[chum_2000_uk]

Hi guys, I'm looking to get a set of half decent headphones which I want to use for music from my HTPC, blu-ray movies from my PS3 or at a push the HTPC (which has a blu-ray drive, but to be honest I prefer the convenience of using the PS3, plus the prospect of HD audio when I get a new AV amp/speakers) and gaming on the PS3 and 360, perhaps a little PC gaming.

My current setup is super-budget stuff bar the HTPC, but I am in the process of upgrading everthing pretty much - will probably end up with a new budget Audio setup - Sony DG820 amp paired with Jamo A102 speakers. Samsung LE40A656 (arriving in a few hours! ) and I already have the PS3 and 360 and high spec HTPC/gaming rig (onboard sound though ).

Now - onto where I need advise... the headphones, and possibly a headphone amp/DAC to complement them. I have a pretty tight budget, but want to get headphones that are going to do a (relatively) great job of music and a decent job of movies and gaming too. I was looking at perhaps getting either the Audio Technica ATH-AD700s, Sennheiser HD595 or the HD600s as I think their slightly warmer and more laid back signature is the type of sound I would prefer, over something like the brighter Grado SR80s. Plus I'm sure my choices will be more comfortable to wear. I am also tempted by a cheap headphone amp or amp/DAC combo to squeeze a little extra performance out of the phones.

There are however, some things I really need help with as my understanding of this whole topic is limited to just a couple of nights research... e.g. very limited! Will my best bet be to just have everything running through the DG820 and then plug the headphones into this amp when I wish to use them, or would it be better to have the 'phones plugged into the HTPC for music (possibly via USB DAC/amp to bypass awful onboard sound)?

I realise the headphone socket from the Sony DG820 AV receiver probably wont be upto much, so I'm guessing running everything through the amp is not going to be the best scenario for decent sound quality when it comes to the headphones. Would simply using a dedicated headphone amp help improve quality of headphone jack from the receiver for all sources? Or would connecting headphones to a headphone amp via a non amplified line-out from the receiver be any better?

Will any budget headphone DAC/Amp give me improved sound quality for all the required sources in my setup (music from PC, movies/games from PS3) or is the best thing I can go for on a budget something like the Total Bithead simply to improve music through the new headphones by bypassing the HTPC's onboard soundcard?

Please can I have some help and opinions, as this whole headphones issue in my setup has really confused me! Basically all I want is decent headphones, possibly helped along by a cheap headphone amp/DAC which will complement my new budget AV setup as described. More than anything, I want my music to sound great. If this means settling for the headphone out from my AV receiver for games and movies, and having a USB DAC/Headphone amp from the HTPC just for music then so be it. If I can get a headphone amp/DAC that will help with all three then that would be brilliant!

Thanks so much guys!

[chum_2000_uk]

P.S. If any of you have actually read through all that, then thanks so much as I know it was a massive post!

I really do appreciate any input that any of you give so much!

[Steven]

Buying new headphones will only improve on what is being given in the first place

I presume you would be going HTPC > digital out > new av receiver?

What sound card is in your HTPC at the moment? Would any new DAC have to be usb or can you utilise optical out?

An option would be to buy a DAC with the requisite analogue and digital outputs, and connect both an av receiver and a headphone amp to it

[chum_2000_uk]

Yeah, I currently have it linked to my old pioneer AV amp via TOSLink optical out from onboard soundcard. I have no other soundcard, and I believe... but must check, no room for a PCI soundcard. This is what initially got me looking at DACs - to potentially bypass the probably woeful onboard soundcard!

So you think a standalone DAC may be a better solution LFC_SL? then a separate headphone amp attached to that, and also the amp attached to the DAC?

I am certainly not opposed to getting a separate DAC and headphone amp... as long as I can get something pretty budget orientated

[chum_2000_uk]

Anyone got any suggestions? Think I'm probably going to order the Audio Technica 'phones over the next few days and burn them in then look at DAC/Headphone amp when I have found something suitable.

So anyone got a suggestion for DACs with USB and optical inputs on a budget?

[MIB]

I've been demoing Sennheiser HD595/600/650 and I personally preferred their sound to that of the Grado SR60/80. Plenty of detail on the Grado, just preferred the smoother more relaxed sound of the Senns (still plenty of detail just not as in your face).

I've just bought a Zero DAC/amp off the forums like one of these
ZERO 24/192KHZ DAC HEAD AMP USB pclink(Upgrade Version) on eBay, also, CD Players, Home Audio Hi Fi, Consumer Electronics (end time 10-Jan-09 14:19:23 GMT)
I'll let you know how I get on with it but heres a review
Review: ZERO 24 BIT/192KHz DAC/Headphone Amp/Pre-Amp - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

[chum_2000_uk]

Hey MIB thanks so much for the reply! I have been doing a little reading tonight on the Zero DAC as it goes! Let me know what you think of it when you get it please! Certainly be around the type of money I wouldn't mind spending.

