Upgrading my peripherals - Studio headset with dac and a 60% Keyboard

[Kronic]

Hi,

I need some help as I've been out of the loop with these things for a while.
I want to get a good studio headset with a DAC for gaming and would like a new 60/65 keyboard.
My budget for the headset and DAC is around R4000 and the keyboard is a maybe still.
On the keyboard I want something with Red switches but I'm also trying to move away from mainstream brands (Logitech, Corsair, Razer, etc.)

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[goldfritter]

In terms of the audio stuff, some things to think about.

When you say studio headset, do you mean a pair of headphones specifically designed for mixing and mastering in a recording studio, or just generally a pair of high-quality Hi-Fi headphones? If the latter, do you have a preference between closed-back vs. open-back?

Do you need the headphones to have a built-in microphone? If no, are you planning to get a standalone microphone or just skip the mic entirely?

When you say DAC, do you specifically need just a DAC because you already have an amplifier, or are you looking for a DAC/Amp combo?

And then in terms of the keyboard. Do you have a specific brand of red switch you prefer, or are you just looking at linear switches generally? Do you want to get your hands dirty assembling and taking the various bits of the keyboard apart to lubricate, install sound deadening, etc. or do you want something that works off-the-shelf?

If for any of these you don't know, it's fine to say so, the rabbit holes of both audio and keyboards run deep.

 

[Jagibbe]

Sennheiser 509144 HD 560S Black Wired Circumaural Professional Open Back Headset - Wootware Great headset for monitoring. Might be slightly flat (not a fun v-shape sound) but great for gaming.

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATHM40x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR54?th=1 Great choice if you want to go closed back to have some more bass.

Phillips SHP9500/9600 also great for gaming with a bit more of a v-shape.

In terms of DAC a cheap Fiio DAC is all you really need for any of these headsets or the Syba sonic DAC in the link below should also work just fine for your use case.

https://www.amazon.com/Syba-Headphone-Amplifier-Digital-Coaxial/dp/B07XJ89KV6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=37EMWQX7KSO8F&keywords=syba+sonic+dac&qid=1702625501&sprefix=syba+sonic+da%2Caps%2C339&sr=8-1

In terms of keyboard Epomaker makes some great keyboards that you can find on Amazon, just pick 1 you like the look of that has the switches you want.

Buying through Amazon is quite easy as they give you the full amount on checkout that includes shipping and import fees so no need to worry about getting a call from customs saying you owe them X amount.