Nenso Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 In a nutshell, I want a pico but I don't have a lot of stuff so perhaps there is something that I should buy before the Pico. I feel that I don't have a good enough source, or perhaps my amp isn't good enough. Spending $500 on a pico should give me a significant difference since it is a combination of both right? If I didn't buy the pico, I would've probably gotten a DENON DCD-CX3 SACD/CD player or a Yamamoto HA-02 to compliment my ATH-W1000.. Honestly, I'm very fickle and after taking the plunge at IEMs, Tomahawk, and that fricken ALO Cable... I felt that the money and time I spent into these wasn't spent wisely. I want to make a right, or if not.. a good purchase that will improve my rig. Thanks a lot guys.. my stuff is down there V Sources: Desktop Computer->Optical out->DAC/AMP AT-HA25D->1/4 output Laptop-> SAME DAC/AMP, but with 1/8->RCA instead normal iPods. (ipod video 60gb, ipod classic 160gb) Amps: Tomahawk (I don't really use it anymore because I don't use IEMs much + too much effort to lug it around) AT-HA25D Headphones: ATH-W1000 MS-1 (bowl+flats) ATH-A950LTD SR-60s (with no more grills.. my friend lent it to me.. but doesn't want it back anymore) ATH-CM700ti (titanium edition) ATH-A700 ATH-EW9 UE Super.fi 5 pro Cables: ALO Jumbo cyro.. .. wasted because I don't use it with my Tomahawk anymore Random Optical fiber cable AT 1/8->RCA cable ALO Splitter 1/4->2x1/4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smeggy Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 A solid DAC/amp is never a bad idea, especially a USB one if you run from computer. It seems to me that you have some gear that you could flog off over at H-F to build up funds. Now, if you were to sell off the tommy, alo, and some of your lesser used cans you could probably fund one pretty good system rather than have a whole bunch of middling stuff. I don't think the Pico is a bad decision by any means. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fungi Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 Yeah, that's a lot of gear you could downsize and still keep 3-4 headphones. Some things in there you can make a nice amount off of too. Pretty sure you could fund a Pico from selling stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slwiser Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 Yes, consolidation seems to be the thing I would do looking at your stable of equipment. The Pico would be a great additional to your setup. Of course, if you were to keep the W1000 the Yamamoto should also be in your future. But the Pico seems like it would be the first best move to make from here even if you never got to the Yamamoto. This assumes that you still want portability first. Since you have the new iPod Classic you could think about the iTransport to feed a Yamamoto in the future as well or whatever you feel you need at that time. It all depends on what direction you want to take your setup; toward portability or fixed. I would also get something other than the optical feed from your desktop that uses a USB. If you are using a windows based computer the S/DPIF is not very good, it is always providing a 48 kHz over-sample no matter what as I understand it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nenso Posted January 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 ok ty guys for ur great insight.. also.. I forgot to mention I have a SR-325 too lol.. And.. what about those singlepower tube amps? Are they good for lower pendance headphones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hYdrociTy Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 get an extreme or mpx3!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guzziguy Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 get an extreme or mpx3!!!! An Extreme will drive them. Also either a PPX3 Slam or MPX3 Slam will do it. I don't think that a non-Slam MPX3 will do a good job driving low impedance headphones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nenso Posted January 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 ok, I'll keep this amp in mind.. but what exactly does slam/non-slam mean? Sorry noob question >.< Is the Extreme discountinued? I don't see it on the site. How is it different from the MPX3 Also, where would I get these tubes? Where do you guys get tubes? Singlepower doesn't sell those tubes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrice Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 ok, I'll keep this amp in mind.. but what exactly does slam/non-slam mean? Sorry noob question >.< Is the Extreme discountinued? I don't see it on the site. How is it different from the MPX3 Also, where would I get these tubes? Where do you guys get tubes? Singlepower doesn't sell those tubes. His site is painfully out of date (measured in years). You'll need to call and speak to Mikhail, if you want to buy anything from Singlepower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 a while Note that this time frame is also usually measured in years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hYdrociTy Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 He doesn't sell the extreme in stock configs? puff's sellin an mpx for dirt cheap if anyone wants: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f42/fs-mpx3-se-beyond-maxxed-276141/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hYdrociTy Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 I meant the Extreme for $999 + Shipping? Aren't those "stock" and not "to order" so maybe he wouldn't have to take months to "customize?" I know sp is now turned into a built to order deal, but when the extreme was released not long ago I remember there were two distinct versions for 999 and 1899 or something like that and was under the impression that they are ready to be sold or at least ready to be built quickly in numbers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomana Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 what does "ready to be sold or at least ready to be built quickly in numbers...?" my point is that, with Singlepower, "stock" and "ready to be shipped" can mean anything. i love Mikhail's products, and he's a really nice guy, but the ordering situation has some problems. Sadly, "it will be shipped today" also has many interpretations that do not involve standard definitions of those words. