Welp, guess I'm getting the E11k.
And the major complaint about the HE-400 seems to be the cable, so I looked up replacements, gawdam cables are expensive.
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$500 cans on, this is how you dream right - Official Headphone Thread
- Thread starter HiResDes
- Start date
Welp, guess I'm getting the E11k.
And the major complaint about the HE-400 seems to be the cable, so I looked up replacements, gawdam cables are expensive.
So i'd like to get my console game audio and my pc audio on my headset at the same time. This was my original plan. I found out that the rca cables led to a massive amount of white noise and my on-board audio reads the tv line as a recording device so it's either I have the tv audio and no working mic or a working mic and no audio. I consulted a friend and he recommended that I get myself a toslink cable for better sound quality and channel both the tv and pc audio to a fiio e17. Seems like a good plan but i'd like a second opinion. Is this the best solution for me? Thanks.
Phat Michael
Banned
Thanks Mr Postman
I should photo the case it comes in and the books - it really looks so high end in the velvet lined case.
Everything else should be arriving by the 18th Dec.
I should photo the case it comes in and the books - it really looks so high end in the velvet lined case.
Everything else should be arriving by the 18th Dec.
super-famicom
Member
Thanks Mr Postman
I should photo the case it comes in and the books - it really looks so high end in the velvet lined case.
Everything else should be arriving by the 18th Dec.
Ooo, congrats!
Phat Michael
Banned
i cant even listen to them 
my current DAC/AMP blew its power supply..and my Colorfly cant run the 800s very well... i need to wait till the 18th just to hear them!
my current DAC/AMP blew its power supply..and my Colorfly cant run the 800s very well... i need to wait till the 18th just to hear them!super-famicom
Member
i cant even listen to them
Well, I obviously need to test them out for you to make sure they work, since you can't do that on your own. Just send them my way and I'll let you know how they are ;p
Phat Michael
Banned
lol the box is so damn heavy dude. the case it comes in looks really high end. I wasnt expecting it to be so damn heavy when it shipped.
Phat Michael
Banned
These are being shipped today - should pick them up on Friday:
Uni on Everything!
Member
Mad Dogs - https://mrspeakers.com/product/mad-dog-leather-alpha-pads-comfort-strap/Trying again on a new page, would really appreciate any suggestions
+
Geek Out 1000
Phat Michael
Banned
Des what is tour setup like at home? Can you post some pics?
I've tracked down a few SACD's that I'm dying to play on my new setup.
I've tracked down a few SACD's that I'm dying to play on my new setup.
It's not pretty, not much room and some bootleg makeshift headphone holders.
HD650s on sale again - http://mobile.adorama.com/SEHD650.h...iliate.62905&utm_referrer=direct/not provided
Uni on Everything!
Member
Thanks for the suggestion!
I was actually looking at the HD650s and the O2 + ODAC combo from JDS Labs before I saw your suggestion. How do you think this would compare to the Mad Dogs + Geek Out? I'll admit I've never heard of them until you recommended them in your post.
Dreams-Visions
Member
WTF!
$315 is a "don't delay" price.
I'm gonna have to dip into some new cans again, right?
edit: bought. $300 for a pair of HD650's is like...the best deal in headphones.
Phat Michael
Banned
I got to play with the astell and Kern 240 today. It is gorgeous and can drive anything..but it's $2500. It is NOT 3x better than my colorfly.
Well I actually think the Mad Dogs have a greater balance and wider frequency range than the HD650s, but they obviously can't compete with the overall sense of space and soundstage of the Sennheiser, which are also unequivocally smooth sounding. The Geek Out 1000 compares quite well to the JDS setup, but actually boasts a bit more power enabling them to drive the more power hungry headphones.
mr stroke
Member
i cant even listen to them
Plug those beasts in(you have a Mac or PC w/soundcard to run them off of?), curious what they sound like with out a dedicated amp
Phat Michael
Banned
Do sound cards have the proper input? It is the large single ended cable.. Not the standard 3.5mm one..Plug those beasts in(you have a Mac or PC w/soundcard to run them off of?), curious what they sound like with out a dedicated amp
Sounds ok with my colorfly but it needs to be driven. Amp will arrive along with the audeze lcd 3 by next week, all with balanced cables. Will write a full review then and after 2 week burn in with all cables.
