I use an Astell & Kern SP2000T DAP with mine that are similarly tuned. Sounds amazing and so many possibilities. You can prob find one used for around $1K.

The reviews here on the board say it all. Amazing IEM’s. They are in excellent condition as can be seen in the photos. Shipping included in lower 48 with PayPal F&F.

I ended up just getting a second pair of XTC2’s just tuned differently. 🤷‍♂️🤣 John’s suggestion when I asked him about the Susvara.

Can’t say enough good things about the Core Power products. I have the Equi Core 1000 and Deep Core 1800 in my two main systems and the transformation was nothing short of stunning. The attack and decay are just amazing. My Marten speakers are on fire. 😁 Message me if interested for wholesale...

Very similar to my journey into the HP world. The HP1’s were my first serious HP’s and convinced me of the potential HP’s have. Before that I was agnostic at best. The XTC’s - open and closed - have a much more organic sound though and are my end game HP’s.

Per John some pink noise at moderate volume speeds the process up.

Beautiful! They do need a little breaking in so don’t judge too quickly.

There are 105mm that John sent me by mistake. I am keeping them for my 2.5’s. At least I think it’s the equivalent.

Nothing wrong with the XTC to wet the appetite. Feel free to reach out with questions.

Recently back from tuning and MK2 upgrade by John Massaria the headphone guru. I just need to thin the herd a little as I have recently acquired a taste for IEM’s. These are probably the most fun HP’s I have had. With an amp/DAC combo with a neutral disposition you will be richly rewarded. I am...

Tuned the same the sound profile should not differ much. It is mainly the size of the soundscape that differs. XTC a little more intimate while with the XTC2 you will be surrounded by it all. The possibilities are only limited by the capabilities of your DAC/amp combo. On the tuning it is...

Look great - welcome!

Got them on. Same effect but whereas the first pair is tuned Wolf Hawk these have defined bass with enhanced detail so the bass is cranked up a little compared to the first pair. On the Wolf Hawk tuning the additional clarity and detail was immediately noticeable. With this pair it is the deeper...

Awesome to hear! I am getting a pair for my second XTC2’s today. Very exciting!

I want an upgrade! 😁

Also check out the Matrix Audio Mini i4 Pro. Also an exemplary implementation of the ESS DAC. You get a very capable streamer as well. The HPA is on par with the Benchmark HPA2 with a much better DAC implementation in my opinion.

Check out Burson’s demo sales.

It’s probably the best implementation of the ESS DAC I have heard by the way.

If you shop around you can probably get a used Burson Conductor Reference or maybe GT for around that. With the XTC2 it’s a perfect pairing in my opinion.

I have both. I am always drawn to the open back unless I need the isolation for late night or early morning listening where the open back may annoy someone. I would describe the 2.5 as a little more intimate with incredible detail. For a closed back a very large soundscape, but not quite the...

The carbon version works great if you have a big head. If in doubt get the metal version as you obviously can’t adjust the tension on the carbon version. For me the carbon version was the ultimate solution for this pair. Very happy with my other two pair just putting the new leather strap on.

Turbulent Lab. Keep in mind not a perfect fit so a little mod required cutting to size. It also depends a little on the version of the headband you have from John. In retrospect may have been easier to just get the Audeze headband. The leather strap it comes with is nice and soft. I got the...