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help needed for new headphone system

It's time to focus on my headphone setup and need some help in figuring out how to proceed.  It's for an apartment.  Budget?  It's flexible but let's start at $3-4k.  I have Sennheiser HD650s that I paired with Schiit Modi and Magni, fed from a laptop or phone.  The sound was too muted so I sold the Schiitstack and got a Qudelix which, to my surprise, was much better.  I liked the ability to move around and the equalizer was helpful.  It was Bluetooth, of course.  Now I want to upgrade.  I focused initially on the headphones and spent some time at Axpona listening to Meze and Audeze, mid-range offerings.  In that setting I was unable to reach any conclusions and was left scratching my head.  

I could add a Bluesound streamer with lps to replace the computer.  I'm tempted to get another Schiitstack, maybe based on a Bifrost dac.  Too many options.

I like to listen to female and male vocalists, blues, some vintage rock and Argentine tango.  Nothing to loud.  Not too analytical.  I'm a fan of the BBC sound with Stirling LS3/6 speakers in my main system with Bacch4Mac processing.  A little help with how to narrow this process down would be much appreciated.

treepmeyer

Showing 1 response by joeycastillo

joeycastillo
82 posts
 

Hey OP

First off, I am not a headphone guy, but I do have Ls3/5A speakers for my reference system. So, at the last Audio Show, I got curious and listened to some headphones at the Show. Well, I was impressed. I always compare what I hear against my reference gear. I believe that some good implementation of Headphones could be very good sounding and satisfying overall. 

The choices that perk my interest BASED on how it sounded and close to my main gear was presented by a Pathos headphone amps and T+A headphones. (forgot the model). Another one to consider is Felix amps and Audeze headphones. I do own a headphone gear (just the headphone) and it's an electrostatic HiFiman model but as I said, I'm not a headphone guy.

 

Ultimately, you need to go visit an audio show or a favorite audio store to check out before making the purchase. my post merely recommends brands that I heard that are close to the speed and tone of my Ls3/5a and ATC speakers. 

just my 02cents

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