Uni on Everything!
Member
Thank you. I went ahead and ordered the HD650s from your link since they were on sale at a pretty good price so I couldn't pass them up. Now to decide on an amp/dac... somehow I went from looking at the JDS/Geek Out to the Schiit combo and now looking at Woo Audio Fireflies... help!
Phat Michael
Banned
The woo looks so hardcore. Do you like the tube amp sound? Will you need a DAC as well?
Uni on Everything!
Member
Yea I'm looking for a DAC + amp setup. I've now stumbled onto this: http://www.headfonia.com/resonessence-concero-hp-canadian-dacamp/
This is my first time getting into headphone audio so I've never heard anything except what I have (ATH M50 + Asus Essence STX sound card)... how in the world do you guys decide on something to try when there are so many options? lol
Phat Michael
Banned
You do research and enjoy every min of it! I'm going with the oppo ha-1 for me. Great reviews, lots of power and it is a gorgeous balanced unit.
This will be with the hd800s and audeze lcd3.
I want the ray samuels darkstar but it is too expensive plus you need the separate dac..
Tube amp definitely goes better with the Sennheiser, but the geek out will do a great job and also be the more versatile pick should you decide to buy other headphones. And yeah the woo doesn't have a built-in DAC right?
Hmm, ODAC+O2 and a Sennheiser HD650. HD 600 is more neutral but for hopping the 650 it is.
It wont sound as clear as the M50 but more detailed, unfatiguing with great bass. Absolutely fantastic mids.
Plus the ODAC combo can drive high end cans competently down the road.
It wont sound as clear as the M50 but more detailed, unfatiguing with great bass. Absolutely fantastic mids.
Plus the ODAC combo can drive high end cans competently down the road.
Dynamite Ringo Matsuri
Member
Skip the Concero and just get a Geek Out. I know a guy who had a Concero and sold if after picking up a DX90. (I also owned the DX90 with the latest Lurker FW, sounded pretty good) All these things use ES9018 SABRE DACs which have a particular signature/flavor. I've heard the SABRE in several configs up to the $1000 mark and it more or less sounds the same as the GO to me. You'd save a lot of money this way due to diminishing returns
Technosteve
Banned
What's the general opinion for the best bang for the buck for noise cancelation headphones?
....Bose?
....Bose?
Well, it's not the best bang/buck but for a change, when it comes to noise cancelling, many people agree Bose does it best. Even those who generally dislike Bose.
In return, a lot of people will suggest to go for best manual isolation since noise cancelling is never artefact free.
Uni on Everything!
Member
Wow that is some serious equipment you've got. I don't think I'm prepared to spend quite that much my first round but do let us know how it sounds once you get everything!
I believe the Fireflies are an amp/dac combo.
Thanks for talking some sense into me lol. I'll likely go for something more reasonable this time around then upgrade later if I feel the need to.
So is the Geek Out and the ODAC pretty similar? Is there any comparison somewhere?
Union Carbine
Member
Changstar peeps seem to like the Geek Out 450 + Leckerton for the amp.
eh might as well
Got the Shakes
Member
I am getting dangerously close to buying an Astell & Kern AK100 II DAP as an early Christmas gift to myself. I had a FiiO X5 for a hot minute, but sold it as I just didn't like the UI. The AK looks amazing, and I have read nothing but good things about them, plus I really like that I can stream my lossless files directly from my NAS.
Technosteve
Banned
Guess I'll get Bose, it's for travel unless you guys can name some 200 dollar cans with good isolation?
