[Chinchy]

I've been yearning for an upgrade. Currently the majority of my listening is done at work, using MP3's off my laptop, of varying bitrates. Sound quality is so-so. I have it going through XFeed, to Meta42, to SR225. I want to increasing my aural pleasure. These are my choices:

1) Buy the Iriver IMP-550 (or similar portable CD player capable of redbook and burned MP3s). ~175
2) Buy the MAD Ear+ with upgraded parts (assembled, because I'm lazy like that and I'd just rather throw money at it). ~470
3) Buy a new USB/PCMCIA soundcard like the M-Audio Sonica or Echo Indigo. ~100

Each has their benefits.
- With the PCDP, I have flexibility for using it in the car, better sound (I'm hoping), and the ability to play audio cd's (since my laptop's cd player is kinda broken right now).
- With the amp, I get that tubey warmth and goodness for my SR-225, and then I can take my Meta42 home and use it with my SR-60's.
- With the USB soundcard, I get flexibility for either my home (IBM T20) or work laptops (Compaq M700), as well as better sound than the crap on my work laptop.

Money's not tremendously an issue, as I know eventually I'm probably going to get all three. Who knows, I may just splurge and get all three. But what would be the recommended order of purchasing?

 

[nanahachi]

hey chincy
if it were me, i would look into upgrading my source at work. I probably wouldnt get the EAR+ for work, rather, a nice CDP/PCDP seems more attractive to me since you already have a META.

However, you're using MP3s, and it sounds like you want to stick with those...so maybe getting a better soundcard is equivalent to getting a better source?

good luck deciding

 

[MERTON]

i personally like my 550.

 

[Chinchy]

Thanks Nanahachi and MERTON! I just went ahead and purchased the iRiver IMP-550. Now I just have to see how long I can hold off my compulsive buying before the MAD Ear+ is on its way. And yes, I'm still thinking of using it at work. There's nothing like using corporate energy to keep the tubes warm. Which I guess brings up the question, is it bad to leave a tube amp on and running all the time?

Besides, no one here would ever know the intrinsic or extrinsic value of the MAD Ear+.. I just leave my whole setup (SR-225's, META42, Xfeed, cables) lying there in the open every day and night.