Is this a good cheap update?

[FrEaKy]

I play a heck of a lot of games, not in surround, just plain stereo play, maybe the occasional virtual Dolby, but beyond that, just straight stereo. I do like to also sit back and listen to music.

Right now I'm running on on-board sound and Klipsch Pro Media 2.1 setup for sound, its great for boomy, but I want something a little more subtle now.

Here is an update path I was thinking about and want some opinions;

Xonar DG sound card, runs about $25 on amazon right now
Grado Prestige SR-60i Cans, runs about $80 on amazon right now
FiiO E10 USB DAC, runs about $80 on amazon right now
Zalman Zm-mic1 microphone, runs about $10 on amazon right now

This runs me at a little over $190, which I think is good, but just want a more professional opinion for someone who wants to get somewhat into a amateur setup, but not needing to go further than this BTW. The price tag of $190 fits my budget too, cause I was looking to spend $200 or less.

Games I run that this matters with; BF3, Skyrim, LoL, MW3.
I also use TeamSpeak 3 for chat client (hence the zm-mic1)
For music I stick with Foobar, but would like to get a little more from my music.

 

[timestretch]

Why get a USB DAC and a sound card? Use of one excludes use of the other, unless you are interested in frequently switching back and forth between the two, or something like that?

 

[FrEaKy]

So what would be better the sound card or the DAC?

 

[fss69]

I would not worry too much about amping the Grados. The lower end series do not scale that much and work great out of any headphone output. For that price on the SR60, you might as well get the Alessandro MS-1. It is a re-tuned Grado SR125 that sounds more balanced and less aggressive that its sibling. It looks like there is a 25pct off sale with free shipping so that would make the MS-1 $75.

http://www.alessandro-products.com/main.html

You should get just the Xonar DG, I do not think it is worth spending much more given your setup.

I should point out if you are gaming, the Grados/Alessandros would not be a good choice. They have a very compressed soundstage.

 

[FrEaKy]

I would not worry too much about amping the Grados. The lower end series do not scale that much and work great out of any headphone output. For that price on the SR60, you might as well get the Alessandro MS-1. It is a re-tuned Grado SR125 that sounds more balanced and less aggressive that its sibling. It looks like there is a 25pct off sale with free shipping so that would make the MS-1 $75.

http://www.alessandro-products.com/main.html

You should get just the Xonar DG, I do not think it is worth spending much more given your setup.

I should point out if you are gaming, the Grados/Alessandros would not be a good choice. They have a very compressed soundstage.

Well the majority of what I plan on doing is gaming, so, do I move to the Audiotechnica AT-300 / 400?

 

[FrEaKy]

Looks like im gonna go with the ATH-AD700's

$146 for all 3 items, soundcard, mic, headset

 

[Hamakua]

Looks like im gonna go with the ATH-AD700's

$146 for all 3 items, soundcard, mic, headset

that is a better step. I have my personal preference but.

I would suggest taking the cash you were going to put into the DAC and invest it further into a set of cans.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/413589/dt-770-80-or-ath-ad700-for-first-real-headphones

When I saw $80+$80 = $160 I immediately jumped to this conclusion.

I have the same exact ones and they are awesome. I write a bit more about them here in another [H] thread. I am of course biased but IMO in the beginning your primary investment should be the Cans.

Cans > Soundcard > Mic > Amplification (amplification last only if your current soundcard/setup can drive the cans well enough. The DT770's 80's strike the perfect balance IMO between impedance and convenience, in a pinch my ipod touch can drive them well enough that I am not left wanting.)

I have the same mic (zalman) as you and it is as good as any mic I have had, including a stereoscopic mic. I do plan on getting a new mic but only for recording content to be distributed. For VOIP/Gaming/whatever, it is perfect. Bonus, it has never gotten in my way I don't even notice it is there and doesn't change how I use my headphones.