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 4 responses by treepmeyer

@ghdprentice Thanks very much, that it exactly the advice I was looking for.  Woo has a big presence at Axpona but I didn't spend any time with them , unfortunately. I'll do some research on their product line.

@larryi As I posted, I spent time at the last two Axpona conventions listening to headphones.  For me that was simply not helpful .   Thanks for the advice, though.

 

 

Many thanks for these posts.  This information will make my search much easier.  I was unaware of ZMF, and they are only 10 miles from me!  

@joeycastillo I'm in the same boat.  In addition to the LS3/6 set I have a pair of Spendor LS3/5R2, and it is that wonderful midrange that I am looking to find in a headphone setup.  I should have been more explicit in the original post.  I will look at the Pathos and Felix amps, and the T&A cans.

I go to Axpona every year and will go next April, but I don't seem to get much out of listening to cans in that big, busy, noisy hall.  Just me.  I may take advantage of the generous TMR return policy (5% restocking fee) and try a few items they have available.  Thanks for the comments.