I’ve been daydreaming about future, high-end transportable setups - a complete system that could be used in bed, carried to a front porch or back deck, moved over to the sofa, or taken on the road (but not for commuting). There’s a wide range of options out there these days…
I’d like to build something around transducers that provide a decent amount of isolation, be they closed-back headphones or IEMs (I’d prefer the latter, given their small size, although the relatively small form factor of the Focal headphones, with their compact carry cases, also appeals). Ultimately, I’m thinking in terms of the best combinations of convenience, versatility, and sound quality - something that sounds as close as possible to a desktop rig but that could be put in a backpack or taken in hand luggage on a flight or stashed in a hotel room safe.
The IEMs I have in mind are universals, primarily the Campfire Audio or 64 Audio offerings along with the UM MEST, InEar Prophile 8, QDC Anole XV and maybe the Final Audio A8000 (it’s pretty bright), among others that prioritize resolution and clarity, and that aren’t too bass heavy or v-shaped.
As for sources, I’d prefer something that allows for the playback of a few hundred gigabytes’ worth of files as well as streaming Tidal or Qobuz. I realize DAPs are the simplest solutions, and recommendations would be great. But what of other possibilities such as the new Chord 2go and Hugo 2 combination? Or, given their ubiquity now at trade shows like CanJam, how about tablets? The latest iPad Pros have 512 GB or 1TB of storage (and iPads are also appealing because you can watch videos on them and because they could do double-duty in a home system, as the control for Roon, for instance).
What of upper-tier DAC/Amps like the Hugo2 or the Woo Audio WA11 Topaz or the WA8 Eclipse? Are there any others I’m missing?
What would you recommend?
