I used to be a studio musician here in Chicago. This is now what you want to hear, but we always used KOSS, Pro IV II or PRO IV III.
I know the sound of a Martin D-45, a Bosendorfer grand piano, a well tuned Slingerland drum set etc. The Koss phones accurately replicate these instruments so well, that many engineers would use them to do final mixes.
So, save yourself $850.00 and but a pair of Koss Pro IV III. They sound amazing, are robust and are also guaranteed for life.
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The Massdrop HD6XX headphones are really good and leave you a lot of room in your budget for a good headphone amp. I have LCD-4, Sony MDR-Z1R, Sennheiser HD-800 which cost multiples of the HD6XX, and many other headphones as well. The HD6XX don't have the bass or all of the detail of those higher end models, but they sound really good and are super comfortable. They end up on my head more often than any other headphones I own.
I have a lot of headphone amps, but no recommendations in your budget range. The headphones are going to make the most difference in terms of your listening enjoyment. Finding a decent amp that will supply enough power and not color the sound is important but will have less effect on sound quality. The HD6XX will really sing with the right amp. I've been using mine with a HIFIMAN EF6 5 watt class A amp and they sound fantastic. |
Step up to HD 700 at least and make sure that you have enough power
on hand. |
Really recoomend you listen to the Ayre Codex, among the best sounding output stages I've ever heard.
I haven't heard the Codex, but it's the same headphone amp as the Pono and that was one of the all time greats.
Also really liked the high end Woo audio tube based headphone amps.
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Ifi sounds decent too ...
A suggestion would be:
Hugo TT2 with integrated HeadGear DAC
Brooklyn awsome also ... |
Thanks guys. I'm looking further into all the good recommendations here and look forward to more thoughts and recommendations. Still wondering what would be the best and most cost-effective way to wirelessly stream to whatever DAC, etc. I end up choosing. |
Consider the Bluesound Node 2i. It streams and includes a decent DAC. You can always upgrade to a better DAC later and continue to use the Bluesound for streaming.
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wouldn't something like the Schiit Valhalla, or even the lyr with the DAC module be something to look at both would leave you more then enough for a good set of phones.
I also like the idea of using a bluesound node as a streamer DAC.
I've been happily surprised at the Schiit products I have bought. Grungnir MB and Loki. Schiit did make their start in the headphone amps and DACs after all.
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+1 for the valhalla 2/bluesound combo. The DAC in the bluesound is actually quite nice, especially given the price. It uses a burr brown chip if you are at all familiar with those. I would think for moderately priced headphones it would work well. I've got one in my stereo setup, however I use an external DAC. I've heard streamers sound better but you'll pay up for it. Something like the stack audio link would be the next step up - but the volumio software isn't great for playback, I much prefer blueOS. Keep in mind the bluesound sounds much better with a wired ethernet connection. |
Cost effective ... PC or MAC if one is available for use.
Laptop > Cobalt USB DAC leaving $700 for Cans of choice. |
So, my bias right now I'd to minimize cost to get up and running now with the intention of upgrading components in the future. My first shot at a very cost-effective system would be:
Chromecast Audio > FX Audio DAC-X6 > Sundara phones
This is going on the premise that the phones mucho important and that the Sundaras are not too hard to drive. This setup would only cost about $450 and would get me started. Nobody has commented on the Sundaras, but from what I've read they would be better for the things I'm looking for than the Sennheiser 6XX although I am concerned a bit about their reliability. Anyone out there with experience with both the Sundaras and HD6whatevers?
Alternatively, there's the used Node 2 with Sundaras that would probably up the cost by about $100 or so. This sounds like money well spent until I realize I'll probably replace the Node with something like an Innuos and Amethyst when I get more serious about this down the road, which brings me back to going with the minimum cost option above. Thoughts?
The Schiit options also sound really good, but now I'm starting to up the cost factor, which I'm loathe to do since I'll end up superseding them with better components not too far down the road. Anyway, thanks again for all the good recommendations and looking forward to further thoughts. |
Why do you think you’re going to be replacing the Bluesound before you’ve even heard it? If you want to upgrade it, consider adding an external DAC down the road rather than replacing it. I have a Node 2 in my main system and I’m happy with my entire system. For now anyways, LOL. |
Yeah I'm thinking finding a good used Node 2 may be the best way to go. Anyone know if it's got a decent headphone amp in it? |
The Node 2 does not have a headphone amp. |
From Bluesound site...
"Our Gen 2 Players feature a dedicated headphone output driver. The driver is rated 0.0055% THD @1kHz, 35mW. It is designed for use with most headphones, with a minimum impedance of 14 ohms."
Michael Lavorgna in his Audiostream review of the Node 2 used it to drive his AudioQuest Nighthawk 'phones apparently with good success. It appears the Node 2 does include some form of headphone amplification.
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I've never used the headphone output in my node 2i unit, however I would think that the volume control is in the digital domain, which at any level less than about 75% bit-strips information away. I'm sure it would work but the money would be well spent on something like an asguard or valhalla from schiit. I think their headphone amps are quite good for the money. |
OK, here’s where I’m at. I just bought open box Hifiman HE 400S phones for $170. I had originally targeted the Sundara, but the 400S seems to check all my boxes for considerably less $. But this was not an easy decision, and I’m not sure I shouldn’t have gone with the Drop HD 6XX, but not being able to hear them I went for what I think might be the more openness/spaciousness of the HE 400S. I honestly don’t know if I made the right decision.
I also have decided to ditch the wireless thing for now both for cost and because I want my headphone rig to be at least semi portable, so I’m gonna run my phone (or iPad) directly into the amp/DAC. So here are my two “final” options (unless of course someone has a better idea), and for purposes of this question I’d like feedback on which might provide better sound quality only.
1 - FX Audio DAC X6 ($60)
2- Audioquest Dragonfly Red ($170)
I will be using an AQ Jitterbug before either unit. Obviously the Dragonfly is much more convenient and portable, but the X6 is quite a bit cheaper. Again, for now I’m mainly concerned with which one may sound better. Any thoughts much appreciated as I have no basis for assessing the sound quality of one versus the other. I am open to other alternatives that are $170 or less. Thanks!
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