Assistance finding new audio setup

[ChristianTW]

I have a budget of at most ~$1000 (doesn't necessarily need to be that high... that's just the absolute most I am willing to spend... kinda new to high quality audio equipment so idk the prices). Less is definitely welcome. My goal is to get the best sound for my dollar. I was considering the Beyerdynamic DT1770 with maybe a good amp + dac but I am definitely open to new recommendations. Primary purpose will be listening to music and I would prefer something that does an excellent job recreating real life sound.

Thanks!

[GamerDude]

I think most of the audio gurus here (i'm NOT one of them) would ask you what your preferred signature sound is. Also, where would you be buying this gear from? Amazon? eBay? Or elsewhere? A link to that site(s) would be most helpful. I'm curious as to why the DT1770? Is closed back a requirement for you? What is it about the sound signature of the DT1770 that makes you wanna buy it? FYI, I'm NEVER EVAH against buying higher end cans and DAC combos/stacks, as I do appreciate what such gear brings to the table...

[ChristianTW]

1 minute ago, GamerDude said:

I think most of the audio gurus here (i'm NOT one of them) would ask you what your preferred signature sound is. Also, where would you be buying this gear from? Amazon? eBay? Or elsewhere? A link to that site(s) would be most helpful. I'm curious as to why the DT1770? Is closed back a requirement for you? What is it about the sound signature of the DT1770 that makes you wanna buy it? FYI, I'm NEVER EVAH against buying higher end cans and DAC combos/stacks, as I do appreciate what such gear brings to the table...

I would most likely be buying from Amazon and I would say I prefer a balanced sound signature. Closed back isn't really a requirement, I have just read really good things about the DT1770's and from what I understand, they have decent bass, but it isn't overwhelming. Plus they look really nice. I haven't ever actually tried them or anything though, so I am actually not really set on that.

Thanks for the reply by the way. I am pretty new to higher quality audio so I am not really sure what I am supposed to be looking for.

[GamerDude]

Gosh, I'm surprised nobody has replied, perhaps I've jinxed your thread. I've done some reading up on the DT1770, seems it has extended but smooth highs with a nice bass thump that doesn't bleed into the mids thus muddying mids. Let me summon somebody here who's always willing to help.

@Dackzy, lend this guy a hand.....

 

Meanwhile, I must ask you, have you actually auditioned the DT1770? 600 bones for the can isn't exactly small change, you gotta know you're gonna like the sound signature.....I caution others with this refrain, but am myself quite guilty of reading up on a can and its signature sound, then jumping on it. I happen to be a Beyerdynamic fan, I just love my DT770/250 Pro and DT990/600 Premium and use them more often than not even though I have some more expensive cans lying around. Proof's in the pudding, here's a shot of my two cans with spanking new velour pads. Only negative about these badboys (to me anyway) is that they don't come with detachable cables.

 

You sure you wanna jump into the deep end of the audiophile pool with a DT1770? Do you have any shop/store that you can go to to try out some cans and then decide which can (and its signature sound) would be more suited for you? 

[Dackzy]

4 minutes ago, GamerDude said:

SNIP

kek I have just not seen it  

You are a big audio head in my book  

 

Okay OP sadly I have not had that much time with the 1770, but I do remember that they were good and I mean really good, normally I would lend a pair of DT 770 for lans, but one time I lend a pair of DT 1770 and OMG they put the DT 770 to shame, not gonna lie I am often very close to buying them when I see like 10% off  

This is a really big jump you are doing here and I would say for open headphones get the HE 560 with Focus A pads and for closed get the DT 1770. As for DAC and amps I would recommend looking at Schiit they offer great amps and DACs for a fair price.

 

 

[iShad]

I have heard nothing but negatives about the DT 1770 and it's just another flop like the Tesla. It might be the new toy hype, but for $1000 I can't imagine getting anything else beside Focal Elear coming later this month.

[Dackzy]

10 minutes ago, iShad said:

I have heard nothing but negatives about the DT 1770 and it's just another flop like the Tesla. It might be the new toy hype, but for $1000 I can't imagine getting anything else beside Focal Elear coming later this month.

from? Head-fi seems to like them, headphone reviews seem to love them. I really do want to know who

 

Also they are far from "new", they came out mid 2015

[iShad]

Just now, Dackzy said:

from? Head-fi seems to like them, headphone reviews seem to love them. I really do want to know who

http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/beyerdynamic-dt1770-pro.384/

 

I mean if you can find a deal for under 400 then it might be worth considering, but no way should anyone pay 600 with those graphs.

