AD900 Upgrade/Sidegrade

[jaz]

The E10 is not a source - it's just a basic desktop amp. It would not be enough to drive headphones like the 701s - you would need something with more power like maybe the Cube or T33h (Someone correct me if I'm wrong as I'm sure other people would be more knowledgeable about amps/dacs/etc...)

Also, if you don't upgrade the source, you would most likely need a DAC as well to get good sound out of it.

The e10 is a USB powered external DAC/Amp, it is not just a desktop amp.

It's definitely not enough for the K701 or any hard to drive phones for that matter

However it would work great with easier to drive phones such as his AD900, hence why I recommended it, If he sold his ES7 and doesn't want to break the bank

If he's willing to put in more $ there are better options available, but your looking at spending 3x the price of the E10

[Benno1988]

Itd have to sound significantly better than my soundcard though to justfy any purchase.

Soundcard is a XFi ExtremeMusic (old school version). Its ok, but its not amazing.

[Marcus]

The K701 is leaner in the bass department than the AD900 and a lot harder to drive.

A cheap external amp isn't likely to make much of a difference to efficient models like the AD900. If you want an upgrade, consider maybe a newer soundcard or a good external solution instead of a cheap one, otherwise you're just wasting money.

[Benno1988]

And the Matrix Cube falls into which category?

[GougMan]

Sorry didn't realise the E10 had a DAC as well. But I would still lean towards something like the Cube just simply for a bit of future-proofing if you get different headphones down the track.

If budget is a bit tight, maybe just start off with a better soundcard and see how you go with that and then at least you have a decent starting point to build on later on if you decide to. The AD900s will run fine straight from soundcard (and even from portable players) so you don't really need an amp at this stage if you don't want to.

[Marcus]

And the Matrix Cube falls into which category?

A decent external solution where an internal soundcard like the Asus STX or similar isn't an option.

[Benno1988]

And the Matrix Cube falls into which category?

A decent external solution where an internal soundcard like the Asus STX or similar isn't an option.

BECAUSE....The STX DAC is better than that found in the Cube?

STX is an option.

[warisz00r]

And the Matrix Cube falls into which category?

A decent external solution where an internal soundcard like the Asus STX or similar isn't an option.

BECAUSE....The STX DAC is better than that found in the Cube?

STX is an option.

A decent sound card is not an option if you don't own a desktop computer.

[Benno1988]

I was saying that STX is an option for me.

Hence the STX or Cube debate I'm faced with.

[ledge]

A decent sound card is not an option if you don't own a desktop computer

i think he does own one.

especially if he mentioned hes running an XFI extreme music sound card.

id just go with the better sound card, the AD900 will sound nice.

[flognuts]

cant go wrong with xonar stx for a source.

moving on would be a dacmagic/amp.

[marts30]

Just got me some Alessandro MS2i's and I prefer them a whole lot to my recently sold MS Pros :P I read about them being overly harsh and aggressive but not for me, exactly what I was looking for in a secondary can.

[Benno1988]

Well I've had a new idea:

I have a pair of ES7's I can sell for around $100
I have a pair of Brainwavz M2's I'm sure I could get $40 for

That leaves me with $140 for a good pair of canalphones.

So lets say budget of $200 (maybe tad over if its worth it).

What are my options? Im not a bass fanatic, but would enjoy something *slightly* more bassy than my AD900's, which I'm sure isn't hard.

- Brainwavz B2
- Brainwavz M3
- Shure SE315
- Earsonics SM1
- Shure SE215
- Etymotic HF5

Thoughts? I'd prefer ones that you can wear straight (i.e. not around the ear). I also quite like the foam tips (have some Comply ones at the momemt).

[mda]

I have the Brainwavz B2s and AD900s, the B2s are more bassy and quite enjoyable to listen to, compliments AD900 nicely imo.

[Benno1988]

Well thats good to know!

Can the B2s be worn without looping them around your ear? They don't look spaz doing this?