I own the Schiit Asgard 3 $200 and the Schiit Modi 3+ $100 that you are interested in. They are both not high resolution amplifiers when compared to more expensive solid state amps that I consider high resolution such as the Schiit Jotunheim $400, the Sinxer SA-1 $540, and the Headamp Gilmore Lite mk2 $800. The detail is just not there with most headphones when I use any of my cheap headphone amps including the two Schiit amps you are interested in.
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The exception that you mentioned is with the Hifiman Sundara $350. It sounds pretty much good on any of my collection of solid state amplifiers. And, the Hifiman Sundara sounds best only by a slight margin paired with my Headamp Gilmore Lite mk2.
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You also mentioned the Audeze LCD-X $1000. On my collection of amplifiers, my Audeze LCD-X (2020) performed best with the SCHIIT JOTUNHEIM (used $300) That pairing created an open lively present soundstage and rounded guitar tones came alive. Another note, is that in order to achieve passable good sound on all amps, the LCD-X always required EQ. The order preference of my other solid state amps that paired well are favored in the following order
2nd - SINGXER SA-1 $540
3rd - HEADAMP GILMORE LITE MK2 $800
4th - HEADAMP GILMORE LITE (discontinued)
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I don’t own the Focal Clear. I do own the Focal Elegia which is an entirely different animal. So, this is not very helpful but it also required much EQ to go from okay to very good. It paired best with my HEADAMP GILMORE LITE MK2.
Thanks for the explanation! I’m pretty similar with audiophile terms but had never heard about glare before. If I get the elex for $600 I could use them for abit and sell them and then get the clear. As you said the elex are impossible to actually buy from a retailer in the UK so I’d probably break even selling them. To me she it comes to hobbies a I don’t look at resell value but audio is probably the exception as you do actual upgrades. My end game would be the either the clear or the lcd x, I need to try them out, and the bifrost 2 I’m unsure for the amp probably the jot or the rebel amp.
Wow is that one long reply! Will use this format for future purchases. I’m sure I’m going to be very happy with the sundara w/ Asgard 3 and modi. I have a decent sense of what I want and the sundara fit that well especially for the other good options in that price range, the hd600 aren’t for me prefer something with better bass and the Zeus are too warm for my liking. I think what I’d do is get the elex or clear or lcdx keep the Asgard and modi when I have more cash upgrade my amp to either the rebel amp or jot and then give my dac some love and get the bifrost or something else. I’d sell all old gear so can put that money towards the upgrades. Going to go to richer sounds tomorrow actually so will get a taste of some gear. Bit of a side track but I usually have morale qualms with getting employees to let you try a product and tell you about it and then you don’t buy it but with shops which sell headphones they expect it and they probably don’t think you’re going to make a decision there and then plus especially in stores where it is their specialty to sell audio gear the people there are audiophiles so there happy to talk about the products even if they don’t get a sale.
Thanks for the amp recommendations! A lot of options in $400-600 amp market especially compared to the the markets below that in price
It’s the sweet spot of the whole range to my ears. You get most of what can be got, and will have to spend multiples to meaningfully uipgrade from a Rebel, or a Jot2 or a Bottlehead Craack, all at or under $500ish.
The Bottlehead Crack that you suggest is also a VERY intriguing amplifier. Each of my tube amplifiers do either one of two things. They either bring me so much more performance per dollar, and/or they bring more more enjoyment than any other solid state amplifier can bring. Bottlehead Crack is a highly regarded amplifier that may be in my very distant future.
I wouldn’t sweat it. The shops are used to people trying things and not buying them. A good one will know that it’s better, in the long run, to make sure customers have a good time trying out stuff because those same customers will remember it and be more likely to buy something down the line. For me the key thing, when you decide to buy, is to go back and get the item from the brick and mortar shop and not from Amazon.
It’s been a long time since I’ve stepped in a Richer Sounds - the Brighton one was my local, back in the day - but I always found the staff to be cool, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Anyway, enjoy your auditions tomorrow - let us know how you get on!
