[kerecsen]

Hi everyone,

I have a Senn 555 that I would like to use with a PC. I'm willing to spend at most $250 to turn it into a decent source.

Browsing through the forums it seems I have the following options:
- Getting a (Total) Bithead ($200-280)
- Getting an EMU 404 ($100) and a low-end PPA ($120)
- Getting a cheaper card (chaintech, Live 24 - $30) with a better amp ($200)
- Getting a more expensive card (EMU1212, m-audio audiophile) and a cmoy
- Getting something cheap to output coax-toslink, getting a cheap outboard DAC and a PPA
- Forgetting the whole PC thing and getting a Sony CE595 SACD player ($130) with a low-end PPA ($120)

Are there any options I haven't listed? Which do you think will result in the best system?

Thanks!
Tamas

 

[Helter Skelter]

I'd go for the 0404 and a nice PIMETA or a cheap PPA. I can assure you that you will be most pleased with the result.

 

[kerecsen]

Bump... Any other opinions?

 

[AdamWill]

the man has a Katamari Damacy avatar. He's obviously incredibly cool. Why would you *need* other opinions?



Given that the 555s aren't extremely high-end, and the 1212 compared to the 0404 is definitely a difference you'd want high-end headphones to appreciate, his advice sounds very sensible to me. Your 'phones are mid-end so go for the mid-end card and the mid-end amp...synergy

 

[Absorbine_Sr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helter Skelter I'd go for the 0404 and a nice PIMETA or a cheap PPA. I can assure you that you will be most pleased with the result.

I'd have to agree with Helter Skelter. I got my 0404 last Friday. Previously I had been using both the M-Audio Revo 7.1 and the Chaintech AV-710. In both of those cases the amp was my Headsave Classic and the cans are HD-555's. Adding the 0404 blew both of those cards out of the water. I really love the sound of the 0404, and though not that experienced I think the Headsave Classic is equivalent to a higher end PIMETA or a low end PPA. I think it's an awesome budget combo that has kept a big grin on my face since it came together.

A_Sr.

 

[fr4c]

i would also go with the emu0404 and PPA recommendation. IMO, this combo should work well even when you decide to upgrade the headphones.

 

[uzziah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helter Skelter I'd go for the 0404 and a nice PIMETA or a cheap PPA. I can assure you that you will be most pleased with the result.

seconded. or is it: thirded? fourthed? well, i think you have your answer.

btw: headsave is no more. Norm has closed up shop

it deserves more

's than that, but i'm tired. those that have classic's are holding onto them with iron fists

also: a "cheap" ppa is not $120 by any means. the cheapest i've seen them go for is $200 or so, i.e. out of your price range if you want to stick with $250 price range. the resounding statement here at headfi is: "can you increase your budget??????????", but i'm sure you'll be happy with what you get for $250, very happy i hope

emu 0404 and pimeta: excellent way to go for the $$$

 

[kerecsen]

Thank you all... I was pleasantly surprised by the resounding nature of the response.

I think I will go fishing in the used amp pool and get something nice in the low hundred $s. What is the word on pimeta vs meta42?

 

[llmobll]

I would Definitely go 0404(this is key) and any AMP i could afford.

I strongly disagree with alot of people on this forum, the SOURCE is FIRST!!!!. After that even a CMOY will give you decent performance. I use the 595's and love them to no eend, they aren't hard to drive so a PPA isn't NEEDED but doesn't hurt.

I feel a PPA should only be used if you have the diamond buffer add-on, which by your budget, you don't, Get a Pimeta, it will give great sound.


Make the 0404 key to your desicion. Unless you dont' like stereo output.