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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 v-fi

v-fi
268 posts
 

You really do want to try to audition gear in your own home if at all possible. I'm with you in that I don't get much out of listening at audio shows. Too much background noise and too many people around. Find a dealer with a good return policy if you can, or at least with a showroom where you can sit and listen to your own music in a good environment. 

I also agree with the above poster who recommended ZMF headphones. I have the HD600, HD650, and HD800, they are all good in their own ways. I find that I listen to the ZMF Caldera and Atrium Closed much more often than the Senns though. 

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