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  3. 1366250703

What should I upgrade?

I am in a generally noisy environment, so I tend to stick to headphones, I'm currently setup with my ASUS Xonar Essence STX PCIe Card (TI Burr-Brown PCM1792A DAC 24/192 W/Stock Op-Amps), a pair of Sennheiser HD280 Pro headphones (I think might be the weak part here, they're old as well)

My non headphone setup is the ASUS Xonar card, a pair of Polk TSi 100 Bookshelf speakers, Yamaha RX-V365 Reciever for analog amplification, also of note is that I have primary audio reflection points insulated with foam.

I'm on a budget but willing to save, what component would I need to upgrade, or add, to get the most bang for my hard earned buck? My target audio file is 24/192 FLAC/WAV when I can find them.
zunaro
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Yamaha to me among your components are not the weakest link. I would start with speakers.
For the assumed targetting budget, I'd look for nice vintage speakers such as McIntosh, Tannoy or Spendor within $2...300. There are may b plenty in your local craigslist adds. You can visit sellers personally with your receiver and test them in synergy at recommended listening position. Necessary upkeeping of vintage speakers shouldn't be expensive, but would advise to research first once you find ones you like.

Good luck.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
If your primary mode of listening is headphones, I would upgrade them AND get a stand along headphone amp. Give us a budget and we can be more specific w recommendations.
zunaro OP
2 posts
 
Headphones are my preferred mode of listening, my budget would probably be somewhere in the range of $250-$350.

In my original post I meant to say my headphone setup was the card and the headphones. I use the amp on the card itself. The stereo setup is the card's line out, polk speakers and the yamaha amp.
davide256's avatar
davide256
399 posts
 
ditch the Xonar DS and buy an HRT Musicstreamer II. I've given one to both my college age sons as the best budget music purchase for PC audio. If you have enough cash left consider one of the Schitt headphone amps for headphone nirvana. I've played with the Xonar DS and the Essence STX...the first is a good gaming card but can't be seriously used for music. The Essence is musical but can't overcome jitter issues the way the Headstreamer II can.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
The HRTs are very very good, a real value leader, but given your budget constraints, you might want to consider a DAC/headphone amp combo. If you like the Senn sound, the 580s are considered very nearly as good as the 600 or 650 and much cheaper.
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