Was considering the Topping D10 ($65) to go with the 789 ($400), which gets pricey and the future upgrade will be looming over my head. Or just spend $380 on the LCD+SDAC and hopefully be "set" for a while. Would hate to tough it out with a cheap DAC just to get a (marginally?) better amp. Maybe...

Yeah after getting the Elegias I realized that I'm not getting a true listen to either of them, so evaluating my options for a decent setup. Have a post here if you can help—really confused/not sure what to do!

Update: Someone on another forum said this: Spend <$100 on a basic DAC to start. Absolutely do not go overboard when you start. Run it into one of the many amps in the $100 to $500 bracket. For all-around use, you probably won’t go wrong with a recent solid state amp. Many post-2018 products...

I'm considering the Massdrop Liquid Carbon X + SDAC DAC/Amp right now after getting both the Aeon Flow Closed (AFC) and Focal Elegia to compare side-by-side. The LCX+SDAC seems to get good reviews and this about tops my budget. Should I go ahead an blindly get them? I don't really want to mess...

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, if I'm only getting 80% of what they're capable of, they're still not good enough to keep for my ears. What I'm experiencing is what a lot of critics (and you, PointyFox and Raketen) say about why they don't like them, so I'm thinking it's not just my lack of...

I just got Aeon Flows (closed) today and have Elegias coming in tomorrow. Really looking to get a good closed headphone for regular use at home, so I ordered them both to compare and decide which ones to keep. I don't have a DAC/amp and am hoping to wait to make that purchase. Anyway, the AFCs...

Thanks for the help! Checking them out.

Another bump—or maybe I’ll have to rewrite to make shorter and try again. Would appreciate any help!

Bump.

I'm by no means an audiophile and could use some help with an upcoming big purchase. Looking for some closed headphones in the $600-$800 range. Have some questions around the headphones I'd like to try and my lack of a source. I've shortlisted the Focal Elegia and the AEON Flow. They seem to...

Thanks a lot for the help! Ordering now!

Thanks a lot for the help. That makes a lot of sense.   Are they all pretty much the same; e.g., should I head to Radio Shack and pick one up? Or, should I get a brand name like the FiiO L2 3.5/3.5...

Hello,   I have the Ray Samuels Emmaline "The Hornet" portable amp that I haven't used in years, and want to pair it with my iPod Touch 5G for my Shure 215 monitors.   Just called the number for Ray Samuels and he told me that it isn't compatible, due to the analog/digital changes that have...

Which one would be better for comfort, sound leaking and blocking out external sound in an office environment, and overall sound? I really want something that will put me in my own world for the office, and prefer not to use an amp with my iPod Touch.   Ordering off Amazon, HM5 ($130) or DT...

Have the Brainwavz HM5 Studio Monitor Headphones on my list and leaning towards closed headphones. Would love to hear opinions.

Bump.

I'm hardly an audiophile but need some help finding a good pair of headphones—either IEM or full-sized headphones for under $200.   Basically, I want something comfortable for the office (copywriter) that blocks out external noise. Here's my experience:    - Own Ultimate Ears Pro 10 (Custom)...

I need a good inexpensive amp form my Sennheiser HD650 headphones, preferably under $300 (I'm a poor grad. student). Please include sites to buy from, sometimes these high audio companies don't sell online. Also, does it really make that much of a difference; I'm listening from a good Sony...