[Joshatdot]

I have read many other threads, many like the AV-710, EMU 1212, EMU 0404, and X-Fi Music.

I do game often, but I also want true 5.1 or 7.1 optical out.

I currently have Sony MDR-7506 (DT250 pads on order), and KSC75's Kramer/quarter/re-wired mod'ed.

I currently am using my little Yahama TSS-1B to power my speakers and headphones. I also have a Pioneer VSX D812 K (I think or maybe VSX 816 K) receiver/amp not in use ATM (in storage, no room for it at current place)

I plan on getting PX100's or PMX100's, and hopefully someday a nice headphone amp and one of these, but not sure yet on what one:

AKG K24P
beyerdynamic DT880
Etymotic ER-4B
Sennheiser HD250 II
Sennheiser Oprheus
Shure E4C

 

[jmmtn4aj]

Quote:

AKG K24P beyerdynamic DT880 Etymotic ER-4B Sennheiser HD250 II Sennheiser Oprheus Shure E4C

o.O It's not only a jumble of models, but a jumble of price ranges too o.O

 

[Joshatdot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmmtn4aj /img/forum/go_quote.gif o.O It's not only a jumble of models, but a jumble of price ranges too o.O

Yeah I know, I based it on Frequency Response graphs on www.headphone.com, which ones had the flattest spectrum.

http://graphs.headphone.com/graphCom...Type=0&graphID[]=567&graphID[]=585&graphID[]=459&graphID[]=453
http://graphs.headphone.com/graphCom...Type=0&graphID[]=459&graphID[]=453&graphID[]=435&graphID[]=609

Computer Setup:
GA-7N400 Pro2 Rev 1.xx
AMD XP 3200+
2x 512mb Geil DDR400, Dual Channel
SB Live! 5.1 (SB0100), 4 channel analog output
2x rat shack gold plated 3' mini-to-mini plugs
Yahama TSS-1B



I just tried my 7506's directly to the SB Live! 5.1 .. it made a very noticeable difference. Thru the TSS-1B the sound was bright and not much bass. Directly from my SB Live! its much better, the highs were not too bright, and there much better bass coming out.

 

[Ahriman4891]

Well, since you got Sennheiser Orpheus in your list, I say go for LynxTWO or something of that caliber. Also get an X-fi Elite pro for gaming.

 

[uraflit]

not much posters here that can put an orpheus on their "plan to buy" list...

whew!

 

[infinitesymphony]

If you game, you'll pretty much want a X-Fi.

For music playback, it's really up to you. You're not limited to sound cards, since the X-Fi can output bit-perfect audio to a DAC of your choice.

You may want to consider buying a surround receiver (or pulling out the Pioneer) to act as your DAC. Very few high quality sound cards have analog outputs for surround. I think I remember reading that even the best X-Fi used inferior DACs for all channels except the front two.

 

[Joshatdot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinitesymphony /img/forum/go_quote.gif For music playback, it's really up to you. You're not limited to sound cards, since the X-Fi can output bit-perfect audio to a DAC of your choice.

Really? I thought only the AV710 could only do that, not thru its own DAC, but just bypass the signal to an external DAC.

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinitesymphony /img/forum/go_quote.gif You may want to consider buying a surround receiver (or pulling out the Pioneer) to act as your DAC.

I am going to get me Pioneer out, mebby this weekend. I got used to my little Yamaha, and after trying other receivers and directly hooking my phones to a sound card, the Yamaha is not a good amp for cans, but its ok for its own lil 5.1 speakers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinitesymphony /img/forum/go_quote.gif Very few high quality sound cards have analog outputs for surround. I think I remember reading that even the best X-Fi used inferior DACs for all channels except the front two.

I thought X-Fi's ONLY did surround thru analog, but I think that is only for EAX/game stuff, and will only do DDL/DTS thru the TOSLINK.

 

[infinitesymphony]

The AV-710's claim to fame is that it can output a bit-perfect signal for under $30, but it's certainly not the only card capable of doing so.

I don't personally own a X-Fi, so I can't comment about whether or not bit-perfect output is limited to two-channel audio or if it also outputs surround. I'm guessing the X-Fi can perform bit-perfect output of whatever you play, including surround.

 

[werdwerdus]

The X-Fi can output surround sound through the digital outputs ONLY if it's playing a DVD or something that already has a DD or DTS audio track. Alternatively I have used ac3filter to encode on-the-fly to AC3 (dolby digital) to get surround sound through the spdif output. It's pretty easy to get the x-fi to do bit-perfect with stereo but it takes a little work to get it to output DTS or ac3.

 

[Joshatdot]

Can I have 2 cards at the same time? one for music, movies, etc .. and an x-fi for games?

 

[pedalhead]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshatdot /img/forum/go_quote.gif Can I have 2 cards at the same time? one for music, movies, etc .. and an x-fi for games?

Yup. I use an Audigy 2 for games, and an M-Audio Delta 410 for Foobar.

 

[Joshatdot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by uraflit /img/forum/go_quote.gif not much posters here that can put an orpheus on their "plan to buy" list... whew!

Holly cr@p, I didnt know the Sennheiser Orpheus was like $16k !! I picked those cans purely on frequency response. Well maybe, someday, if I win a Lottery I'll get Sennheiser Orpheus

 

[EnOYiN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshatdot /img/forum/go_quote.gif Holly cr@p, I didnt know the Sennheiser Orpheus was like $16k !! I picked those cans purely on frequency response. Well maybe, someday, if I win a Lottery I'll get Sennheiser Orpheus

ROFL

I think you should first decide what kind of headphones you want. Open / Closed
circumaural / supraaural for all I know noise cancelling.

After you decided that you've narrowed the selection down quite a bit. Than I think something like a pricerange would be nice. So you will not have to sell your house, your car and your wife ( if you've got one) just to buy some headphones.

If you did both of these things you can start asking people for advice again about what might suit you according to them.

I think this is the right way to do it.

Welcome to Head-Fi!

 

[infinitesymphony]

Also, bear in mind that although a driver may measure perfectly flat with a microphone, the graph might not take into account the human ear's frequency response (unless HeadRoom measures that way). In any case, graphs aren't necessarily representative of what a given pair of headphones will sound like, especially in comparison with other headphones.

 

[uzziah]

looking at graphs is a ridiculous way to pick headphones