After owning the Beyerdynamic T90 for more than a year, I'm finally ready to post a review. Since I purchased these wonderful headphones, I've had the chance to test out many fantastic offerings from more brands than I can remember, but I keep coming back to the T90. It's the mainstay of my collection. The T90 has outlasted headphones from Fostex, Hifiman, and AKG. Even when compared to cans that cost a great deal more, the T90 offers a unique and addictive sound that can't be found elsewhere - certainly not at its price.
 

 
In terms of sound, these remind me of the new Grado "e" series headphones in that they're a tad on the bright side, but have a very natural presentation. The treble is certainly lively and exciting, but not shrill or etched. In fact, this is one of the most natural sounding headphones I've ever heard, and not just in the higher registers. There is very little coloration, allowing each instrument to stand apart. The result is a dynamic, engaging sound signature that works well across genres.
 
The T90 also excels when it comes to bass texture. Bass takes on a life of its own with these headphones. I've never heard so much detail, nuance, and complexity in bass notes as I have with the T90. That being said, this is not a bass-lover's headphone. Especially when used with cheaper gear, bass impact is middling at best. However, if you crave more flavor at the lower end, as opposed to more bass quantity, you won't be disappointed.
 
Another reason I reach for the T90 more frequently than any other headphone in my roster is the unparalleled level of comfort it offers. It's light, clamps just the right amount, and doesn't move around once you've put it on. The T90 is an exceedingly well-designed headphone with the exception of the cable, which is not user-replaceable and a too long for my tastes.
 
If you love hearing the details and dynamic changes in your music the Beyerdynamic T90 is a must-hear, especially at its price.

A year ago I was completely new the world of hi-fi. I was one of those newbies asking "do I really need a headphone amp to power my new headphones?" The resounding response from the head-fi community was "yes, of course you do!" So I decided to spend as little money as possible for an amp that would sufficiently power my Hifiman HE-400 headphones. My research led me to a few options, including some offerings from Fiio, but the Magni seemed to be the best bang-for-the-buck. On top of that, the Magni looked much sleeker than anything Fiio was selling at the time. So I plunked down the cash and waited for my little Magni to arrive, not entirely sure how it would affect my listening experience, or if it would make any difference at all.
 
Out of the box, I was impressed with the look and build quality of the Magni. It's got a nice, metal, two-tone finish on it that will fit in nicely wherever you decide to put it. The volume pot has a good amount of resistance to it. Unlike the other offerings from Schiit, it doesn't get super hot - just slightly warm to the touch. 
 
Most importantly, however, I heard the immense difference it made to the HE-400. The HE-400 sounded more immediate, more detailed, and absolutely crystal clear coming out of the Magni. To my untrained ears, it sounded like I had purchased a brand new set of headphones. I remember focusing in on each instrument as I listened, able to pick up fine details I've never heard before. The Magni has had a similar effect on every headphone I've tested it with since, from the Sennheiser HD 600s to the Beyerdynamic t90. The Audio Technica ATH-M50 also pairs well with the Magni, adding a level of detail and instrument separation I didn't think that headphone was capable of. 
 
After a year of listening, my stance on the Magni hasn't changed a bit. It's a wonderful little amp that offers new headphone enthusiasts a glimpse as to why having a good amp is so important. There are a few issues that all buyers should know about, but none of them should sway you from giving the Magni a try. At very low volumes there can be some channel imbalance. This wouldn't be a problem except for the fact that the Magni is extremely powerful, which limits your use of the volume pot with more efficient headphones. Even with my 250 ohm T90s, I usually have the Magni volume pot sitting at 10 o'clock. Anything more is just too loud. Therefore, without a gain switch, listening at very low volumes can be an issue. However, at normal listening levels, there's no problem whatsoever.
 
So if you're a newbie and you're wondering how a good amp will transform your new headphones, go ahead a buy yourself a Magni. Or if you're a veteran and you want an insane amount of juice for the money, the Magni will serve you well. 
 
Not only do I think the Magni looks, sounds, and performs great - I think it's an important little piece of equipment. It's a great way for new listeners to learn about the importance of amps at a price that is unbeatable. It doesn't hurt that it's made in the US and that Schiit has fast and responsive customer service.
 
I'm so happy with my Magni that I just upgraded to the Asgard 2 (mainly for the gain switch and the pre-amp outs). I'm hoping it will impress me as much as the Magni has.