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Showing 1 of 126 conversations about:
Pankbot
2
Mar 19, 2018
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So just starting out, what would you guys recommend for headphones, dac, and amp? Preferably on the less expensive side of things. Currently I just use Sennheiser PC360 and an Astro Mixamp. I've been thinking about getting the AKG 7XXX or the Sennheiser 6XX. And I have no idea where to start as far as amp and dacs. I'm looking for something that works with gaming, and music.
dasman
387
Mar 19, 2018
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PankbotWell, the AKG are closed cans while the HD6xx are open. First will be to decide which style you want. (edit for brain fart... 7xx are indeed open cans. When I wrote the above I was thinking about the AKG K550, which are closed. All the below is still applicable).
That said, as long as you can use open cans, the HD6xx can't be beat. They are considered reference headphones by many and easily scale up if you choose to upgrade amp and/or dac in the future. I started with an HD600 years ago (with a Schiit Modi 1 and Vali 1 - $200 total) and had years of outstanding sound. The same headphones are now hooked up to a Shiit Modi Multi-bit (Mimby) and a fully pimped out Bottlehead Crack, and sound even better. I've heard them hooked up to $4k amp/dac rigs and they sound better still (but outside my price range).
The AKG's aren't going to scale and will never really sound much better than they do with a $100-200 amp/dac. They are what they are.
Regarding amp/dac... The HD6xx is not all that easy to drive well. The CTH is outstanding with the HD6xx, if you go the CTH/SDAC combo here on Massdrop, giving you everything you need in one box (I haven't heard the SDAC). Another great option is the Schiit Magni 3/Modi 2... if you get the base dac, then you're looking at $200 total amp/dac.
Once caveat... this conversation is being held in the balanced audio section, and nothing I recommended is balanced. Don't worry about SE vs balanced... just get the best sounding set you can afford. A good SE rig is going to sound better than a mediocre balanced rig. For example, my tricked out Bottlehead Crack (SE) sounds much better than my MD LCx amp (balanced).
That said, as long as you can use open cans, the HD6xx can't be beat. They are considered reference headphones by many and easily scale up if you choose to upgrade amp and/or dac in the future. I started with an HD600 years ago (with a Schiit Modi 1 and Vali 1 - $200 total) and had years of outstanding sound. The same headphones are now hooked up to a Shiit Modi Multi-bit (Mimby) and a fully pimped out Bottlehead Crack, and sound even better. I've heard them hooked up to $4k amp/dac rigs and they sound better still (but outside my price range).
The AKG's aren't going to scale and will never really sound much better than they do with a $100-200 amp/dac. They are what they are.
Regarding amp/dac... The HD6xx is not all that easy to drive well. The CTH is outstanding with the HD6xx, if you go the CTH/SDAC combo here on Massdrop, giving you everything you need in one box (I haven't heard the SDAC). Another great option is the Schiit Magni 3/Modi 2... if you get the base dac, then you're looking at $200 total amp/dac.
Once caveat... this conversation is being held in the balanced audio section, and nothing I recommended is balanced. Don't worry about SE vs balanced... just get the best sounding set you can afford. A good SE rig is going to sound better than a mediocre balanced rig. For example, my tricked out Bottlehead Crack (SE) sounds much better than my MD LCx amp (balanced).
Leviathan2210
69
Mar 20, 2018
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dasmanJust wanted to correct one thing, the K7XX are also open back.
Timobkg
39
Mar 20, 2018
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PankbotIt largely depends on what you're looking for, and what you like. It sounds like you're a gamer, so I'll give recommendations based on that.
For a gamer, I would recommend the Phillips Fidelio X2. They're open headphones, which gives you a nice and wide soundstage, and doesn't completely isolate you from the outside world, while also letting your ears breathe so they don't get too hot.
Unlike most open headphones, the X2 have a good amount of bass that make them well suited for entertaining and immersive gaming and movies (as opposed to bass shy headphones that are mostly for competition).
They also sound great with music, are comfortable, have a removable cord, and are low impedance (50 Ohm irrc) so they don't need a powerful amp to drive them well.
For a gamer, I would recommend the Phillips Fidelio X2. They're open headphones, which gives you a nice and wide soundstage, and doesn't completely isolate you from the outside world, while also letting your ears breathe so they don't get too hot.
