What are your headphones, amps, DACs, Daps, or speakers you have your eyes on in 2020 and which ones will you be parting with to make room!?
Happy New Year!
7 Likes
A good dac is my priority for 2020. Top contenders are RME adi2, Chord Qutest, and Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro.
I may sneak in a headphone or two…
9 Likes
Those are three really good DACs. If I hadn’t already found the best synergistic match for my setup, I might be auditioning those too. I thought the Matrix was fantastic when I got a week long demo at home with one.
6 Likes
The Matrix is my favored. Cost is gonna be the determining factor.
What’s your setup?
1 Like
I hear ya
1 Like
I might look into getting a better Dap. Though I am unsure just which one. I really like the looks of the Cayin lineup. I know which one I would get if I could afford it that would be the N8 so maybe the N6ii will be the one.
8 Likes
I have some plans to swap out all power cables for Shunyata as well as try out one of their power conditioners. I do notice a bit of low-level noise with my Utopias through my Element X when listening to quieter pieces as well as some hum on my speakers. I’m hoping the new power setup will eliminate these.
2 Likes
I want to try the Topping D90 too – the D70 became obsolete almost immediately after its release.
4 Likes
I finished 2019 by picking up the CFA Solaris Special Edition so I’m probably good with that for a while. In 2020 I wouldn’t mind picking up a secondary “basshead” IEM, and maybe the E01 module for my n6ii. After that I’m good I think.
6 Likes
Currently, Bifrost 2 > Eddie Current ZDS / ECP 3f > ZMF Auteur (or Eikon, or Aeolus, or Verite C, or hd650, or if I dig it out of the closet, the LCD2)
I’m waiting to see what Schiit does in early 2020 to the Yggy. See if a Yggy 2 gets released, or if I can buy the current one with Unison instead of sending it in after for the upgrade.
8 Likes
Nice. I’d like to add a ZMF at some point, probably the Aeolus.
3 Likes
Upgrade from Bifrost 1 to Bifrost 2. Even though I have a beta Unison USB board from Schitt in my Bifrsot 1. Its tempting to upgrade for the new chips and the better power supply…
Build a few more Diy amps, possibly the Wayne Colburn “Whammy”…
Review a bunch of stuff via the Community Loaner Program as I get into the acceptable Tier levels.
Alex
5 Likes
This is something I’d like to do, too. It’s been a while since I’ve done any headphones comparisons. It might be nice to jump back in and see what’s new.
4 Likes
I’m looking forward to hearing some more of those 64 Audio IEMs. I’m also still on the lookout for a flagship planar - so I’m hopeful to try the other two Abyss headphones the AB-1266TC and the Diana V2, along with potentially the Susvara. Other than that, I’d love to get a Verite C in for review at some point, but review units for those are hard to come by. I may see if Zach would be willing to send me that and a demo Pendant at some point for me to review and compare it with the Open.
6 Likes
My goal this year is to umm enjoy my gear and enjoy my music more. That may require some very calculated upgrades or replacements but I’ve cleared away most of my gear now to just the keepers.
2020 is going to bring me the Hidition Viento Reference in-ear from Korea. I hopefully will get that towards the end of this month or early February. I am also looking for a planar, and have my eyes right now on the Hifiman Arya or HE1000 series to compliment the Verite.
Besides that I’m pretty happy with my setup. If a small 4.4mm amplifier comes out, I would pick it up and use it at work, but so far there aren’t many out there.
of course I’ll still be getting review units this year and be assessing those, but I don’t plan on wanting any upgrades this year
11 Likes
Does anyone ever really plan on wanting upgrades? Or do they sneak up on us when we least expect it?
9 Likes
CAN JAM 2020 LA. 
Just parted with Audeze LCD-X this week. Great cans, but didn’t listen to them much. A bit too heavy for long sessions.
5 Likes
For me, I am changing things up a bit in 2020! I am adding Dan Clark Aeon 2 Closed as it became really clear over the holidays that I needed a solid pair of closed back headphones in order to not irritate my wife lol. I added a pair of Koss Porta Pros for the Gym and phone calls as I can’t stand IEM’s, I am switching from iFi XDSD to iFi Micro Black Label for travel desktop/stationary use and the extra power, I will be adding the Dragonfly Red for pure portable use.
I am parting with Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless IEM’s, Sennheiser 550XII ANC Headphones, and the iFi XDSD as mentioned above. I think I have my listening stable for now. I want to really enjoy what I have for a year to really get a handle on what I like. The one caveat is I would like to add a Schiit LYR 3 at some point to experience tube rolling.
I also want to make it my goal to get approved for the Community Loaner Program and review some gear and use my photography skills to take some photos and video to go along with those impressions for the forum.
5 Likes
I’m gonna try and attend this year. Maybe I’ll get to meet some of you there. Looking forward to checking out new gear.
3 Likes
I like to attend the classes I’m interested in too. I think there’s plenty of time to check everything out in one day if you have an idea of what you’re looking for. Two days is more than enough. Nice people there. It’s just over an hour drive for me to get to Orange County.
1 Like