Upgrade audio interface or headphones?

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I'm currently pondering whether it's time to upgrade my audio interface or whether to spend the money on new headphones. I've been using a desktop TC Konnekt 6 for 7 years now and I run Windows 7 64 bit on a PC

My current interface has the i/o I need. I don't need multiple ins and outs or fancy preamps since I only ever record vocals and run them through my Focusrite ISA1 preamp. I'm fairly satisfied with the quality of the vocals I record. I have a nice mic and and nice preamp and probably the interface isn't the most important link in the chain here (please correct me if I'm wrong)

I use headphones almost exclusively these days because I only do music in the evenings and my young son is asleep in the next room. If I upgraded to something like an RME or Steinberg interface would I notice a difference in the clarity of the audio I hear? That would really be the only reason I would have to upgrade, and if the difference would be subtle or minimal it's probably not worth it. My current headphones (which I've also had for a good few years) are Beyerdynamic DT990 pro's. I like them, they're seriously comfortable but there are probably better quality options for serious studio work. Maybe a more sensible investment would be a new pair of cans?

Any advice or similar experiences gratefully received!

Sarah

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Having headphones with impedance higher than 70 ohm or so - is not getting it's full value from the headphone circuits on any audio interface really. They spend no money on that.

I would put my money on a headphone preamp to better support the headphones you already have.

I found this one as very good and affordable:
http://box-designs.com/main.php?prod=he ... er&lang=en

Handle up to 300 ohm very good.

When I feel like spending this money I would get this:
http://www.lake-people.de/index.php?id= ... 3&nr=g109p

They fix any headphone up to 600 ohm as well.

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2 things:
to seriously produce you need a good listening environment both speakers and headphones
to get the best from both you need a quality audio interface :-)
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lfm wrote:Having headphones with impedance higher than 70 ohm or so - is not getting it's full value from the headphone circuits on any audio interface really. They spend no money on that.

I would put my money on a headphone preamp to better support the headphones you already have.

I found this one as very good and affordable:
http://box-designs.com/main.php?prod=he ... er&lang=en

Handle up to 300 ohm very good.

When I feel like spending this money I would get this:
http://www.lake-people.de/index.php?id= ... 3&nr=g109p

They fix any headphone up to 600 ohm as well.
Thanks for the reply. I mix pretty quietly anyway so I don't need any more volume. Would it make a difference to the overall clarity and definition?

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risome wrote:2 things:
to seriously produce you need a good listening environment both speakers and headphones
to get the best from both you need a quality audio interface :-)
Well I have to make the best of what I have really... A spare bedroom with no acoustic treatment and some old Alesis M1 monitors that I don't even get to switch on these days. Maybe there isn't much point upgrading my interface in these less than ideal circumstances!

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sazb30 wrote: Thanks for the reply. I mix pretty quietly anyway so I don't need any more volume. Would it make a difference to the overall clarity and definition?
That is what I was aiming at - it's not just about volume. The opamps inside are cheap in interfaces.

That it has plenty headroom, levelwise and frequency rangewise, also means it's reproducing the used level with greater accuracy.

I think the biggest difference you will make is a headphone preamp of good quality.

Before I realized this - I got a set of DT880 - and I sent them back because I felt it sounded weird/crap. Later I discovered a proper preamp was needed - now got HD650, but is pretty sure DT880 would have been good too.

Since you've got an ISAOne - you have quality preamp and good mike. See to that other end is as good.

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Ok cool. I hadn't considered a headphone amp but I'll look into it. Thanks!

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