Describe your audio setup

[zrmaxwell]

Do as the title says, please. Be nice when replying to someone. Give suggestions on how that person can improve their setup. What headphones should they get next? What amplifiers/DACs should they look into? Things like that. 

[r2724r16]

9 minutes ago, zrmaxwell said:

I'm sure moderators will be watching over this post like hawks.  

I don't think so lol

[minibois]

My current setup is my headphones (DT990 250 ohms) connected to the 3.5mm output of my monitor works fine in terms of volume and quality IMO.

 

I have been looking into audio mixing boards though, to connect a my stuff to so I can easily play for example my consoles on my TV and the audio coming through my headphones (or even speakers). Haven't found anything substantial and haven't done much research in making one myself... So soon!

 

Don't have apicture at the moment, sorry :[ will clean the hot garbage known as my setup and post a picture some time

[zrmaxwell]

20 minutes ago, r2724r16 said:

I don't think so lol

Alright. Cool.

[zrmaxwell]

18 minutes ago, Minibois said:

My current setup is my headphones (DT990 250 ohms) connected to the 3.5mm output of my monitor works fine in terms of volume and quality IMO.

 

I have been looking into audio mixing boards though, to connect a my stuff to so I can easily play for example my consoles on my TV and the audio coming through my headphones (or even speakers). Haven't found anything substantial and haven't done much research in making one myself... So soon!

 

Don't have apicture at the moment, sorry :[ will clean the hot garbage known as my setup and post a picture some time

I will add in the description of my post that pics are not necessary. 

[zrmaxwell]

PSA for this thread: You do not have to post pictures of your audio setup. That is not necessary but it is always welcome

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I'm currently using a pair of JBL 305P MkII studio speakers mounted on wall mounts. I bought them to replace my beloved Corsair SP2500s that recently died (may they rest in peace). I used to feed the SP2500s from an Asus Xonar Essence STX (the first version). The only complaint I have about the JBLs is they do not have any dynamic range compression like the SP2500s had.

 

Until I get my computer finished, I'm using a Dragonfly Red USB DAC on my notebook to feed the speakers via a pair of Monoprice 15ft Premier Series XLR Male to RCA Male Cable, 16AWG and a 3.5mm male to RCA female adapter. The sound is acutally better from the combination than my old setup.

 

My player currently is Media Monkey but I'm looking for a replacement that will work on Win 7 and, later on down the road, Linux (probably Mint Cinnamon or Xorin) and will have dynamic range compression. So far, VLC media player is the only one I've found but I haven't found a skin for it I like yet (I need something I can read on a TV screen from 10' away). Suggestions will be welcome.

[GamerDude]

Current desktop setup consists of an Oppo HA-1 DAC combo hooked up to my PC via Straightwire USB cable. My Oppo is also hooked up to my Rokit5 G3 via Canare cable with Neutrik 3pin XLR plugs in Balanced mode. For private listening, I rotate three pairs of cans from my collection......right now, I'm rotating a HE4XX, a HD600 and the hybrid ENIGMAcoustics Dharma D1000. All three cans have been fitted with budget friendly custom 4 pin XLR Balanced cables as my Oppo HA-1 has both SE and 4 pin Balanced XLR outputs. I have a couple of WD Element 5TB external HDD's that I connect to my PC, these house my collection of DSD, WAV and FLAC files.

 

[johnt]

What if we don't need suggestions for improvement, but we want to share to make everyone a little jelly?

[Bloodshed Romance]

My desktop audio setup I have a Monoprice condenser mic on a arm through a Samson FX board with one of the audio outs going to a Rolls RCA mini mixer (https://www.amazon.com/Rolls-MX42-Stereo-Mini-Mixer/dp/B00102ZN40/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1539581853&sr=8-2&keywords=Rolls+RCA+mixer) and the audio out going to my headphone amp which allows me to do the audio mirroring I want and can adjust the audio for each source I run through it easily.

 

My primary headphones are Beryerdynamic DT990 600 ohm (with a detachable 3.5mm mod because my dog ate the cable on it.... rip (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06W2KB8ZV/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1) running off a FiiO E09K.

I use the FiiO E07K after the Rolls mixer to add some bass to the audio overall. (i'm sure there's plenty of other ways to do this but I already had the E07K because i was using it as a dac for a while but when I upgraded my motherboard to the Gigabyte 990FX they use a good enough dac that I didn't really need it for that anymore.)

 

 

I wasn't going to post pictures but I figured i'd get a bunch of questions on the DT990 mod.. Its literally some wire (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L3FIITU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) soldered to the original wire and taped (or something, i don't even remember what I did at this point to seal the connections) and then the housing had to be drilled out a bit so the jack would fit and then I just used gorilla super glue to hold it in place. I did the mod back in March and its held up since.

[GamerDude]

Man, that's some ghetto detachable wire mod on the DT990, well done!!!

[Bloodshed Romance]

1 minute ago, GamerDude said:

Man, that's some ghetto detachable wire mod on the DT990, well done!!!