Duxxy3
Member
If it's specifically for gaming I would probably go JVC HA-RX700. A little cheaper than the Sony's. I have no experience with those Sony's though and the reviews seem good. Most common complaint is with comfort.
Dynamite Ringo Matsuri
Member
I've got a friend over at HF whose main rig used to be the ODAC/O2. Totally obsessed with file formats and uses Stax as a main can. The type of person who puts DSD files through a spectrograph to make sure they AREN'T just FLAC reencoded (this has happened before, another reason I don't buy into hires files). He says the Geek Out is basically on a par with the O2/ODAC, but warmer in tonality.
Anaxilus over at Changstar is also a fan of the GO. People might know him as the guy behind the infamous HD800 Anax mods. His opinion is that the O2/ODAC is pointless now that the GO exists. Larry Ho at Light Harmonic actually has a set of HD800 and LCD-3s to use to tune the GOs. It'll drive both in a pinch. Extremely impressive for something that's about the size of a box of matches
Brainwavz HM5/NVX XPT100 isolate pretty damn well. Beyerdynamic DT-150 also isolate very well, but they're a bit out of your range and are even bigger than the Hm5.
If its jet travel, don't even bother with manual isolation. Bose Quietcomforts are the best jet travel headphones/IEMs on the market for the triple reason that, except for a tiny whine that all noise cancelling headphones make, they have a comfortable sound signature, are extremely comfortable to wear, and the active noise cancelling is better than any of the competitions.
Phat Michael
Banned
I have one. They are very very good at that price.
Phat Michael
Banned
Get the centrance in the link posted above. It is a superb unit at that price. I bought mine for a lot more when they came put as it won many awards including stereophile's best pick.
Phat Michael
Banned
You are right, my mistake. It IS a DAC/AMP but it isnt a balanced unit. If you are thinking of getting something "Futureproof" - then i would get something with the balanced input. (OPPO HA1, BMC PureDAC) - but these are pricier.
Also with the woo wa7 - everyone upgrades the tubes which is another $200-$300 i believe..
If you want to keep to your original budget and are not worried about balanced cables, really cant recommend the centrance DACMINI enough.
I have had mine for 3 years and it really can handle anything. I use Jriver Audio with it and i had my Audiotechnica ATH-900 and the sound was really good.
Duxxy3
Member
Have had both. The 201's were a bit small and clampy for me. The JVC's were over ear and more comfy.
Zaraki_Kenpachi
Member
I wonder if I would like these more than the X1...
There's no place to try higher end earphones before buying, right?
I really doubt you would honestly. They're kind of similar.
Phat Michael
Banned
Slowly coming together now...
Uni on Everything!
Member
You are right, my mistake. It IS a DAC/AMP but it isnt a balanced unit. If you are thinking of getting something "Futureproof" - then i would get something with the balanced input. (OPPO HA1, BMC PureDAC) - but these are pricier.
Also with the woo wa7 - everyone upgrades the tubes which is another $200-$300 i believe..
If you want to keep to your original budget and are not worried about balanced cables, really cant recommend the centrance DACMINI enough.
I have had mine for 3 years and it really can handle anything. I use Jriver Audio with it and i had my Audiotechnica ATH-900 and the sound was really good.
Thanks for all your help! I just read up a bit on balance headphones/amps and I think I will just go with that CEntrance unit before I fall any deeper into this headphone blackhole lol. Prices seem to increase exponentially as you add more and more features, and I'm not sure if I'd even be able to tell something that's balance from unbalanced.
The DACmini seems like it's a steal at the price.
Phat Michael
Banned
It is very good. Have been using mine for ages. Just make sure you get some nice software like JRIVER Audio so you can run hi res files properly.
CEntrance is proper plug and play - i remember paying closer to $900 for it im sure...at $400 that is REALLY good.
Uni on Everything!
Member
Will do. Placed the order now the wait. Thanks!
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