[agolsme]

I have some extra cash left from the summer -- what would be the next level up after my HD580s? Is there anything reasonable I can get for < $500?

 

[Ham Sandwich]

A suitable desktop amp to drive them properly?
Depends on what you're currently using for an amp.

 

[koven]

keep hd580s, upgrade source & amp

 

[1Time]

What sound card or other equipment are you plugging your headphones into?

 

[rapzoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by koven /img/forum/go_quote.gif keep hd580s, upgrade source & amp

X2

 

[tdogzthmn]

You could also look at an upgraded cable but I agree that you could look for amps.

 

[linuxworks]

what is your current amp/source?

I like my 580's. I'd keep them and get a 'good' dac and amp. you can do that for way less than $500, I think.

 

[aristos_achaion]

Have you gotten HD650 cable and HD600 grills for them? It's a cheap, popular upgrade for the 580. But yeah...source & amp upgrade definitely seems like the investment to make.

 

[Ub3rMario]

You could get an Audio-gd compass then you have a good amp/dac combo. I really wouldn't recommend upgrading the cables until the very end because for the money you spend on them, the change in sq will be much more subtle than if you were to spend that money on an amp/dac/soundcard/source.

Edit: Unless you're just getting an hd650 cord. That's fine since it's cheap!

 

[pdupiano]

quadruple, quintuple agree on the source and amp upgrades. For the longest time I ran a pair of hd580's using either my old headroom air head, or a d2 boa I borrowed from my friend. When I got a real desktop amp with some power I finally saw what people were raving about with the hd580's.

On a side note, if you do have a good source and amp, I'd suggest trying headphones with different sound signatures, that will either help you appreciate what the hd580's can do or discover what they are lacking (and will thus lead to more purchases/trades)

 

[Uncle Erik]

Agreed. The HD-580 is a fine headphone - put your money into a desktop amp if you don't have one.

If you do have a good amp, maybe take a look at turntables. $500 is enough to get started.

 

[agolsme]

Oh, my friend told me that these headphones didn't need amping, so I never bothered getting one. Any recommendations?