Hi guys,
I am planning on getting into some better quality audio, as i am starting to amass a decent FLAC music collection. I have a plan for what i want to do, and would like some input on what you guys think, keep in mind, the setup is for music playback only, no games(thats my other pc), no recording/mixing of any kind.
Currently Have:
Sennheiser HD650's
http://en-au.sennheiser.com/high-quality-headphones-around-ear-audio-surround-hd-650
These are still brand new in the box, birthday present coming up next month.
What i plan on doing, in order of purchase:
DAC:
Schiit Audio Modi 2 Uber
http://schiit.com/products/modi-2
AMP:
Schiit Magni 2 Uber
http://schiit.com/products/magni-2
Source is an older LGA775 rig:
Q6688 Quad Core @ 3GHZ
GTX 295 GPU
GA-P35-DS3P Mobo
4GB Ram
Win 7 on SSD + storage hdd's.
Soundblaster X-Fi Platinum (won't be used as using usb)
PCI USB 3 card, which is what i plan on connecting the DAC to.
How i plan on connecting this setup:
Source ---USB(PCI USB 3 card)---Modi 2 DAC----RCA----Magni 2 Amp-----stock hd650 cable----hd650 headphones.
I would also in the future(not at the same times as purchasing amp/dac) purchase a 2.1 setup.
Monitors
M-Audio BX8 Carbon's (2 set)
http://www.m-audio.com/products/view/bx8-carbon#.Ve4X3tKqpBc
Subwoofer
M-Audio BX Subwoofer
http://www.m-audio.com/products/view/bx-subwoofer#.Ve4YLNKqpBc
How i plan to connect these:
Source-----USB cable(PCI USB3 Card)-----Modi 2 DAC-----RCA---Magni 2 AMP-----RCA(from amp preout)-------Subwoofer-----TRSx2-----Both Monitors.
I realize this is using an "unbalanced" connection due to using RCA's, though as just for playback from my research i don't think it matters, feel free to correct me on that though.
For reference:
Amp/Dac maximum spend is $5-700 US dollars
2.1 Monitor + sub setup maximum spend is $$7-1000 US dollars
I realize that isn't alot of money, and i understand that, but i am new and just getting into this, and don't have a lot of cash laying around right now(11 month old bub). I will certainly upgrade in a few years if i feel the need to.
Certain things i am worried about:
I have been told on various forums etc. that:
"Headphone amps are not good at running monitors"
Though as i currently understand, if i am using powered monitors + powered sub, and only using preamp output for these from the amp, that it does not matter the amp, as it is just the interface that matters?
"Magni/Modi stack will drive the HD650's but nowhere near their potential"
Am i wasting these headphones by using a Magni/Modi stack with them?
Well, i hope i have made at least some sense, feel free to pick me up on anything you think i am doing wrong, or could do better.
Just so you know, i am located in Australia, and we do pay more for things here, and have a lesser range than other countries.
Sorry for being such a long thread, and if you have made it this far, i thank you greatly for reading.
Any help/info/suggestion much appreciated.
I am planning on getting into some better quality audio, as i am starting to amass a decent FLAC music collection. I have a plan for what i want to do, and would like some input on what you guys think, keep in mind, the setup is for music playback only, no games(thats my other pc), no recording/mixing of any kind.
Currently Have:
Sennheiser HD650's
http://en-au.sennheiser.com/high-quality-headphones-around-ear-audio-surround-hd-650
These are still brand new in the box, birthday present coming up next month.
What i plan on doing, in order of purchase:
DAC:
Schiit Audio Modi 2 Uber
http://schiit.com/products/modi-2
AMP:
Schiit Magni 2 Uber
http://schiit.com/products/magni-2
Source is an older LGA775 rig:
Q6688 Quad Core @ 3GHZ
GTX 295 GPU
GA-P35-DS3P Mobo
4GB Ram
Win 7 on SSD + storage hdd's.
Soundblaster X-Fi Platinum (won't be used as using usb)
PCI USB 3 card, which is what i plan on connecting the DAC to.
How i plan on connecting this setup:
Source ---USB(PCI USB 3 card)---Modi 2 DAC----RCA----Magni 2 Amp-----stock hd650 cable----hd650 headphones.
I would also in the future(not at the same times as purchasing amp/dac) purchase a 2.1 setup.
Monitors
M-Audio BX8 Carbon's (2 set)
http://www.m-audio.com/products/view/bx8-carbon#.Ve4X3tKqpBc
Subwoofer
M-Audio BX Subwoofer
http://www.m-audio.com/products/view/bx-subwoofer#.Ve4YLNKqpBc
How i plan to connect these:
Source-----USB cable(PCI USB3 Card)-----Modi 2 DAC-----RCA---Magni 2 AMP-----RCA(from amp preout)-------Subwoofer-----TRSx2-----Both Monitors.
I realize this is using an "unbalanced" connection due to using RCA's, though as just for playback from my research i don't think it matters, feel free to correct me on that though.
For reference:
Amp/Dac maximum spend is $5-700 US dollars
2.1 Monitor + sub setup maximum spend is $$7-1000 US dollars
I realize that isn't alot of money, and i understand that, but i am new and just getting into this, and don't have a lot of cash laying around right now(11 month old bub). I will certainly upgrade in a few years if i feel the need to.
Certain things i am worried about:
I have been told on various forums etc. that:
"Headphone amps are not good at running monitors"
Though as i currently understand, if i am using powered monitors + powered sub, and only using preamp output for these from the amp, that it does not matter the amp, as it is just the interface that matters?
"Magni/Modi stack will drive the HD650's but nowhere near their potential"
Am i wasting these headphones by using a Magni/Modi stack with them?
Well, i hope i have made at least some sense, feel free to pick me up on anything you think i am doing wrong, or could do better.
Just so you know, i am located in Australia, and we do pay more for things here, and have a lesser range than other countries.
Sorry for being such a long thread, and if you have made it this far, i thank you greatly for reading.
Any help/info/suggestion much appreciated.