I'm also in this boat. I want a desktop player that holds my files and sends a digital out to a DAC/PRE. Don't want to stream to my phone or other rooms. Needs to be able to hold 20,000 files. I'm starting to think a Rasberry Pi might be the only solution.

I got the HD800s. They're great.

Thanks guys, this is good stuff. Brands like Focal and ZMF I hadn't heard of.

Got tax return coming in and I might splurge on some high end phones. Won't buy unheard but I haven't paid attention to what's come out in the last 5 years. All I know is the HD800s were considered good. Any other good ones I should consider? Don't worry about amplification I'll look into that...

Aren't the mdr 1a phones 48 ohm? If so then 50 ohm would be no problem. 250ohm dt990s however are too quiet.     EDIT: MDR 1As are 24 ohm. So I don't know.   EDIT 2: just tried with my 62 ohm K702s and at full volume (30) it was 'loud enough' but you'd probably want some more headroom...

https://www.sony.com.au/support/compatibility/607919/product/nw-zx100   Doesn't look like it's on the list

Whoops! Picked up the MDR-100s for AUD $204 with a Valentine's Day discount. It's been an expensive day.

Bought one straight off Sony Australian website with the Chinese New Year discount for AUD $728. Will probably pick up some MDR -100APs next payday.

I've only half read this thread so apologies if these questions have already been answered: 1) What is the largest size of microSD card that the ZX100 can take? Has anyone got a 200GB card to work? 2) I currently use an iPhone 6 for my portable tunes with a UM3X. How does this improve on that?

If you want earphones that don't leak then these aren't the earphones for you. Otherwise they're great especially when plugged into an iPhone/iPod.

Just had a listen to these in SofMap Akiba and I was really surprised. These are really really nice. Will probably pick me up a pair next week.

I have to say I'm really really impressed with these new earpods. They're better than a lot of stuff I have. Won't replace the UM3Xs but they're putting some other big brands to shame.

I wonder if the OP would consider The Cult's Electric or the Chili Peppers BSSM to be bad sounding. Truly some of Rick Rubin's greatest work.

Quote: The 1 biggest truth in 'audio'.

There is no doubt that "synergy" is a real occurrence. Go into any recording studio and you will find active monitors. These are monitors with the amplifiers built-in, the theory being that you can design an amplifier to perfectly match your drivers. That is what "synergy" is. Your given...