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Audiophile
Evshrug
3687
Mar 22, 2023
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Stickied
Audiophile 101: Essential Gear Overview
Image credit @zhugunic https://drop.com/talk/67372/gl-2-k
Do I need an amp? What are these acronyms like DAC, DSP, or DSD? What even are all the components that make up an audio chain? Let’s take a beginner’s look at the core, essential building blocks of a digital audio chain, and lay it plain what each piece does. We can cover the major pieces separately, but I’ll still include a few tips to optimize playback here. Please hit the little bookmark button and feel free to check and share this guide whenever you need a reference!
For people who need a visual and audible explanation, or are worried it would take too long to get a working knowledge of the audio chain, here is my YouTube video on this subject that is just 7 minutes long! I like writing though, so let’s get started with an overview, then break it down into what each piece does and how an upgrade would benefit the final sound quality.
Signal Path
Image credit @SpeleoFool https://drop...
Kwahten
0
Dec 3, 2023
2.5mm TRRS Drop Sennheiser Cable
local_offer
Drop TRRS 2.5mm Headphone Cable for Sennheiser
Balanced in a FIIO Q1 Mk II
Nizmo34
0
Dec 2, 2023
My Setup 177x GO + Custom cables
local_offer
Massdrop x Beyerdynamic DT 177X GO Headphones
Had a custom 6ft cable from Impact Audio Cables mini XLR to XLR. Plus a custom small cable I asked Hart Audio cables to make so I can run this as a wireless setup using an ES100 Mk2
Cheapshot724
0
Dec 2, 2023
Great bang for the buck headset
local_offer
Drop + EPOS PC38X Yellow Gaming Headset
The yellow is a nice touch, dont see yellow on very many gaming headsets
dreamingscorpio
27
Dec 2, 2023
A bit thicker than stock, but not too much
local_offer
Drop Earpads for HD 6XX & 58X
akshayn
9
Dec 1, 2023
Liked them better with the stock pads
local_offer
Massdrop x Koss KSC75X On-Ear Headphones
Compared to yaxi, I think yaxi pads work best with porta pros
akshayn
9
Dec 1, 2023
Gateway to neutral audio
Not great comfort but passive isolation is amazing, not to mention the sublime sound quality
akshayn
9
Dec 1, 2023
First planars, amazing speed and detailed sound
local_offer
Drop + HIFIMAN HE-X4 Planar Magnetic Headphones
Endymion
0
Nov 30, 2023
Best reasonably priced desktop DAC/AMP combo
I currently use the HD 58X with the 7HZ 71 portable AMP/DAC. It works but I don't know how close to it's full potential. For some songs (rarely) the song sounds OK with the volume set to 40%, but usually 60% is the sweet spot (but sometimes, I need to crank it up even more, especially with metal songs). My friend who has the same headset, he has them connected directly to the motherboard. It's probably because he has a high-end mobo that the audio sounded better directly off his mobo (20% was enough to play most songs OK).
As I said in the title, I want a DAC/AMP combo because I want it to take less space and usually from what I saw online, they are cheaper than separate (but if we have anything good, worthy of going split, then why not). I plan in the future to get more premium headphones like the HD 8XX/800S/820 series (or a planar magnetic of the same price range).
They say that you don't see much difference (like less distortion and more power being delivered to each driver)...
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