Wanted to bump this thread up and post some quick impressions of the ZxR I received last week.   To keep it simple:  sounds gooooood.   I was replacing a FiiO E10, which served its purpose for nearly a year and which itself replaced a Xonar STX.  I use Denon D5000s, my personal favorite...

Quote:  This is the same for me.  I had an STX with my D2Ks but so many people were saying that because of the impedance mismatch it was a bad pairing.  So I went ahead, sold the STX and got a Fiio E10, and was promptly let down--the STX sounded much better with the headphones.

Nice review.  I'd love to get a pair of 550s someday.   Regarding the D2000, I've personally found the 2012 revision to be a substantial improvement over the older ones.  The build is much sturdier, and the earpads are firmer, keeping the phones further from your ears, and are a great foil...

Quote:   Mine are so good at blocking sound from leaking that I'm consistently surprised by how many people say that.  I guess they are just an excellent match for my head.  I used to have Senn HD555s (modded to 595s) and even at a low volume my wife was always kicking my chair, nagging...

I have the Denon D2000s and I have to recommend them above all others.   I have an STX driving them as well, which is actually an amp, too, and they sound phenomenal.  Especially with your music tastes, which align well with mine, they should shine.   A lot of people say that the D2000s...

The HD580 and HD600 are very nice; alas I think closed-back is one of the most important factors in this decision.   I purchased the Denon D2000s a few weeks ago and am a very, very happer camper.  You're definitely not making a mistake.   Though they may leak in a little sound, when...

I want to thank everybody again for their excellent and very helpful advice!  I ended my search (quite successfully) and to provide a bit of closure and perhaps help for others in need I thought I would detail my conclusion here.   Well, I searched like crazy and read all around and gathered...

  Quote:   Interesting--referring to the DT770 Pros, right?  How about the E/600 I wonder?   I can probably adjust to bright treble and would much rather EQ cans down than up.    

Cool, thanks for the heads up.  I've come across their website before, found I even had it bookmarked, but haven't tried calling.  Maybe after Golden Week

@Dillont3: sounds encouraging, I think those will be on my short list. @Darkblade48: You're right, at pure retail the Denons could be as low as about 21000 (based off a kakaku.com search), I was estimating based off Yahoo Auctions prices and the general difference in used prices there. New the...

  Quote:   Thank you!  I'm starting to think the Shures might be a good deal, especially since they can be found here for low prices.  Sounds like you went through pretty much everything I am going through now.  I wonder if they get hot after a while since they have that sort of...

  Quote:   No actually, can't say I've heard of them much at all; maybe I've just been focused on certain other brands and have been subconsciously ignoring information about them.  Will check them out although I'm not sure yet about their availability in Japan.  Any particular model?

Thanks guys--I think I'd consider the Shure SHR840 over the 940.  They seem to have a decent amount of followers here.  Are they more comfortable than the 940?  From pictures the bands look identical.   I also would love to try the Denon D2000s.  Strangely, here in Japan they are about twice...

I'm a long, long-time lurker here and finally signed up.  Such a great source of information and frankly, it's more than a bit overwhelming!   I have a pair of modded Sennheiser 555s and quite enjoy them, but I am now looking for something that perhaps suits me a little better.  The 555s (or...