Upgrade map for your headphone system

Interesting question - there's one pair of cans that I most certainly will add, maybe two; not a whole lot else is likely to change though (I'm not planning to lose anything). Been happy with everything else including new purchases; keep eying fancy high end tube amps though - something may happen with that. May re-consider my portable setup, but it hardly gets used anymore.

So, short and sweet:

Happening:

+1 pair of cans

Might:

+1 more pair of cans

Maybe:

+1 tube amp

More Stax, that much is certain.

But what I don't know is if I'll go for a dedicated amp first (probably an SRM-1/Mk2 or SRM-T1S, something with both Normal and Pro bias), or another headphone (Lambda Nova Signature, maybe?).

This place is totally not good for my bank account...

DIY T2 > SR-009

It's going to be nice to finally end my journey, think about all the money I'll save! The best way to end upgraditis is to be in a position where there aren't any upgrades, heh.

I'm very lucky to not be an ortho fanboy, because it seems like new models are coming out every year, whereas Stax tends to take their time.

I wouldn't rule out buying more equipment, but I'm happier with the current setup than I expected when I finished assembling it. From here on out I don't think I'm likely to randomly buy something just to try it out, because the cost for doing so now is significantly more than potential upgrades would have cost last year. On the other hand, some of my existing vintage gear is coming due for refurbishment and I'm considering getting more serious about DIY electronics as well.

A cull is coming.  I'll strip down to one or two headphones and one or two DIY amps.

Most of my listening is with speakers, so I plan to switch to three(!) speaker setups (living room, bedroom, office) and keep a favorite or two for headphones.  I'm most of the way there.  I need to build one speaker pair, one amp and two preamps.  I have the parts for those already.  I'll keep a few favorite headphone items for when I'm in the mood for headphones.

The only exception is if Sennheiser rolls out a new TOTL.  That might be tempting.  And I want a JH13 for portable use.

Aside from that, I'm going to focus on music and enjoying what I have.  I've been doing that for a couple of years and have been a lot happier than when I was acquiring gear.

Objective2 and I'm done.

I may get new IEMs in the future. The RE0 is great, but I can't stand its sound signature anymore.

Finally step into real mid-fi.

I might get some Iem's but i think as far as headphones go im happy where im at.  Unless i get a job, in which case, Stax will be flying through the mail strait towards my head.

Other than that i will be upgrading my sources, actually im in the middle of it now... getting a DAC, turntable, and maybe some concert tickets?  

Also looking for a tube pre-amp(diy?) just for pure coloring purposes, ill be using my solid state amps for the amp part. 

Might also build some amps and enclosures for my speakers.

My headphone station has been pretty stagnant the past few years. I'm pretty content with my hfi-780 and westone 3, but wouldn't mind picking up a mid level open can eventually. But I'll likely upgrade to a newer portable dac/amp for my laptop and netbook. 

Am very happy with my current setup i've gotten over the past year and a half thanks to the excellent info on these Forums. My Onkyo Tx-8555 is serving me well connected to my pc and using some Insignia Bass Reflex speakers. For more private moments and when am trying to be nice my collection of headphones is giving me an excellent sound especially the Koss UR40 which seem to give me everything i want when it comes to strong balanced bass and detailed treble all for only forty bucks. My Audio Technica Ath AD700 and Koss Pro 4AA have tooken on a more specialised role with gaming along with classical and ambient music listening. The Sennheiser HD202 also covers alot of bases but i prefer the Koss UR40 which edges it out a bit aswell as is more solidly built when it comes to wiring. Just recently purchased a Sennheiser HD 419 but am still learning how to make it sound the best it can be.

So chances are this is it for me and i'll be sticking to music purchases from here on out though am still thinking of getting a closed phone. Then again my Shure SE115-K iems while wearing sound protection ear muffs gives me more then enough isolation when the environment gets noisey.

In one year, I'm starting to think about a Bottlehead Crack+Speedball, and possibly a used HD800 or LCD2. I'll probably hold on to the HD650 though, I really love it dearly. More immediately I'm probably going to be getting rid of the HF2 (money for ski trip) and the DT770. No reason for anyone with expenses like me to be owning so many headphones, definitely time to trim the fat in my stable.