Thanks for that. Can’t seem to find an LCD-5 other than headphones?
Update. I have been recommended the IBasso DX240. Anyone got any experience of it?
There are lots of cable options on AE for around 10 to 20, they will be very similar so go for one you like the look of.
For the 2.5mm adapter, what are you looking to adapt?
Just so you are aware, you can’t use the Aria with an unbalanced cable and then use an adapter to make the 3.5mm (unbalanced) connector into a 2.5mm connector and plug them in to a balanced output. That would most probably damage the source.
Edit: Just reread your post and see that you want the adapter to use with the 99’s, my comment above still stands with these (or any unbalanced cable/headphone).
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Correct my if i’m wrong, but you are saying that i need a balance cable to pair it with the 2.5mm adapter so they work properly?
I don’t have to worry about the cable itself or it’s specs? They won’t impact or change the sound?
I really don’t want to enter the cable debate, as there are plenty of opinions on each side. However, yes, a difference in impedance of the cable may cause an effect on the sound of the IEMs/headphones. However, the placebo of having a cable you like and enjoy will probably make more of a difference than the slight difference in impedance (as long as one cable isn’t totally screwed of course).
For the 2.5mm question, the easy way to remember it is that you can never use a balanced output on an amp and then convert it to unbalanced/single ended, you must keep the chain balanced (so balanced connector, balanced cable, balanced headphones etc.).
You can go the other way. You can use an unbalanced output of an amp to drive balanced headphones by using an adapter, but it will still be unbalanced.
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Understandable.
I can do this with the gears i get? The meze and the aria? I’ll pair them with the ES100, so don’t know if this still apply to this dac.
As a general rule it applies to all balanced outputs (Amps, DAP, DAC/amps), there are some exceptions but unless you are sure (ie: the manufacturer says it’s ok), then don’t risk it.
You can use the balanced output if you change the cables of the IEMs/headphones to balanced cables.
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The one’s in AE are balanced? or i need to look somewhere else to get does balanced cables?
AE carry all kinds of cables, you can find balanced and unbalanced cables there.
That’s nice, thanks for the help, advices, and the reply’s on my questions.
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Looking for some headphone 
purchasing advice.
I currently have a AKG K361. Looking for something with forward? clear vocals and something that accentuates John Taylor’s bass lines. Something more dynamic?
The type of headphone:
Closed back
My price range is:
$100-$500
I like to listen to:
- Duran Duran
- The Cute
- The Smiths
- New Order
- Roxy Music
Exact playlist here:
I will be using them for:
Home use. Laying in bed. Most likely using a dongle DAC, USB Audio Player Pro w/ Tidal.
Thanks for your help and suggestions!
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Lying in bed listening to those bands? Are you my teenage self who’s somehow time traveled in search of better headphones?
Sorry, this probably isn’t very helpful, but I’d recommend saving a bit more and looking for a used/open box Focal Celestee, which I know is out of your budget. I would not get a Focal Elegia because it doesn’t have much bass and IMO is not compatible with the thin production of most 80s albums.
The Celestee is pretty even from bass to mids to treble and is also very easy to drive, so you can use it with a dongle. But it is expensive.
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John Darko likes the same music as you and raves about his Meze 99 Classics.
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+1 for Meze Audio 99 Classics.
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You are clearly a connessieur of fine music. Like me you seem to be a lover of the 80’s. Like me you maybe had your most influential years in 80’s. But just a guess.
I aren’t a Closed back headphone listner so cannot help really but you should realky consider Iem listening for use in bed. Take care.
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I’m interested in the Focal Elegia used due to the great price, which pulls it into my budget. Thoughts on how that would or would not complement my taste in music?
I’m an Elegia owner. Do NOT buy them for rock or synth-rock, which as a previous poster noted, had thin production.
The Elegia is a terrific headphone for strings, classical, piano jazz, vocals, acoustic – mids-focused music. It is not that good for complicated rock or metal, recorded in studio with many tracks.
Without a doubt, the Elegia is the most genre-specific headphone in my collection. It’s like a Mustang convertible in which you would cruise on a sunny summer day but wouldn’t dream of taking out on a snowy winter day.
Another problem for you with the Elegia is build quality. It has a design flaw in that it uses a hard plastic headband that’s susceptible to breaking with a bit of force near the junction of the headband and the earcups. I would be very worried that you may roll over on the cup while listening to them in bed and perhaps snap the headband. There’s no repair, either – you’re SOL on a $400 product.
The Meze 99 Classics’ recommendation is solid. Yeah, it’s a very bassy headphone. Yep, that bass bleeds a bit into the mids. But it’s a REALLY fun – if not tonally neutral and accurate – listen with all kinds of music, especially rock and pop. I think it would be really fun with your 80s jam.
Plus the 99 Classics do not require amplification. You could plug them into your phone or a $9 Apple dongle with an iPhone and lay in bed in sonic bliss every night.
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I ended up purchase the Hifiman Susvara when it pop up in the classified section. Sound signature definitely not what I expected so far only got 30 minutes head time.
I can see why some people are not impressed with this headphone, nothing really stand out especially at first. When I was listening to my Sennheiser HD800 then swap over soundstage is definitely smaller on the Susvara. I will post more impression on the Susvara thread when I get more time to adjust to the Susvara.
One thing I wasn’t expecting is that the Susvara is more comfortable than the Sennheiser HD800 although 330g vs 450g on paper. The head strap on Susvara is better than the thin pad on the Sennheiser.
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@pk500 Thanks for the recommendation! I’ve been investigating the Meze 99 Classic, Meze 99 Neo and the Meze 99 Noir. Any other headphones that you might recommend for synth pop?
What’s your price range again?