I went with the Gustard X-16 DAC and THX AAA 789 AMP. So far after approximately 1 day of listening, I am very satisfied. Definitely a significant upgrade :).

To be clear I have a Gustard X-16 but a THX 789 AMP, not the H16. I am now running my Arya (V1) (which I believe to be slightly harder to drive than the Arya SE) on the 6.35mm output with the volume slightly below 9 o clock (depending on the album). XLR input into the 789 (or output out of the...

A bit of an update, I am really happy with this set up so far. I am currently using good XLR cables from the X-16 to the 789, but am still awaiting my balanced headphone cable. I am running high gain with my Arya's. I think for me the Arya is already warm enough for this stack to not sound too...

I bought the 789 due to the big difference in price. I want to hear it for myself. It might be too sterile indeed as well for my taste, I guess I will find out :).

Thanks for your response! Today I bought the Gustard X-16 as I found one second hand for a price I couldn't resist. I am now in doubt about the amp. THX 789 I can get for almost exactly half the price of the H16 where I live so not sure which route to go.

Transportability is definitely no must for me, it has been nice with the Micro iDSD but I don't plan on moving a lot with my Arya.

I own the Micro iDSD (non-BL) and iPurifier 3 (I have heard a BL on multiple occasions too). I use a decent Supra cable with them to power my Hifiman Arya (V1). I read through this whole thread but I am still not sure what to think. I myself am also very curious whether a true desktop setup...

I realize that I'm a little bit late to the party but I am looking at this stack. Maybe a bit unrelated but I noticed that you also own an iFi Micro iDSD BL and I am very curious how you would say this stack compares to it. I have not been able to find any decent comparisons between the Micro...

Wow, congrats on your current setup! I am not going to be able to spend that much on a DAC and AMP however. I am wondering, how would you say the Gustard H16 compared to the A90? Also, why don't you think an uber clean stack suits the Arya? Just personal preference? I might add that mine are...

@brandonwhm I am wondering what you ended up getting and how it has been for you :D. I got my Arya not too long ago and I am thinking about getting a similar stack like the ones you're proposing. I currently have an Ifi Micro iDSD with an iPurifier 3.

Aah okay, good to know thanks! Funny enough I had been looking into those headphones just because they were in my budget and I don't have too much experience with closed backs, I understand out of other replies that the Fostex probably don't fit what I am looking for. Thanks to everyone with...

Thanks for your very helpful comment! I used to own the EL8 open back and the with the weight I didn't have a problem personally. Have you ever heard the open back and could you compare the closed back version? The Aeon Flow Closed is an interesting option. I briefly listened to the open back...

Thanks for mentioning that the Fostex would probably not be for me! I also didn't like the non removable cable. The Oppo PM3 I once considered years ago, before I considered myself an audiophile. Never heard it. I'll take a look at the Oppo and the Campfire Cascade!

Which Model are those? And how do those compare to other headphones, for example the EL8 or Aeon Flow I mentioned?

I am looking for a real good closed back headphone in addition to my HD800. The closed back I would use out and about and to listen to certain music that doesn't sound good on the HD800. Some bands I like but don't listen to too often, for example Boston and the Red Hot Chili Peppers don't sound...

Thanks for the recommendation! Do you think I would be able to pair it with my Micro iDSD?

I have owned the HE400i for a while after my Audeze EL8 open back broke down. Now I own a pair of HD800s. I think for openess these are the headphones to go for. For movie music I think they sound great! I love listening to The Classics of Hans Zimmer on them. Also I think Elements of Lindsey...

To be honest I do like my current setup quite a lot, it is just that I don't know how much better it can be since I have never heard the HD800s on another DAC/amp. Considering the Sennheiser, most of all I really love the soundstage and the clarity. I also like how well defined the bass is. The...

Hi, The only thing I know a thing or two about out of the things you mention are headphones. The ATH M50x is a pair of headphones I always like to recommend. They are really neutral headphones that in my opinion sound very good for the money even without a dedicated DAC/amp in most cases. You...

So, I am looking to maybe get a new amp to pair with my Sennheiser HD800 with the SuperDupont mod. I now own an iFi Micro iDSD and that's the only DAC/amp where I've heard the 800s off. I'm interested in getting maybe more out of the HD800's. I'd like to get some recommendations on nice pairings...

Thanks! I'll look into amps. I would like to be sure the amp I buy is an upgrade from the Micro iDSD though, so I'll have to take a look.

Thanks! That's about what I reckoned, but I've read different things.

I don't know about the HE400S, but for the HE400i I totally agree, don't exactly understand what would make them boring.

Yes the HE400i is a very capable set of headphones and a wide variety of music sounds great with them! From my experience the HE400i wasn't that open sounding at all though. Before I have owned an Audeze EL-8 open back and now I own a Sennheiser HD800 so those are my references. Still, coming...

Hi everyone, I am looking to upgrade something in my current setup. I do have a Sennheiser HD800 SuperDupont modded and an iFi Micro iDSD non Black Label. I have been looking into getting the iFi iPurifier 2 and am wondering if I should do that. Also I am wondering if I would get the iPurifier...