[KazeNg]

Hi everyone, can you guys help me decide a combo of headphone with amp/dac with the budget of $700? Most of the time I listen to J-Pop and classical music. A little bit rock sometimes, but not much. I like something that is detailed and has good imaging.
Thanks.
 
Edit: my source is the macbook pro.

 

[talisman42]

grado rs1i

 

[KazeNg]

Quote:

grado rs1i

$700 for both the headphone and the amp/dac. The Grado RS1 alone costs $695 (Amzon price) (

 

[syryanyang]

O2+ODAC for amp and dac
Too many choices for headphones: K/Q 70X, HD600/650, Mad dogs, 325i, AD900x, the list goes on and on

 

[Dubstep Girl]

O2 + DAC or that new schiit amp/dac stack for 200$ 
 
headphones could be sennheiser hd 600s or maybe beyer dt 880/990, 600 ohm versions

 

[Peculier]

I'd say wait a bit for reviews on the Schiit stack, as they could possibly be great value for money at 200 bucks.. for headphone you may want to consider the HE-400 or the DT880 600 ohm.

 

[MattTCG]

1. For an open setup consider: 
 
*he400
*e17
 
$520
 
2. For a closed setup:
 
*Maddogs
*Schitt Stack
 
$500
 
gL!!

 

[McPatD]

When taken out of context all this Maddog Schitt stack talk is really funny!

 

[l0rdr0ck]

Don't box yourself in. Spend the money in the right places.
 
Lets do a Closed Setup that I would be happy with.
700$
 
Mr Speakers Maddogs 299!!!  (God I love these headphones)
 
Schiit Modi 99 
 
Project Sunrise 199  (Compares very well to Lyr) http://www.head-fi.org/t/637092/project-sunrise-vs-little-dot-mk-iii
 
That will be one kick ass rig.  If you wanted to be cool you could even get the ODAC pcb board and build it directly
into the Sunrise.

 

[obobskivich]

Koss ESP/950, Grado RS-1i, Kenwood KH-K1000. The importance of "DAC" is massively over-stated and over-blown, as is the need for expensive amplification.
http://en.goldenears.net/index.php?mid=KB_Columns&document_srl=1921

 

[KazeNg]

Thanks for all of your recommends. I read some review about those headphones you guys mentioned and found that HE 400 might be the one for me. However, what amp should I pair up with it? Is a Fiio E17 good enough? I still have $300 after purchasing the HE 400, so anything better than the E17?
Again, thanks.

 

[obobskivich]

Thanks for all of your recommends. I read some review about those headphones you guys mentioned and found that HE 400 might be the one for me. However, what amp should I pair up with it? Is a Fiio E17 good enough? I still have $300 after purchasing the HE 400, so anything better than the E17?
Again, thanks.

The E9 is more robust. If you're running this through a PC there's always the "amp soundcards," and the Musical Fidelity V-CAN-II is a very nice piece of kit for $200.

 

[MattTCG]

I like the e17 fine for the he400. Gives you hardware EQ, three levels of gain and is also a nice portable. 

 

[KazeNg]

Hmm, the Fiio E17 sounds good. However, have anyone tried pairing the HE400 with the O2/ODAC yet?

 

[abcd]

Quote:

When taken out of context all this Maddog Schitt stack talk is really funny!

You take a **** schiit stack, a **** schiit stack!