£300 budget Headphone listening area.

The-No2 · 02-11-2009, 6:51 PM

Looking to set up a little headphone station. I have a pair of sennheiser HD595's and my onboard sound is terrible for my pc. What equipment should i get to really boost my results for my headphones?

Amp? Dac? really not sure? Also how would I connect all this. I have no idea.

I could stretch this budget. Thanks

The-No2 · 02-11-2009, 7:15 PM

Ok after having a look around Ive decided to go with :

Musical Fidelity V-DAC for £150

That leaves me £150 for a possible headphone amp? any suggestions and how would i connect this up? The DAC will surpass my onboard sound etc?

Drubbing · 03-11-2009, 6:48 AM

I went the cheap DAC option and ended up doing it properly later with a Cambridge DACmagic

Granted I didn't spend as much as the VDAC with my first cheap DAC, but the CA is a good quality, good value unit, around 200 quid in the UK(?) If it is about that price, it will make the VDAc look a dud.

the DACmagic really opened up my music and my phones; more separation, more 'air' between the instruments, and excellent clarity. You'll hear the difference between your good recording and the poor, the poor ones just sound a bit flat.

Then a good desktop amp for 2-300 and you're set. Too many out there to recommend though, sorry.

DACmagic connects via USB (or optical if you have it) from your PC and RCA to a headphone amp.

Heady1977 · 11-11-2009, 8:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drubbing

I went the cheap DAC option and ended up doing it properly later with a Cambridge DACmagic

... the DACmagic really opened up my music and my phones; ...

Then a good desktop amp for 2-300 and you're set. Too many out there to recommend though, sorry.

DACmagic connects via USB (or optical if you have it) from your PC and RCA to a headphone amp.

I've recently decided to do a similar thing - have Headphone stations in the Lounge and in the Bedroom. The Lounge will be fed by a HTPC via SPDIF optical while the Bedroom will be fed by Laptop via USB. I looked around and in the end bought one of these [http://www.homehifi.co.uk/products/Caiman.html] to try and was happily surprised. I've now decided as soon as I'm able to buy another to complete the project. I had a medium sized list of "requirements" and out of the options I found this was the best fit for the budget I have available. I'm now a happy user.

Now I've got the DAC sorted - and the HTPC(s) - I'm now on the hunt for new "good" headphones - but my list of "requirements" are not being met at the moment... still looking.

Heady1977 · 13-11-2009, 8:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The-No2

...
Amp? Dac?
...

Enquiring minds would like to know - what did you decide on in the end?

Tony Roma · 14-11-2009, 8:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drubbing

I went the cheap DAC option and ended up doing it properly later with a Cambridge DACmagic

Granted I didn't spend as much as the VDAC with my first cheap DAC, but the CA is a good quality, good value unit, around 200 quid in the UK(?) If it is about that price, it will make the VDAc look a dud.

the DACmagic really opened up my music and my phones; more separation, more 'air' between the instruments, and excellent clarity. You'll hear the difference between your good recording and the poor, the poor ones just sound a bit flat.

Then a good desktop amp for 2-300 and you're set. Too many out there to recommend though, sorry.

DACmagic connects via USB (or optical if you have it) from your PC and RCA to a headphone amp.

I assume you have heard the vdac then?

Drubbing · 15-11-2009, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Roma

I assume you have heard the vdac then?

No, I haven't. But the CA has been renowned everywhere by users, not just trade reviews, as excellent value for money.

When making my comments, I was mistaking the V DAC for another product, so, they're not valid. Besides OP bought the V DAC anyway.

**Steven** · 15-11-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drubbing

If it is about that price, it will make the VDAc look a dud.

I have heard both and the V-Dac is absolutely not a dud . They are pretty identical

DAC: is DacMagic much better than Beresford Tc-7510

Shame you make that comment based on what appears to be nothing more than the fact you happen to own the DM

Drubbing · 15-11-2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LFC_SL

I have heard both and the V-Dac is absolutely not a dud . They are pretty identical

DAC: is DacMagic much better than Beresford Tc-7510

Shame you make that comment based on what appears to be nothing more than the fact you happen to own the DM

I've already said I mistook the VDAC for another product, is that ok with everyone?

rapidman17 · 24-11-2009, 11:28 PM

You can also look at the ZERO Tianyun DAC ... on ebay atm around £100 depending on the particular model (you would want to get the ones with the OPA627 opamp)... Is popular, especially after Penchams detailed review , and despite the build quality not being the greatest, it sounds v.good for the price...

You would want to get the USB version if you have no s/pdif coax or optical out from your pc.... you can then connect your headphones straight to the DAC, or as you have money to spend, purchase an amp ( something from Darkvoice or Little Dot will fit the budget) which you would connect to the DAC via L/R RCA cables....

TameRacingDriver · 25-11-2009, 6:59 PM

I'd look into this:-

Home HI-FI

I've been using their older Beresford TC-7510 Mk6/3 to drive a pair of Goldring DR150s, and the results are really rather excellent for the price.

This new one I'm sure is a good step above the one I have.

Flexible, good sounding DAC with inbuilt headphone amp.