I have an AKG 701 with a chinese digital amp and fiber optic connection. High end headphones really do bring music to another level.

 

You audio freaks are no different than car and watch guys

The OP starts a thread asking advice for 2-3k in electronics and someone posts 75k worth of stuff.

It's like the guys that offer up a Zonda to the kid with a 40k car budget.

Seriously what's the point.

Denon makes great stuff in your budget for power and tuner.
Find some good in budget speakers and have some fun.

 

speakers make loud sound, but wearymicrobes post is the shortest route to audiophile sound.

 

What is your home headphone setup if you don't mind me asking? Sorry for the amateurish questions, but for say $700 or so could you could pick up a decent headphone and dac tube? Apart from using a dac tube is there something that can be done somewhat easily to increase the sound quality of one's itunes library or is the sound difference negligible?

thanks again,

ari

 

I had L3000's before but sold them when they got crazy money on eBay.

Best setup
Little Dot DAC - Little Dot II - L3000's

Currently I use Macbook/OGG, Grado Sr350, out to a older Yamaha amp with Fiber Cable.

I might have 500$ in the whole setup outside of the computer.

If you really want to listen to music critically on a budget (Sub 20-30K) headphones are the way to go. My opinion is that you would have to spend 15-20$ for every dollar you spend on headphones to get equal sound quality out of normal speakers.

In two channel I had

Martin Logan Prodigy's
Rogue audio Mono blocks
Some crazy frontend that I picked up on Audiogon.

 

Problem with headphones is that only you can enjoy, and you have to be in proximity of your stuff. I have a modest system by all accounts here (Marantz PM8004 integrated, Marantz SA8004 SACD, and B&W 683 three-way floor standers). I love the sound. My first "audiophile" set up and it really changed how I appreciate music. That being said, even for less, if headphone set up sounds better I hate having headphones on, and get fatigued really quickly that way. With a speaker setup I can enjoy for hours, as can those around me.

 

Thanks for the info! I might have to pick your brain again when I decide to take the plunge.

ari

 

And you have to listen alone.....who wants to be alone?

 

this thread made me plug in my gear and visit some of my favorite songs in the library. I'm pretty bummed out to find out some of the best classics I have are in low quality. For example, The four Seasons by Vivaldi are 112 kps and La traviata even lower. Anyone know the best way to get a bundle of high quality music from all genres w/o hassle or spending $$$? Last time I checked, highest quality music was 320kps, I would like to upgrade, and since I'm not too much into hi-tech, I don't want this to turn into a project of epic proportions for me.

 

I'm in the same boat. Anyone have any advice