The only thing that was maybe slightly putting me off was the fact that it only had one optical and one coaxial input, no USB. Suppose I could use coaxial out from my PC and optical out from the PS3 and Xbox 360? Or alternatively just connect everything to my AV amp and have either optical or coaxial going to the DAC? I'm assuming though probably that wouldn't be a favourable way of doing it!? This is all new to me, so I am not sure of ideal ways of connecting things.

As for the headphones, I think you are confirming my thoughts about them... I am pretty sure I would prefer the Sennheisers over the Grados (I have friends with both though, so intend to listen to them this week). Have you considered the Audio Technica AD700s MIB? Heard they are quite like the HD595s but perhaps with a hint of the detail provided by the SR80s. Some people seem to prefer them to the HD595s. So which of the Senns you mentioned are you tempted to go for?

[MIB]

I'm pretty much set on getting some Senn HD600 or HD650's (£179 at play & amazon) but I'll have a look into the Audio Technic you mention.

The Zero DAC appears to come with USB to optical converter.

The iBasso looks interesting and seems well regarded over at Head-fi
iBasso D2 Boa Portable Headphone Amplifier & DAC HiFi Headphones

If money were no object I think I'd be getting a Cambridge Audio DACMagic (£200) and a Graham Slee Solo/Novo headphone amp (£230-£450ish) - which is out of budget atm. Theres also a Pro-ject Head Box II for £70 odd, but you'd still need a DAC
Headphone Amplifiers - HiFi Headphones

I thought the Zero with DAC & Amp for £95 was worth a punt.

[MIB]

mis-post

[chum_2000_uk]

The Zero DAC certainly seems appealing, I would probably try to use coaxial from my PC and then optical from my PS3/xbox. As you say, for the money it has to be worth a punt!

Do you know of any way I could connect both the xbox 360 and PS3 to the one optical input on the DAC? I have checked my current AV amp (Pioneer VSX-C301) and the amp I am probably looking to get (Sony DG820) and neither have an optical out so I couldn't use that as a switch. Could I just purchase a separate TOSLink switch with multiple inputs and one output, connected like this:

So it'd be 360/PS3 ---> TOSLink switch ---> Zero DAC ---> Headphones?

Perhaps something like this:

http://www.selectgadget.co.uk/sg/ind...36&stockid=432

[MIB]

Never used an optical switch but that certainly looks like a possible solution. Be worth checking that sort of switch doesn't effect sound quality.

[chum_2000_uk]

Originally Posted by MIB

Never used an optical switch but that certainly looks like a possible solution. Be worth checking that sort of switch doesn't effect sound quality.

Yeah was wondering whether that would be the case, I'll try and find out by having a little look here etc

[chum_2000_uk]

Hey MIB.... noticed in another thread that you purchased a set of HD650s off play earlier, I just did the same

I didn't want to spend so much on headphones, but I just went on a crazy one and thought why skimp on headphones and buy something that I will probably want to upgrade in a years time? Hopefully these will last me many years to come. I think I may have just taken my first step to audiophiledom

This could get expensive

Oh and I think I may well get the Zero DAC too a little later in the month! Have read so many good things about it this evening!

[MIB]

Originally Posted by chum_2000_uk

Hey MIB.... noticed in another thread that you purchased a set of HD650s off play earlier, I just did the same

I didn't want to spend so much on headphones, but I just went on a crazy one and thought why skimp on headphones and buy something that I will probably want to upgrade in a years time? Hopefully these will last me many years to come.

Nice one I think £180 is a fair price for headphones of this quality - you'd have to pay loads more for speakers providing similar sound quality

Originally Posted by chum_2000_uk

I think I may have just taken my first step to audiophiledom

This could get expensive

Be careful, its a slippery slope of constant upgrades I don't want to add up what I've spent on AV since joining this forum

Originally Posted by chum_2000_uk

Oh and I think I may well get the Zero DAC too a little later in the month! Have read so many good things about it this evening!

The only negatives I've read is a few issues with build quality on some units but for the price/features it looks like a bargain on paper.

[r@mside]

Originally Posted by chum_2000_uk

Oh and I think I may well get the Zero DAC too a little later in the month! Have read so many good things about it this evening!

Might be worth a look at the Beresford DAC. It has a good reputation for quality and value, British (it won't cost £50 to return if faulty) and has the connectivity to work with your set up.

[chum_2000_uk]

Originally Posted by r@mside

Might be worth a look at the Beresford DAC. It has a good reputation for quality and value, British (it won't cost £50 to return if faulty) and has the connectivity to work with your set up.

Had a look at the Beresford previously, it has had some poor reviews - especially in respect of the headphone amp, which is what I will mainly be using the unit for. I know the Zero DAC will be a PITA if it ever goes faulty (would probably try to repair myself or just buy a new one tbh) but for the money there doesn't seem like a lot that can touch it.

Anyone have any other budget DAC suggestions that have optical and coaxial and a good headphone amp?

My senns have been shipped from Play today, so hopefully should arrive within a day or two! Can't wait! It's a shame I may have to wait a week or two before ordering the AMP/DAC. Tempted by a cheap CMOY from US, but after delivery costs it works out as half the price of a Zero DAC that would give me much more scope so may just hold off for that