HD700 set up

Ghostboy

Ghostboy

Ghostboy

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26 May 2015
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10
Hi all,

I've managed to get hold of a pair of HD700s but unfortunately I haven't got much of a clue about getting the most out of them.

Currently I have some PC350s for gaming with a Asus Xonar DG soundcard.

Can anyone advise me on what sort of set up I should be aiming for? I know the Xonar has a headphone AMP but will need replacing (most probably).

Are these options worthwhile?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-027-AS

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-000-EA&groupid=702&catid=2852&subcat=2856

Or should I get a better internal soundcard and separate AMP?

I play fps games and listen to music whilst working so both are equally important to me. Budget will probably be around 350-275 max.

Thanks for your help
 
Ghostboy said:
Hi all,

I've managed to get hold of a pair of HD700s but unfortunately I haven't got much of a clue about getting the most out of them.

Currently I have some PC350s for gaming with a Asus Xonar DG soundcard.

Can anyone advise me on what sort of set up I should be aiming for? I know the Xonar has a headphone AMP but will need replacing (most probably).

Are these options worthwhile?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-027-AS

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-000-EA&groupid=702&catid=2852&subcat=2856

Or should I get a better internal soundcard and separate AMP?

I play fps games and listen to music whilst working so both are equally important to me. Budget will probably be around 350-275 max.

Thanks for your help
Click to expand...

I prefer the ehp over the xonar i own both.

I would recommend the ehp tbh out of the 2 of them.
 
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Personally i found the magni2 uber a bit bright for the HD700s, the O2dac would also suffer from a similar issue.

Recommendations on amps would depend on usage and music type, also willingness to EQ.

For instance, most would recommend a decent tube amp to tame the treble without EQ and to add a touch of warmth. Personally i went for a Lyr2 which i have found to tame the treble nicely but not add to much warmth as i prefer my sound more analytical.

Note with the O2 above it is only a 3.5mm input so will need an adaptor.

If you intend to game, then you might want some of the features that a good sound card gives. When comparing a schiit stack or O2 to a top end sound card (internal or external) you would be hard pressed to hear the difference.
 
How about a Cambridge audio dac magic plus? It contains a 24bit 192khz dual dac and 600ohm headphone amp in one box for £200, has usb and optical/coax inputs so it acts like an external sound card.
 
Thanks for the recommendations.

The music would vary but mainly electronic, soundtracks etc. for when I am working. I'm not too bothered about bass as I have read its not the HD700's best point.

For gaming its mainly fps - arma, bf4 etc

I did like the look of the Cambridge Audio Dacmagic Plus but didn't really know if it is good enough. I think it would be best to get something for my desk rather than internal as the PC is not in the most accessible of spaces.
 
An option is to get a cheaper sound card with optical out into a DAC amp or aux out into an amp with the sound card working as a DAC. Both options allow for sound card features such as surround sound options which are good for fps.

I would note that at your price bracket a sound card DAC will be no worse than what you get seperatly. The Cambridge system mentioned above might be good, certainly cost effective although you might want to check on headfi forums for recommendations as I'm sure someone there will have tested the combo.
 
I've got a pair of Rs220 coming and plan for my pc to use my Asus Xonar DG as the headphone amp is rated up to 150ohm granted if they sound crap and the volume is a bit low ill have to upgrade :(
 
Jasonst888 said:
An option is to get a cheaper sound card with optical out into a DAC amp or aux out into an amp with the sound card working as a DAC. Both options allow for sound card features such as surround sound options which are good for fps.

I would note that at your price bracket a sound card DAC will be no worse than what you get seperatly. The Cambridge system mentioned above might be good, certainly cost effective although you might want to check on headfi forums for recommendations as I'm sure someone there will have tested the combo.
Click to expand...

That sounds like a good idea. I will try to have a look for a soundcard with optical output unless you have one in mind? I take it I could then just plug the Magic+ or Schiit stack in? Thanks
 
Ghostboy said:
That sounds like a good idea. I will try to have a look for a soundcard with optical output unless you have one in mind? I take it I could then just plug the Magic+ or Schiit stack in? Thanks
Click to expand...

Personally i use a soundblaster z as creative has the best fps abilities. With the schiit stack you can link the card to the modi2 uber via the digital toslink. Bit different if you go straight to amp instead of dac.

Not sure about the Magic+ as i have never had one, but as long as it has a digital spdiff input it will work.
 
Personally got a graham slee srg11 headphone amp and arcam irDAC :D abit over your budget tho lol

i'd go the combined amp / dac as well with your budget
 
Thanks for the recommendations. I went for the Cambridge Audio Dac Magic Plus due to a combination of the price and with it being my first purchase I didnt want to buy any expensive equipment that doesn't suit the HD700s.

I'm currently connecting it via USB. I was wondering if I was to connect it to a soundcard via the optical connection, would there be any loss in quality?
 
Ghostboy said:
Thanks for the recommendations. I went for the Cambridge Audio Dac Magic Plus due to a combination of the price and with it being my first purchase I didnt want to buy any expensive equipment that doesn't suit the HD700s.

I'm currently connecting it via USB. I was wondering if I was to connect it to a soundcard via the optical connection, would there be any loss in quality?
Click to expand...

I would leave it connected via usb its the best kind of connection via a pc, plus i dont think optical can do the higher lossless bitrates eg 24/192.
 
Ghostboy said:
Thanks for the recommendations. I went for the Cambridge Audio Dac Magic Plus due to a combination of the price and with it being my first purchase I didnt want to buy any expensive equipment that doesn't suit the HD700s.
Click to expand...
How are you finding the HD700 with the DacMagic Plus so far? Does it sound bright to you?
 
Marine-RX179 said:
How are you finding the HD700 with the DacMagic Plus so far? Does it sound bright to you?
Click to expand...

I'm not really the right person to ask ;) I have only updated the firmware today so its now using USB 2.0 which is better but not really had a chance to test it much.

I have had to uninstall my soundcard driver though so I don't know how it would work with a Soundblaster Z. I was thinking of keeping the DAC connected to my PC via USB 2.0 and also having an optical connection from the Soundblaster z that I can switch to if I play a game. Unfortunately I only get any sound from the DAC when my current sound card driver (Xonar DG) is uninstalled.
 
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