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CatfishSoupFTW
1
Mar 16, 2018
How do people "fine tune" their gear? I want to eventually get into higher end home audio headphone listening, and I got my generic stereo amp which could power? quarter inch headphones safely, but lets say I went for a more dedicated system, what would be the benefits of your more modern tech amps vs a tube based amp. Aside from the glorious look of a tube amp, is there a different form of benefit? Are you essentially EQing the cans? Or are amps just strictly a more power thing.
Same goes for balanced cables. When would making such a move be "worth" it ?
Olivesaxer
5
Mar 16, 2018
CatfishSoupFTWThe way that I have worked with mine is to take a look at my current set up and find the 'weak point' in the overall signal line (from the musician to my ears)...
So for example - most folks start by taking their source (Record player, CD player, Computer) plugged directly into the stereo receiver and then that goes to a decent set of speakers or headphones. The immediate reaction is to upgrade headphones or speakers because those are the most visible in the chain - but more often than not, better sound will be achieved by cleaning up the source material - upgrade your digital files to the best available, get a good DAC and it will do WONDERS for your overall experience.
But in the end - don't listen to anybody. Everyone has advice on audio stuff, but you need to let your ears and wallet do the deciding. This can just, hopefully help you get started.
komizutama
2
Mar 16, 2018
CatfishSoupFTWSo I've found going to shops or finding local audiophile communities and trying a bunch of different types of gear make a big difference. You start to get an idea of what you like and don't like. For example I knew I wanted a tube amp because a family friend had one and let me try it and listen to some classic rock, jazz and classical and it had this spaciousness that I loved. It's hard for me to describe in a really analytical sense. But tube amps to me seem to have a certain clarity and warmth. It's very much a stylistic thing. They also tend to put out a lot of power so they can drive high impedance cans improving the signal to noise ratio.. But that's also available in modern solid state amps. You can kind of look at solid state as usually pursuing a flatter amplification, meaning selective frequencies are amplified more evenly. Tube amps allow some different profiles depending on which tubes you're using. They also can create a bit of headroom through crosstalk which, as far as I understand, essentially means channels getting blended a little to give a more natural sound. To me tubes sound more like i'm sitting in a room listening to musicians, on a PA, and solid state sounds more like I'm sitting in a studio. I tried a friend's open-backed Sennheisers HD598s and absolutely loved the feeling on my head... So I grabed some of the Sennheiser 6xxs from here when they came up on a drop. But then I also listen to a lot of hard hitting bassy music, hip hop and various forms of electronic, too. Plus I work in an open design studio and ride the subway so some closed cans that are pretty low impedance are great for that. So, I picked up a pair of ATH-m50xs Which have become my daily use phones. They lay fat around my neck, keep my ears warm in the winter (A pair of klipsch x10s are my go to summer headphones. They also sound great without an amp.) Ultimately for getting started, I'd be looking at 1) the quality of my music files. Using something like apple lossless, spotify UHD, or FLAC if digital. Good condition lps if you're a turntable kinda person (I'm not.. my lifestyle doesn't really afford the space or weight) 2) a great set of low impedance headphones like the ath-m50s or h598s. DO NOT GET BEATS by Dre! They are honestly not that great, and for what you pay for them you can get far superior cans 3)Then look at a dedicated headphone amp &/or DAC & high impedance open back headphones like Sennheisers (My personal fave), Grados or AKGs.. but these are dedicated sit at home or on your desk at work hooked up to your rig... Most (definitely not all) portable amps can't really drive high impedance amps long or well, and your phone or computer just isn't up for the task. long story short if it runs on battery power you might be alright you'll have to check stats. If it's usb powered it's typically not gonna be strong enough. seperate power supply is a good sign but look at the stats. Cables as far as I can have the most limited influence. Definitely save this for last. (Yeah I know the hardcore enthusiasts will swear by it, but as long as you have reasonably decent cables, oxygen free shielded is good. Most of all, try lots of things and have fun <3
CatfishSoupFTW
1
Mar 16, 2018
Olivesaxerappreciate the response ! I haven't had much experiences with DAC's but I know people swear by it. I'd like to get a nice home set up going now for listening especially for those late nights where the speakers at a low volume just do not do just. Been trying to figure out when and how I will pull this off. Another hobby. lol Mo money mo problems.
CatfishSoupFTW
1
Mar 16, 2018
komizutamathanks for the killer response my friend ! I love audio and proper sound, and have spent some fair cash on headphones or earbuds. Shures for drumming, RHA's for a low profile commuter, and QC35's for that wondering NC for work ( open office problems ) along side other earbuds. However now I would like to start doing that at home experience with headphones - I started recently for those late nights, TV shows, movies or gaming and it just brings up so much detail I was missing out on without cranking the speakers. I feel like my current amp will be a good starter along side some nice open cans however not sure where I would like to start. I definitely need more exploration with those headphone walls they have at my local audiophile store. The Senheiser 6XX is a name I see pop up a lot so those may be on my radar. Also would like to try those planar design cans to see what those are all a bout. I wish wireless home listening was more of a thing but still seems like it ain't. I definitely need more research and when I am ready will for sure pull the trigger.
As for beats - no need to worry about me being disappointed there hahaha . Definitely have lots of research and testing to do, but hopefully one day I can join the squad. haha
c0rnelius
1060
Mar 17, 2018
OlivesaxerQuestion-- when I want to get headphones for a record player setup (currently setup as you described), does there need to be an amp/DAC between the stereo receiver and headphones?
Olivesaxer
5
Mar 17, 2018
c0rneliusA DAC is only used to convert Digital signals (a cd player or a computer source) so no you don’t need a DAC. And technically you don’t NEED a headphone amp between your receiver and your cans, but in my experience, every set of headphones sounds better with a designated headphone amp as opposed to just plugging them directly into your receiver.
Olivesaxer
5
Mar 17, 2018
CatfishSoupFTWit can be an expensive hobby.
I have not had any experience with them, but massdrop regularly posts some highly regarded DAC/Headphone amp combinations. That might be a less expensive way to test stuff out.
c0rnelius
1060
Mar 17, 2018
OlivesaxerThanks for the reply! Am I doing damage to a DAC if I were to use a combo dac/amp and switch between computer and receiver sources?
Olivesaxer
5
Mar 17, 2018
c0rneliusI have a separate DAC and a separate Headphone Amp, so I can not speak with 100% certainty, but I would think that the point of a DAC/HPA combo is to do exactly what you are suggesting.
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