sci80899 said:

To me a set-up could mean multiple headphones with multiple components. For example I currently have only 1 headphone, but 3 amps. I listen to a broad genre of music and different songs go better with different amps. None of my amps are superior to the other 2 for every song that I listen to, you can find at least 1-2 songs where the listening experience is more enjoyable with a 'different sound signature'.

Perhaps you could argue I haven't found that one particular 'end game' set-up that consist of one headphone/amp/etc.., but I highly suspect there isn't one. I guess the same could be said for owning multiple headphones. 

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Only 1 headphone? That's staggering. What on earth is it? The orpheus?

currawong said:

I'm only in need (if you can call it that!) of a good 'stat amp and I'm happy.  I've already sorted out what I want for travel and portability and I have that pretty much.

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Hi Currawong,

Yes the world of stax is still shrouded in mystery for me. The amp makes such a difference to my ears when put through stax , the morr high end the less forgiving.
Stax or electrostats in any guise are a different ball game to the rest. It's changed me from disappearing down a pseudo scientific wormhole and put it back where it should be; between the left and right channels of some pretty strange equipment

My idea of an headphones set up is one very good source, three to four very good amps [ this includes a portable amp ] , and the same amount with headphones.
I've two sources but one is an iPod, three amps [ one being portable ] with one on it's way, two headphones and one IEM.
 
If I could only choose one headphone and one amp in my set up, without question it would be my 009 / BHSE.

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michgelsen said:

I haven't changed anything in my setup for over a year, simply because I haven't felt the need to upgrade. In fact, the only thing that has crossed my mind is downgrading.
 
Do you recall when you had an inferior system than you have now, but the actual enjoyment of your music was not any worse? I remember how happy I was with an HD650 and a Musical Fidelity X-Can v3. I most likely would not be as happy with it now, since I have tasted the fruit of electrostats, but I would probably still be very happy with a smaller, less expensive system.

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Classic set up. I used to have that. Thats the problem though, its very hard to go back. But at the same time its all in the matching, for instance I've just went back in time with an amp from 1977 to feed my HD800's and it sounds amazing and at less than half the cost of my last amp. Obviously you can't mix and match so much with stats but you know what I mean. I'd also add, the road ahead doesn't always have to be the most expensive or newer one to be better.
 
Also, if circumstances meant that you had to downgrade. The music lover will always make room for lesser sound quality    

Actually downgrading doesn't sound that bad, to be honest... I remember giving my etymotic research hf5 a final listen before giving it to my friend. I was amazed at how good it sounded, well part of the amazement comes from nostalgia, I guess... mad men said something like this... nostalgia is a Greek word, it means pain from an old wound...

Well, I listened to my go-out Bayer DT770 Pro($150) yesterday, instead of my Audeze LCD-3($2000), and maybe it was less detailed, less neutral and slightly veiled in comparison, but it was so much easier and less fatiguing to listen, I really enjoyed it.

a beyer less fatiguing than an audeze? 

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dubstep girl said:

a beyer less fatiguing than an audeze? 

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+1 
 
Haven't heard the 770, but the 880 is an instrument of torture compared to the LCD's

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spaceace1014 said:

My Beats let me hear the music just like the recording artist intended. If that isn't endgame I don't know what is.... 
 
Couldn't resist. 

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Oh. My. GOD.
For a Beats owner, I actually think this post is deranged. 
"Just like the recording artist intended?" Just what the hell is that?!
I couldn't stop laughing...
 

The beats guys are eaten up for breakfast in here 

 I wonder whether many beats owners get into the audiophile headphones?

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Well, put me into that list. I've been owning the Beats Pro for about 3 months, and already I'm looking to upgrade.
But considering you're just looking for ppl with an endgame setup, count me out.
 
I would love to have an HD700 or HD800, or LCD-2 with a HeadRoom amp (for portability) delivering music straight from my iPod, though.
 

a beyer less fatiguing than an audeze? 

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This has got to be the best endgame headphones there is (if it were ever made). +1 to you!
Throw in high efficiency and low impedance and you just got yourself the best headphones in the world.

Personally I don't mind the Beat's Pro. I like the look but the driver needs serious tweaking to get any sort of level respect from audiophile's out here. I'm thinking of putting in some vintage TDS-7 ortho transducers in it which sound good but hey I'm just a modding lunatic.
 
On the other hand, the DT880 600ohm Premium version is no slouch but more fatiguing than the Audeze due to a slight bump to the highs (770/990 both exhibit them). Iuno come to think of it's very interesting that Michel and Currawong pointed out system synergy. I for one love my modded DV 336SE and HD600's, for classical, jazz, ambient or light electronic music and bit of rock I love it. It get's my toe tapping the head rocking my emotions opened up it's great sounding, it's no high-end setup or a technical speed demon like a stat, but an end-game setup would be a setup the user would find most comfortable with and reaching most of the time. You do grow tired of the wow factor over time from better stuff out there as you find yourself in a comfortable position with the current gear.

david1961 said:

My idea of an headphones set up is one very good source, three to four very good amps [ this includes a portable amp ] , and the same amount with headphones.
I've two sources but one is an iPod, three amps [ one being portable ] with one on it's way, two headphones and one IEM.

If I could only choose one headphone and one amp in my set up, without question it would be my 009 / BHSE.

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Right on David,

The legendary 009 can't wait to hear it. The final furlong.........

defqon said:

an end-game setup would be a setup the user would find most comfortable with and reaching most of the time.

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That's absolutely spot on exactly the description I wanted to convey. It need not mean the most expensive headphone amp dac on the market however it's a long road to get to the end. It stands to reason many combinations are tried before there can be only one......

thatbeatsguy said:

Oh. My. GOD.
For a Beats owner, I actually think this post is deranged. 
"Just like the recording artist intended?" Just what the hell is that?!
I couldn't stop laughing...

Well, put me into that list. I've been owning the Beats Pro for about 3 months, and already I'm looking to upgrade.

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Wallets to the left, common sense to the right, financial ruin in the middle- welcome to headfi

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dubstep girl said:

a beyer less fatiguing than an audeze? 

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Yeah, at least to my ears and out from Burson Conductor.
LCD-3 is just more resolving, more strong sound, which captures all your attention and immediately highlights any recording's weakness, pushing it to your face. DT770 seemed just a lot more forgiving and actually had substantially more bass. I purchased DT700 Pro as closed headphones to use occasionally outdoors with Fiio E17, but now I'm tempted to try T1. 

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takeanidea said:

Wallets to the left, common sense to the right, financial ruin in the middle- welcome to headfi

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I've been listening to music with headphones for quite along time, but I started getting really keen in 1997. However at that time I never thought I'd spend anywhere near the amount I have.
What I've found is, although the SQ is better from the more expensive gear I have, it's not as much as some might think. The best sounding combo I have is the 009 / BHSE, but the SQ I'm getting from my HD-600 / GS-Xmk2 is still very very good.