Thanks for having me aboard. I have been swimming in these waters since 2015. But my first real pair of headphones was a set of AKG K141 when I was a kid back in the early 90’s. Bought them for my hard earned pocket money, they cost me $60.
I have mostly had Audio Technica and Stax headphones lately, with some other brands here and there. See my profile for the complete listing. But now I am fully a ZMF guy. Yeah, that eventually happens. I used to have the Eikons, but I sold them when Zach released the Verite Closed. I am looking at either the Auteur or the open Verite as my next set.
I look forward to posting more, it seems like a nice community that you have got going here.
Hey folks. I’ve been into audio of all sorts for such a very long time. I have had really enjoyed a lot of the speakers I have purchased, receivers, and amps and I have some very nice IEMs, but I have recently got a bit into headphones. I really wish there was a place to audition headphones around me. Forever I have purchased speakers and receivers I was really interested in hearing based on research/reviews, and then keep them for a time and then sell them. This move into headphones is new territory. I have only been through about 5 gaming headsets, a Sennheiser HD 599se and a Sennheiser 6xx. Hoping to pickup some insight here. I glanced over the headphone trial thread and thought that was a cool idea. Anyway, nice to meet you all.
Hi all! Guess this is my introduction. I am pretty active on other forums (SBAF) and the Hobbyist Discord Chat (jlindsay17 there). I love talking about audio and being part of the tight knit audio community. My current gear setup is Modius -> Asgard3/DNA Starlett (Bought but yet to Receive)/DV336se -> ZMF Auteur/HD6XX/Andromeda. I do like to try and do write ups, and may transfer over some of my writeups from SBAF for things like Auteur and Andromeda over here.
My favorite threads to look at are the Set-Up Pics. I love seeing others setups and gear they use and how they place it all and setup their spaces! I think I will be pretty active in that thread!
For gear that I am trying to get in the future, I am trying to pickup either a Yggy/Gumby/Bifrost2, ZMF Verite Open, ZMF Atticus, HD800S. I am not a big SS type of guy so the A3 is fine for me I think, but hey we never know!
Some things I enjoy outside of audio is tech, linux, reading, prequel memes, and watching youtube! Glad to be part of the community
Happy to join up. Recently (within the past year) started using headphones again after a hiatus of a few years. Previously, was pretty much a Stax headphone user, but over time, drifted away from using headphones. Stax headphones can sound excellent, but they require a very powerful amp (made by someone other than Stax) to get the most out of them.
Since getting back into the headphone hobby, have gone through several iterations of cans and hardware to get to where I am now. Tried some planar cans (Audeze LCD-3, Dianna V1), and while I found them to excel in certain aspects (Bass, lower mid range), they sounded as if the treble was missing. However, when I came across the Focal Stellia, I knew that was the headphone for me. Also have a pair of Focal Elear for a different sound (open back use).
For hardware, always have been a supporter of Birgir and Mjolnir Audio for headphone amps (from my previous Stax days). I have a Pure Bipolar amp, and see no need to upgrade it. A friend of mine is making a Kludge Tube OTL headphone amp for me as well, for a change of pace.
Regarding DAC’s, recently obtained a RME ADI-2, which is a outstanding performer as a DAC. The built in EQ and cross feed functions, IMHO, really enhance headphone playback. My feeling on headphones is that NO headphone really comes close enough to flat frequency response that could not be bettered by use of EQ. The ability to conduct EQ in the digital domain is the best engineering solution to address the issue. Prior to the ADI-2, had a Benchmark DAC-2 and Oppo Sonica SDAC-3. While both are excellent, the ADI-2, IMHO, sounds better overall, and especially with headphones.
Looking forward to reading and sharing experiences, and learning along the way.
Welcome. I have one of Birger’s @spritzer 's amps just to the left of my elbow. One of these days I will be motivated to buy a more modern STAX headphone than my beloved SR-5N’s to plug into it.
I think I want to go down the STAX rabbit hole before I enter the ZMF rabbit hole.
Thanks @prfallon69! Happy to be joining and looking forward to reading more of the great posts here in the forum!
Mostly joining to soak up some knowledge on custom cables, I’ll be sure to post when I have my newest project complete Thanks for contributing to such a great community!
No worries @Speedy77. You’ll be able to at least discuss custom cables on this forum without getting savaged and burned at the stake as on some other forums. It’s a great place to exchange ideas and discuss gear and music. Looking forward to hearing of your project too.
I have been into headphones and iems for maybe the last 20 years, at least initially because I did not want to disturb the rest of the household. Over this period I have gone from dynamic headphones to planar and then to electrostatics. While I love my Stax phones, I have found that during the warmer months (plenty of them here in DC) I get sweaty with them on–not enough air conditioning in this part of the house. I was an early purchaser of the Sr1as both because of the enthusiastic reviews they received and because they do not touch your ears. That lead me to this site, where you have had excellent coverage of them.
Thank you! I began the audio hobby with home theater and 2-channel speakers and frequently posted at AVS, Audioholics and the Audio Circle forums, but as my kids got older I sold everything and switched to headphones. I’ve been in this hobby for a few years now and am just loving it! The science of it all is fascinating, and it drives me to learn more and more. I look forward to progressing on this journey.
Thanks for contributing to such a great community!