Quote: I wound up getting Hifiman HE-400. 

Quote: I actually have been very busy and haven't gotten around to building it yet. I do however have a friend who just built it and he loves it. 

Thanks for the advice. I will take my time

I just got my kit and I hope to start next week if I don't have too much homework. I'll probably be asking a few questions if anyone is familiar enough with the project to give me some tips. Does anyone know about how long it will take to complete, keep in mind I am completely new to the subject...

Were you using hifiman's velour pads, I have heard that those make them much more comfortable then with the leather pads

Can anyone compare the HE-400 with the DT-990 250 ohms?

Ok I will have a look at those. If anyone has any other suggestions for DAC and headphones that I have not listed above I would love to hear it. Also if anyone has anything to say about Project Sunrise information on it would be greatly appreciated.

Great thanks, I would rather use the line out I think and not buy a dedicated DAC yet. Unless there is a DAC under $100 that is really great for the price and a decent entry level DAC

DO you think it would be worth it to get a stand alone DAC like the bifrost?

I plan on using the project sunrise with my laptop, yes. Can I use the E7 strictly as a DAC and run it through the Project Sunrise? So the HE-400 would be better to get than the beyers?  

Could you compare them to the HE-400, I've heard they are similar. Would I have to install the sound card into my laptop? Could I use my E7 and a DAC. Sorry to bombard you with questions.

Quote: I will do so once it arrives and I finish building it.  Yes, I will be plugging it into my PC I currently don't have a DAC although I do have a Fiio E7 if that counts It will be almost entirely for music as I have other headphones that may be better suited for movies and gaming...

Quote: I listen to the same music genres as you and I think it all sounds great on my HM5's which I drive with a  Fiio E7. The bass is very tight and the highs and mids sound nice and accurate. Although I haven't heard either of the other headphones when I was looking for a pair I was...

Quote: Sorry I couldn't tell you about the Yulong but if you do want to get a new amp I could give you some suggestions. Do you prefer solid state of tube?

I just ordered a Project Sunrise Kit but I don't yet have good headphones for them (I just have the Brainwavz HM5 for traveling) does anyone have any advice for a pair of cans that go well with Project Sunrise. I have been between Hifiman HE-4/HE-400 and Sennheiser HD600/650 and Beyerdynamic DT...

Quote: I haven't heard the KRK so I can't compare them but I do have a pair of HM5 that I really like. They sound very good for their price and they are really comfortable. They are neutral phones so you will have nothing recessed, good for someone who listens to a variety of genres. They...

I bought a pair of HM5 about a month ago to see what they would be like. I think they sound really good for their price range (I have been using them with a Fiio E7) The bass is clear and thumpy but not overpowering and the highs and mids sound pretty good. They are very neutral phones so they...

Quote:   "V" shaped just means that the mids are slightly recessed and the bass and highs are given emphasis. It's not necessarily positive or negative it's more based on preference and what music you listen to. If you listen to music that is based more in mids it might be negative but if...

Quote: I would highly recommend a clone of the Fischer Audio FA-003 (rebranded as Brainwavz HM5). I recently bought a pair when I was in a similar situation as you. They sound really great for the price, they look good and they are built like tanks. 

Quote: Sorry I meant the HE-400, $50 cheaper than the HE-4 and much easier to drive. 

Ok thanks, I will check my dads soldering iron to see if it will work. If it doesn't ill look into those forums. 

I would recommend doing some research on the beyer 880 and the hifiman HE4 I havent heard the beyers but ive read that they are similar to the HE4 but slightly worse in every way.

I hope to do more building after this. I think I'll make the investment but my dad might have one that I can use so I'll have to make sure of that first

They have the same design but the 650 has better build quality. I personally haven't heard either of them but I believe that the 650 is a little more neutral than the 600. Both are really great. I would advice the beyers or hifiman over those though. 

I would definitely advice open backed phones, they have a much wider soundstage and can sound much better. If you must have closed I will give you a couple to look at.  Open Back: Sennheiser HD650/600 Hifiman HE-400 Beyerdynamic DT 990/880   Closed Back: Fischer Audio FA 003 (or a...