EntropySink

Entertainment & Artistry => Music => Topic started by: Betazep on February 11, 2015, 06:20:45 PM

Title: Thanks Knuck...
Post by: Betazep on February 11, 2015, 06:20:45 PM
I converted $200 of my Tax refund into $220 of Amazon cash... aaaannnd...


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Thank you, your order has been placed.
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Order Number: XXXXX
Sennheiser HD 598 Over-Ear Headphones will be shipped to You by Amazon.com.
Guaranteed delivery: Feb. 13, 2015
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I gotta say that I am quite a bit excited. I have been listening to a lot of music lately and I can't wait to have my first pair of decent headphones ever...
Title: Re: Thanks Knuck...
Post by: micah on February 11, 2015, 06:28:46 PM
how did you get that option for Amazon? I did that last year, with $300 when I finished my turbotax filing.  This year it didn't offer it so I thought they discontinued that :/  bummer. I just bought a new car seat on Amazon today and could have used the extra savings. 
Title: Re: Thanks Knuck...
Post by: KnuckleBuckett on February 11, 2015, 10:10:54 PM
Sweet!  Let us know what you think!
Title: Re: Thanks Knuck...
Post by: Betazep on February 12, 2015, 11:03:59 AM
how did you get that option for Amazon? I did that last year, with $300 when I finished my turbotax filing.  This year it didn't offer it so I thought they discontinued that :/  bummer. I just bought a new car seat on Amazon today and could have used the extra savings. 

I didn't do anything special.  I just went through it and at the end I was asked if I wanted to get an Amazon gift card.  I kind of wish I would have transferred a bit more. It is basically free money, and I do a lot of shopping on Amazon.

Sweet!  Let us know what you think!

Will do!
Title: Re: Thanks Knuck...
Post by: Betazep on February 17, 2015, 11:36:12 AM
In short... the headphones are AWESOME!  I love them.  The sound is good, but in reality the best part is how freaking comfy they are. 

I did not buy an amp to go along with them, but I still have some Amazon bucks left so I am going back through your list and will pick one later today.  The volume, though good, could be a little bit louder... and I suppose the amp could also add to the audio quality in general?
Title: Re: Thanks Knuck...
Post by: Betazep on February 17, 2015, 11:46:29 AM
So I do not listen off a computer, almost ever.  Usually I am plugged into an IPAD... or into my home stereo. 

For the IPAD, I need to boost the output a bit.   I was thinking something like this...

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Headphone-Amplifier-Integrated-Smartphones/dp/B00J2JATL0/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1424191388&sr=1-8&keywords=headphone+amplifier

I don't fully suspect that "Sound Blaster" is quality.  Got any advice?
Title: Re: Thanks Knuck...
Post by: KnuckleBuckett on February 17, 2015, 12:40:35 PM
Never been a SB fan they are really only around because nobody else had affordable sound cards for years.  They always had issues and customer support was nearly nonexistent.  That said, maybe they have changed their colors.  I have not used their audio cards in several years.

Do you want the unit to be portable or will it remain desktop based?
Title: Re: Thanks Knuck...
Post by: KnuckleBuckett on February 17, 2015, 01:11:47 PM
Keeping things $100 and under here are a few companies and products worth considering.

- FiiO
- Topping
- SMSL
- Audioquest
- Centrance
- Woo
- HRT

The linked products below are all under $75.

http://www.amazon.com/Kilimanjaro2-E11K-Headphone-20Hz-20KHz-16-150Ohms/dp/B00MFMW29I/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1424195002&sr=1-8&keywords=FiiO+headphone+amp


http://www.amazon.com/Topping-Portable-Earphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00HFMNR4M/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1424195137&sr=1-2&keywords=Topping+headphone

http://www.amazon.com/Topping-TP21-Digital-Amplifier-Headphone/dp/B005CRLZGE/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top/187-9738198-8876942


http://www.amazon.com/SMSL-sApII-TPA6120A2-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00A2QLM0E/ref=sr_1_12?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1424195957&sr=1-12&keywords=Lepai+headphone#customerReviews
 
There are a number of distinctly more portable options, however price and amplification may take a hit.  This is a nice article on a few of them.  I will also post a review related to the Audioquest Dragonfly (both versions are nice).
http://www.macworld.com/article/2089224/usb-dac-review-six-compact-components-for-upgrading-your-computer-s-audio.html

http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2014/08/audioquest-dragonfly-v1-2-dacheadphone-amplifier-review/
Title: Re: Thanks Knuck...
Post by: Betazep on February 17, 2015, 11:06:48 PM
Ok... so if I use an amp, but with the DAC from the device, it will just be amplified sub-quality sound.  But if I get a USB DAC, I can somehow still hook it off my IPAD and Android phone with the right dongles... and then I get better quality and some amplification in the process.

Am I understanding that right?
Title: Re: Thanks Knuck...
Post by: Betazep on February 17, 2015, 11:55:00 PM
What about this

http://www.amazon.com/E17-Alpen-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B0070UFMOW/ref=cm_cd_ql_qh_dp_t

with this

http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-L-Shaped-Line-Cable-iPhone/dp/B005N6ZAT2/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_y

for my IPAD 3 (which has the 30pin connector)

... And then I can use the USB option for computers and maybe my android if I get the right usb connector. 

This thing seems to give me options as I can just use the 3.5mm input or use a USB input.

What do you think?
Title: Re: Thanks Knuck...
Post by: KnuckleBuckett on February 18, 2015, 06:04:18 AM
I think that both seem to be good choices.  The DAC/Amp gets great reviews and gives you a fair amount of flexibility.

And yes, you are understanding that right.  If you are going to get an amp spend the extra few bucks and get a solid DAC as well.  That way no matter the source DAC you are covered.
Title: Re: Thanks Knuck...
Post by: Betazep on February 20, 2015, 09:24:16 PM
This is so eargasmic! I am amazed at the difference really. I plugged my headphones into the headphone out of my iPad and listened to a bit of a song and then switched thru the FiiO.

I guess I am a believer now. Music is much nicer when the sound quality is golden.
Title: Re: Thanks Knuck...
Post by: KnuckleBuckett on February 21, 2015, 12:58:21 AM
Good to see you enjoying them. 

Here is the best part.  All of your music will seem new.  Every album is worth a good full listen.  You won't believe what you've been missing.

I am digging my new headphones and amp DAC as I type this to Janis Ian's Breaking Silence.

In case you aren't aware the cable, pads, and inside foam can be replaced.  I replaced a number of cords on my Senns.  I also replaced the pads in 2012 when they hit 20 years old.

Have a blast and share the experience with others when you can.   :thumbsup:

This is always fun with a good set of cans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUDTlvagjJA
Title: Re: Thanks Knuck...
Post by: ober on February 21, 2015, 09:46:19 AM
That was cool even on my shitty headphones
Title: Re: Thanks Knuck...
Post by: KnuckleBuckett on February 21, 2015, 10:26:40 AM
Fun eh?

It would be nice if there were more 3D audio out there at that level of quality.  Sadly not so much yet.