razer

Btw, what's the whole issue behind all the noise generated by the computer. I'am just curious...Honestly, I don't know why everyone's so concerned by all that sound from the computer. How can it affect the signal quality out of the USB port? I'am a little confused over here.... My decision keeps getting wavered by all the stuff I read. Some say that the computer ain't as bad as we think while others believe in using a proper CDP/Transport=>DAC for a system...Honestly, I would like to go with a CDP instead of setting up a computer if money was of no object to me...However, I'am thinking about $2000 DAC's out of a USB port versus a $2000 +/- CDP. Also, one thing to clarify, is it true that the signal out of the USB is as good as that out of a proper CDP ? As in, would all that electronics in a computer somehow affect the signal out from the USB ? I'am getting more and more confused....Really want to settle down with a more than decent system. I wouldn't mind going ampless or what. I just want to slowly build a system starting with the source first and then the interconnects and the AMPS and so on....

I am always a tad too late... Missed out on the Grado PS-1's (local) by two days....Someone please shoot me.... Curse you headfi....curse you sgheadphones...curse you echoloft....curse you audiogon...curse this hobby... I'am about to explode from all the research and read-ups since this afternoon till now and coming up with nothing.... Its 1am and my eyes are dying....

Hmmm, that's cool. That way, it sort of acts like a DAC/AMP/EVERYTHING...

So you're to say that I stick with my X-FI sound card and get a DAC that supports USB and play my EAC ripped songs directly from my comp ?

Hmmm, that's interesting Evil-Zen. In fact, I think a computer setup would suit me the best because I'am in front of my computer most of the time. I'am using the stock X-FI soundcard that came with my comp right now so other than the RME, are there anything else out there that's also in the same league? That said, probably a benchmark dac-1 would be the DAC that I'll consider...

Yeah, I considered all of them... But the problem is that I've absolutely no experience with all of the players above and its really too hard for me to decide. The Linn's are really very expensive and if you could provide funding, I wouldn't mind the sondek....I'am sort of in a dilemna now because I can justifyy spending 2 grands on a pair of headphones but anything that's even above 2grand for a player seems a little on the high side for me...

This is what is happening to me right now...Especially headfi...Somehow, the more I look, the more expensive things get and its getting way out of budget. I was looking at the NAIM CD5x and its a whopping $5000USD..... The problem is when it comes to CD players and Sources, I've got absolutely no idea what's good and what's not. I find that looking for a source is difficult becuase its not a one time affair like headphones where you can listen and compare and then sell them off easily. Sources will stay with you and be sort of like the heart of your whole system, faithfully playing back and producing the high quality signals for your amp. I don't want to spend a chunk of money only to realise that player A at $4000 sounded just that little bit better than player B which was priced at $700. With headphones, I beleive that anything up the $400 range would mostly involve changes and differences in the sound and flavors that each of them offers to you. Which is why I was willing to spend money and invest on them. However, sources aren't headphones, no one gets CD players one after another to hear different flavors. So what I'am saying is something that's good and simple and does the job without me having to worry about upgrading for some time. I've seen the CARY CDP-1 and then I've again read reviews and comments on other players sounding just as good at a much lower price level. I've read the Wadia's, the Accuphases, Meriidien's, the Lin Sondek and Rega's and the list seems to go on and on. Then there were suggestions on getting a decent source like the CDP-1 and going for the Benchmark DAC-1 to complete the setup. This sort of leaves me puzzled. Where in the world can I find a bunch of similarly priced players in to test? I beleive that The Adelphi has a dozen over shops that offer me free auditioning but it also seems that many of the player's on display and for testing happen to be way over my budget. Analysis led me to paralysis....I'am at a stage whereby I'am spoilt for choices and being the indecisive persson I am, it seems that it'll take me at least a few months to come to a final conclusion. So how about that, I'll just make my way down to Music By Design and get the CARY CDP-1....Or should I order an Eastsound from cattylink ?

