- HiFiMan, Harmonicdyne and Sivga headphones
- Most IEMs
- Topping and SMSL products
You may find something of interest in this video by a Canadian audio guy who visited the Shenzen 2024 audio show:
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I had thought Gustard also. I have HiFiMan HE-560, don’t know if I want to drop a grand on better HiFiMan. I feel like I’m in the planar catbird seat with my Rosson RAD-0.
Also thought about a different main Stereo amp. My first gen Wired 4 Sound still serves its purpose.
I thought if I wanted a pre-amp that’s better than what I have, Schiit’s Freya+ Not from China.
Yuan a yen to spend? Not sure I have one or not.
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Some tasty tube gear?
Cayin has some nice tube amp options if you want to scratch that itch…
I looked at that. Unfortunately, Cayin’s tasty stuff that I like is north of $5K, not in my casual range. The KT170 stereo amp. Now I did see some “Macintosh 275 Clones” for about a grand on Ali Express. Still in the $1200 range. I’d need to know a lot more.
Meanwhile Schiit has the Freya+ on last call as the Freya+ Forkbeard is out. I think sometimes despite @generic’s taunts, sitting on one’s hands protects one’s back pocket.
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Hmmmm,
I’ll try to approach your statements in a practical and rational way.
Since I know that you have the ZMF Auteur in your portfolio and are thinking of expanding your collection from this manufacturer,
I’m going to come in here with a recommendation for this product.
ZMFs harmonize excellently with Psvane tubes from the Art series, hence my recommendation in this direction.
I have equipped all of my tube amplifiers with these tubes and get excellent sound results when used with my ZMFs.
I also specifically recommend the xDuoo TA-20 plus,
a tube amplifier that already sounds good and, when equipped with these tubes,
then it performs well above its price and sounds incredibly good together with the planar headphones from ZMF
Also, if you’re an Apple user, a small gadget that actually improves the sound and is very convenient.
—————
All of this won’t break the bank, but if you’re willing to invest a little more,
Cayin is actually a good recommendation and with the HA-3A and a few “warmer” tubes,
or the powerful iHA-8,
Cayin has very good headphone amplifiers in its portfolio.
Or you can go:
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Well thank you for that. I do like the PSVANE tubes - I have one for my Lyr3 amp, and it’s my go-to when I am not running Schiit’s own LSSST solid state tube replacements. I have that Eufonika with tubes I really like now, an OTL for the Auteur Classic.
The bluetooth thing does look like a possibility. Not trading the Lyr3, so the XDuo is just another hybrid amp, albeit balanced. I did see that fancy Cayin but liked the main stereo amp version of it rather than the headphone amp.
I did order some rechargable batteries from Amazon, and also a mid-size portable rechargable power station - 500 watt 500+amp hour type thing. Maybe I’ll pick up the 100 watt solar panel during a black friday event. (The day after Thanksgiving in the US, which is called black friday because traditionally people start big time Chjristmas shopping, and retailers finally see black ink on their books starting that day).
Sadly I don’t feel any lack of headphoneage at the moment. Sure, a good closed back, but unlike you, I don’t have spare long hallways to store all of my gear laid out on the floor. While the 30 linear feet (9.144 meters) of headphones you show is impressive, I’d like to see all of your eartips laid end to end.
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I’m looking for a amp and dac not sure if i want a combo or a stack
My price range is: 250
I like to listen to rap, jazz, classic rock, rock, i also do play game mostly story based but i do dabble in the occasional fps
this be purely a at home setup.
thank you in advance.
Welcome. Can you tell us about the headphones/IEMs that you use? If they are warmer sounding (such as the Sennheiser 6XX) you may want a brighter amp with less bass, or vice versa.
In that price range I’d personally look at the iFi ZenDAC or maybe a Schiit, Geshelli, or JDS Labs system. There are also many (functionally interchangeable) very clean-sounding Chinese systems from Topping, S.M.S.L., FiiO and others. Buy a stack if you want to upgrade or try different setups–such as a tube amp, but stack vs. combo doesn’t matter much if you plan to leave it alone and just use it.
JDS Labs Atom 2 DAC/amp stack.
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What would be the bigger upgrade? Hifiman Edition XS to Arya Stealth, or Focal Elex to Focal Clear. Thanks
I think the bigger upgrade would be XS to Arya Stealth. Elex is 90% of the Clear IMO; the treble is better on the Clear, though.
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Per @Nuance, if you are okay with the Elex you may want to try something else. I personally love the Clear but hate the Elex because of its treble.
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I appreciate very much your response to my question.
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Thanks so much for your advice.
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Another vote here for the Arya Stealth. That headphone is really something special.
Thanks, Bookbear. Yours seems to be the consensus opinion. I appreciate it.
Hello Hello!
I was considering to pick up a used Eversolo DMP-A6 locally to use it as an Airplay 2/Apple Music streamer (also probably add an SSD so i can play my offline library) to use with my Speakers/Headphone Amps
And I was curious what you guys think about it. You don’t find that many reviews of it around here and unfortunately none of the stores nearby carry one to test it.
Hello! I am already set on purchasing the Meze 109 Pro. I just want to know one thing, will it fit on my head? For reference, I use about 13 notches on my HD600 to get a comfortable fit.