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DAC, amp & headphones 1k

I would like to put together a small 2 channel tubed system
for my wife . At present it would use a cable box for the source using either a digital audio out or optical audio out connection . I would like the cable box to feed a DAC and then go to a headphone amp and a set of good headphones . I do not want to use any speakers at this time .

Of course I want the best sound that I can give to her but keep the cost down to $1,000 total . While the DAC and amp can be used I would prefer new headphones .

I have done some research and found Sennheiser HD650 and AKG 701 headphones to be the most recommended .

Amps and DACS seem to be seperates and also combined units . Either would be fine for now .

She prefers tubes to SS and was instrumental in choosing my first tube system consisting of a Cayin A88T integrated with Reference 3A Di Capo i speakers . She prefered these speakers to Von Schwiekert and Usher . I would like to get her something with good extension , dynamics , detail and musicality .

She has always prefered 60's , 70's and 80's pop . I would like to introduce her to blues , jazz and the standards as well .

I would like the amp to have at least two inputs so that I could add a CDP later should this take off for her . Right now it will be just the CD quality music channels from our cable service .

Any suggestions ?

Thank you .
saki70
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
I have the 650's and both the Benchmark and Antique Soundlabs Tube Headphone amp - both sound awesome; better soundstage depth with the Antique SL, warmer, more romantic sound. I do enjoy both very much. On my earlier post, didn't realize the Cayin was USB only (DAC).

The Senns don't seem to be power hungry in my setup-very easy to drive, great extension and bass is great.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
I second the DAC1 - it ain't tubed though - so no added warmth - but if you are going to hook it up to a jittery cable box then the DAC1 has a good reputation for handling jitter.

If you want to block out background noise or you do not want to disturb others then I love the Senn HD 25-1 II Pro - these are extremely dynamic and are magic with even a poor quality low power source like a portable player.
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stonedeaf
101 posts
 
Benchmark DAC-1 - really superb headphone amp with two outputs.The headphone capability of this product is not a afterthought .This replaced my long time EAD DSP-9000 Pro in my main system.
The nice thing with these is that there are a fair number floating around used and reasonable demand for them as used pieces - so if it wasn't what you wanted - reselling would not be much of a challenge.No small thing - Benchmark (the company) are a pleasure to deal with -even on small stuff like EBU to S/PDIF adaptors.
If looking at used - make sure you get a stock unit - the modded units may sound better ? - but are harder to resell.
saki70 OP
907 posts
 
Shadorne ; good info...I had not considered either aspect !
Have you ever compared the HD-25's to the 650's ?

Why offer headphones that allow the sounds to travel into and out of the units for audiophile listening ?

Thank you .
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Why offer headphones that allow the sounds to travel into and out of the units for audiophile listening ?

Because open earphones generally sound best (Although, I believe Denon make an extremely good pair of cupped headphones). The only reason to use cupped earphones is if you don't want to disturb others or if you are in a noisy environment like a car, bus or airplane. You will find that you listen at much lower volumes if you can cut out background noise - this is why pros use HD 25's everywhere - from soundmen at clubs/concerts to sports casters reporting at a noisy sports event.

I use HD-25's on the electronic drum set. I use AKG 240's for critical listening to music. The AKG's, however, are 600 ohm and they don't sound their best unless you use a really good headphone amp like the DAC1 while the HD-25 pros are awesome with the crap amp in my drum kit or the analog out of a Mac computer. I'd still place open headphones (AKG) ahead of the HD-25's for overall sound quality though (provided you got the right headphone amp)
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