Topic: iMac > M-Audio Firwire Audiophile > Grace M901/M902 > Senheisser Cans ???

[thegreatgumbino]

iMac > firewire > M-Audio Firwire Audiophile > S/PDIF > Grace m901/m902?

Does this work?  I'm a playback & 24 bit newbie looking to move to a 24 bit headphone playback setup.  The wife isn't really keen on me getting any speakers, thus my reason for looking at the headphone setup.  I've got a 2004 iMac, and I think the external M-Audio Firewire Audiophile is the way to go for 24 bit playback from what I've read.  I I like what I've read about the m901/m902, especially since I think I could use it as a pre/DAC to drive some nice speakers.  As for headphones, I've read good things about the Sennheiser's and they appear to be reasonably priced. 

I know the M-Audio box has a headphone jack (don't know how good), so I could probably use this for a while and save up $$ for the Grace box.  I figure for now I can run my Creative iTrigue speakers out of the m901/m902 until I can convince the wife I need some real speakers.

Does anyone see anything wrong with this?  Thanks.

[BC]

sounds like a sweet setup!

Just for the heck of it, might also want to check out the stuff over on www.headphone.com also, they have some neat DAC/headphone amps there.

edit: was just thinking, some of their stuff has a USB input, you might be able to do without the M-audio firewire audiophile in the chain then. The grace 902 also has USB input but can only take 16 bit through there.

[thegreatgumbino]

edit: was just thinking, some of their stuff has a USB input, you might be able to do without the M-audio firewire audiophile in the chain then. The grace 902 also has USB input but can only take 16 bit through there.

I was tryinging to figure out how to do without the M-Audio box in the chain, but I figure it gives me the 24 bit and headphone capabilities until I can find a Grace box.  I'm assuming that since the data is being sent via firewire to the M-Audio box and then digitally to the Grace box there theoretically shouldn't be any issues with noise or signal detioration, right?

[BC]

edit: was just thinking, some of their stuff has a USB input, you might be able to do without the M-audio firewire audiophile in the chain then. The grace 902 also has USB input but can only take 16 bit through there.

I was tryinging to figure out how to do without the M-Audio box in the chain, but I figure it gives me the 24 bit and headphone capabilities until I can find a Grace box.  I'm assuming that since the data is being sent via firewire to the M-Audio box and then digitally to the Grace box there theoretically shouldn't be any issues with noise or signal detioration, right?

Yep, I would think it should be a pure digital signal (unless the M-audio downsamples its digital out somehow)

[thegreatgumbino]

Yep, I would think it should be a pure digital signal (unless the M-audio downsamples its digital out somehow)

I'm assuming that you're referring to the digital signal being bit perfect?  If so, I'm pretty sure I read that the box is bit perfect, so it shouldn't be an issue, correct?

[BC]

sounds like you are set then.    Those grace boxes are pretty slick!!

[OFOTD]

Ditch the Senn's and buy the standard.  Sony MDR-7506's   

[thegreatgumbino]

Could I make a 1/4" > female mini cable to plug in the the Creative iTrigue cable that is supposed to plug into the computer?  I think this would work, but not sure.

[George]

Ditch the Senn's and buy the standard.  Sony MDR-7506's   

oh, snap   

thegreatgumbino ,

         Which Sennheiser's were you looking into anyway? 

[thegreatgumbino]

I was looking at the 580's & 595's.  Right now I'm probably going to fore go the Grace box and run headphone out of the M-Audio box.  I'm hoping this is at least decent quality.  I've got a handle on a great priced 901, just don't have the funds unfortunately.

There are some b-stock 595's on Ebay right now for about $150, which seems like a pretty good deal.

[George]

I was looking at the 580's & 595's.  Right now I'm probably going to fore go the Grace box and run headphone out of the M-Audio box.  I'm hoping this is at least decent quality.  I've got a handle on a great priced 901, just don't have the funds unfortunately.

There are some b-stock 595's on Ebay right now for about $150, which seems like a pretty good deal.

I know the 595s are more forward sounding than the 580's.  Personally, I own the 580's and they are a lovely headphone.  Very speaker-like representation in terms of soundstage and imaging.  The 580's can be had for cheap if you look online...check out the headphone for sales forum on head-fi (www.head-fi.org/forums), you might be able to scoop up a deal on either model.  I'm sure it'll sound good with your rig.  I use a Music Hall cd-25 (with upgraded op amps>OPA627)>millet tube hybrid amp and the sound is great.