I'm back, and looking for the next step.

Well I have been on these forums for a couple of years, but I'm actually just returning from a hiatus due to being so very satisfied with my MS1's, PortaPros, 238's, and 75's. These headphones, especially the 238's and MS1's, have kept me occupied for quite a while, and so I focused my very low income of the time toward music and expanding my library in many directions. But now I have a little more to dispose of (still budget minded, though), and have rebirthed continued my interest in the hifi community. 

First thing I did was some searching around for a cheaper phone that provided a neutral sound, as all of my cans have a bit of coloration to them. I stumbled across the HD428 at Best Buy and had heard that they are decently neutral headphones, so I got them knowing I had the 30 day return policy to back me up if I wasn't pleased.....but I was 

The reason I am pleased with them is that they seem to work with my entire library of music, which spans quite a few genres. They also have a nice, flat sound that works well with the entire spectrum. They also have a larger soundstage than most of my previous cans. They seem to be kind of...narrow, in the fact that the ends of the spectrum don't seem to expand as far as they could, and I'd like a little more detail throughout the spectrum. 

So what I'm looking for is recommendations of nearly anything that could help me find that next step in hi-fi. At home (most of my listening) I use: (iTunes or Foobar2k) > headphone output > [custom mini to mini and Fiio E5 for MS1's only] > Headphones. As for portable I use: (iPad 1g 32gb or iPod 5.5 30gb) > custom LOD > Fiio E5 > Headphone of choice. I'm awaiting a Clip+ 4gb in the mail so I can rockbox it, load it with a 32gb card, and use it as my primary portable source, as I'm out of room on both the iPod and iPad  I posted this in the full size forums since I'm more looking to upgrade the home setup and figured new cans would be the best for achieving the above mentioned sound, and I have no doubt whatsoever that I'm wrong (but isn't that why we're here?!). SO go ahead, shoot!

And if you do suggest a can, it doesn't have to be a monitor in the slightest, and if it does favor one end of the spectrum I'd rather it be toward the highs

Good to be back in this great community!

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Quote:

Originally Posted by BotByte 

Source and Headphones are the best you can buy first.

 

1. FiiO E5 only works on like 1% of headphones. You'll find that if you take if off and plug your MS1 directly to the Clip+; the clarity and detail goes up. The E5 distorts Grados. Get rid of it unless you have a certain headphone that someone who knows what they are talking about say: "This needs the E5"

 

2. Good for you getting a Clip+. Warning, it's a little house wrecker, don't buy anything else because you'll find nothing as value or fun.

 

3. Take MS1, on head, wrap cable with left hand behind neck to right side of chest, plug into clip+, attach clip+ to cable 1 foot below the y-junction. My favorite portable with my SR80I

 

4. Upgrade Ideas? Headphone first. Don't go and buy a amp/DAC without checking if the headphones you need actually need a Amp. Best bet for headphones:

 

For home:

HD598 - need a amp. Any $100 amp like a Ibasso D2 or FiiO E9 would work really well. But a home amp best.

Beyer dt series - the 32ohm don't need a amp. So it's a easy upgrade.

 

Portable or home:

Shure 940 -  another bight can that is closed while sounding like a H598 but more analytical. Good for portable or home. Check the deals thread to find it for $210 and a Great deal. Don't need a amp, but will benefit from one also.

Have been looking at the 598 recently, the reviews and graphs do look promising. Would an E11 suffice to drive them? 

Hmm, not sure about the E5, I haven't heard any real distortion, but I'll take another listen.

Did a little more research, thoughts on the AD700? Seems to fit the bill pretty well, for my situation at least.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BotByte 

The HD598 are driven well without a amp, but it's that odd curve that needs a little power. Just a bit. A E11 or any $100 amp will drive them with no problem.

 

E5 is horrible. I hear a slight distort and clarity is chopped up

 

AD900's are better. But only good for classical but they are kinda fun. And they don't need a amp.

 

They would sound close to your Alelalslelfheahddehdfek/Grado as in highs and mids. But the soundstage is very wide. Check out the ATH-A700 for about $127 I think. Better for a wide mix and don't need a amp

 

MAN. I just went on a 3 hour binge of information about the A700, the AD700, and the 598. The 598 looked great, but along with an amp, it was just a bit out of my price range. So it was between the open and closed 700's, and I considered college and my other two roommates, so I figured the closed A700's would be more advantageous in a dorm environment. I then spent plenty of time finding a deal, and resorted to American Music Supply, which is where I bought a few guitar accessories from before. They had the A700 for $119, free shipping, and most importantly a 45 day return policy. So i pulled the trigger  Can't wait, thanks for all the help guys!

Sad part is I'm already looking into amplification or a DAC.....