[kmitschiener]

So I'm kinda new to the world of hifi, but I'd like to get a really good set up to keep me happy for a while. I listen mostly to unplugged, rock, and jazz with a little bit of rap once in a while. I've decided on two possible rigs, the first is to buy the audeze LCD-2 and use them with my current amp which is a hifiman ef2a, or get a pair of sennheiser hd 650 with the LF 339 which I hear has great synergy. I probably won't be able to afford a nicer amp for the LCD-2 in the long haul so this is my only shot to get a nice hifi, any input is highly appreciated.

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

If I had $1000

HE-400: ($400)
Audio-GD Sparrow 2 DAC/AMP ($500)

Just saying...

 

[daniel521]

Quote:

If I had $1000
HE-400: ($400)
Audio-GD Sparrow 2 DAC/AMP ($500)
Just saying...

That ^^
 
Or an HE-500 (700) + NFB 12 (215)

 

[kmitschiener]

how does the hifiman house sound compare to senns?

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

The big factor here is that the Hifiman headphones mentioned are planar magnetic, which has it's own attritubutes over typical dynamic headphones like the typical Sennheisers.

 

[wes008]

HD 650 with the LF 339. While I would personally go with the LCD-2, the EF2A really isn't the best choice of amp for it. 

 

[Balgheet]

Quote:

If I had $1000
HE-400: ($400)
Audio-GD Sparrow 2 DAC/AMP ($500)
Just saying...

Genius +100

 

[ZARIM]

The good DAC/AMPs (Matrix+Mini i, Nuforce HDP) willbe better pick with quality headphones like HE400, SA5000, Pro 2900 and MA900 will be great pair or buy very highend headphones like beyerdynamic T1, HD700, «HD800, Grado SR1, LCD-2 and DAC/AMPs later.

 

[ThomasLi]

If I had $1000?

Stax SRS 2170 system + Musical Fidelity VDAC mk2

Super nice little system, would be awesome for acoustic/jazz.

 

[obobskivich]

My vote would go for the Koss ESP/950 system, if there's cash left-over (they list out for $1000, but finding them under list isn't uncommon), get some other toy that you've really wanted. Alternately the Grado RS-1 and any of a large number of amps (the EF2 is probably just fine, they don't need much) would be a second choice, but if the ESP/950 is coming in less than the Grados this week, go with the Koss. Actually, read this and make up your own mind:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/618153/battle-of-the-american-titans

 

[Zoom25]

With those genres:
 
- HE-500 (I got mine used around $500, otherwise $700 new)
- JDS Labs O2 amp (<$200 for sure) - great extension and soundstage with lot of control. Really transparent.
- For DAC, a used Schiit Bifrost without USB input (I have heard nothing but raving reviews for this)....I am using a Marantz CD5004 as DAC currently  
 
- Rap, hip hop, dubstep, trance, ambient all sound good with it - most natural thing I've heard to date. 
 
HE-500 comes with two pads to change the sound and preference wise 
- Velour for more natural, airy, awesome treble extension (for rock and jazz, this is the way to go)
- Pleather for bit toned down treble and somewhat relaxed in the treble, but still great imaging) - good for electronic music to give a blacker background
 
 

 

[Zoom25]

Also forgot to mention, you can go for the ODAC+O2 combo 
 

 

[TwinQY]

Stuck under a $1000 budget?
1. Koss ESP/950 + ODAC. 
2. HE-400 + ODAC + Lyr
 
And my personal favourite, LCD-2 + Sansa Clip+ 

 

[obobskivich]

And my personal favourite, LCD-2 + Sansa Clip+ :evil:

Is the Clip seriously that cheap these days? :eek:

Anyways, I should add that if you don't have a source, you probably want to consider that in the budget, but I assumed the original poster did since he mentioned having an amplifier and headphones already. There's plenty of options with the ~$300-$400 that you should have left with either the ESP/950 or RS-1 (I'm assuming you find the ESP/950 are around $650, not $999), or the $300-$600 left from other headphones suggested here (like the HiFiMan or Sennheiser options); vinyl, CD, computer, etc. Pick your poison.

 

[TwinQY]

Quote:

Is the Clip seriously that cheap these days?

Anyways, I should add that if you don't have a source, you probably want to consider that in the budget, but I assumed the original poster did since he mentioned having an amplifier and headphones already. There's plenty of options with the ~$300-$400 that you should have left with either the ESP/950 or RS-1 (I'm assuming you find the ESP/950 are around $650, not $999), or the $300-$600 left from other headphones suggested here (like the HiFiMan or Sennheiser options); vinyl, CD, computer, etc. Pick your poison.

http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Sansa-Clip-Player-Black/dp/B002MAPS6W. $35 should constitute as cheap for such an amazing DAP. I can actually get some volume out of it with the LCD-2, and the sound isn't that terrible. I think the OP has a HiFiMan EF2A, which isn't bad. If he's looking for an turntable with the remaining cash, used Rega P2s are fairly cheap, and many of my friends swear by theirs. If it's for a computer, a decent sound card would be cool as well.