[BELMONT]

Hi guys,

I made my first newbie mistake about a year ago by purchasing Sennheiser Fusion HD500's on a whim. Naturally, they suck, and I flat out wasted $100.

I am looking for a portable audio solution that will primarily be listened to in two places. The first, and primary listening environment, will be my bedroom. I spend a good deal of time listening to music either before or while I'm sleeping, so I'm looking for a high quality setup. I sort of need some major help here, as I'm confused on what I actually need. My secondary listening environment is around my computers. I have Logitech Z-560's for my sound, and currently plug the HD500's directly into the base, which controls volume, bass, etc.

Is the best route to get something like an iPod, and run it through an amplifier, to a nice set of headphones such as HD600's? Or would it better to use another device?

My biggest problem is I don't know how all of the different parts connect together. Once I learn that it's just a matter of browsing this forum and reading reviews on the better hardware. So I'm hoping you guys can help clear some of this up for me.

 

[bemo]

A candidate for "The Bag 2"?

 

[usc goose]

Welcome to head-fi.

What kind of music do you listen to? (standard greeting around here)

 

[tommyatkins]

Some questions that will help for answers:

What source(s) will you use in your bedroom? Do you actually need the source itself portable (or will you be using the computer for music)?

It kinda sounds like you want help for that too. If so, what formats are you looking at (CD, SACD, vinyl etc)? Do you need something that can be portable, too?

What soundcard do you have on your computer? What kind of outputs does it have?

How much money are you looking at spending?

What kind of music do you listen to primarily?

How noisy is the computer environment?

Do you like that equalizer stuff on the logitech speakers? Most people (me included) here shy away from that, claiming it degrades sound quality, but this is about your needs.

In terms of connections, you can get cables that will connect anything. If you go with a META42 (This is a DIY amp, you can build yourself or comission someone like JMT to build it, check out tangent's ad in the Mall-Fi forum) you can choose what inputs/outputs it has.

A typical setup is:
Source -> amp -> headphones

Based on what you've said so far, it looks like you could go with a META42 for an amp, and some headphones like the HD600s or Grado sr225s or ety 4s or something comparable, which I'm sure others will suggest. In terms of sources...there's all kinds of debate.

What are your primary sources of music now (mp3s? CD? vinyl? MD?)?

 

[BELMONT]

Quote:

Welcome to head-fi. What kind of music do you listen to? (standard greeting around here)

Thank you! I hear this is the only place to be for this kind of stuff. I listen to rock primarily, ranging from Pink Floyd to Iron Maiden.

Quote:

What source(s) will you use in your bedroom? Do you actually need the source itself portable (or will you be using the computer for music)?

I currently don't have a source in the bedroom that I want to use for this project, just an old mp3 player I got for free from work. I'll be purchasing an iPod most likely, so if this could double as a source for my bedroom, that would be great. If I need a permanent source in the bedroom, that's fine too if it's an appreciable quality difference.

Quote:

It kinda sounds like you want help for that too. If so, what formats are you looking at (CD, SACD, vinyl etc)? Do you need something that can be portable, too?

Yes, definitely. I'm looking for suggestions on everything. My CD collection consists of roughly 80 CD's, and the rest of my collection is mostly .mp3, with some lossless audio thrown in there as well. The mp3's are all encoded with LAME at the highest quality settings. All of my music comes from a high quality audio hub, so hopefully it won't differ too much from the original recording. I suppose a good set of cans will really be able to put it to the test though!

I have no vinyl, and no MD.

Quote:

What soundcard do you have on your computer? What kind of outputs does it have?

I'm using Soundmax audio, which is integrated on my Asus P4PE motherboard. It has the typical line-in, line-out, MIC, and speaker connectors.

Quote:

How much money are you looking at spending?

I'm hoping to keep this under $700 if possible.

Quote:

How noisy is the computer environment?

Not noisy at all. There are 6 machines in here, most with quiet fans and power supplies. They run 24 hours a day, but are hardly noticeable to me anymore, even in complete silence.

Quote:

Do you like that equalizer stuff on the logitech speakers? Most people (me included) here shy away from that, claiming it degrades sound quality, but this is about your needs.

Can you elaborate a bit? Are you referring to the typical bass, treble, etc settings on the controller?

Quote:

In terms of connections, you can get cables that will connect anything. If you go with a META42 (This is a DIY amp, you can build yourself or comission someone like JMT to build it, check out tangent's ad in the Mall-Fi forum) you can choose what inputs/outputs it has.

While this sounds cool, I don't know that I'm capable of doing it myself. If the instructions are easy enough, I'd be willing to give it a shot.


Thanks again for the suggestions so far!

 

[BoardC3]

hmm listens to mostly rock, doesnt mind an open phone. youre definitely a grado constestant. Get any grados 225 to the RS-1s (which are just plain incredible) an amp isnt extremely necessary for these phones but definitely helps, make sure you have a decent source behind them though or theyll show how bad it is

 

[BELMONT]

Quote:

Originally posted by BoardC3 hmm listens to mostly rock, doesnt mind an open phone. youre definitely a grado constestant. Get any grados 225 to the RS-1s (which are just plain incredible) an amp isnt extremely necessary for these phones but definitely helps, make sure you have a decent source behind them though or theyll show how bad it is

I certainly wouldn't mind an open phone, but are they easily heard by others? The main reason I ask is I can't imagine my girlfriend really wanting to hear Iron Maiden blasting at 2 in the morning. While crappy, my HD500's are enclosed and are almost inaudible when turned up to a moderately loud volume.

