If you're into folk, I think the binaural recording is fairly good on The New Appalachians album From the Mountaintop.   But you're right, my problem with Binaural recording is the musician always sounds like they're behind me, to the side and above my head.  I've never gotten a good answer...

I just stumbled upon this thread and am wondering if anyone ever came up with a good answer?   The OP isn't crazy... I experience this phenomenon very intensely and it has nothing to do with quality of the hardware.  I find the effect is most significant with Binaural recordings.  I literally...

While I don't think vinyl is inherently better than digital recording and CD's (technically it's worse), the reality is that most modern albums are released with a terrible dynamic range on CD, but a mastered with a much more acceptable dynamic range on vinyl. For example, Adele's 25 has an...

I just found DavidMhaler's flagship review from 2012 which supports my HD600 idea. Only thing that tempts me is the HiFiMan HE-500... But that's almost double the price of the senns.

  Was deciding between the Schitt Modi 2/Magni 2 (total $200) or the Asgard 2/Bifrost (total $600).  I'm willing to pay more if there will be a tangible improvement for these headphones relative to the $200 solution.

  I don't have any specific complaints, but all I'm comparing them to are my $60 ear buds. So not really sure what I want other than (A) I don't want them to be fatiguing (physically or audibly) if I listen for 2-3 hours or more at a time, and (B) I want as "realistic" a sound as possible (like...

I recently bought my first pair of high-quality headphones, the Beyer DT-770 Pro (80 ohm version).  I choose this pair because I needed a closed-back, around-ear design that would work with my Fiio X5 but also with an iPhone. I listen to them at work and while traveling (trains, airports...

In this particular instance I would be playing 44.1/16, or mp3's at 320kbps (spotify premium). No high res files on my office computer. So either the Schiit stack or JDS labs O2/ODAC should work?

Just to clarify, drivers that install automatically through Windows are fine (like a USB flash drive or iPhone).   But anyone who has a Fiio player will know what I mean about installing the special driver to use it as an external DAC - that is what I cannot do.   I just don't know how...

Currently my only DAC/AMP is a Fiio X5. It works great on the go and as an external DAC/AMP for my PC at home. I have Beyer DT770 80-ohm.   Problem is at work...   I sometimes like to play Spotify Premium while I work during the day. There is no wifi in my office and I don't want to use cell...

No thoughts?

I have a Fiio X5 with Beyer DT770 (80 ohm). Two Questions:   (1) FOR PORTABLE: Is adding an E12 amp total overkill for 80 ohm cans? Or how noticeable will the benefits be?   (2) FOR DESKTOP: If I'm currently using the X5 as an external DAC for my desktop, how would the O2/ODAC combo from...

  I'm interested in this as well - except I play mostly from a Fiio X5.  Are these still upgrades to the Amp/DAC in the X5? What about compared to Fiio E12?

I'm deciding if I want to add an external DAC or AMP to my X5 with Beyer DT770 80 ohm (and CD quality flac files).   I just switched from using iPhone + $75 sony ear buds with iTunes downloads, so I've obviously seen a huge improvement from that. But I assume at some point there are...

  DT150 looks ridiculous.   Would 80 ohm headphones strictly limit me to the Fiio X5, or would they also work for occasional iPhone or laptop use?  Similarly, would the 32 ohm version be OK with the X5?  Basically asking which is more flexible.   I've seen the 770's described as both...

Also, I currently use Bose AE2.  While overpriced, they are quite comfortable. Would love my next pair to be just as comfy.

I recently re-discovered the world of higher quality sound and have been on a tear upgrading my equipment. Recently bought a Onkyo receiver from a friend who wasn't using it, and promptly upgraded the HTiB speakers to NHT Classic Three's.    Now time to pick headphones... I've been reading...