Low budget audiophile setup for a PC?

[haywire 0]

Greetings all!

I'm forced to de-lurk to seek help here in finding a nice setup for the comp. Reading these forums for the past couple of weeks has been very enlightening and not a bit intimidating...as much as I try most topics go over my relatively unschooled head.

 

Based on some prior research I've gotten the Grado SR60s for my new Ipod, and they were worth every cent. Best sound I've hear in years (I can sense some chuckling now), beating flat my BA4800 speakers which I thought were pretty darned good. First step into audiophile territory, having a blast, but it's time to pick up the pace a bit.

 

Here's what I have to work with:

 

$SG 900 Dollars

Hardware: Audigy 2 ZS (I'm a gamer as well, so the m-revo wasn't really for me)

Portables: A 3rd Gen Ipod

Music: Several hundred albums, most of which are EAC ripped and encoded in LAME alt-preset standard/extreme and dash of similar quality oggs and mpcs. Much of it is wide-ranging indie stuff, generally rock, electronic or pop.

 

Any ideas on a possible hp+amp combo? I know a specialised home rig would work and sound much better, but since most of my music is digitised and I don't have the funds nor the technical knowhow to tinker around with expensive amps, I'm making do with this for now.

 

Thanks

[Blues 0]

Since you like the grados, how about going for the higher-end models like the 225/325?

They retain the same house sound(upfront, dynamic, lively) and yet at the same time refine on the sound of the lower models (sr60,80)

The sr-225 is around 350 dollars from Music by Design(Adelpi). Grado sr-325 is $520 (Check out the price sticky)

I personally like the 325 better than the 225 and plus, it looks nicer(aluminium cups, gloved leather band). But do give both a try, coz some find the 325 too bright and is a little heavier than other grados.

 

As for amp, how about giving rameish a call/pm? he's organising a powerbuy of Corda ha-1 amp from Germany. I think now it's 2/5 slots. I own the amp and it's very nice for the price. A good match for grados too(out of the 120 ohm jack). That would cost around 450 dollars.

 

Let's see : corda ha-1 ($450) + grado sr-225 ($340) = $780.

or corda ha-1($450) + grado sr-325($520) = $970 (abit over your budget)

 

Or if you want to go for a one-can show.. maybe you would like to try the Sony MDR-CD3000. Very effective and can be driven very easily out of your ipod and audigy(they've 32 ohms impedance IIRC). The sound is quite upfront(not as upfront as grados), has detailed highs, good soundstage and good kick in the bass. They are about $650 dollars(see if gouki will be going to japan, you can try asking him to help you buy ) or simply order them from http://www.audiocubes2.com .

Hope these help

And .. welcome to the forum!

Enjoy your stay

Edited November 8, 2003 by Blues

[jasonhanjk 0]

Welcome

[N@Z 0]

Glad to see you posting.

 

I'd recommend you stick with the SR60s for the time being since you like their sound & have no problems with it. Get an amp, possibly some nice interconnects & more music with the change. The Corda HA-1 is a very good starter amp (although I've only heard the HA-2 with other cans).

 

If you are still unsure or not in a hurry why not come along to the SGH Meet organised in January 2004? There you can bring along your cans & audition them with the plethora of amps, not to mention try out other headphones too.