Bullseye
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2008
- Posts
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[size=x-small]Tips to spend your money wisely, by Bullseye:[/size]
1) Headphones: This are the piece of equipment that deliver sound, hence are the most important of all. If you want to get the most in the Price/performance ratio you should buy mid-fi HPs. Going up in the chain is you who decides if it is worth it or not. It is also risking your money in very minute "improvements".
-IEMs vs Full sized: Full sized is the way to go. IEMs have more sound limitations due to their build and way of delivering sound. Some people might like the IEMs more, but they are more expensive than full sized because they do not deliver the SQ in the same Pri/Per ratio.
2) Amplifiers: Go for home amplifiers, portable amplifiers are not necessary regardless what other people say. In desktop amplifiers you have the following types: Tube, Hybrid and SS.
Tube and Hybrid amplifiers: They get really hot, can't be turned on for a long period of time (need to be turned off in order not to burn circuitry). Tubes glowing look nice. If you want to swap different headphones you need to turn them off first. They require more care.
Solid State Amplifiers: They have very low THD+N%, and good S/N ratio. Don't get hot and can be turned on for a long time. You can plug and switch headphones without problems.
Solid State would be the choice to spend wisely. Building good SS amps is cheaper than building tube amps. (Unless you use "audiophile grade" parts, that can also be used on tube amps). I would go for the cheapest that has the best inputs/outputs that would fit your use.
3) DACs: Only useful if your source is the PC or a CD player. If you use a PMP it is not needed.
Go for the mid-fi types. You also don't need to spend big numbers to get a good working DAC. Go for the ones that might let you expand their use to further speaker rigs. (E.g: Behringer DEQ2496). If using your computer you might need an external sound card with optical output (such as Behringer UCA202)
4) Sources: Something such a portable CD player is enough (or a PMP). If you want to buy a CD player that has amplifier and DAC would help you save some bucks in buying the rest separate. If it is the computer look back at point 3).
5) Cables: Use stock cables, expensive cables do nothing but empty your wallet. You can always buy fancy looking cables, but you will not be spending your money wisely. You will always achieve the best SQ regardless of what cables or power cables you use.
6) Tweaks: Avoid buying tweaks, they just make you spend money on nothing. Cable lifters, "audiophile fuses", stands, ERS paper... all SNAKE OIL, RIP OFF...
My ideal headphone system is:
Computer -UCA202 (or similar)- Toslink cable - Behringer Ultracurve Pro DEQ2496 - Balanced XLR -> RCA - SS amplifier (Cheap one such as Samson S·Amp) - Beyerdynamic DT48E @ 25 Ohm (Using standard stock cable)
Price approx: +/- $800 (less is better and can be had for quite less)
1) Headphones: This are the piece of equipment that deliver sound, hence are the most important of all. If you want to get the most in the Price/performance ratio you should buy mid-fi HPs. Going up in the chain is you who decides if it is worth it or not. It is also risking your money in very minute "improvements".
-IEMs vs Full sized: Full sized is the way to go. IEMs have more sound limitations due to their build and way of delivering sound. Some people might like the IEMs more, but they are more expensive than full sized because they do not deliver the SQ in the same Pri/Per ratio.
2) Amplifiers: Go for home amplifiers, portable amplifiers are not necessary regardless what other people say. In desktop amplifiers you have the following types: Tube, Hybrid and SS.
Tube and Hybrid amplifiers: They get really hot, can't be turned on for a long period of time (need to be turned off in order not to burn circuitry). Tubes glowing look nice. If you want to swap different headphones you need to turn them off first. They require more care.
Solid State Amplifiers: They have very low THD+N%, and good S/N ratio. Don't get hot and can be turned on for a long time. You can plug and switch headphones without problems.
Solid State would be the choice to spend wisely. Building good SS amps is cheaper than building tube amps. (Unless you use "audiophile grade" parts, that can also be used on tube amps). I would go for the cheapest that has the best inputs/outputs that would fit your use.
3) DACs: Only useful if your source is the PC or a CD player. If you use a PMP it is not needed.
Go for the mid-fi types. You also don't need to spend big numbers to get a good working DAC. Go for the ones that might let you expand their use to further speaker rigs. (E.g: Behringer DEQ2496). If using your computer you might need an external sound card with optical output (such as Behringer UCA202)
4) Sources: Something such a portable CD player is enough (or a PMP). If you want to buy a CD player that has amplifier and DAC would help you save some bucks in buying the rest separate. If it is the computer look back at point 3).
5) Cables: Use stock cables, expensive cables do nothing but empty your wallet. You can always buy fancy looking cables, but you will not be spending your money wisely. You will always achieve the best SQ regardless of what cables or power cables you use.
6) Tweaks: Avoid buying tweaks, they just make you spend money on nothing. Cable lifters, "audiophile fuses", stands, ERS paper... all SNAKE OIL, RIP OFF...
My ideal headphone system is:
Computer -UCA202 (or similar)- Toslink cable - Behringer Ultracurve Pro DEQ2496 - Balanced XLR -> RCA - SS amplifier (Cheap one such as Samson S·Amp) - Beyerdynamic DT48E @ 25 Ohm (Using standard stock cable)
Price approx: +/- $800 (less is better and can be had for quite less)