That was the norm before the rise of online shopping. You had to pay a little (or a lot) more for the convenience of local inventory and the ability to demo, but testing can make or break a sale. It can also help to avoid costly errors. If you want that kind of experience…buy from them or they’ll go out of business… Many people decided to run mediocre retailers out of business (e.g., Walmart killed numerous small town business districts in the US), but some good retailers and those serving narrow niche markets survive.
My 2 cents: audeze. More bass than sundara, not warm and still super clear. I always recommend the lcd-xc over the lcd-x. But go try the line if you can and make your own determination. Focal clear may fall under this, but I can’t say, I haven’t heard it.
The one problem with auditioning headphones in a shop is you don’t know if they’ve been broken in or if so, for how long. Some headphones don’t sound at all like they did out of the box after being broken in for 150 hours or so; some sound downright awful out of the box but they settle down after a good bit of playing…
Sure, it’s worth asking if the headphones have been burned in. I suppose a good retailer ought to know which products should be burned in.
I wouldn’t advise people to not audition headphones, though, on the basis of an unknown, hypothetical issue.
Question re DACs - for my office system, I have a pair of nice enough Audioengine HD3 speakers. Looking for a great DAC under $1000, and also wondering in particular whether y’all prefer the Bitfrost 2 to the iFi Micro iDSD Signature. I have the Bitfrost on order but while I wait and wait and wait, wondering about my options. Thanks!
Schiit DACS are top notch as I own four of their Modi 3 and 3 plus models. The Bifrost 2 as you likely know, is THE DAC in demand. You order it and are placed on a waiting list because everyone wants it including me. I would just wait it out for yours to arrive. I can’t imagine you not enjoying it considering all of the praise that it has received. Plus, they are selling used for the same price as new since the demand is so great and people don’t want to wait. So, if you end up not wanting it after listening to it, you can sell it within the first minute you post it for sale for the same amount that you paid for it.
Let’s toss aside the ifi unit. Is the Chord Qutest worth the extra $$$ over the Bitfrost? I have the TT2/M-Scaler for my main system and love them. And qutest immediately available. But is it $1000 better (if at all)?
I hope someone else that has listened to both can chime in here. Because, Chord products are beyond reach of my wallet.
@Sturosen are you looking for a DAC that comes as close as possible to the sound of your TT2? If that’s the case, then isn’t your question “I really like my TT2. Does Chord have a “house sound” and if so, how close will a Qutest get me to my TT2?”
I’m just asking because any answer you get to “what’s the best?” or “is it $1000 better?” is likely to be subjective.
I went through DAC analysis paralysis recently, and after going back and forth for weeks, I ended up deciding that I already had a comfort level with Schiit because I had a BF2, and bought an Yggy. I’m not saying the Yggy is better than the equivalent Chord or Holo DACs, just that it met my requirements.
Well, that is my question, in a way. Or, I guess I’d put it: I love the Chord house sound, and how similar is Bitfrost 2 for $1000 less?
But you do get to the heart of the paralysis - if I know what I like, perhaps that’s the way to go…thanks!
@Torq kind of went in that direction in this thread:
He may provide a direct response too.
The type of headphone I am looking for is Open Back
My price range is: $500-$1500
I like to listen to: A wide range of music
I will be using them for Home Office.
I currently have the Hifiman Sundara and the Beyerdynamic TYGR 300R. I find myself using the 300R more often than the Sundara simply due to it being much lighter and more comfortable to wear for 8-10 hours/day.
I’m looking for an upgrade to them. I was considering the HE 6SE V2 for $650, but was talked out of it due to how much power it needs and its weight being very heavy. While I did not hear them, from what I read, they are the sonic characteristics I am looking for. Neutral signature with good slam in the bass.
Sonically I am looking for a headphone that has good sub-bass, natural timbre, solid mids, and not too spicy high end. I find too much “air” frequencies makes headphones sound unnatural.
What are some options that will out perform the headphones I currently have sonically, but also be comfortable to wear all day? (I’m in FL so it’s pretty warm here)
Senn HD650. Grip is adjustable by careful flexing of the head band. My current go to is ETA Genesis G on SBAF, an upgrade to HD6xx and many other hp’s