I really need portability. I am on a lot of overseas flights. So solid background noise reduction is a must.   So, assuming cost isn't the factor, and taking into account the key points of: comfort (long term over many hours) background noise reduction sound quality   Would I be...

I'll start with the Senn PXC-450. Also, please feel free to comment on the phones listed.

I'm looking for good quality folding headphones and I would like to be able to focus my search. Could people post here what is available in folding headphones that qualify as audiophile? Ignore price, just post up what is available or what you recommend.   Thanks.

Added $300 to $800 price range.   Considered the Senn HD25-1 but saw some people complaining about extreme tightness and discomfort...

I've been back and forth to a couple hundred threads and various phones on various sites and I can't quite lock this down.   I am looking for a good set of closed phones for a lot of travel in the next six months.   Phones will plug directly into a Cowon V5. I'm not going separate amp or...

got it...   http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/473322/review-mini-review-more-to-come-centrance-dacport-24-96-usb-dac-amp

I saw posted here a USB amp/dac combo that was generally well received. It was approximately tube shaped and approximately $400 to $500 I think.   Ring any bells for anyone?

Someone should combine this: Bel Canto DAC3 (1) Bel Canto DAC3 (2) with LNS1, VBS pending Into this: Bel Canto DAC3 (3) On the next post. Breaking up the same model DAC by options or especially by "pending" status for an option doesn't need to be done. Just list the base model.

Sorry if this was posted before and I missed it. Found a nice software crossfeed with EQ, all specifically head-phone oriented. blogohl: Head-fit You can use in foobar if you install this: foobar2000 3rd party components Play around with it, it seems really nice. more info...

Quote: Originally Posted by dura What a friendly formulated conclusion. No, that is not the way I perceive it. The Stagedac's representation of voices and instruments is unnatural to my ears, while the Havana does very well in representing the characteristic sounds of different...

Quote: Originally Posted by dura The Havana soundstage is IMO different then that of more analytical DAC's. Recently I tried the Meier Stagedac and it had incredible depth, and every instrument had it's place from left to right. (wasn't to my taste though, not warm and no realistic...

A couple of the "reviews" I've been reading on other forums after googling this DAC sound suspiciously like product placements.

Quote: Originally Posted by everettjsj2 so in your opinion, the dacmagic outperforms the V-DAC? Are you after performance or how it looks? Topic doesn't seem to have anything at all to do with performance...

Quote: Originally Posted by shuttleboi Ok, let me change my question a bit. As I mentioned, I have a 10-year-old DVD player that works fine, but I want to upgrade. I have $1500 to spend. I have Denon D5000 headphones, and I listen to a lot of Radiohead and ambient lo-fi. Should...

Quote: Originally Posted by Brando Ok thanks I just wasn't sure because i thought they put out more power or something which might be more than the inputs on my amp are supposed to take. So the DA10 will work well as a full time sound card as well? This is a big concern for me. I need...

Quote: Originally Posted by Sieg9198 well the lavry is still pretty new and I'm sure things will change after 200 hours or so. Right now the DA11 is a step or two above the pico in terms of details, soundstage and clarity. But I'll have to agree with others about the part which it lacks...

Quote: Originally Posted by blubliss $3000 Much of the mark-up taking it to 3k is tied up in that touch screen and the programming for it. Touchscreens like that are semi-notorius for short lifespans.

Quote: Originally Posted by brendon Believe it or not but I have experienced solid state burn-in ! I have a Meier Corda Porta III and paired it with a Head-direct RE1. The combination sounded good, nice bass, smooth mids and a really wide soundstage. All well and good except that...

Quote: Originally Posted by leeperry ...and injected jitter into digital files is different from genuine clock jitter IMO. Physically, what is the difference in the final signal?

Quote: Originally Posted by Lantis The only reason I would buy the DA11 is because of the remote capability and USB Why the roll-eyes? The PIC and incremental improvements in the DAC would alone justify the DA11 for a lot of people here.

Quote: Originally Posted by axw I remember reading reports of satisfied people using DA10 XLR outputs to drive their high impredance cans. XLR has more power and there are solutions (balanced cabling) to connect headphones. Anyhow, I happen to own Ultrasone 2200 HFI (75 ohm) and...

With everything I have read it sounds like if you want a no-nonsense coloration free headphone amp, the Lavry delivers very well. I am getting a DA11 next week. I had been planning on a stagedac with my Woo but then travel plans made me want to lighten everything up.

Anyone comment on the differences between the Meier StageDAC and the Lavry DA11? The Lavry PIC operates in the digital domain while the Meier crossfeed operates on the analog signal, yes? Any subjective comparisons? Overall comparisons between the two DACs?

Quote: Originally Posted by Shark_Jump Detailed but rich & smooth. Not sure what "rich and smooth" even means, specially for a DAC, but I would spend the extra coin and go the Lavry DA11. Has very good USB, you can go balanced or not, sound quality is outstanding, it's small and...

lol, no. The crap people try to sell these days.