Audio Equipment

[StraightG00ds]

Hi,

I was hoping to get some feedback on audio equipment, which I will be purchasing shortly.

I was looking to get a pair of headphones. I am thinking about going on ebay to purchase a used pair of Sennheiser 598s or possibly 518s. First question, is it a mistake to purchase used high-quality headphones - would the technology in a new pair have advanced significantly where purchasing a new pair makes more sense?

I was also looking into a soundcard. I was thinking about getting the Asux Xonar DGX; however, I am not sure if that card would make a pair of 598s a worthwhile purchase given it's fairly budget soundcard. Should I be sticking with a pair of 518s if I purchase a lower cost soundcard or will the 598s still be significantly better?

Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[spaceman]

No worries buying used on amazon. I got my 558s used there and they were brand new in the box. Probably a return. Most of the time if you buy used-like new or very good they are practically unused.

Either the 518 or 558 are fine. I use an old asus dx1 but i doubt there is a big difference in sound bw it and the dgx. Any other Asus sound card is a lot more $$. I am not really certain which card I would upgrade too personally. Reason is that the price range the goes into external dac/amp or receiver territory ans I think that is the best solution if you can afford it.

The 558s sound very close to the 598s. Especially after taking the foam tape off the driver housing. So if you get them used for about $120 I would consider spending more on the sound card.

Can't go wrong either way. Just depends on how much you can spend.

 

[StraightG00ds]

No worries buying used on amazon. I got my 558s used there and they were brand new in the box. Probably a return. Most of the time if you buy used-like new or very good they are practically unused.

Either the 518 or 558 are fine. I use an old asus dx1 but i doubt there is a big difference in sound bw it and the dgx. Any other Asus sound card is a lot more $$. I am not really certain which card I would upgrade too personally. Reason is that the price range the goes into external dac/amp or receiver territory ans I think that is the best solution if you can afford it.

The 558s sound very close to the 598s. Especially after taking the foam tape off the driver housing. So if you get them used for about $120 I would consider spending more on the sound card.

Can't go wrong either way. Just depends on how much you can spend.

Thanks for the input. I'll probably get the cheaper pair of 598s, 558s or maybe 518s on ebay and stick with the dgx. I am not an audiophile by any stretch of the imagination, but would like nicer sound than I can get from on-board audio. It'll mostly be for gaming, then music and movies, so I don't think I need anything too too fancy.