Thanks! It was better than the alternative of throwing them away to buy another pair!

I was like.... do I spend $200 to get a new set.. or do I spend $20 and attempt to replace the cable...

[Lady Fitzgerald]

8 hours ago, JohnT said:

What if we don't need suggestions for improvement, but we want to share to make everyone a little jelly?

Just don't ask for suggestions if you don't want any; nothing was said by the thread starter about making suggestions. I just added that to my post and it applies only to mine.

[Guest]

Audio Flow = [*.FLAC or *.MP3 or *.ACC or *.ALAC >> PC >> (Foobar) >> (home network) >> beater-PC >> ModiMB >> SYS (<< Satellit 750 multiband radio) >> Loki Mini >> Magni3 >> (MDR7510 + HD6XX) >> aural pickups w/ tinnitus ( = St. Lawrence Seaway SCUBA) >> CNS + ethanol + (home-roasted coffee)]

 

New piece of gear on its way from Schiit Audio... my first tube amp... Vali...

Edited October 22, 2018 by Guest
images of my audio nirvana (listening nook)...

[zrmaxwell]

I am just using skullcandy earphones plugged into my iphone 6 plus and my lenovo laptop.. I have Grado SR60i, Shure SRH840, Audio Technica ATH m40X, and sennheiser HD 558, the closed back models are terrible comfort wise so i can't have them on for more than like 20 minutes before my ears get itchy, and hot and i have to take them off.. The open back models suck too because i have a loud family and when the loudness begins, i can barely hear my music and i am very sensitive to loud sounds to the point where it gets annoying at times. I really need to upgrade my audio game in terms of headphones and i need to get a new DAC since my current one crapped the bed.. 

 

Here is my point/question: Is there a good closed back headphone that blocks out a bunch of noise and sounds good for rock/metal music for about $250 or less? I will even go the in ear monitor route but they have to have detachable cables for the sake of longevity.. 

 

Anyone? 

[kevinisbeast707]

On 10/15/2018 at 5:10 PM, zrmaxwell said:

I am just using skullcandy earphones plugged into my iphone 6 plus and my lenovo laptop.. I have Grado SR60i, Shure SRH840, Audio Technica ATH m40X, and sennheiser HD 558, the closed back models are terrible comfort wise so i can't have them on for more than like 20 minutes before my ears get itchy, and hot and i have to take them off.. The open back models suck too because i have a loud family and when the loudness begins, i can barely hear my music and i am very sensitive to loud sounds to the point where it gets annoying at times. I really need to upgrade my audio game in terms of headphones and i need to get a new DAC since my current one crapped the bed.. 

 

Here is my point/question: Is there a good closed back headphone that blocks out a bunch of noise and sounds good for rock/metal music for about $250 or less? I will even go the in ear monitor route but they have to have detachable cables for the sake of longevity.. 

 

Anyone? 

I've heard mostly good things about Audiotechnica's ath-m50x and m40x but I cannot confirm. Iem wise, massdrop has their edc and edc3 both under $100 and both have detachable cables. The edc are less expensive and the more "fun" sounding pair with better bass whereas the edc3 are more neutral and while they sound fantastic, they definitely lack bass. I've heard that beyerdynamic's dt770 doesn't block noise out very well even though it is closed back, however it does have a pretty good sound signature for most genres especially bass heavy ones. On another note, fostex claims that their t50rp series are isolating and the dekoni blues are both comfortable and sound great but they require an amp of some sort and since the headphones are already $200 by themselves, you'd probably have to break budget to get a great amp. Just food for thought

[kevinisbeast707]

Currently rotating between Sennheiser HD58x, HD6xx, and Hifiman's HE4xx with a pair of HD598's and hyperx clouds kicking around somewhere. This is all being powered by a gigabyte ab350n (alc1220) connected to a Schiit Magni 3 pumping out spottify's highest quality streamed pcm. Looking into a dac but the topping d10 wouldn't arrive before I moved and the massdrop x Grace design uses a micro b instead of full sized b

[Bloodshed Romance]

14 hours ago, kevinisbeast707 said:

Currently rotating between Sennheiser HD58x, HD6xx, and Hifiman's HE4xx with a pair of HD598's and hyperx clouds kicking around somewhere. This is all being powered by a gigabyte ab350n (alc1220) connected to a Schiit Magni 3 pumping out spottify's highest quality streamed pcm. Looking into a dac but the topping d10 wouldn't arrive before I moved and the massdrop x Grace design uses a micro b instead of full sized b

+1 for HyperX cloud. (alpha is what I have because I preferred to have a detachable cable).

for music I just wish it had a bit more bass and I compensate for it using software EQ on my phone/laptop.

they block out much more background than I thought so I catch myself speaking louder to make up for it. Still working on a portable solution for mic monitoring with it. (other than "listen to this device" because it induces just enough lag to throw me off).

