Headphones + dac @ 8k max suggesions please..

[Deleted member 45006]

At a budget of 8k what is the best possible combination of an entry level dac + over the ear headphone? Fiio d11 + Bose on ear 2 how would be it? I saw those Bose on eBay for 4500.. I m not a Bose fan, I know many others here won't be too, but I was looking for a comfortable solution..and though this headphone is not worth more than 8k( as in stores) at 4.5 it's a good deal, as they don't sound pathetic? Anyone had experience using an amp with Bose before?

 

[abhi_jollyguy]

Creative Aurvana Live! At this budget of headphones, you don't really need any AMP, all you need is good sound card and ASUS Xonar DG is a good sound card for headphones.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Alby Tommy, what source are you using? Do you really need a DAC? Do you really need a headphone amplifier?

Share some more detail, and you will get the right advice.

Also, consider whether you want/need open- or closed-back headphones

 

[Deleted member 45006]

Alby Tommy, what source are you using? Do you really need a DAC? Do you really need a headphone amplifier?

Share some more detail, and you will get the right advice.

Also, consider whether you want/need open- or closed-back headphones

It's actually for a friend, who uses a dell Inspiron , I don't believe the sound of dell would be any good. For that reason only I was looking for the USB dac.. I believe Asus sonar dg is out of the budget, should I really go for a dac or just the headphones would do?

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

I have no idea what the output from a Dell Inspiron hp socket sounds like, so I don't want to jump to conclusions, but, for a laptop dedicated system, I'd go for one of the small combined DAC/HP units. But a different approach occurs to me...

Spend the budget on headphones.

They will be a huge improvement on any cheap earbuds, even from that earphone socket. Listening should now be enjoyably better, and your friend can save up similar amount (or more ) to spend on the DAC/HP amp, which should bring out more of the potential in the headphones he will then already have.

It's just an idea. But my theory is that he'll end up much better off (sound wise) and will have the pleasure of two steps of improvement.

Others may have better ideas/theory/experience...

 

[Deleted member 45006]

So this is what I think get a headphone at around 8k now and if needed, go for an upgrade for the amp later, right? What could be the best buy around this price? (6-8k)I had akg k450 in mind, but I don't think it's available anywhere now.. Also as comfort factor is concerned, I m considering Philips oneil stretch too.. But the sound is little muddy with mid bass..

 

[jolintsai]

How do you think about this earphone ?It looks so cool! From Lady gaga!Just kidding.This product seems to be quite expensive.

Th photo listed below seems quite good. From Microlab!

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

I'm a relative newcomer to headphones, so recommendations I leave entirely to others. However, although recent foreign exchange movements don't help, I do feel that 8,000 ought to get a pair that are pretty good for laptop/portable-player listening.

Look at this (Audio Technica AD500: Amazon link, so please excuse when it becomes invalid in the future) for instance. I auditioned the AD700 and AD900, and bought the AD900: higher price bracket, but one just gets more refinement.

This range, by the way, are a) big and b) open-back. Your friend needs to decide what they want. They are surprising comfortable, and, until my ears get a bit sweaty, I can easily forget I am wearing them. Wouldn't be any good for portable use, though. These are also now the old range: the new range have an "X" at the end of the model number. That could mean that the older series might be available as very good offers. I have often found that last-year's-model buying is a great way to get best value for money.

Grado is a favourite brand with many people. I don't know the starting price.

The biggest problem with buying headphones is that they really need to be auditioned, not only for sound, but for comfort. No two heads are quite the same! Buying online without trying should give the best bargain, but is necessarily a gamble.

 

[techboy]

Pioneer SE A1000 import for rs6000 and asus dgx will give a senn hd 598 tough competition, trust me, dont be fooled by the cheap price.

 

[yuvaraki]

For Dac try this: Hifiman HM 101. Head-Direct ProductsHIFIMAN EXPRESS HM-101 Portable USB Sound Card. 40$ for the Dac alone and may be then a SR60 together must be within 8k.

