rtcp's system

[rtcp]

Most of you likely don't recognize me. I'll post my "system" anyway.

M-Audio Delta Audiophile 2496 sound card ->battery-powered Grado RA-1 -> Grado RS-2 headphones.

 

[westcott]

One of the best bang for the buck systems I have seen on this site. Probably sounds better than many of them, too.

I have been toying with the idea of a pair of headphones and a matching amp, as well.

I have been leaning toward the Sennheiser 600's.

Any suggestions for an amp? Which ones did you get to listen to? Do you think my receiver will be able to do the headphones justice?

 

[jaxvon]

Westcott,

I would also suggest that you look into the Beyerdynamic DT880, Sony MDR-7506 or V6 (same thing, different name), or Sony CD900ST. The Sony cans sound great and are built like tanks. Better yet, you can drive them with just about anything.

 

[rtcp]

One of the best bang for the buck systems I have seen on this site. Probably sounds better than many of them, too.

Thanks.

I have been toying with the idea of a pair of headphones and a matching amp, as well.

I mainly bought them because a system with loudspeakers would be a problem, since I'm off to college in a few days, and my roommates likely wouldn't appreciate it.

Any suggestions for an amp? Which ones did you get to listen to? Do you think my receiver will be able to do the headphones justice?

I wasn't able to audition cans other than the Grados, because of the few hi-fi shops we have here. Same with the headphone amps.

I do know that Grado, AKG and Sennheiser all make good cans, but the AKGs and Seenheisers are usually closed designs. Whether or not that is a good thing is up to you. The closed designs have inherent issues with resonance that the manufacturer has to deal with, but the open designs will allow sound in and out of the headphones.

Also, I've heard(both from other people and from listening tests) that the headphone amps in receivers are generally an afterthought and don't have very good sound.

 

[Sheep]

Open cans seem to get hte mids right in my experience (HD500 user). My friend has some Senn's that are closed (HD212pro) which sound quite nice, and have a good bass response.

I second Jaxvon's recc. Those cans are supposedly quite good.

SheepStar

 

[westcott]

Here are some amps I am also considering. Any feedback on reliability, as well as, sound is appreciated.

Melos, Holmes-Powell, SinglePower, Meier Audio, Headamp, Ray Samuels, and Aural Acoustics.

I think the Beyerdynamic DT880's are semi open and this does not suit my criteria fully. I will be listening primarily at night so as not to disturb the wife and dogs.

My two dogs start baying to certain songs and sounds now like horns and the solo in Fifth Element. It was cute in the beginning but is really starting to be a pain the butt.

Not sure if this would occur with a semi open\open design but I do not want to take any chances.