[Dackzy]

1 minute ago, iShad said:

http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/beyerdynamic-dt1770-pro.384/

 

I mean if you can find a deal for under 400 then it might be worth considering, but no way should anyone pay 600 with those graphs.

huh, every single review I can find seem to think something else and so do I. I think that they make the DT 770 sound muddy and meh, but then again I only used them for a couple of days half a year ago, but yeah it seems like it has some spiks in the highs, but I don't know how much I trust that guy.

 

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/headphones/beyerdynamic-dt-1770-pro-1318943/review

http://www.head-fi.org/products/beyerdynamic-dt-1770-pro-studio-headphones

http://headphone.guru/beyerdynamics-new-dt-1770-pro-review/

http://uk.pcmag.com/beyerdynamic-dt-1770-pro/71518/review/beyerdynamic-dt-1770-pro 

[spwath]

10 minutes ago, iShad said:

http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/beyerdynamic-dt1770-pro.384/

 

I mean if you can find a deal for under 400 then it might be worth considering, but no way should anyone pay 600 with those graphs.

Hmm interesting, and I do trust sbaf much more than headfi.

[iShad]

13 minutes ago, Dackzy said:

huh, every single review I can find seem to think something else and so do I. I think that they make the DT 770 sound muddy and meh, but then again I only used them for a couple of days half a year ago, but yeah it seems like it has some spiks in the highs, but I don't know how much I trust that guy.

 

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/headphones/beyerdynamic-dt-1770-pro-1318943/review

http://www.head-fi.org/products/beyerdynamic-dt-1770-pro-studio-headphones

http://headphone.guru/beyerdynamics-new-dt-1770-pro-review/

http://uk.pcmag.com/beyerdynamic-dt-1770-pro/71518/review/beyerdynamic-dt-1770-pro 

One more measurements: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/beyerdynamic-dt1770-pro-marv.612/

 

I guess it depends on what you trust, headfi or sbaf. But I'd take reviews from tech sites like techradar and pcmag with a grain of salt. They spent the whole review mainly on build quality and really vague descriptions of the sound that could literally be copy/paste for any headphones.

[Dackzy]

Just now, iShad said:

One more measurements: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/beyerdynamic-dt1770-pro-marv.612/

 

I guess it depends on what you trust, headfi or sbaf. But I'd take reviews from tech sites like techradar and pcmag with a grain of salt. They spent the whole review mainly on build quality and really vague descriptions of the sound that could literally be copy/paste for any headphones.

oh yeah I mainly look at the headphone.guru review, I don't really trust headfi tbh, but my experiance with the DT1770 is far from what the first guy has.. I take everything from pcmag, headfi, techradar and sbaf the a big grain of salt. I like to try the headphones myself before I talk about them and recommend them

[GamerDude]

8 hours ago, Dackzy said:

oh yeah I mainly look at the headphone.guru review, I don't really trust headfi tbh, but my experiance with the DT1770 is far from what the first guy has.. I take everything from pcmag, headfi, techradar and sbaf the a big grain of salt. I like to try the headphones myself before I talk about them and recommend them

That's the thing, measurements tell one part of a story, it's best to actually try it yourself to see if the sound sig agrees with you. Sorta like what Tyll had said of the HEK, he said it sounds great despite the odd measurement (IIRC). 

[Guest]

Well if you're spending $1000 I sure hope you're trying to get the best you can.

 

As the long-winded discussion above should indicate, this ends up being pretty subjective. I assume that because you want "balanced" sound, you actually have no idea what you want because you have not tried enough (any?) headphones. One person's balanced might be another's bassy.

 

I would just buy the DT 1770 Pro. Unless you can try before purchasing, there really is no good way to predict whether you'll like a headphone. Head-fi reviews and threads tend to be pretty useless, as they are contradictory, filled with misused lingo, and often devolve into hype-train circle-jerks of people engaging in post-purchase rationalization. The various audio review sites aren't much better.

[Dackzy]

3 hours ago, GamerDude said:

That's the thing, measurements tell one part of a story, it's best to actually try it yourself to see if the sound sig agrees with you. Sorta like what Tyll had said of the HEK, he said it sounds great despite the odd measurement (IIRC). 

yes exactly, that is also why I like to have tried the headphones before I recommend them, oh yeah I saw that review, maybe I should give it one more look, also Tyll is really the only audio reviewer I trust.

[iShad]

27 minutes ago, Dackzy said:

yes exactly, that is also why I like to have tried the headphones before I recommend them, oh yeah I saw that review, maybe I should give it one more look, also Tyll is really the only audio reviewer I trust.

Then you should definitely check out his review for the Focal Elear, it certainly got me hyped and might make a plunge on a review sample pair for $820.

 

1 hour ago, SSL said:

Well if you're spending $1000 I sure hope you're trying to get the best you can.

