I think for the beginning, I'm running a decent Headphone stack, but I'm looking atm for some improvements. Currently, I'm running Tidal or FLAC Files → Sound blaster Z → Very good coper cable → Shiit Magni + → Sennheiser HD 800s with stock cable. I think my none existing DAC can replace my Sound card, or is some other element in this stack the weak point? I need some recommendations. I went with the HD 800s because I really like classic, ambient music with big soundstages. They are complete stock with none eq. because the most eq. profiles reduced the soundstage.
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Looking for recommendations for my headphone stack
- Thread starter mispela
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- dac reccomendation stack
EQ and PEQ softwares available and most of everything is free to use except for some Mac stuff.
www.audiosciencereview.com
EQ Software for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS/iPadOS and Android.
Any suggestions are welcome. Post suggestions here. I will gather the details and add them. Thanks. :D This will be organized as results come in. @sweetchaos made a guide for PEQ filter data input and operation. For crossover software go here. Windows: AutoEQ four easy steps to make your...
www.audiosciencereview.com
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- #5
I'm using Linux and Windows. I have tried out many eq. presets like Oratroy 1990, Harman target and many more I have found in the www. Nearly all the eq. presets reduced the sound stage massively and I don't think it's worth.
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So what are the ”improvements" you hope to achieve by changing anything upstream of the 800S ?
I never use presets. I tune by ear for max listening pleasure. Your ear has a different frequency response than other ears and so using presets does not adjust for your ears. I don't think the soundstage is deteriorated and it is maybe a figment of your imagination. The 800 when using PEQ properly benefits greatly.
For Windows install these 2 softwares in this order and then open Peace Equalizer.
Equalizer APO
Download Equalizer APO for free. A system-wide equalizer for Windows 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10 / 11. Equalizer APO is a parametric / graphic equalizer for Windows. It is implemented as an Audio Processing Object (APO) for the system effect infrastructure introduced with Windows Vista.
sourceforge.net
Peace Equalizer, interface Equalizer APO
Download Peace Equalizer, interface Equalizer APO for free. System-wide PC Audio Equalizer and Effects app for Windows 7 to 11. Before reading on, note there's scam website called 'peaceequalizer,com'. Only this site here on SourceForge is the actual website by me, Peter Verbeek.
sourceforge.net
- Thread Starter
- #8
Maybe improve the soundstage. I don't know if my sound card is holding me back, I never had a dedicated DAC before. I don't know what exactly to improve but if there is any opportunity I want at least test it.
Your DAC and such will not change the imaging to any noticeable benefit. You won't notice anything real. PEQ is where it is at as has been recommended.
- Thread Starter
- #10
Thanks, but I have APO and Peace installed. I tested a lot out, but I always went back to stock. I think all the EQs I have tried reduced the soundstage and make the songs not sound like crystal clear, everything sound blunt or dull. What's the best way to found my own eq preset?I never use presets. I tune by ear for max listening pleasure. Your ear has a different frequency response than other ears and so using presets does not adjust for your ears. I don't think the soundstage is deteriorated and it is maybe a figment of your imagination. The 800 when using PEQ properly benefits greatly.
For Windows install these 2 softwares in this order and then open Peace Equalizer.
Equalizer APO
Download Equalizer APO for free. A system-wide equalizer for Windows 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10 / 11. Equalizer APO is a parametric / graphic equalizer for Windows. It is implemented as an Audio Processing Object (APO) for the system effect infrastructure introduced with Windows Vista.
Peace Equalizer, interface Equalizer APO
Download Peace Equalizer, interface Equalizer APO for free. System-wide PC Audio Equalizer and Effects app for Windows 7 to 11. Before reading on, note there's scam website called 'peaceequalizer,com'. Only this site here on SourceForge is the actual website by me, Peter Verbeek.
Start moving the sliders around till you find what sounds the best to you. It's that simple. I use Sennheiser 598 and I use a pretty wild Peace PEQ setup because I enjoy a lot of top end treble. There are no rules. Just try this and that and tweak here and there until you find what it best for you.
oleg87
Addicted to Fun and Learning
Amir got a pretty ugly looking result when he measured the Sound Blaster Z's performance with multitone test signal (this level of IMD will likely be audible), though he didn't seem to investigate further. Seems like it's got issues in at least some circumstances: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ronts-multitone-audio-measurements-png.34390/
Yes, it is borderline. Not going to make a substantially obvious improvement and a major imaging improvement though because it is borderline. The 800 headphone is revealing enough that one might act on that though.
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- #15
It's a very old one, but somehow it still works.
- Thread Starter
- #16
Ohh no, so I'm definitely going to swap it out. But I think my Magni + can't drive the HD 800s on low gain loud enough without my sound blaster.
If me I would not worry about low gain operation and just run high gain. It's clean enough and affords you proper power output.
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If you don't mind stacking , a new dac . Or consider a good 2v dongle perhaps .
Get a DAC like a JDS Labs Atom+ or better.
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