A source for ESW9's

[TheLateJC]

I'm using my Samsung Galaxy S as a source of FLACs for my ESW9's, but I can't hear the difference between some MP3s I chucked on there. So I'm guessing the bottleneck, as it were, is the SGS. Don't get me wrong, I find the Galaxy S and ESW9's very enjoyable, but I feel there is more to be had through these headphones... MOAR!!!!

Ultimately I want to sweeten my setup at the office, but it has to be at least kind of transportable because I can't leave it at the office with all those thieves. If I can listen to it out and about then that would be a bonus, but the city is loud and distracting so it's not really that important for use in transit.

The HM-801 looks interesting... What do you think?

[grevillea]

Yes, I think it looks interesting.

[Riverback]

It looks interesting, but is it worth the price tag?

[TheLateJC]

So yes, interesting indeed. But for an office setup are there better dac/amp options for <$1000?

[Drubbing]

Corda 3Move.

[grevillea]

Corda 3Move.

The StepDance is currently FOTM over at Head-Fi. Personally, I just dont know that it looks sexy enough for me to impress the chicks with.

[Blobby]

If you can StepDance you'll impress a load of old chicks.

[mallethead]

If you can StepDance you'll impress a load of old chicks.

Maybe a Meier LineDance- even better.
It's going to be the next step up for a planned Meier CongaLine

[TheLateJC]

I can't StepDance, I'll just have to rely on my good looks...

I think I want something like an HDP Icon, iBasso or Fubar desktop dac / amp combo... though I recall a reviewer here saying that he would avoid combining "warm" sounding headphones with the icon, and for me the ESW9's are pretty warm.

So what do you do? I'd like to check out some of these things, but are there shops in Sydney where you can get a listen to this stuff? The HIFI shops that I know don't really do headphones very well.

[Drubbing]

So what do you do? I'd like to check out some of these things, but are there shops in Sydney where you can get a listen to this stuff? The HIFI shops that I know don't really do headphones very well.

I really doubt you'll find a hifi shop anywhere to try those. Most either:

a) don't stock headphones
b) won't let you try them if they do
c) don't look on them as serious audio, just accessories
d) Know very little about them and impart info of even less use to customers

Best to ignore reviewers and their opinions. Differences between DAC/amp combos in the same price range are often overexaggerated, providing they are all of comparable quality and not just priced the same.

THe ESW run really well from portables anyway. Keep it simple, buy something in your budget that gives you the connection options you'll use.

[TheLateJC]

THe ESW run really well from portables anyway

Yep, they certainly do.

Differences between DAC/amp combos in the same price range are often overexaggerated, providing they are all of comparable quality and not just priced the same.

Knowing the difference is the hard part, but I hear you and I'll try to do just that.


I'm going to live with the SGS for a while and think about this a bit more.