Unlike most open headphones, the X2 have a good amount of bass that make them well suited for entertaining and immersive gaming and movies (as opposed to bass shy headphones that are mostly for competition).
They also sound great with music, are comfortable, have a removable cord, and are low impedance (50 Ohm irrc) so they don't need a powerful amp to drive them well.
dasman
387
Mar 20, 2018
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Leviathan2210wow... brain fart on my part. When I wrote it I was thinking of the 550 (which I had at one point)
Leviathan2210
69
Mar 20, 2018
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PankbotAbout the K7XX, they are awesome. I own those and damn, do they sound fine. But they are the only pair I own, so I have no other cans to compare them with. The 6XX seems to be well regarded by most, really well regarded actually. Sincerely both cans are seemingly awesome, so I guess you can't go wrong with either. About the amp and the dac, I'd recommend Schiit's stacks, I own one(Vali 2+Mimby) and I simply love them, and from what I gather, most people who own a stack or the Jotuheim seem to be quite pleased as well. Also, I dunno where you live, but if you can go to the Schiitr they have a pair of K7XXs there, you could try them out for yourself.
Pankbot
2
Mar 21, 2018
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dasmanThanks for the info. I have been leaning toward the HD6XX so you just reinforced my decision. I've been looking at the schitt products just got torn on wether to get an all in one unit but I think getting separate units will be the way to go for the moment. I didn't see the CTH so I'll look into that. I think the hardest part about making this jump is not being able to try it out. I currently live In Germany and I believe the closest place to try some of these headphones is about 2 hours away. However I'm sure it will be worth the trip.
dasman
387
Mar 21, 2018
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Pankbotthe CTH is a massdrop/cavalli collaboration product, not schiit. Massdrop has the CTH/sdac combo dropping now). From an amp standpoint, the cth is similar to the schiit vali2, but has better sound (first hand opinion, YMMV).
Schiit just introduced the lyr 3 yesterday... basically it is a tube version of the jot. Reviews lead me to believe it is a step ahead of the cth and is the current mid-level tube amp to get.
----- EDIT----- HD6xx series cans absolutely LOVE tube amps. SS will sound good, but an equivalent quality tube amp will typically sound superior with the senns.
Schiit just introduced the lyr 3 yesterday... basically it is a tube version of the jot. Reviews lead me to believe it is a step ahead of the cth and is the current mid-level tube amp to get.
----- EDIT----- HD6xx series cans absolutely LOVE tube amps. SS will sound good, but an equivalent quality tube amp will typically sound superior with the senns.
Timobkg
39
Mar 21, 2018
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PankbotCertainly. The X2 doesn't sound bass heavy, the way some closed headphones do, but it also doesn't sound bass lite the way many open headphones do. I feel like they give you the best of both worlds - the wide open soundstage and cool ears along with enough bass to feel the music / movies / games.
I don't know where you can try them, but you can order them from Target or Amazon and return them if you don't like them.
I don't know where you can try them, but you can order them from Target or Amazon and return them if you don't like them.
Leviathan2210
69
Mar 21, 2018
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PankbotFriendly warning, once you get your first set of good quality audio gear and give it a listen you'll start walking a path there's no turning back from. You gradually start wanting more and more headphones,amps,dacs,etc... You will become your wallet's biggest enemy, but by all means do take the jump, it's an addiction that is worth it.
dasman
387
Mar 22, 2018
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Pankbotwhat leviathan said... once you start down this road, it is difficult to stop. Really good sound is addictive... you'll hear things in music (that you know well) that you never heard before.
You'll hear what bad recordings and mastering sound like. Eg., 80% of today's music is put thru limiters and compressers that kill SQ... SQ that 90% of people don't miss because they are listening with cheap ear buds on a phone.
It's really frightening how far backwards the recording industry has gone in the last 20 yrs.
You'll hear what bad recordings and mastering sound like. Eg., 80% of today's music is put thru limiters and compressers that kill SQ... SQ that 90% of people don't miss because they are listening with cheap ear buds on a phone.
It's really frightening how far backwards the recording industry has gone in the last 20 yrs.
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