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Author Topic: Collective Pyrate wisdom on system upgrade  (Read 637 times)

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Mproietti

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Collective Pyrate wisdom on system upgrade
« on: September 22, 2015, 10:47:12 PM »

I currently have the following system:

PC->Bifrost (original)->Asgard 2->AKG 7XXX

I am enjoying that set up very much but I am very aware of its limitations. I have set some upgrade goals and I would like to get feedback from fellow Pyrates ...  :)p7

Step 1: Upgrade my Bifrost to multibit when available
Question: I currently have an optical Toslink from a dedicated sound card. Do you guys recommend the USB upgrade?

Step 2 (mid-term): Invest in a pair of HD800
Question: Is there worth while investments I could do on the road to the HD800 or should I simply stick with the AKG 7XXX until I have the money for it.

Step 3 (long-term): Upgrade my amp. Not sure to what at this point. Suggestions are welcomed.

I listen to everything from Mozart to Iron Maiden.

Thank you to all who will take the time to provide some feedback!  :)p2
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keanex

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Re: Collective Pyrate wisdom on system upgrade
« Reply #1 on: September 22, 2015, 10:50:36 PM »

I think most would agree that upgrading your headphones will provide the biggest change to your set-up.
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smitty1110

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Re: Collective Pyrate wisdom on system upgrade
« Reply #2 on: September 22, 2015, 11:41:31 PM »

I'd say prioritize the HD800 purchase, then an amp, and then multi-bit upgrade. TOSLINK from a dedicated card should be fine, though you might not be able to run 24/192 through it.
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anetode

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Re: Collective Pyrate wisdom on system upgrade
« Reply #3 on: September 22, 2015, 11:53:58 PM »

PC->Bifrost (original)->Asgard 2->AKG 7XXX

I am enjoying that set up very much but I am very aware of its limitations. I have set some upgrade goals and I would like to get feedback from fellow Pyrates ...  :)p7

What do you like about the 7XX so far? In which areas would you like to hear an improvement?

The HD800 is a wonderful headphone but it is also a major investment, try to listen to it beforehand if you get a chance. Or better yet, attend a meet to see what else is out there.

It is a more neutral headphone than the 7XX and it exceeds its strengths: soundstage, comfort, resolution. Of course there's the famous treble spike to deal with.
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Koloth

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Re: Collective Pyrate wisdom on system upgrade
« Reply #4 on: September 22, 2015, 11:54:56 PM »

Well... what kind of speakers do you have? :D For 1100-1500$ (price of HD800 depending where you live) you can get a pretty nice allrounder set of speakers ;) (Monitor Audio Silver Series; Martin Logan Motion Series; Wharfedale; KEF etc etc :) )
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DrForBin

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Re: Collective Pyrate wisdom on system upgrade
« Reply #5 on: September 23, 2015, 03:13:35 AM »

hello,

as the HD800 seems to be such a hard to tame beast, i would definitely make every effort to hear them in as many set ups as you can.

meets, shows, retailers all come to mind.

this is rarefied territory. there are a lot of folks here who have spent many dollars, hours and (i would hazard a guess) agony getting the perfect system (for them) together for these cans.

as to upgrades, i would not even venture an opinion (which i am going to anyway), although the Schiit Valhalla 2 seems to be a solid and not outrageously expensive amp for them. although how well this amp would play with the K7xx is conjecture.

my reading here and elsewhere indicates that the HD800 require a commitment to a complete solution, dac, amp, going balanced etc.

the stop gap would be: Valhalla 2 (sell the Asgard), use your current dac (or upgrade to multibit, i dream of Bumby myself) and save for the HD800.

any pyrates who can chime in on the Valhalla 2 with K7xx would be most helpful.

we really need an amp comparison that would indicate the relative strength of amps that can "do it all." i.e. drive dynamics, planers, high z, low z, etc. etc.
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kothganesh

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Re: Collective Pyrate wisdom on system upgrade
« Reply #6 on: September 23, 2015, 05:03:25 AM »

Doctor,

I'll fire the first shot for a "do it all" amp - the EC Black Widow. Now, back to the music.
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bixby

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Re: Collective Pyrate wisdom on system upgrade
« Reply #7 on: September 23, 2015, 05:55:16 AM »

Agree with Anetode, what do you like, dislike about the AKG?

And if you like it build around that, me I would take the REDACTED upgraded modi and call it a day.
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