By source, does this mean the hardware or the quality of the recording?

 

[usc goose]

even open, you'd have to be blasting your headphones pretty ridiculously loudly to wake someone up from any kind of appreciable distance. in my experience anyways.

source = media + player

 

[BELMONT]

I'm suddenly thinking of increasing my budget. The Grado RS-1's look pretty incredible.

 

[usc goose]

And so it begins. I'd tell you to leave now before you start having to eat potato chip sandwiches because all your money is going into headphone gear but, it's kind of fun. And I'm kind of in the mood for a potato chip sandwich. :snack break:

 

[tommyatkins]

And to think I've just been eating bread sandwiches...

 

[tommyatkins]

Quote:

Can you elaborate a bit? Are you referring to the typical bass, treble, etc settings on the controller?

Yes. Do you like this? Just a consideration.

The iPod could double as a source but you'll probably be losing out on some of the benefits of the rs1 (though the LAME and lossless stuff is a good shoice.). A better source would probably benefit your setup, and with that budget, you might beable to afford something, especially if used. I really don't know much about higher end sources, so I'll let others have a say here, though I'm sure the Philips 963sa will be discussed (<$400 new) and that plays DVDs, CDs, SACDs, (mp3 cds, too I think). This unit has been getting great reviews, saying that it's a deal for the price. I think I'll be looking into this for myself once I move into my apartment.

If you wanted to build your own META, its usually advisable to hack together a CMoy first (<$40 methinks and tangent has a good guide on this as well).

TA

 

[BELMONT]

Quote:

Yes. Do you like this? Just a consideration.

I'm really indifferent to it. I can tell you I think the subwoofer is too bassy and unnatural, so I've got the bass seting turned as low as possible. I really don't touch the other settings as they really don't have an overly dramatic effect on the sound IME.

Quote:

The iPod could double as a source but you'll probably be losing out on some of the benefits of the rs1 (though the LAME and lossless stuff is a good shoice.).

I'll also be listening to lots of CD's as well, although the primary source will most likely be mp3.

Quote:

A better source would probably benefit your setup, and with that budget, you might beable to afford something, especially if used. I really don't know much about higher end sources, so I'll let others have a say here, though I'm sure the Philips 963sa will be discussed (<$400 new) and that plays DVDs, CDs, SACDs, (mp3 cds, too I think). This unit has been getting great reviews, saying that it's a deal for the price. I think I'll be looking into this for myself once I move into my apartment.

I don't mind going outside of my budget. If I have to spend more to get what I want, it's worth it to me. My goal is to close my eyes and lose my sense of reality. I want to feel like I'm on the stage.

Quote:

If you wanted to build your own META, its usually advisable to hack together a CMoy first (<$40 methinks and tangent has a good guide on this as well).

Do you have linkage?

 

[shafu]

http://www.tangentsoft.net/audio/cmo...ial/index.html

For the cmoy link. You can always comission someone to build one for you (JMT is the most popular person, but there's some others that will too - check out the mall-fi forum).

As far as your listening requirements, the Grados will leak a fair amount of sound. You stated bedroom and before going to sleep - will your girlfriend be next to you? If so, then she will complain about the sound.

If you want absolute clarity of the sound, MP3's will not be the best source for your music. You stated you were interested in a portable set up, but from your description, I'm not too sure if you need a portable set up. Unless you plan on moving from your home to your office on a daily basis?

"My biggest problem is I don't know how all of the different parts connect together. Once I learn that it's just a matter of browsing this forum and reading reviews on the better hardware. So I'm hoping you guys can help clear some of this up for me."

Do you have questions about amps, source, DAC, etc? Typically, you have a source (CD player or MP3 player or Sound Card) that can power directly headphones or can go to an amp that will in turn power headphones. There are some headphones that will require an amp to get to sufficient volume. Just about all the higher end headphones will benefit from an amp (sound quailty). A DAC is a Digital to Analogue Converter which can improve the sound. It's popular to use a sound card to a DAC to improve the sound quality again.

Some quick suggestions at looking at portable amps (not in any particular order):
- Airhead/Total Airhead
- Porta Corda
- Super mini
- Supreme
- Cosmic
- Meta42
- Cmoy or CHA47

I would also suggest, if you plan on listening in bed next to someone, or at work so that you may bother people with your music, looking at closed headphones.

Best of luck with your search.

 

[shafu]

One more thing, if you plan on transporting your equipment back and forth, Grados, espeically nice ones like the RS1, aren't the most durable.

Since you have a lot of MP3s, I would suggest a Nomand Jukebox3 and a Meta42 with Etys ER4P/S. If you want the ultimate in portable set up, you can go iPod with the ER4P (I use on planes all the time). One word of warning though, the Etys will block out almost all the surrounding sound. My finacee throws pillows at me to get my attention if I"m listening to them at home...

Also, some people don't like the fit...

I would suggest getting two set ups - a dedicated home set up and then a portable/work set up.