 

As the long-winded discussion above should indicate, this ends up being pretty subjective. I assume that because you want "balanced" sound, you actually have no idea what you want because you have not tried enough (any?) headphones. One person's balanced might be another's bassy.

 

I would just buy the DT 1770 Pro. Unless you can try before purchasing, there really is no good way to predict whether you'll like a headphone. Head-fi reviews and threads tend to be pretty useless, as they are contradictory, filled with misused lingo, and often devolve into hype-train circle-jerks of people engaging in post-purchase rationalization. The various audio review sites aren't much better.

While true, there are many "safer" options with OP budget, but yes who knows the dt1770 might be his ideal pair. It's hard to suggest the dt1770 at $600 when there's hd600/650, he560, lcd2, fostex thx00/th610, and oppo pm-2 that received far less polar impressions/reviews. Just want to make sure op is aware of his options that's all.

[Dackzy]

18 minutes ago, iShad said:

Then you should definitely check out his review for the Focal Elear, it certainly got me hyped and might make a plunge on a review sample pair for $820.

well you see if I get too excited about a pair of headphones I end up buying them... I have a problem..

[GamerDude]

13 hours ago, Dackzy said:

well you see if I get too excited about a pair of headphones I end up buying them...  I have a problem..

Which is why I'm keeping mum about the Elear and Utopia, gonna hurt my wallet if I hype it myself till I reach a full bore buying frenzy......especially the latter (that one's gonna hurt plenty!). One thing I'd noticed as of late, I seem to be less excited about new cans since buying my dream can, the HEK. The 4pin Balanced XLR cable I'd order from Surf cables is finally here, bought it NOT that it'd improve on the HEK sound, rather, it's a softer and pliant and more easily managed than the stock HEK cable.

[Guest]

14 minutes ago, GamerDude said:

Which is why I'm keeping mum about the Elear and Utopia, gonna hurt my wallet if I hype it myself till I reach a full bore buying frenzy......especially the latter (that one's gonna hurt plenty!). One thing I'd noticed as of late, I seem to be less excited about new cans since buying my dream can, the HEK. The 4pin Balanced XLR cable I'd order from Surf cables is finally here, bought it NOT that it'd improve on the HEK sound, rather, it's a softer and pliant and more easily managed than the stock HEK cable.

 

Do you have a balanced amp?

[GamerDude]

1 minute ago, SSL said:

 

Do you have a balanced amp?

Yes, Oppo HA-1....my Gustard X12 and H10 stack is supposed to be able to do Balanced as well, though it's single ended, been wondering about that one myself actually.

[Dackzy]

45 minutes ago, GamerDude said:

Which is why I'm keeping mum about the Elear and Utopia, gonna hurt my wallet if I hype it myself till I reach a full bore buying frenzy......especially the latter (that one's gonna hurt plenty!). One thing I'd noticed as of late, I seem to be less excited about new cans since buying my dream can, the HEK. The 4pin Balanced XLR cable I'd order from Surf cables is finally here, bought it NOT that it'd improve on the HEK sound, rather, it's a softer and pliant and more easily managed than the stock HEK cable.

 

29 minutes ago, GamerDude said:

Yes, Oppo HA-1....my Gustard X12 and H10 stack is supposed to be able to do Balanced as well, though it's single ended, been wondering about that one myself actually.

Now I am a little jelly, but I might move up to a modi 2 multibit and a valhalla 2 or magni 2 uber (not sure if I want a tube amp). After i got my He 560 I am also less hyped about headphones in general, but sometimes I just find some that spark my intrest and then I am really close to buying them  

[Guest]

15 minutes ago, Dackzy said:

 

Now I am a little jelly, but I might move up to a magni 2 modi multibit and a valhalla 2 or magni 2 uber (not sure if I want a tube amp). After i got my He 560 I am also less hyped about headphones in general, but sometimes I just find some that spark my intrest and then I am really close to buying them  

 

I recommend waiting until at least Christmas. Schiit supposedly has 19 products in the pipeline; first one is coming at schiit show in two weeks.

 

I've been toying with the idea of Lyr 2/Mjolnir 2 for my HE-560, but I think I'm going to wait and see the new stuff first.

[GamerDude]

8 minutes ago, Dackzy said:

 

Now I am a little jelly, but I might move up to a magni 2 multibit and a valhalla 2 or magni 2 uber (not sure if I want a tube amp). After i got my He 560 I am also less hyped about headphones in general, but sometimes I just find some that spark my intrest and then I am really close to buying them  

Sounds like a plan, I'm thinking of getting a Modi MB myself, it'd be a nice and cost effective step in the MB direction since I already have two Delta-Sigma (think Sabre ES9018 chips) DAC's. Heck, even my HFM HM901s has Sabre DAC's (dual ES9018), so I'm kinda curious about what MB brings to the table. As for amp, I've not quite thought about it, but will contemplate further as I'm in no rush to go MB yet.

