Office/PC audio upgrade

[DaveStatteo]

My current gaming headphones have decided they should die on me and because I'm listening to music more than gaming these days I'm taking it as a sign to upgrade my audio set up. I have a 2 part question really:

 

Current setup:
Hyper X wireless headphones

Audio Pro C5 speaker

 

My dad is talking about he wants to downsize from his stereo to a Bluetooth speaker he can move around the house if he wants to and then a Bluetooth turntable, I'm talking to him about swapping my C5 speaker and I'll get him a turntable and I'll take his current set up, so I'd basically be out of pocket $300-400aud 

His set up:
Marantz receiver sr4300 
Pro-ject turntable
Bowers and Wilkins speakers dm600s3
 

Is this a good option to connect my PC audio up to? Or am I better off getting like a desktop amp/dac for headphones and then just continuing with my C5 speaker when I'm not wearing headphones


Question 2:

 

If I get my dad's set up what are some good headphones for around $500aud? Open back are fine as there's no real background noise in my office and no one to annoy with noise leakage 
If I'm better off getting a different set up what's some recommendations for around the $800aud mark? 

Thanks for any help 

[Psittac]

That Marantz is an older unit it looks like, nothing wrong with that it just changes how you connect to it.  You are going to need to get an RCA signal to it for input.  That will either be done with a 3.5mm to RCA cable or a DAC with RCA output's and an RCA cable.

 

Holy patchouli amazon is expensive down under!!!!!!

 

For headphones I would recommend looking for something like drop.com or apos.audio which will ship to australia, amazon has crap selection and rediculous prices.

 

One option is the Sennheiser HD6xx

Another is the Meze Noir 99

 

You could power your headphones off the Marantz which running off an AVR is frowned upon but I don't see a problem with it, the main noted problem is the noise floor.

 

The Sennheiser is very close and intimate with little sound stage, it reflects everything in your system very well which is called "transparent", it shows flaws and/or improvements.  The Meze is a fuggin charm to listen to and I regret giving them to my brother in law every day.  They aren't clinical or accurate with lacluster imaging and sound stage but oh man are they a joy to listen to.  If I had to cut down to 2 headphones it would be the Focal Elex and Sennheiser HD6xx, if it was 3 I'd add the Noir.  If it was 4 it would be the Rode NTH-100 + a tube of superglue (the ratcheting mechanism cracks but when glued is golden and I LOVE THESE).  The NTH-100 will sound good if you shove the cable into a potato and you'll be ear to ear listening to what the potato has composed.

[DaveStatteo]

 

Dad gave me the speakers and receiver. Found out there is a sub to add to it too 

[DaveStatteo]

All sorted, a very nice upgrade. Speakers are just a bit more punchy with the bass compared to the audio pro. Got out the old AT headphones and it's a night and day difference compared to what I was using