Looks tempting...I like that colour scheme...Its so much nicer than that greenish gunky colour that the original 595's are in...

Btw, I'am just curious, as in, lets say the budget has been largely increased, would people usually go for a high end CDP and use the on board DAC or go for lets say a high end transport like the Passlabs one and go for a high end DAC as well. I'am currently thinking of going for a set-up that can last me for quite some time and not something which is sort of like in the middle. I don't want to take the slow path of upgrading but rather get something better to prevent that. I hope you get what I mean. So tell me, in your opinion, what CDP's are available with a DAC that's at least if not better than that of the benchmark DAC-1 (we'll take this dac as a reference). Cause I've also been getting suggestions from people telling me to use the benchmark with a cheap and simple transport but obviously there's that jitter problem which will be left untackled.

I know cattylink but was thinking of actually looking and testing the players before purchasing them which is one reason why I hoped someone in Singapore actually carries them...Guess I'll have to make another blind purchase...

Sounds good. So maybe I'll settle for a CD player. Btw, are there any players that I can get within this price range locally? Music by design carries the CARY players right? As for the Eastsound, I don't know any place in Singapore that carries them.

I have been looking at the Eastsound ES-5 as well as the CARY CDP-1 and also thought of the issue of jitter and problems arising from using a transport + DAC combo. But my problem now is that lets say for $2000, would getting a DAC at that price range + a transport (not included in the $2000budget) offer a better solution than simply getting a used/new CDP at the $2000 mark? I'am very open to all possible suggestions but I'll like to look at the one that suits me the most. As for the interconnects, I'll be using the ZU gede cables that I have with me so its the least of my worries for now.

Hey guys, I've decided maybe its time to get a DAC or at least a decent source. Since my transport will be my computer, a DAC with USB would be great. If not, any other DAC would be find as well since I've got a player to act as the transport as well. Any suggestions for something that's under $2000 ? I've been looking at the Storm Digital 02 as well as the Benchmark DAC. Any other suggestions ? I would be happy if could find something that's cheap and good as we all know the difference between $500 stuffs and $2000 in the AUDIO world sometimes may not be too much of an improvement either. Price to Performance factor would be my top priority as of now for the DAC. I've also read about the ESI Dr.Amp in the thread posted by Top-Gun and it seems pretty cool. So any suggestions? I guess Mackie might have a good idea here?

But I would like to give them an audition first before I make a decision since its based in Singapore...

OMG....I bought the GS-1000's....Ok, I'll call you soon, really interested...

I'am using it as my SMS tone right now and yes, its very irritating. I don't know why but when i hear it, I feel like naseua and all tensed up...its at 17,000 Hz F.I.Y...

i using my shure's with my sharp 903sh as well. All encoded in AAC320.

But I've yet to try them with normal grado bowl pads....Will be doing so later on and post comments bout the sound...

Or should I say the airyness gives a larger soundstage?? And yeah, comfort wise, its top notch!

You gotta be kidding man. Listen to that stuff. Spoil your Grados nevermind, dun spoil your ears! No warranty and replacement! Somehow, i am addicted to it...haha...

OMG! I just listened to this : on my Grados.... I think they're gonna spoil soon.....

Dunno, somehow I always feel irritated when something from overseas arrive and gets heldup because it is liable for tax...

I tried Photovideoi, webshots and photobucket...zzzz Lets give it a try:

Yeah, they no longer have that upfront sort of sound that Grado is famous for. But it still posseses quite alot of Grado qualities, add in the soundstage and smoothness...

I also cannot view some of them. The later ones. The bagel pads look huge! I tot you going to recable them? Any plans? Edit: Forgot to congrats you for the long awaited GS1K. Looks very good in the pics. So the soundstage is? Killer Grado? Does the wider soundstage dun make it sound like a Grado? The upfront presentation? It sounds like a normal wide soundstage headphone with Grado sound with and infusion of the good qualities of the HD650...Btw, it took so long to get here because my cousin was having a great time with it over at the States when I shipped it over to her house....haha....