[Lagerstout]

Hi Guys,
 
What is usually the first component you upgrade first when you're delving into higher end audio?  I first upgraded my headphones to the Grado Labs SR60E.  They've been great and kept me satisfied for a while.  I only just recently started looking into headphone DAC/Amps and ended up getting a FiiO Q1 from Amazon.  The FiiO Q1 gives the music I listen to added depth that I hadn't experienced previously.  Before using the Q1 as a discreet DAC, I was just listening straight from my MacBook Pro.  Has anybody made a headphone amp as the first component they upgraded instead of headphones first?

 

[cel4145]

Macbook pros have pretty good sound.

Focus on headphone upgrades until you get to that headphone that needs an amp.

 

[Lagerstout]

Macbook pros have pretty good sound.

Focus on headphone upgrades until you get to that headphone that needs an amp.

The Q1 in my opinion has better sound than the MBP alone.  On the other hand because I wanted a closed back headphone with similar sound I also upgraded to the Sony MDR-7506 which at 63 ohms impedance exceeds the 24ohms the MBP maxes out at.  But before trying the MDR-7506 for the first time I tested the SR60E with the Q1.

 

[cel4145]

The Q1 in my opinion has better sound than the MBP alone.  

Might want to read about what audio science has to say about sighted comparisons of dacs and amps. Improper testing can easily bias the results.

which exceeds the 24ohms the MBP maxes out at.  

That makes no sense to me. You must be misinterpreting some specification you have read.

 

[Music Alchemist]

Most will tell you that they upgraded their headphones first, and that is generally the best route to take.
 
And yeah, that Sony can get pretty loud even out of a laptop headphone output.

 

[Me x3]

FiiO Q1 will drive most headphones very well (it works surprisingly well with my 300 Ohm Sennheiser HD650)
At this point you should focus on the headphones and the quality of your recordings.

 

[notfitforpublic]

Agree with Me x3.
 
Music quality first. Easily the most substantial listening difference at a cheaper cost.
Find a set of cans you really enjoy and build a system around them.

 

[Lagerstout]

  Agree with Me x3.
 
Music quality first. Easily the most substantial listening difference at a cheaper cost.
Find a set of cans you really enjoy and build a system around them.

Yep thats the process.  The SR60E is a great headphone to my non-audiophile ears.