[kevinisbeast707]

On 10/19/2018 at 12:30 PM, Bloodshed Romance said:

+1 for HyperX cloud. (alpha is what I have because I preferred to have a detachable cable).

for music I just wish it had a bit more bass and I compensate for it using software EQ on my phone/laptop.

they block out much more background than I thought so I catch myself speaking louder to make up for it. Still working on a portable solution for mic monitoring with it. (other than "listen to this device" because it induces just enough lag to throw me off).

"listen to this device" messes me up badly too. Ples fix microsoft. But anywho I got the original hyperx clouds from when they came out so I didn't have a choice from hyperx's excellent gaming lineup. XD

[chin chin]

On 10/15/2018 at 3:59 AM, zrmaxwell said:

Do as the title says, please. Be nice when replying to someone. Give suggestions on how that person can improve their setup. What headphones should they get next? What amplifiers/DACs should they look into? Things like that. 

Im using a Topping VX1 as a speaker/headphone amp and dac. Its actually not that bad. I also use a fiio E10k as a portable Dac and headphone amp when travelling. Yes the e10k has a better dac, but i cant be bothered connecting it to my setup considering the fiio is always in my bag.

 

I have my topping hooked up to a pair of Technics SB-C250. Its pretty old, but it still works like a charm. I got it for 65 kangaroo dollars in a sunday market. 

 

I have a pair of brainwavz HM5 and audio technica m50x. I bought the m50x back when i was a audio pleb who didnt know jackshit..... Never knew that there were better value headphones which sounded better.

 

I also have a Audio technica LP120 hooked up to the VX1 using a behringer Phono preamp because i am analogfag who collects vinyl.

 

 

 

Disclaimer, vinyl doesnt sound better.

[zrmaxwell]

5 minutes ago, chin chin said:

Im using a Topping VX1 as a speaker/headphone amp and dac. Its actually not that bad. I also use a fiio E10k as a portable Dac and headphone amp when travelling. Yes the e10k has a better dac, but i cant be bothered connecting it to my setup considering the fiio is always in my bag.

 

I have my topping hooked up to a pair of Technics SB-C250. Its pretty old, but it still works like a charm. I got it for 65 kangaroo dollars in a sunday market. 

 

I have a pair of brainwavz HM5 and audio technica m50x. I bought the m50x back when i was a audio pleb who didnt know jackshit..... Never knew that there were better value headphones which sounded better.

 

I also have a Audio technica LP120 hooked up to the VX1 using a behringer Phono preamp because i am analogfag who collects vinyl.

 

 

 

Disclaimer, vinyl doesnt sound better.

Hey, whenever something works, it works & when you say "Vinyl doesn't sound better", are you referring to vinyl vs digital? If so, that is a whole different topic lol (i think we can discuss it here though)

[chin chin]

1 minute ago, zrmaxwell said:

Hey, whenever something works, it works & when you say "Vinyl doesn't sound better", are you referring to vinyl vs digital? If so, that is a whole different topic lol (i think we can discuss it here though)

Since i do listen to both vinyl and digital, i have always viewed both as having likable qualities.

 

But since i collect vinyl, i have met way to many people who have said the "vinyl sounds better than digital".

Yeah it really isnt. well, i do love the sound that vinyl produces, considering i collect them, but it really is more subjective whether one thinks its better.

And plus, vinyls a bit of a bitch to upkeep tbh, but i still buy more for some reason. i guess same reason why people swear on tube amps.

 

I guess vinyl does provide something physical and analog to albums that i love.

 

[Bloodshed Romance]

On 10/22/2018 at 4:36 PM, kevinisbeast707 said:

"listen to this device" messes me up badly too. Ples fix microsoft. But anywho I got the original hyperx clouds from when they came out so I didn't have a choice from hyperx's excellent gaming lineup. XD

under the listen tab in the sound settings theres sliders for the INPUTS of the computer now, WITH NO LAG!

 

[ninbura]

Everything is completely interconnected, all inputs / outputs can be shared between the main & capture PC seamlessly without delay. The Inputs on each RME interface (UCX / UC) represent their own input device in Windows (with submixing of any channel into any other) which allows for non-destructive (separate) recording at any desired level. All physical outputs on each RME card make their way to my Mackie ProFX12V2 mixer, and eventually my headphones and speakers, which allows me to mix everything in real-time to desired listening levels without affecting the actual recordings.

Took awhile to setup but once I got it working I've had no issues or qualms with anything, this combination of devices has given me far superior control compared to any other solution I've seen anywhere else with little to no degradation of audio quality.

[Skar78]

PC to Odac.b to JDS Element to Headphones.

 

<On flip of a switch on the JDS Element>

 

PC to odac.b to JDS Element to NAD 356 BEE to KEF LS50

 

This setup was chosen to be able to change from headphones to speakers with just the press of a button, assuming everything on standby.

 

Why the dac and not just the element: System 24/7 on - DAC part on JDS starts to create noise when on for a long time.

 

Probably would go for today for the JDS OL stack - was not an option when i bought it.

Never tried if a schiit sys could be used in reverse (connecting input to output and vice versa to use it to switch between 2 outputs).