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nenso Posted January 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 Seems like this guy is really popular or is he just slow? >.< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 Seems like this guy is really popular or is he just slow? >.< Just slow, his amps are quite nice. He's also always been a really nice guy when I've interacted with him at meets. I just think demand has always outstripped his capacity and that he takes on way too much custom stuff that requires mountains of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elephas Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 Sources: Desktop Computer->Optical out->DAC/AMP AT-HA25D->1/4 output Laptop-> SAME DAC/AMP, but with 1/8->RCA instead normal iPods. (ipod video 60gb, ipod classic 160gb) Amps: Tomahawk (I don't really use it anymore because I don't use IEMs much + too much effort to lug it around) AT-HA25D Headphones: ATH-W1000 MS-1 (bowl+flats) ATH-A950LTD SR-60s (with no more grills.. my friend lent it to me.. but doesn't want it back anymore) ATH-CM700ti (titanium edition) ATH-A700 ATH-EW9 UE Super.fi 5 pro Cables: ALO Jumbo cyro.. .. wasted because I don't use it with my Tomahawk anymore Random Optical fiber cable AT 1/8->RCA cable ALO Splitter 1/4->2x1/4 You don't need so many headphones. None of them sound very good, including the Grado 325i. The CM700Ti sounds decent with a home setup but not very good with a portable rig, making it kind of useless; I don't know why I keep it. Sell everything, including the 2 amps. Get a sound card with bit-perfect digital out and good, used DAC. Then, choose between a nice Stax headphone + amp setup or a dynamic headphone + amp. You can go for a Pico if you want a portable rig, but to me portable rigs just don't sound competitive with a home rig. Yes, I have a Pico with DAC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hYdrociTy Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 You can go for a Pico if you want a portable rig, but to me portable rigs just don't sound competitive with a home rig. Yes, I have a Pico with DAC. Compared to this yes The sf5p's don't need an amp unless you get noise, and with ipods they are fine. I think if you sell off all those audio technicas and random greydoughs and get one of those WOOD or ZOMG LEATHER ones people are crazy about that sound godlike better because dead tree pieces or dead cow skin is stretched all over it would be a fun plan. W5000! VTG! L3000! UNITE! Or since you are home all the time just keep the superfis and get speakers. Speakers are popular favourites of the now here at Room Case. KEFS FTW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fungi Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 I have to say, even these Paradigm Atoms v.2 powered by a measly Trends T-Amp sounds quite nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBLoudG20 Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 SPEAKERS x2 :prettyprincess: :prettyprincess: :prettyprincess: I have to say, even these Paradigm Atoms v.2 powered by a measly Trends T-Amp sounds quite nice. Weaksauce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nenso Posted January 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 You know.. I hav been thinking about speakers.. .. ill post more later.., gotta run.. english exam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ojnihs Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 SPEAKERS x3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nenso Posted January 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 You don't need so many headphones. None of them sound very good, including the Grado 325i. The CM700Ti sounds decent with a home setup but not very good with a portable rig, making it kind of useless; I don't know why I keep it. Sell everything, including the 2 amps. Get a sound card with bit-perfect digital out and good, used DAC. Then, choose between a nice Stax headphone + amp setup or a dynamic headphone + amp. You can go for a Pico if you want a portable rig, but to me portable rigs just don't sound competitive with a home rig. Yes, I have a Pico with DAC. Hmm, you do make a VERY important point.. thanks. I just keep going like.. ohh.. this looks ok.. I'll buy it! This too.. etc.. and thats how I ended up with my stuff. I'll start focusing on getting a high-end rig but that'll take some time, because I don't have enough money to buy 2x $4000 Stax Omegas.. although I really want one >.< (Damn I wish I had ur stuff) Also.. speakers.. lol.. its something I have no idea of.. but I did take a look 2-3 months ago at this.. http://www.behringer.com/B2031/index.cfm?lang=eng It seems pretty cheap and is a good deal.. Then again I dunno if I should because its something completely different and requires more money and I'm a poor high school student that eats cup noodles everyday.. (jk) So.. speakers.. I don't even know where to start to be honest.. and thanks Elephas and co. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grawk Posted January 30, 2008 Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 I'd get a pair of home theater direct level 3s and an amp...I know of someone who's selling a pair cheap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nenso Posted February 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Guys, I've been thinking about what Elephas has been saying. I always enjoy his comments =\ STAX. SR-007A... ok now here's the problem. I can afford the earspeaker but not the amp at the same time, nor can I get a better source (other than computer to the pico I already ordered) to accompany it. Any cheap amp solutions or something? Also, there are so many things I wanna buy and try like those ATH-A900tis (rip off? lol) and SENN 580... >.< I don't want a cheaper stax.. cause.. they look nothing (and according to others..) sound nothing like the OMEGA2s.. if I could I would buy the SR-OMEGA but I have no idea where to find one, anyone know? Elephas help again? Thanks in advance~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justin Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 I think the Stax SRM-313 is very good for the money, but you might be able to find one of the older tube amps for the same price used Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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