2. amps-preamps
  3. 150980-96

Help me put together a $1000 (give or take) headphone rig -- new or used

I've put my big rig to rest for awhile due to life, kids, etc., but I still have a desire to listen to high-quality audio -- Alexa just ain't cutting it.  So I've decided to put together a decent headphone setup until I can rebuild and actually listen to my big system.  BTW, why doesn't A'gon have a discussion forum dedicated to the headphone crowd (hence why I'm posting this in the amps/preamps section)?  Argh. 

Anyway, I'm looking to replicate, as much as possible, the qualities I've built into my stereo system in a headphone setup.  The problem is that I know precisely squat about the headphone world.   So, what I'm looking for mainly is that holographic 3D soundstage with neutral, well-balanced, and natural detail and tonality.  I DO NOT want any artificially boosted bass/mids nor rolled-off or overly "polite" highs.  For you audiophiles, I'm looking for more of a mid-hall/spacial/atmospheric/3D perspective rather than a front-row, in-your-face/head immediacy (unless it's absolutely recorded that way).  Like many of you I'm fairly obsessed with research and reading reviews, so given what I'm looking for I have of course identified some components that sound like they may deliver in large part what I'm looking for.  But I'm also experienced enough to know that what you read can often deviate from real-world performance, so that's where you headphone guru guys come in.  I'm gonna list what would be my "dream" setup based on what I've read, but I'll also list some other highly-regarded components that might actually be better (or maybe even cheaper) than my theoretical ideal system.  So here goes:

Theoretical ideal system: HiFiMAN Sundara, Metrum Amethyst amp/DAC

Yeah, that's all I got.  The BIG benefit of going this route is that I'm seriously considering upgrading to an R2R NOS DAC in my big rig once I get that back up and running, and the Amethyst, which offers a good amount of the proprietary Metrum technology found in their pricier DACs, would be a nice entry into that realm and seems to excel in many of the areas I'd like to improve in my stereo system.  However, you'll probably notice I have not listed any way to get content to the Amethyst, and that's because I'm pretty lost there.  At this point I really just want a streamer that can handle hi-Rez stuff from Tidal, Qobuz, etc. in a high-quality way.  I'd love to put in an Innuos Zen, Lumin, etc. in there, but that would obviously blow out the budget and I'm willing to put that in the "add later" column when additional funds (and wife approval) are available.  Can I start with something as simple as a Google Chromecast Audio thingy for streaming, or what else?

On the other extreme, here's a system on the lower end of the price spectrum that may also largely fill the bill, or at least come pretty darn close, at a much lower price:

Low-cost alternative: Drop HD58X, IFi Nano or Micro

To complicate things further, here are the other components that sounded interesting to me that could possibly be better and/or cheaper than either of the systems above:

JDS Labs Atom
Ayre Codex
Burson Soloist SD2 w/Modi or other
LTA MZ
Chord Mojo or Hugo
Massdrop Liquid Carbon + SDAC
Schiit Modi
Massdrop Cavelli Tube Hybrid w/Modi or other
Bryston BHA
Woo Audio WA6
Drop HD6XX
Sennheiser HD600
Audioquest Nightowl Carbon
Beyer DT990

i have to say the Burson Soloist SD2 has also captured my interest, so pairing that with a good DAC could also be a very interesting option to me.  I know I threw a lot of stuff at you guys here, but I'm really interested in your suggestions given what I'm looking for, especially if you have personal experience with any of these components.  Thanks for thoughts guys (and girls)!

soix

Showing 5 responses by soix

soix OP
10,182 posts
 
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!
soix OP
10,182 posts
 
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. 
soix OP
10,182 posts
 
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?
soix OP
10,182 posts
 
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.
soix OP
10,182 posts
 
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.  
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