2. headphones
  3. 193605-199585

DAC, amp and headphone for the following 5 attributes

Just stepping into the hi-fi space. I am now at the research phase  :)

The main key attributes I want my headphone system to excel at are:

• Detail retrieval
• Instrument separation - like clarity between distinct sounds, which doesn't feel muddied at all. I think this is the most important for me
• Decay - I love those cymbol decays
• Imaging - more important than soundstage
• Black background - like absolutely pitch black

Could you suggest me a DAC, an amp and headphone to excel at those? I prefer a DAC/amp combo device but standalone is also fine.

Price range - DAC/amp collectively under 2500 and headphone under 2000. So collectively ~4000-5000 USD I guess, but I am open to price no bar options as well.

kandamrgam

Showing 1 response by soix

soix
9,945 posts
 

I have a setup very similar to this that has all the characteristics you’re looking for in spades…


https://www.amazon.com/HIFIMAN-Arya-Organic-Full-Size-Audiophiles/dp/B0C5RFXMM5/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1AEHGHOYG515G&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0WmDWUDAdqWeTrT7fgpvJEfN5p9-5JXnYAXNBAuUb_GLHe6QLhQYJXZIJN71jUn1174v7LEzGkZPVoylq-k7E0RyFPnlGIRpwagNE99smQif-D6h7x4WWAQZQPSSvqO3FG3ET8QCRL160b7mQ0ih7Gp-vDeqV-Mj4q_dad7B_m5xj3E8b1eFef_O3Yh5pqW4GTewmMPQAsOzxKaoPvxuZ4FJlY-BcvpRh1KxIz42JkM.PUtTUHGhb2jtk8whzM3ViKndWeXAF5zIi_1o5LgHbgg&dib_tag=se&keywords=hifiman+ananda+stealth&qid=1742072425&sprefix=Hifiman+Anan%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-4

 

https://www.amazon.com/Singxer-Balanced-Discrete-Single-Ended-Amplifier/dp/B08QMDM631/ref=sr_1_1?crid=36FHFRFPAWEJ9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.a_4YB_UsbYMayP223OeQKZU4N4VTqol0sYmiKbbvq3Ke65iTjPLYl1qDQvHZEntMhdfWj3VoE8tCPpBtp_2oDEMr6NzyMg--sMnMkKXMih0VOfjSu3dSR5Tho6GgNrob.XKCnv0uXTNEYhr9JtI3RzjqyhTbqJrpxhWsib-K_79c&dib_tag=se&keywords=singxer+sa-1&qid=1742072591&sprefix=Singxer%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-1

 

https://www.amazon.com/Musician-Draco-Entry-Level-Decoder-DSD1024/dp/B096S6HBQY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2MUYAX2S3Y7DL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xQRP4OUTi3myi6qq-KqkSKdpLvyXyNL8upeg2FeZLjc4ON1NJEWJRWjfNXkhuzd-bHUPX8i7-yd_5iy-AmkG6pog0qyPT7WVb3EE4rM1lNM5HTwKKIgmR91kl2UdL9b24ROfd4pWT6HtSxD96Caflgmle67JfC7k87wpUOiGcsVa5O4PSGxhKdPj0-qQELEf5wRlK8EzI0l3bwHnWxPUrGMWH9iTmRWBkOlLCO_jzko.qQ7mKV3VUhsFthkrDr9mS9ToQGmccqyxmrSG_maFpWI&dib_tag=se&keywords=Musician+DAC&qid=1742072661&sprefix=musician+dac%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-3

Best of luck. 

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