .. (dont know what's your budget...)

 

[AVALover5498]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricmat /img/forum/go_quote.gif yes, it is a very interesting amp... ... but I really think you should try to listen some tubes... ... because they pair considerably well with the K701!

Wow, your persistant haha. I can't afford the K701's right now. But I will think about upgrading to them in the future. I have heard good reviews about them but I know someone who has a brand new pair of K601's local for cheap.

-Chris-

 

[ricmat]

oh! sorry, I dont know why, when I started typing about the amp I just thought it was to pair with some K701!...

but K601 are pretty decent too!


(and you can always upgrade in the future, as you said!

)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVALover5498 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Wow, your persistant haha. I can't afford the K701's right now. But I will think about upgrading to them in the future. I have heard good reviews about them but I know someone who has a brand new pair of K601's local for cheap. -Chris-

 

[micaela]

The Gilmore Lite is a very well regarded amp. I haven't heard it - but almost bought one at one point in my journey. From my reading, it pairs well with most phones.

As far as source is concerned, you have many choices. You can use your pc to play your tunes or you can use some other type of player - mp3 or cd. Do you already have a music collection? If so what format do you already have the most of -- cd's or mp3's? Another consideration might be a squeezebox which has a DAC & amp built into it & can be set up to work with your computer or wireless network. The built in amp & DAC are not the greatest - but they are not terrible & would be an ok place to start. Check out the slimdevices.com website to see what it is about.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Just leave.. My first amp was the cheap PAV2. 60.00.. I seen a 300.00 headphone amp & couldn't believe a headphone amp would cost that much.. & I'd 'never' pay that much for a amp.. Last week I bought the RSA HR-2 for 700.00

For DACS my budget was 250-300. That was it, no more..last yr I bought a DAC1 for 870.00.. Just buy used..

 

[Drag0n]

To the OP.....I dont know if youre looking for a portable setup or a home setup....but assuming a home setup under $400, id start with:

Grado SR80 $95usd (purchased from TTVJ first time buyer, save $10)

Little Dot MK2 or MK3

Chaintech av710 soundcard, or TABAAM

Have someone make you cables cheaply , like someone on this forum. Warrior05 from S2 audio was really nice to deal with from my recent experiance . Maybe some starquad cables or something.

Run this out of your PC system and enjoy the music cheaply and learn more before purchasing anything further (because you will).

 

[TheMarchingMule]

Judging by our user name, you'd be better suited to Grados, and a tube amp. But then you have to worry about your source...shoot!

 

[Asr]

Scratch the K601 if your computer is your source. You'd need to spend a minimum of ~$200 on an amp good enough for it, along with one of the low-cost home-based USB DACs.

Select an Audio-Technica, Denon, or Grado headphone instead, and pick up one of the $200-ish portable USB DAC/amps. There ya go, instant budget-fi rig that's not too bad.

 

[Snicewicz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asr /img/forum/go_quote.gif Scratch the K601 if your computer is your source. You'd need to spend a minimum of ~$200 on an amp good enough for it, along with one of the low-cost home-based USB DACs. Select an Audio-Technica, Denon, or Grado headphone instead, and pick up one of the $200-ish portable USB DAC/amps. There ya go, instant budget-fi rig that's not too bad.

I just ordered the Zero DAC/ Amp for 180 shipped. There is a long thread in the Amp section about if you want to read up on it.

I started out with SR80s and they are nice, but since you would have about 200 dollars left over after the zero DAC you could get Grado SR225s or you could look into some of the ATH like suggested.

Where will you be using the headphones, at home, school? Does it matter if theyre open back and leak sound so people around you hear the music, or do you prefer them to be closed?

As far as open, most people would agree, in your price range Grado is a good choice and there is a load of mods you can do to them. Also look at Sennheiser HD-595.

If you prefer closed then go with something closed, such as an ATH of some sort. As a site to look for headphones try AudioCubes.com - Stylish Electronics, Gadgets, Toys, and More.