Best DAC+Amp+Headphones for....$1000?

[jzfgs]

Just curious as to what that kind of money could get me. I'm open to spending less (of course) if it would mean significantly more bang for the buck.

 

Most of my listening will be done from my HTC One M8 running Harman/Kardon edition DSP firmware, so audio output isn't too bad. I still would expect some throttling of higher-end setups, but less than with other phones.

 

I'm not dead set on brands, but aesthetics are important to me. I'm not sure if I'm even going to invest that much in audio right now because my Bose Cinemate GSII system is treating me quite nicely, but what do you guys think?

 

Thanks in advance! (oh, and I'm not a complete n00b, I just made a new account without the space in "Solar Trans" )

[SSL]

ATH-M50, O2+ODAC

[AMICLG]

DT 990 Premium 250 Ohm if you want some bass and an O2+ODAC from Mayflower would a great choice.

[jzfgs]

ATH-M50, O2+ODAC

Doesn't that total about $400?

[jzfgs]

DT 990 Premium 250 Ohm if you want some bass and an O2+ODAC from Mayflower would a great choice.

So the O2+ODAC is all around the best option I assume (for amp and DAC)?

[AMICLG]

So the O2+ODAC is all around the best option I assume?

Yeah pretty much, you'll never need to buy another Amp/DAC again.

[jzfgs]

Yeah pretty much, you'll never need to buy another Amp/DAC again.

Thanks! And for headphones, I tend to prefer IEMs. Is there anything worth buying that can compete with nice headphones?

[Valhallatier]

want the best portable headphones? then beyerdynamic T70/T90
most efficient high end headphones on the market to date, even my cheap ass blackberry phone can drive them, heck they're better than my DT880...

[MayflowerElectronics]

What genre of music do you listen too?

[SirNumbers]

Doesn't that total about $400

Yes but thats all you need to spend tbh after that its the law of diminishing returns. You could also get the M40X or M50X or Sennheisser 558s,

[BoredErica]

Yes but thats all you need to spend tbh after that its the law of diminishing returns. You could also get the M40X or M50X or Sennheisser 558s,

By that kind of logic, the O2/Odac makes no sense because of the law of diminishing returns. Half the price of that and you can get audio that sounds pretty much the same.

 

I like the HD600 and O2/Odac.

 

want the best portable headphones? then beyerdynamic T70/T90

most efficient high end headphones on the market to date, even my cheap ass blackberry phone can drive them, heck they're better than my DT880...

 

There are other headphones as sensitive as it, like Audeze LCD-X or HD800 (just to pull two examples out of the air).

[FatalityDiablo]

used HD800 + o2 odac combo

[SirNumbers]

used HD800 + o2 odac combo

Thats like 1400 total

[FatalityDiablo]

Thats like 1400 total

schiit, forgot this is usd, nvm! but u might be lucky thou

[Whit3Rav3n]

 

 

There are other headphones as sensitive as it, like Audeze LCD-X or HD800 (just to pull two examples out of the air).

But then the HD800 and LCD-X doesn´t go very loud on phones. It is correct though that they need about the same power as the t90. The t70 however needs way less power than all the other listed headphones so this is the only headphone that could be fully recommended for mobile devices.

[ShearMe]

If you're using a phone, get some custom IEMs. Dunno why everyone is talking about headphones.

[jzfgs]

What genre of music do you listen too?

I listen to EDM, some pop, and occasionally R&B.

[MayflowerElectronics]

I listen to EDM, some pop, and occasionally R&B.

I liked my he-500's for the bass. Dt 990's might also work if you like a little treble.

[jzfgs]

I liked my he-500's for the bass. Dt 990's might also work if you like a little treble.

OK cool. I'm not a fan of to much bass, as everything I listen to has vocals in it. I will check out the DT 990s, though.

Any recommendations on IEMs?

I currently own a pair of Bose MIE2is and QC 20s, as I am completely in love with the comfort and fit they provide.

[Cupitor]

Posted in other thread, but this one's more appropriate.

