Upgrade suggestions needed

[shingo43]

 
Primary:
Laptop(APE,FLAC) -> uDac2 -> DH Labs revelation interconnects -> Headamp Gilmore Lite -> Senn HD650
Secondary
Rega Planet 2000 -> cheap rca -> Headamp Gilmore Lite -> Senn HD650
 
I listen to almost everything except hard rock.
I am looking for better sound quality with minimal money spent, what should I update for my PRIMARY setup?
Current options are uDac2,amp,headphone or headphone cable.options in my minds are:Benchmart usb dac/wa6/hd800/T1/cadars headphone cable etc.
I really like the hd650's warmth sound but I think it may lack some clarity, I also like the forward human vocal headphones.I can spend up to $1000.
If you have extra time, maybe some update suggestion for the Secondry setup?
 

 

[shingo43]

bump, any one?

 

[Graphicism]

You can do a lot with a thousand bux... the weakest component in your setup has to be the uDac, upgrade that with a discrete DAC. I haven't heard the Gilmore Lite but is it considered a bright/forward sounding amp for your laid back, dark sounding HD650s?

 

[shingo43]

Headamp Gilmore Lite is a bright sound amp at least with my dh labs cable, it pairs well with the hd650, very detailed but the bass is not very strong and punchy(comparing to my denon d2000). based on your suggestion should I just update the dac or should I replace the udac2/Gilmore lite to a all in one dac/amp? if just upgrade the dac, any recommendations? Thanks

 

[shingo43]

So after consideration I decided to either update the amp or the headphone. my new question will be which update will give you a better sound? a 1000 dollar headphone(my options are LCD-2 or used hd800) with Headamp Gilremore Lite or a 1000 amp(dac1 or wa6 or whatever you can suggest) with my hd650?
 
thanks

 

[tyoung8]

headphone - LCD2 

 
But yeah, the weakest chain is the dac tho.  Heard the Music Streamer II+ is pretty good.

 

[Graphicism]

Headphones will give you the biggest sound-signature change, a good DAC on the other hand will give you a better sound quality... whether you do it now or later if you plan on sticking with this hobby you'll want an improved source. 

 

[shingo43]

hmm, so any good dac under 500?
also have a related question, does high end cd player mainly just because they have a better dac than the cheap ones?

 

[tyoung8]

Yulong D100
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/519638/my-list-of-recommended-dacs

 

[Graphicism]

I don't have any suggestions other than the DLIII I use, someone needs to make a list of op-amp free FET discrete DACs.
 
˄ The Yulong D100 uses op-amps, you may as well buy the much cheaper ZERO DAC.