[kaz]

 
Hi.. I'll try to make this as short and straight to the point as possible
 
My current setup: PC -> 0404usb via usb -> HD555. Sounds decent in my opinion for entry level however, i'm not too pleased with the bass levels and punch. I don't know if its the HD555, the 0404usb or myself (for wanting more than average bass) to blame. Anyways, couple of years passed with this setup so i'm looking for a good upgrade and here's what i'm considering.
 
Option A
0404usb dac -> graham slee solo srg2 -> senn HD650
 
Option B
0404usb dac -> earmax pro -> grado sr325is
 
Option C 
0404usb dac -> graham slee solo srg2 -> grado sr325is (reason being that I believe the graham slee is a more "generic" headamp and will sound good with a wider range of headphones)
 
Option D
0404usb dac -> higher end grado (like the reference series). This is assuming the 0404 is not to blame for the low bass levels and can easily drive such headphones. If the 0404usb dac is the blame for the low bass levels then i'll eliminate from all the above options and kindly suggest a good dac.
 
I'm very open to music. I tend to pass through different phases listening to all sorts of genres. My collection includes genres ranging from electronic to rock and the occasional pop and r&b (prodigy, floyd, chemical brothers, booka shade, faithless, u2, depeche mode). I don't particularly listen to classical or orchestra type of music.
 
Of course, any other option is more than welcome..
 
Meanwhile i can already thank you guys enough for all the info you made available on this forum

 

[TheWuss]

the lack of satisfying bass can likely be attributed to the hd555.
i owned the hd595 for a while (which is basically the same headphone with slightly different housing), and found the bass to be overly polite.
 
if you like the sound of the hd555 otherwise, it may make sense to go with the hd650, which is generally considered to be a warm headphone overall.
 
the grado sr325is can be a gamble.  some folks love it.  other despise it for the treble energy.  so be warned.
 
from what i have read, the 0404usb is pretty good, and should allow you to scale up to the mid-range audiophile cans without being a weak link (think k701, hd650, dt880, ad2000, etc.).
someone correct me here if i'm wrong.
 
good luck with your upgrade!
 
 

 

[kaz]

Thanks for your reply.
 
You mean the 0404usb can match up well with mid-range cans as a DAC only right? i.e. i should still be getting a dedicated DAC amp.
 
I too am a bit sceptical with the Grado's but from what i read about them (focus on detail, good bass etc.) seems to match the characteristics i look for when i listen to music.

 

[TheWuss]

yes, a dedicated headphone amp is pretty much requisite for moving up to some of the nicer cans.
 

 

[Jack C]

The 0404 USB's headphone output can be a weak link in certain scenarios. While its output is clean most of the time, it has a fairly high output impedance and a limited amount of drive available according to EMU's specs:
 
[size=10pt]Headphone Amplifier[/size]

[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] Type: Class-A power amplifier[/size]
[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] D/A converter: AK4396 (shared with Line Out)[/size]
[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] Gain Range: 60dB[/size]
[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] Maximum Output Power: 20mW[/size]
[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] Output Impedance: 22ohms[/size]
[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] Frequency Response (20Hz-20kHz): +0.06/-0.035dB[/size]
[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 114dB[/size]
[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted): 114dB[/size]
[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] THD+N (1kHz, max gain): 600ohm load: -95.5dB (.0018%)[/size]
[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] [/size]	[size=9pt] Stereo Crosstalk (1kHz at -1dBFS, 600 ohm load): < -85dB  [/size]

 
According to the above, max output power is only 20mW - I find this a bit hard to believe, but hey. The output impedance is 22ohms so headphones with wildly varying impedance curves will be a bit succeptible to the voltage divider effect.  I can confirm that the 0404 works fairly well with the host of usual mid-range headphones in my collection: K702, HD650, DT990/DT880, MS1, etc.
 
I am looking to augment the 0404 with a dedicated desktop amp, using the line out signal.  I hope to get better results and more drive volume this way.  One thing to be careful with the 0404 is that its line out at max is about 16dB hotter than the typical consumer grade equipment. Setting the line out signal to the max will sometimes over drive the input stages of headphone amps. The output has to be dialed back a bit to ensure that this doesn't happen.
 
Jack

 

[lejaz]

I would say it's the headphones to blame first, then the 0404 amp, and last of all the 0404 DAC. The DAC in the 0404 is very unlikely to be contributing to your lack of bass.The DAC in the 0404 is very highly rated. The 0404 amp on the other hand will be underpowered for hard to drive phones. Look to the phones and 0404 amp before you even consider upgrading the DAC.

 

[kaz]

Thanks all to all replies. This eliminates doubts i had on the 0404. 
 
So like you recommended i'll be using my 0404dac and upgrade the amp to a dedicate amp and of course, the headphones.
 
So i guess Options A, B or C are the way to go. Any suggestions between those for my type of listening preferences?
 
Thanks

 

[kaz]

Anyone? Confused 

 

[Ypoknons]

Transducers always make the biggest differences, you have to get that, then you get the amp, but only to support the transducers. The reality is that rock and pop don't take too kindly to bass quantity, it tends to cloud up the music, usually with a lot of the crappier volume war recordings out there, electronica does better on the whole. My instincts tell me to recommend a RS1 straight from the 0404, but it's not a reliable opinion since I haven't head the Grado in a few years. 

 

[kaz]

Thanks. As a matter of fact the RS1 straight from 0404usb is an option i have also been considering, especially since grado's aren't THAT hard to drive, correct ?

 

[VALIENTE]

Yes.

 

[kaz]

lol ok so now with this other option i'm even more