dd3mon
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2002
- Posts
- 1,652
- Likes
- 12
My feet are officially wet.. my 600's are all broken in, and even with my crappy array of sources, I like 'em. But I know things can only get better from here. I've got a bad case of upgraditis and some Christmas cash burning a hole in my pocket
First off I'm happy with my 600's for the moment, I feel no need to go searching for new cans just yet.
I see three directions where upgrades are sorely needed: source, amp (believe it or not my boostaroo has weaknesses..), and a replacement for my 600's..
I think my first purchase should be an amp, because it would probably give me the biggest improvement without the other upgrades (feel free to disagree loudly). I've narrowed my amp choices to a Meta42 or a Corda HA-2. Based on the reviews of the prehead and Jan's comparison between the prehead and HA-2, I have no doubt that the HA-2 would be superior to (almost?) any Meta42.. The only problem is that if I bought an HA-2 I wouldn't have any money left to spend on a (small) source upgrade or replacement cable. (again feel free to disagree with my choices of amps very vocally).
As for a source from my point of view the ART DI/O looks like the bargain of the century. If I went for this I'd probably keep it around for a while in stock form (perhaps pulling the tube or upgrading the power supply, simple stuff like that), then eventually send it to be modded. (I would also eventually attempt to find a better transport than my computer/audigy).
So basically the question here is where to balance the resources. Should I get an HA-2, and keep using my crappy sources (audigy, pcdp, etc) and stock cable for a while? or should I get a Meta42 + an ART DI/O + possibly a Cardas/Equinox replacement? (I'd purchase both cables then sell/return the one I didn't like as much.. I do have more money to spend, just not willing.. yet..).
I'm not super strapped for cash, so spending more now in exchange for less upgrading in the future would be a definite plus. I wouldn't wanna buy something that would be immediately replaced or "outclassed" next time I upgrade anything. However if a meta+source & cable upgrades would sound lots better than an HA-2 w/o any source or cable upgrades, or if something like the HA-2 would outclass my sources/cables so much that it wouldn't be worth it, I would seriously consider going the meta route.
Any suggestions from those who have products mentioned here (or anything else in the price range or completely different) will be greatly appreciated!
BTW - for the basis of advice to me, just assume the prehead and HA-2 are sonically identical as Jan says, because to my knowledge no one other than Jan here at Head-Fi has heard an HA-2.
Thanks,
-dd3mon
EDIT: Read my latest post at the bottom of this thread, I now have $800 to spend!
First off I'm happy with my 600's for the moment, I feel no need to go searching for new cans just yet.
I see three directions where upgrades are sorely needed: source, amp (believe it or not my boostaroo has weaknesses..), and a replacement for my 600's..
I think my first purchase should be an amp, because it would probably give me the biggest improvement without the other upgrades (feel free to disagree loudly). I've narrowed my amp choices to a Meta42 or a Corda HA-2. Based on the reviews of the prehead and Jan's comparison between the prehead and HA-2, I have no doubt that the HA-2 would be superior to (almost?) any Meta42.. The only problem is that if I bought an HA-2 I wouldn't have any money left to spend on a (small) source upgrade or replacement cable. (again feel free to disagree with my choices of amps very vocally).
As for a source from my point of view the ART DI/O looks like the bargain of the century. If I went for this I'd probably keep it around for a while in stock form (perhaps pulling the tube or upgrading the power supply, simple stuff like that), then eventually send it to be modded. (I would also eventually attempt to find a better transport than my computer/audigy).
So basically the question here is where to balance the resources. Should I get an HA-2, and keep using my crappy sources (audigy, pcdp, etc) and stock cable for a while? or should I get a Meta42 + an ART DI/O + possibly a Cardas/Equinox replacement? (I'd purchase both cables then sell/return the one I didn't like as much.. I do have more money to spend, just not willing.. yet..).
I'm not super strapped for cash, so spending more now in exchange for less upgrading in the future would be a definite plus. I wouldn't wanna buy something that would be immediately replaced or "outclassed" next time I upgrade anything. However if a meta+source & cable upgrades would sound lots better than an HA-2 w/o any source or cable upgrades, or if something like the HA-2 would outclass my sources/cables so much that it wouldn't be worth it, I would seriously consider going the meta route.
Any suggestions from those who have products mentioned here (or anything else in the price range or completely different) will be greatly appreciated!
BTW - for the basis of advice to me, just assume the prehead and HA-2 are sonically identical as Jan says, because to my knowledge no one other than Jan here at Head-Fi has heard an HA-2.
Thanks,
-dd3mon
EDIT: Read my latest post at the bottom of this thread, I now have $800 to spend!