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March 10, 2021, 08:25 PM #1Senior Member
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- Feb 2019
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- Southeast Iowa
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Let's approach this a little differently...
You have a budget of $6000. What headphones and HP amp combination would you purchase? Why?
Amplifier: Pass Labs INT 250 integrated.
DAC/Streamer: MSB Discrete Dual Power Supply.
Server: Roon Nucleus with lifetime subscription.
Speakers: Harbeth Super HL 5+ 40th Anniversary
Model.
Headphones/Amp: Focal Stellia phones, NAIM Uniti Atom Headphone Edition headphone amp/music player/server/streamer.
Cables: AudioQuest Rocket 88 speaker cables,
Mackenzie interconnects.
Speaker Stands: HiFi Man.
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March 10, 2021, 09:06 PM #2Senior Member
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- Mar 2014
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- Ormond Beach, Plantation Bay CC
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Re: Let's approach this a little differently...
Like the other post in other threads, you are going to get a lot of opinions. I say go to a store and listen or find a dealer that can send you a amp and headphones to demo or has a 30 days return policy. Headphones are so different , what sounds good to one, might not fit your head. Etc... Comfort to me is high on the list and what is comfortable to some might not be comfortable to others, etc... A pair might sound decent but are uncomfortable, and then you have ear cup design, ear cup material that might suit one but not another etc.. Headphones are about as personal as one can get in audio after all its resting on your head or stuck in your ears. So many people buy headphones and end up returning them or selling them for a loss thinking well in a review MR Headphone or a guy on a forum told me they were great and liked them, I should to. Wrong !. Maybe you get lucky, maybe , Demo
2chl : Vincent Sp331MkII, W4S STP-SE Stage 2, Kef 201/2, KEF 140, Vapor Breeze, Lumin, Bryston CD, BHA-1, Quicksilver Headamp, HD650, HD800s, HD820's, Dan Clark 1.1, Focal Stellia, OPPO 203, 105. ( Boxed up: Pass Xa-30.5, VPI Classic, Dynavector DV-20XL, Manley Chinook, Cadenza Bronze)
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March 11, 2021, 12:03 PM #3Senior Member
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- Nov 2015
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- Kansas
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Re: Let's approach this a little differently...
For me it is a simply answer. The Abyss Diana Phi and the HeadAmp GS-X Mini.
Reason why; amazing headphones that are among the best in the world but maybe the singular best headphone that also works very well portably. The HeadAmp amplifiers have a great following and I can over look the mis-information that was on their website because they are a young growing company. I would have purchased this combination if I had not came across the to good to pass up deal on the SimAudio headphone amp.
As was previously discussed there are many other good choices, but I believe in this thread you are simply looking for a single answer on which would I buy for $6000.McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Wyred 4 Sound ISO Recovery, DC Recovery | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105
“One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
"You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
― Neil deGrasse Tyson
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March 11, 2021, 06:59 PM #4Senior Member
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- Feb 2019
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- Southeast Iowa
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- 992
Re: Let's approach this a little differently...
Randy, you've been such a good resource for me. I do appreciate it.
And, CPP, yeah comfort will be a major factor for me. I'll be listening a couple hours a day anyway. I'm actually excited to hear a great set of phones through a top notch amp.Amplifier: Pass Labs INT 250 integrated.
DAC/Streamer: MSB Discrete Dual Power Supply.
Server: Roon Nucleus with lifetime subscription.
Speakers: Harbeth Super HL 5+ 40th Anniversary
Model.
Headphones/Amp: Focal Stellia phones, NAIM Uniti Atom Headphone Edition headphone amp/music player/server/streamer.
Cables: AudioQuest Rocket 88 speaker cables,
Mackenzie interconnects.
Speaker Stands: HiFi Man.
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March 11, 2021, 07:24 PM #5Senior Member
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- Nov 2015
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- Kansas
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- 5,951
Re: Let's approach this a little differently...
I do agree about comfort. The worst I have had, to me, were the McIntosh and then the Audeze. The Focal were ok, about the same as Sennheiser HD800, both good. The best to me have been the Mr. Speakers (Dan Clark Audio now) and my favorite are definitely the Abyss. I can listen to them all day at work with the A&K portable, or at home with the amazing SimAudio amp!
McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Wyred 4 Sound ISO Recovery, DC Recovery | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105
“One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
"You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
― Neil deGrasse Tyson
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March 11, 2021, 09:50 PM #6Senior Member
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- Apr 2013
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- The Neutral Zone
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- 560
Re: Let's approach this a little differently...
I would start by asking about your use cases:
How many hours a day do to you intend to use your headphones?
Are you interested in portability, or will this be a fixed setup?
How important is attenuation of external noise, or as a corollary, how important is it to not disturb others around you?
What are your speaker preferences? Where do they swing? Wilson/Magico/Sonus Faber/B&W/Harbeth/Magnepan/KEF/MBL/etc/etc
Are you OK with the vagaries of tube amplifiers?Tom
Audio:
Amati Futura Mains
Amati Homage VOX Center,
Proac Response 1sc Rears,
Three MC2301's for L,C,R
MC 602 for the rears
C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 77
Nottingham Dais with Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation
SurfacePro 3, JRiver, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC
Video:
MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material.
Lake House:
Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 80, Rega P3
OnDeck:
McIntosh MAC 4300v
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March 11, 2021, 11:04 PM #7Audioshark
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- Apr 2013
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- Sarasota, FL
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- 30,094
Re: Let's approach this a little differently...
Focal Utopia 2020 with SimAudio Moon 230HAD.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ProMy Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
"We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."
Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.
https://suncoastaudio.com/
Phone: 941-932-0282
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
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March 11, 2021, 11:48 PM #8Senior Member
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- Nov 2015
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- Kansas
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- 5,951
Re: Let's approach this a little differently...
All important information. I believe most was discussed in the previous thread.
Originally Posted by W9TR
McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Wyred 4 Sound ISO Recovery, DC Recovery | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105
“One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
"You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
― Neil deGrasse Tyson
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AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.
The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.
At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.
We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!
Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com
Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.
Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team
I upgraded the power supply on my Gigafoil v4 to a Weiss PSU 102. It’s very nice step up. But with the new model, you’re looking at $2000 before even investing in a SOTA linear power supply.
GigaFoil v4 Inline Ethernet Filter