But Grados are open-back and Thad_E_Ginathom mentioned there's big difference in sound quality. Personlly i dig the open-back sound. Even when it comes to speakers, I liked the open-baffle sound better than the towers or book-shleves. Also, leaking sound is not appropriate for all settings and lack of thumping bass is also not for all.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Thad_E_Ginathom mentioned there's big difference in sound quality.

I've never liked the close-back experience, so I can't really compare the sound quality.

There is a big difference in the experience, plus, open-back is only good where isolation is not required and sound leakage is allowable. Useless on the plane!

 

[yuvaraki]

I've never liked the close-back experience, so I can't really compare the sound quality.

There is a big difference in the experience, plus, open-back is only good where isolation is not required and sound leakage is allowable. Useless on the plane!

I should've better phrased it! you are right about the plane part!

 

[grunthos]

For your budget, I cant recommend this enough Klipsch Image ONE Stereo Headphones
I compared the AKG 450 and Klipsch Image Ones - and picked the Image Ones. They are oh-so-comfortable - comparable to the Bose OEs. And sound brilliant

These Pro Audio Home guys are based in Navi Mumbai and are official distributors of Fiio in India. The selection of headphones they have is very good.

 

[Deleted member 45006]

For your budget, I cant recommend this enough Klipsch Image ONE Stereo Headphones
I compared the AKG 450 and Klipsch Image Ones - and picked the Image Ones. They are oh-so-comfortable - comparable to the Bose OEs. And sound brilliant

These Pro Audio Home guys are based in Navi Mumbai and are official distributors of Fiio in India. The selection of headphones they have is very good.

Thanks grunthos, built quality should be good from the looks.. But I have the s4i earphones which, I felt is the poorest built earphones on the planet( surprisingly sonically a capable option ! , though vocals sounds tinny unless the eq is little boosted in that range). And I too think it was a one time mistake by klipsch!

 

[youngt465]

Although it was really expensive but the item was really great. Is still available?

 

[Deleted member 45006]

Although it was really expensive but the item was really great. Is still available?

S6i must be there. Though more expensive, they are rugged and the drivers / design is the same. But that's a clear bet, with two years warranty.. Good sonics + durability . But it never stayed in my years, I think klipsch paid every website to make it 'comfortable'!

 

[Deleted member 45006]

I've never liked the close-back experience, so I can't really compare the sound quality.

There is a big difference in the experience, plus, open-back is only good where isolation is not required and sound leakage is allowable. Useless on the plane!

It's a late reply. But you were absolutely right, as I m enjoying music with lot of life on my senn HD 558 at this moment. by the way, like many others out there, I stretched and stretched my budget and now it's not at all relevant to the title of this topic

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Ahh, yes... that does indeed often happen to us!

Good to know you are enjoying the music. That makes it all worthwhile

 

[Deleted member 45006]

Ahh, yes... that does indeed often happen to us!

Good to know you are enjoying the music. That makes it all worthwhile

Are you using some amp with the headphones? I m planning to get one, but on my MacBook with a music player called 'cog' the headphone performs okay. But then again I m quite new to good headphones. The one I had earlier was Bose OE which had better sensitivity( now I know what it was lacking I m wondering what amp would suit mine? I m using an iphone 5 too. Fiio has good reviews. But then again, Which one? Something which would not cost a fortune would be okay. Again less than 4k my laptop has optical output. I have an offer on a DAC plus amp for 10k. Brand is HLLY smk digital mark 3.(used) is it worth the money, considering it's not readily available in India ? Or some fiio ? M confused !!

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

I am using PC-USB --> ODAC --> ifi iCAN.

I have a thread about it here

Either I'm just now finding the the right threads, or interest in headphone amplifiers (with or without combined DAC) seems to be a minority thing on the forum, but picking up now.