You might consider headphones... especially as you say this is for mellow/bedroom listening. Before you blow this idea off, consider:
1) for the price of a still-low end (from an audiophile perspective) stereo you could get a very nice DAC with a headphone amp built in, or separates, plus great headphones. Total would be $700 - $1500 depending on what you got. 2) good headphones have much more bass feel than you'd ever expect, resolve as well as a very fine (& much more expensive) stereo system, and they don't bother anyone late at night and are easily portable if you move/want to take to the office/etc. The cost differential is also... very significant- like a factor of at least 5-10 for equivalent sound. You may not have ever heard what a good headphone rig can do (and no stores demo these, so you won't unless you find someone to let you listen to theirs)... it's well worth considering for a low-budget audiophile rig. Anyway, suggestions below if you want to follow this path. The DAC won't be a bad investment if you want to go higher end on your stereo either, though to realize the benefit of a $1k DAC you'll need a $4k (or more, probably) stereo unless you're very clever or luck out on the used lists. Enjoy. ====== Suggestions: Headphones: Look at AKG 701's, Sennheiser HD600 or 650's, or Grados. The AKGs and Sennheisers are more comfortable & can be had new for ~ $250 on the internet. DACs: Look at the Benchmark DAC1 (you don't need the USB version with a Squeezebox), or the Lavry DA-10. Both these come with good headphone outs. I think Stello makes a separate DAC & headphone amp that total about the same price- all $700 (used, check www.audiogon.com) or $1k-ish new. The Benchmark at least can be bought with a 30-day return policy/risk free demo, so it's, well, risk free. www.head-fi.org and www.headphone.com are good resources. headphone.com will let you buy (non-discounted) headphones & return if you don't like them... so risk-free demos, a good thing since headphones are fairly personal regarding taste. head-fi has helpful boards and a used/for sale section, and www.audiogon.com can also be a good resource for that (stereo or headphones there). head-fi can link you into "can-jam"'s, where people get together & let each other listen to their headphone set-ups. A good way to check it all out if you're dubious, or if you want to get tips on how to set up a good (headphone) system. -- lork ------------------------------------------------------------------------ lork's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=17438 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=63242 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