 

As for the HE560, let's just say that IF it weren't for the HEK, the HE560 would be my pick as my fave HFM can.....even with the HEK within easy reach, I do find myself reaching for the HE560 when I wanna chill and just relax to some of my fave tunes. And yes, I do have a balanced SMC plug cable for the HE560 as well, same goes for my HD800. 

[Dackzy]

5 minutes ago, GamerDude said:

And yes, I do have a balanced SMC plug cable for the HE560 as well, same goes for my HD800. 

the jelly level is over 9000 now..  

and I can see that I am not 100% awake right now.. I called the modi for magni  

 

7 minutes ago, SSL said:

 

I recommend waiting until at least Christmas. Schiit supposedly has 19 products in the pipeline; first one is coming at schiit show in two weeks.

 

I've been toying with the idea of Lyr 2/Mjolnir 2 for my HE-560, but I think I'm going to wait and see the new stuff first.

oh yeah I am waiting, so I also can upgrade my PC  

I did not know that they came out with new products, this is going to be a very nice year if they do  

[ChristianTW]

On 8/14/2016 at 9:46 AM, GamerDude said:

You sure you wanna jump into the deep end of the audiophile pool with a DT1770? Do you have any shop/store that you can go to to try out some cans and then decide which can (and its signature sound) would be more suited for you? 

I'm not really sure. Problem is, I don't really know a whole lot about headphones. I've been trying to get in to high quality audio, but I'm never quite sure what to buy. It's an issue because I don't really know of any places that sell audio equipment over here besides Best Buy and their equipment is pretty garbage.

On 8/14/2016 at 9:56 AM, Dackzy said:

kek I have just not seen it  

You are a big audio head in my book  

 

Okay OP sadly I have not had that much time with the 1770, but I do remember that they were good and I mean really good, normally I would lend a pair of DT 770 for lans, but one time I lend a pair of DT 1770 and OMG they put the DT 770 to shame, not gonna lie I am often very close to buying them when I see like 10% off  

This is a really big jump you are doing here and I would say for open headphones get the HE 560 with Focus A pads and for closed get the DT 1770. As for DAC and amps I would recommend looking at Schiit they offer great amps and DACs for a fair price.

 

 

Well that is good to hear! I have looked at a lot of Schiit products, but I am not really sure which ones would be good. What's your opinion, if any, of the Vali 2 and the Modi 2?

 

On 8/14/2016 at 10:29 AM, iShad said:

http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/beyerdynamic-dt1770-pro.384/

 

I mean if you can find a deal for under 400 then it might be worth considering, but no way should anyone pay 600 with those graphs.

 

On 8/14/2016 at 10:58 AM, iShad said:

One more measurements: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/beyerdynamic-dt1770-pro-marv.612/

 

I guess it depends on what you trust, headfi or sbaf. But I'd take reviews from tech sites like techradar and pcmag with a grain of salt. They spent the whole review mainly on build quality and really vague descriptions of the sound that could literally be copy/paste for any headphones.

Thanks for this information. I will definitely have to look more in to the DT1770's then. Most of the reviews I've read were on Head-Fi, but it's looking like they may not be the best source for information.

On 8/14/2016 at 10:34 PM, SSL said:

Well if you're spending $1000 I sure hope you're trying to get the best you can.

 

As the long-winded discussion above should indicate, this ends up being pretty subjective. I assume that because you want "balanced" sound, you actually have no idea what you want because you have not tried enough (any?) headphones. One person's balanced might be another's bassy.

 

I would just buy the DT 1770 Pro. Unless you can try before purchasing, there really is no good way to predict whether you'll like a headphone. Head-fi reviews and threads tend to be pretty useless, as they are contradictory, filled with misused lingo, and often devolve into hype-train circle-jerks of people engaging in post-purchase rationalization. The various audio review sites aren't much better.

Yeah, that's why I made this thread. I read good things about the DT1770 Pro, but I don't really want to throw $1000 at equipment and not have a second opinion

And you are correct. I don't really have any idea. The only other pairs of headphones I have had were the AKG Q701's and the ATH m50x's. I didn't mind either of them, but the Q701's were lacking in bass, and the m50x's just didn't sound very satisfying.

Thanks for the information though, I'm thinking I may have to find a place to test headphones to see what I actually like. Do you have any opinions on amp/dac's?

Just for reference, my current setup is:
Closed: m50x
Open: q701
Soundblaster ZXR soundcard (only really use it for the equalizer at this point though...)
Objective2+ODAC
 

Sorry for the late replies, I was out of town over the weekend.