RallyMaster

Hello folks, I've been reading threads here and on Head-Fi for quite a while now and have heard many headphones. I myself own a small collection of headphones. However, the one thing that hasn't changed since I started earlier this year has been my Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic with the LM4562 opamp. My primary headphones now include a JVC HA-DX3 and a Sennheiser HD595. The HA-DX3 is my closed, cold-weather headphone and my HD595 is obviously my open-back. I like to switch it up every once in a while or when I don't feel like falling asleep from listening to HD595. So now I approach you with potentially two questions.

My HA-DX3 is very harsh (huge emphasis on treble) and gets distorted way too easily coming straight out of my X-Fi if the music starts to get busy (regardless of volume). From what I've read on Head-Fi from ourfpshero, it requires an amplifier to really shine. At the moment, I'm finding it to be worse than a non-modded RX900, not in the way that it doesn't have a full spectrum, but there's too much treble I can't stand putting it on my head for more than 15 minutes. I feel like I'm grinding my music against a piece of sheet-metal. However, I know the X-Fi is generally junk so what I need is a source upgrade.

I've found two that particularly spark my interest: the Hifiman EF2 and the Asus Xonar Essence STX. I realize that the two choices are pretty far removed from each other but both will stay stationary with just this computer. The EF2 obviously has better amplification than the Essence STX (read something about the STX having a $2.50 transistor for the amp section). I'm not entirely sure what to make of the DAC differences because the PCM2702 is 16-bit while the PCM1792 is 24-bit. The signal to noise ratio of the PCM1792 on the STX is clearly much higher but further downstream, it will not retain the same SNR. I've looked at the specification sheets, especially the amplitude vs frequency plots and have concluded that it looks like the PCM1792 recovers more of the low-end of the spectrum and has less of a dip nearing the end of the spectrum. I'm not sure what that really translates to in terms of what I hear but it seems like I would get a more "colored" response from the PCM1792. Which do I pick or do I pick none at all? If I get an STX, should I get an amp (e.g. Little Dot I+) to compensate for the lack of proper amping?

I still intend on gaming some and don't want to keep myself plugged into a tube-amp and/or DAC/amp combo the whole time. I don't know how much good a DAC will do me when I'm trying to hunt down people in games because the sound positioning of the X-Fi has been a lifesaver. I'm not sure how good the Asus cards are at positioning in games having never used one with any of my headphones (just heard the D2X through someone's speakers). I may just keep the X-Fi for my HD595 because it doesn't seem to have a problem driving 50 ohms. Do I just get an Essence STX and do it all or do I consider getting a combo DAC amp setup and run an RCA from the X-Fi into the amp section?

I apologize for the wall of text but I have been trying to assess this situation for a while now.

Cliff Notes: I game and listen to music and have a headphone that is severely underpowered which means I need a new source. Tube amps seem to work well with DX3 and HD595 but I'd prefer to not use a DAC+amp for gaming unless I have to because sound positioning is most definitely wanted. HD595 will likely take on gaming duty (and will also be music cans) but it is preferable to have both the DX3 and HD595 be available for either task. +REP to all help given.

Budget: I'd like to keep it under 300 USD when it's all said and done but if I can get it done for less, I'd go for that.

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I will stop reading your post if I spot a grammatical or spelling error.

People who mindlessly recommend the Sennheiser HD555 need to be banned.

chinesekiwi

umm......Musiland 02 Monitor US?

http://www.overclock.net/sound-cards...s-essence.html

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Aura

IIRC were you not having a hell of a time with drivers for your Musiland a week or so ago? If so I find the recommendation curious.

I would go for a separate DAC/amp combo and keep the X-Fi for gaming since you seem relatively satisfied with it at the moment. For music listening (ideally for me anyway), I would run digital optical/toslink or coax out from your X-Fi to a standalone DAC and then to a desktop amp. $300 might be tough but can be done if you browse Head-Fi's sale forums consistently.

Possible DAC's:

- Denon DA500
- Parasound D/AC 1000 (tough find though)
- E-MU 0404 USB (I have a lead on one of these if it peaks your interest)

Possible amps:

- Go DIY for this budget. Cavali Can Kumisa III (CKKIII) is a solid state offering that is around $200 from MisterX, a well-known builder (e-mail can be found in the link I provided). I would say that is about the best you might be able to fit in at this budget. Priced a bit lower, maybe a PIMETA might be better suited.

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RallyMaster

I'm kind of wary of buying the Musiland 02 US because of the driver issues. It seems like there have been issues with the right channel getting noisy, problems with ASIO working and overall I'm not too fond of buying something that won't work right.

Aura: Thanks a lot for those recommendations. I have just now sent off $136 for a Little Dot MKII on Head-Fi's for sale forum. Any chance that will work with gaming or is the sound signature of the tubes going to completely ruin sound positioning? I wouldn't think it would worsen because after all, it only amplifies what comes out.

I've been browsing the Head-Fi FS forum for a long while now trying to find that LD MKII so I'm sure I'll find at least one of your recommended DACs turn up. I'm also open to building a DAC although I'm not proficient with a soldering iron (I'm not afraid to learn though). The gamma-1 and gamma-2 designs have me pretty intrigued especially considering the gamma-2 builds on the gamma-1 and improves it. I might look into this as a winter break project.

+REP to Chinesekiwi simply because Aura is too kewl 4 skewl with his moderator status

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I will stop reading your post if I spot a grammatical or spelling error.

People who mindlessly recommend the Sennheiser HD555 need to be banned.

Aura

The Little Dot should do just fine for gaming if you need more drive into the headphones. I suspect you will find better soundstaging with the LD, which in turn should benefit gaming from a depth/width perspective. This is merely speculation though, I rarely game these days and never experimented much with sound in gaming.

I've read positive remarks about the Gamma, but since I've not heard it myself I can neither recommend nor disregard it.

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RallyMaster

Thanks, Aura. Your help is much appreciated.

__________________
I will stop reading your post if I spot a grammatical or spelling error.

People who mindlessly recommend the Sennheiser HD555 need to be banned.