[Quarzer]

Hi there,

It was May 2022 and I had some money and still I'm a big music lover. All my music is original stored as CD in my shelters and because of Covid I was able to be at home doing remote office and could hear my music all the time. That was a pleasure. My gear at that time was an Avinity AHP-967. It is a mix of Beyerdynamics DT880 and DT990 with some parts of the T5.

It was driven by a FIIO E10K Olympus. It was fine. Had the headphones since 2016 and was happy with them. But I know that there some things that are way better, but was scared putting such an amount of money on my head.

But as mentioned it was May 2022 and I want to know what I miss hearing my music. I surfed the web and the Hifiman Edition XS was new in the game. Read some reviews and watched many videos on Youtube. During my research the XS were on discount on Amazon here in Germany for 480€ and I pulled the trigger.

After receiving them and hearing the first sounds I was stunned. What a incredible difference to the Avinity. Like putting out cotton out of my ears. And for sure, the Avinitys are not the bad, they are still a kind of DT880s. But man, that was my first touch on such great Hifi products.

At this time I want to change my microphone setup as well. Used a Blue Yeti, but was not happy with it. Because I just need it for online conferences it was not needed to buy at the same price point than the headphones and bought a Audio Technica AT2035 powered by Rode AI-1. And because the Rode has enough power to drive the Hifiman I was happy with that setup.

But I was not able to use the XS longer than 1 or 2h without a break. The headband was to painful for my egg-shaped skull. So what to do: right, selling the XS and buying an Ananda on the used market for 500€ only 2 months old. But for sure for such a beauty a nice headphone stand is needed as well. So I ordered a Room's stand for sure.

The headband is so much more comfortable compared to the XS. And I could use them over hours and hours. But you know what than happend? The Rode AI-1 was not the right partner for the Ananda and there were a special offer from Monoprice: Monolith THX AAA Balanced Headphone Amplifier | THX AAA 887
It was only 220€. So what should I do? But because it is only an Amp I still need a DAC. I don't want to putt much more money on the table and was able to buy a used Topping D10B. But still not enough because it's balanced and a cable is needed. I ordered a XLR-Cable from Aliexpress.

I thought I reached the endgame for me, but sure I was wrong. The clamping force of the Ananda was a bit to tight for my taste. Dekoni just announced some pads for it, right? Need to order the fenestrated sheepskin ones.

Great addition to an excellent headphone. But is that really my endgame? Yes, for 2 months.... Than I got an offer for the Arya V2 and I started to research the Arya over the web and I was so hard addicted to it. But the V2 was not my wannabe, it was the V3 that I preferred. After some negotiations with a German distributor I was able to order the Arya V3 brandnew for 1235€. So I did.

The Arya is badass good looking headphone. My god, I'm still in love. The Ananda was great, but having the Arya in hand first time was a big different in quality. The opportunity of swiffel is such a upgrade, but the sound as well is kicking my ass. Wow, the highs are such smooth compared to the Ananda and the bass kicks so nicely. I can't describe it as good as other audiophiles, but for now I'm pretty sure I reached my endgame (maybe).
The Dekoni pads are still needed on the Aryas because the clamping force is to high for my big skull.

This is my final setup (round about 2000€, Arya: 1230€, Dekoni Pads: 100€, Balances cable: 50€, Monlith 887: 220€, Topping D10B: 100€, Rode AI-1: 85€, Audio Technica AT2035: 110€, Rooms Stand: 125€)

I'm so happy that I reached my endgame for keyboards 5 years ago

Hopefully I could inspire you a bit and please forgive my English, still a German native

Regards,
Q

Edit:

Bye Hifiman
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-nightmare-of-trading-in.966165/

 

[msing539]

Your English is great... Your writeup is great, too.

Glad you found a pair of headphones you love--enjoy them!

 

[Terriero]

Waiting for your Susvaras in 2024...

 

[msing539]

Register your warranty on the Arya. If you ever sell and ship it, be sure to fully insure--I've seen more than one Hifiman get damaged in transit.

 

[Quarzer]

@Terriero: I hope not, but you'll never know its than not only the Susvara. I would need a better amp and DAC as well.

@msing539: Can I handover the warranty to the new owner after registration?

 

[msing539]

@Terriero: I hope not, but you'll never know its than not only the Susvara. I would need a better amp and DAC as well.

@msing539: Can I handover the warranty to the new owner after registration?

On Hifiman, the warranty is for the original owner only, and only purchased directly from Hifiman or an authorized dealer.

"HIFIMAN warrants to the original purchaser that the product purchased will be free of defects related to manufacturing, parts, materials, and workmanship under normal and accepted use."

 

[linknet]

Wow, the highs are such smooth compared to the Ananda and the bass kicks so nicely.

Hi,
Was surprised to read this as i thought, looking at the FR, that the Arya was brighter and peakier (4k-5k, 11k). So can u say a little more about this ?
Thanks

 

[Quarzer]

@linknet:

I hope I can describe this as good as posdible. I do not EQ my headphones and I was not able to hear loud longer with the Ananda. The higher frequences were thrilling my ears. It was a harsh sound.
With the Aryas I can push the volume until my ears are bleading, but still no harshness in the sound at all. It is more a sound like silk.

@msing539: thanks

 

[linknet]

@linknet:

I hope I can describe this as good as posdible. I do not EQ my headphones and I was not able to hear loud longer with the Ananda. The higher frequences were thrilling my ears. It was a harsh sound.
With the Aryas I can push the volume until my ears are bleading, but still no harshness in the sound at all. It is more a sound like silk.

@msing539: thanks

Be careful with your ears i've "killed" mine...

 

[Death_Block]

No need for inspiration around here

 

[Quarzer]

@linknet: It was only mentioned to visualize my mind about the sound. I'm a bit of a quite listener, but sometimes I like it loud and there was no satisfaction with the Ananda, but with the Arya

@Death_Block: What?

 

[DenverW]

I remember listening to an ath-m50 through my denon surround sound headphone jack and thinking...this is expensive, but I wonder if I could find something better? That HD600 is so pricey...Oh, dear...gear list is in my signature.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Research shows that most people cool off to new things in 3 months. This is when the majority of newly signed ups quit gym.
Don't go broke before that.

 

[Reputator]

Yes, it's a rabbit hole, alright! Great choice though!

The only problem is... now you own a headphone that is highend and transparent enough to reveal even the subtlest upgrades to your chain... And it has a LOT of room to grow in that setup.

 

[msing539]

I remember all the times I found my endgame.