Definitely check out the Philips Fidelio X2's, I got them and I just love them. Every bit as good as both professional reviews and reviews on Amazon led me to believe. I really went in with high expectations as an owner of HD 598's and Beyerdynamic DT-250's, which some call 'closed HD 600's'...

  Yeah, I decided on the Modi on sale for now, but for my endgame amp/DAC I decided to get the Modi 2 Uber eventually after hearing it has a more sophisticated analog stage, considering the Magni 2 Uber has a more sophisticated gain stage. But in the meantime I decided to keep using the Modi, I...

  I can't really say from experience, but a possible solution for IEM's might be lower windows volume as much as you need to, to get around channel imbalance at low volumes.   I'm not really sure how well that would actually work for getting around the imbalance(might introduce noise?), but...

  I see what you're saying, maybe what I had in mind just doesn't work quite like I thought for headphones.    I suppose an on/off switch system, like the bass boost on the FiiO E10, but for bass/mids/treble would be more like what I had in mind, but then not as a stand-alone component, but...

The SR225e's are definitely the best Grado's $200 or less currently.   You might want to get some G-type cushions with them for comfort, check out the Ear Zonk cushions.   For another idea HD 598's are $150 right now which is an excellent deal, not the greatest for metal(not always rock...

Hello OP and everyone, I'm new hear as well.   I've been more or less lurking for years though, then finally decided to sign up after trying to mark a review as helpful.   I finally got my first serious DAC/amp stack recently, the Modi(first one) and Magni 2 Uber. Will be ordering Fidelio...

  I think I've found my dream speakers.   One of these days...

Just thought of another thing, how about a Modi sized equalizer that uses knobs? I'm thinking sliders wouldn't work so well, but a 10-band EQ would be great if so, otherwise with small enough knobs 7-band should work. Hardware EQ is the way to go IMO.

  Ah, I always thought it meant it's like the speakers or headphones are transparent, as if they aren't there, but that makes more sense.   EDIT: Reading on, I guess we're both right, it can mean either depending on context.

  Since I decided to save $70(and partly because neither Modi 2 was on Amazon, let alone Prime) by going with a Modi with a Magni 2 Uber, I've been wondering if there is a difference with the Modi 2 Uber's more sophisticated analog stage. I was also under the impression they were the same...

It's probably been mentioned already, but I'd like to see a Vali 2 Uber, an inexpensive tube hybrid would be awesome to use as a preamp to powered speakers. All the same improvements as the Magni 2 Uber, lower noise floor, more sophisticated gain stage, ect.

I just thought I'd add in case OP didn't know(didn't notice if it's been pointed out), the Magni 2 Uber has outputs for powered speakers or to a receiver, so it can be used as an active preamp, besides having a more sophisticated gain stage and Modi 2 having a more sophisticated analog stage(not...

  I have the Modi, Modi 2 Uber, and HD 598's. It all works great with the 598's considering they don't really need amplification, not sure how much better the Magni 2 Uber is though with the more sophisticated gain stage.   IMO, OP should definitely consider putting more money towards...

  I can't say how it is with D5k's, but so far it doesn't seem cold and analytical to me, but probably wouldn't add much warmth either.   I want to say it does add warmth, but I'm using HD 598's which are on the warm side so it's hard to tell. All I can really say, is it doesn't seem to take...