Well you’ll hear no arguments from me…
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PF: Interesting comments. I believe you’ll discover that accuracy/neutrality (in a transducer/‘can’) is a must for music appreciation/interpretation.
Indeed, although the oft heard “as artist intended” is rather ambiguous, tonal accuracy is essential/first step in enjoying the distinctions in every recorded song/album. The capability of gear to honestly (accurately) replicate the sound/music as originally recorded can be ascertained when/if our equipment changes tonality/brightness (or ‘dullness’) from recording-to-recording. If we experience such distinctions in recording quality, the chances of enjoying the record/album/song is amplified considerably.
For example, if I’m listening to an early Stone’s album, I want to hear the era’s technology (or lack thereof) as it does represent authenticity. Many Rolling Stones songs are anything but “warm, or fluid” and that’s what I wish to hear. Accuracy is authenticity. Although we don’t know anything about the original recording -what it sounded like at the mixing booth- we can surmise that if our gear represents it for what it is, I.e. ‘bright’, dull, compressed, ‘bassy’, etc., chances are we are closer to how the music was recorded, as opposed to equipment that replays everything with a ‘warm, fluid/musical’ presentation as surely this suggest a highly ‘colored’ (coloration) sound.
pj
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I believe that after 20+ years in audio and the headphone hobby and appreciating music for that entire time, that if i haven’t discovered this holy truth of yours by now, that I probably never will.
The issue I take with your arguments is a fundamental one. All audio equipment provides an interpretation of the music, starting with the equipment the engineer used to mix and master the album, all the way to the gear consumers use. None of it is perfect, and none of it is accurate at reproducing sound “honestly (accurately)”. Further, unless we were there when an album was recorded, and know for sure what the original sound was, that saying you know what the artist intended is a complete farce.
So, if everything is an interpretation, I prefer the kind that sound the most enjoyable to me and my ears. That may mean it doesn’t measure well, or that it might have some distortion to it, or is even completely colored.
So, I don’t fault you for having opinions and preferences. We all do, and they are all different. But your entire post seems rather unaccepting of my preferences or opinions, and also seem to insinuate that they are wrong. It also seems rather condescending.
When we were talking about creating this thread, I mentioned that it should be restricted to recommendations only - discussion should be kept out of it. You post, and my reply are exactly why. Perhaps a moderator could move both to the trash can where they belong, or at least to the off-topic thread.
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Lol. Waaay to serious. Chill.
pj
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The past day or two I’ve thought about how I’d love to give recommendations like this. I haven’t read any responses because I’m a little giddy at being able to talk to these categories.
I consider myself mid-fi through and through and am just now touching into hifi (to me summit-fi). My path in the “audiophile” community has been to get products that have something which everyone knows, then listen to what others say about it so I can first of all learn what they are talking about and secondly see if I agree. Then I followed specific reviewers and took note of what they like, I used this to build a profile for each reviewer so I understand what aspects I see too and what aspects I know I’m not in line with. EX: if you know someone’s music taste it explains certain discrepancies. That’s not to say that there haven’t been hit’s or misses, about 50/50 or 60/40 but when there is a hit I see it. So please understand that this hobby is subjective and part of the beauty is the journey. If a journey through equipment is what you seek here are my recommendations.
$1000: Sennheiser HD6xx/650/600 and a dac amp and tube amp. Nothing beats this for being able to experience something initially profound with the ability to surprise you in a comforting way down the road. For a DAC, what ever fit’s into your budget. The sybasonic SD-DAC is an excellent entry level/affordable DAC that will give you outputs similar to onboard PC audio. If you want to kick it up a notch go for the Schiit Fulla which will drive these headphones and serve as an interim to the first upgrade, the amp. I have a Schiit Heresy that I really need to spend time on, however I only purchased it because I always wanted to see what it was and the product was coming to an end. Have never really listened to it. There are many DAC and AMP options in this price category, but I recommend 100% fitting in a tube amp like the little dot MKII or darkvoice 336SE. Tubes will be needed for fun, so budget for that.
$1k-$2k…. I’m going to have to think about this for a few minutes, because the $1k suggestion speaks directly to my habits…. Of my hardware I would chose my current DAC and AMP or something similar. Topping A70 and SMSL SU-9. The amp is considered to be transparent and the DAC has great features. I just wanted balanced and these fit my pocket at the time. If I had to pick a single headphone to go in this budget it would be something from Focal. I have the Elex and it is clear and crisp with excellent soundstage and imaging while being full in the dynamic range. If you want to consider the initial budget category of audio ADHD I would say that the T50rp with ZMF pads would be an excellent addition even if it pushes you out of budget. I mean you have an amp that can power literally anything so why not some bass canons. Also gives you the option to upgrade to Argon’s.
$2k and above: All I can say is what and why I have spent this much recently. My journey has taught me that I enjoy two thing’s, difficult to drive headphones and tubes. Third thing is variety. But my one and done is the Topping Centaurus, Dragon Inspire IHA-1 and modhouse Tungsten. I started with ordering the Tungsten because knowing my preference I have built a chain that can support them. Then I got the Dragon because my most powerful tube amp can’t hold a candle to the Tungsten. Then while I’m at it…. this caliber deserves a dedicated listening position, so I’m going to need a DAC. Why not an R2R, so I got the Centaurus, though immediately after purchase I regretted not getting the Holo Cyan. But that’s where I’m at, the only question left would be what do I use for a digital source?
*(I have waited a long time to give the 6 family the praise it deserves. Most people want a solution and not an experience so I can’t recommend it to them)
All I can say is that I miss at least some of the people that posted here. This means you, @ValentineLuke.