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Which to upgrade first? Headphones or sound interface?
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| cl0ckw3rk |
Hi all,
Here is a question many of you may find easy to answer.
I have saved up enough for an upgrade to either my audio interface or my headphones. Here's my meager, unimpressive set-up as-is:
E-MU 0404 USB sound interface
Sony MDR7506
Mackie MR5 monitors
Now if I had it my way, I would go for some higher-end monitors. However, with better monitors I believe I would also be obligated to do some room treatment, which isn't exactly feasible for me in my current living situation. This will definitely be the next step once I buy a house :)
Soooo that said, I know I would benefit more from a headphone upgrade. I particularly have my eyes set on a pair of Sennheiser HD650s (with a headphone amp of course).
Now the easy question:
Would I observe more benefit from getting the headphones first, or should I upgrade my sound interface first? In an ideal world, both would obviously be best, but I can only do one at the moment.
The E-MU 0404, although it's a one of the cheaper interfaces, has served me rather well over the years, and shows no signs of giving up yet. I've never really heard a direct comparison between it and, say, a MOTU interface, so I really don't know what improved DACs alone would do for me while using just the Sony headphones and the Mackie monitors.
As always, I appreciate your feedback. |
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| cryophonik |
| You'll notice a bigger difference (i.e., improvement) in sound by upgrading your headphones to the HD650s and pairing them with a nice amp than you will from upgrading your 0404 to a MOTU interface. The question is, do you need to upgrade your soundcard for any reasons other than sound quality (e.g., more inputs/outputs)? If not, I'd go with the headphones because the difference in sound between the HD650s and your Sonys will be dramatic, whereas the difference between the 0404 and a MOTU will be marginal. |
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| cl0ckw3rk |
| quote: | Originally posted by cryophonik
You'll notice a bigger difference (i.e., improvement) in sound by upgrading your headphones to the HD650s and pairing them with a nice amp than you will from upgrading your 0404 to a MOTU interface. The question is, do you need to upgrade your soundcard for any reasons other than sound quality (e.g., more inputs/outputs)? If not, I'd go with the headphones because the difference in sound between the HD650s and your Sonys will be dramatic, whereas the difference between the 0404 and a MOTU will be marginal. |
Exactly the answer I'm looking for. Without hearing the difference between the E-MU and the MOTU, I wouldn't know whether this change would be marginal or dramatic. I don't need the inputs/outputs offered by a MOTU since I work mostly ITB, and I think the DAC quality in the E-MU is sufficient for my purposes. I should have been able to guess just based on intution, but a second opinion helps too. Thank you! |
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| Traumwandler |
I agree with cryophonik.
The D/As are quite good in E-MU i.m.o.
But it also depends on the head phone amp you choose, because RME for instance has quite good ones. The one in E-MU is imo not sufficient. So if you go for middle class you could also think about obtaining a new Interface with good HP amp. |
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| cl0ckw3rk |
So this brings me to another question. Do you guys have any headphone amp recommendations to pair with the HD650s? I'm simultaneously scouring the internet about this as I post, but all I've come up with is stuff that cost more than the cans themselves.
Little dot mk iii seems an OK choice...then there's the pricey ones, like Meier 2MOVE? I don't know if you guys have any experience with headphone amps, but some suggestions would be cool.
I didn't realize driving the hd650s would require so much...then I saw the 300 ohm impedance and it all made sense. Maybe I should just build my own amp... |
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| DJ RANN |
| quote: | Originally posted by Traumwandler
I agree with cryophonik.
The D/As are quite good in E-MU i.m.o.
But it also depends on the head phone amp you choose, because RME for instance has quite good ones. The one in E-MU is imo not sufficient. So if you go for middle class you could also think about obtaining a new Interface with good HP amp. |
I too agree with Dave, but the DAC in EMU are not good. They're only marginally better than soundblaster (same company).
Personally though, I would get the headphones as per dave's advice, forgo the amp, and then get a better interface as soon as funds allow as this will have a much better headphone amp, not to mention better conversion, allowing you to get more from the headphones and your speakers. |
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| cl0ckw3rk |
| quote: | Originally posted by DJ RANN
I too agree with Dave, but the DAC in EMU are not good. They're only marginally better than soundblaster (same company).
Personally though, I would get the headphones as per dave's advice, forgo the amp, and then get a better interface as soon as funds allow as this will have a much better headphone amp, not to mention better conversion, allowing you to get more from the headphones and your speakers. |
Do you think the E-MU's built-in headphone amp is sufficient to drive the 300ohm impedance of the HD650s for now? I know it won't be the best quality, but I'm only worried it would blemish the sound.
Either way, I'm sure it would be a huge step up from the Sony's...
Is anyone here using HD650s w/o an amp?? |
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| cl0ckw3rk |
| quote: | Originally posted by CalvP
*The amp in the 0404 seems to be driving the 650's ok with a quick glance at google* |
I took a look at the specs myself. I wasn't worried about them providing the juice, but rather the SNR could add unwanted artifacts. But who am I to judge or even care yet? I don't even have the damn headphones yet :)
If I feel so inclined, I might throw down for a slightly used Schiit Asgard a little ways down the road. |
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| DJ RANN |
| quote: | Originally posted by CalvP
It's a $100 card dude:p
Save the money for the interface-a separate headphone amp is only as good as the weakest link;) |
Exactly - $250 on that headphone amp is just going to give really nice pass-through of crap audio conversion. You also won't need an amp if you get a decent interface.
Oh, and don't start thinking you need to spend $1000 on a motu - that's mainly for the connectivity. Look at ECHO or Appogee for their entry level offerings - all you need is good conversion an a couple of ins/outs. |
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| cl0ckw3rk |
| quote: | Originally posted by DJ RANN
Oh, and don't start thinking you need to spend $1000 on a motu - that's mainly for the connectivity. Look at ECHO or Appogee for their entry level offerings - all you need is good conversion an a couple of ins/outs. |
No need for the MOTU...was just the first hi-end one that came to mind. Well I like that plan better anyways. I'll just save for the interface, that way when I buy the house and treat the room myself, I'll be ready for an eventual monitor upgrade.
Appreciate the help! |
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| Traumwandler |
I have the E-MU 1616, I guess it has the same built in hp amp.
What I can sa is that it has enough head room to drive high impedance hps but it lacks definition and it adds a bit of distortion. I use Beyerdynamic DT880PRO.
But I agree with the other guy that you should save the money until you can buy a really good hp amp maybe like spl. |
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