DA/HP Rule (not really): when headphones start breaching the 250-300ish (USD) rice point, the DA 'begins' to matter. This "rule" generally applies not to Beats™/Vitamin-Water-esque products. Heh. 1 way which had helped me put this stuff in reasonable perspective:

So a microphone is a transducer and so are speakers. They're the same thing, albeit there's the whole mirror thing to contend with. Ever been recording in an old studio and the dang engineer talks 2 you, voice coming outta an olde tymey mic?

Anyway, the Xerox/Kleenex/"PC"/Q-Tip/Jeep of mics is without any doubt the shure sm57. Everyone has one, from the 1,0000000000$ studio guy to the kid-in-bedroom.

Cost had been 99$ forever...However!

The AD or if ur older, the tube-preamp that the 99$ mic goes thru (depending on the pre/limiter/AD/etc) is responsible for some of the most iconic sounds-a-music "period". Some Pres cost as much as a house, others a 100$.

Of course, these are sounds, recorded ones used to track vocals, snare, guitar, etc...and can't be compared evenly with head-phones and a DA...nonetheless, there's something worth taking from the 99$ mike/speaker...

(Geektime)

What amplifies the electric-signal?

flux/movement of diaphragm caused by variations in air pressure aka sound waves. A coil attached 2 the diaphragm [think of the diaphragm as the cone on ur speaker, cause it's the same!] moves as the diaphragm does. A magnet, being a magnet generates a magnetic field- the movement of the coil in proximity of the mag-field creates electric current, which then goes off into la-la amplifier land so sound can be heard. In a speaker/headphone, which is a microphone in reverse.

Mike=air pressure (sound) goes electric

Speaker/Headphone=electrical signal pushes air (pressure/sound)

uh, I'm O/T.

A 1000$ pair of headphones /w a 200$ DA seems IMHO not good.

200$ headphones+1000 DA, better.

This is based upon nothing except xp

-aargh

[Lays]

q

 

 

So you want him to spend $1,000 on a DAC and $200 on headphones?

 

 

@Op if you're using a phone, seriously look into custom IEM's.  

 

http://www.jhaudio.com/

 

http://alclair.com/

 

https://www.1964ears.com/products

 

http://www.westoneaudio.com/index.php/products/custom-or-universal.html

 

http://www.ultimateears.com/en-us/pro

 

There's a few more people that make them, I suggest you look into these with that big of a budget.

[Hikaru12]

So you want him to spend $1,000 on a DAC and $200 on headphones?

 

 

@Op if you're using a phone, seriously look into custom IEM's.  

 

http://www.jhaudio.com/

 

http://alclair.com/

 

https://www.1964ears.com/products

 

http://www.westoneaudio.com/index.php/products/custom-or-universal.html

 

http://www.ultimateears.com/en-us/pro

 

There's a few more people that make them, I suggest you look into these with that big of a budget.

 

I believe he is. The main issue with this kind of logic is that you should be spending similar amounts on both devices/peripherials. $1,000 headphones should be paired with around $600-800 DAC's. While there are exceptions, most DAC's won't be able to provide enough power to headphones in that price range.

[Lays]

I believe he is. The main issue with this kind of logic is that you should be spending similar amounts on both devices/peripherials. $1,000 headphones should be paired with around $600-800 DAC's. While there are exceptions, most DAC's won't be able to provide enough power to headphones in that price range.

 

 

DAC's don't provide power to headphones anyways, amps do.

[NannerBeans]

I believe he is. The main issue with this kind of logic is that you should be spending similar amounts on both devices/peripherials. $1,000 headphones should be paired with around $600-800 DAC's. While there are exceptions, most DAC's won't be able to provide enough power to headphones in that price range.

Nah the $300 or so o2/odac will pretty much power any headphone out there. 

[Lays]

Nah the $300 or so o2/odac will pretty much power any headphone out there. 

 

I do agree with him to some extent, if you're already at "end game" headphones, buying a more expensive dac+amp for a small improvement, or something that has a sound signature / features you want.  Or even just to have something really aesthetically pleasing makes sense to a degree.

 

But $1k on a dac / amp and 200$ on headphones is just retarded. Lol