[bigwilly1]

Hi Guys,
 
Not a big poster but a massive reader!!!
 
I'm looking to upgrade my current set-up but not sure what. My Budget is £1500 / $2300 USD or so. And im only looking at the Used/Ex-Demo markets in the most - learnt that lesson the expensive way.
 
Currently running iPod Classic, 64gb iPod Touch, Macbook Pro Retina as my sources. the iPods go through a Fostex HP-P1 and then power SE846's or some lower quality N.C. Jobies. Got a fancy purple patch lead (iPA-1? Maybe) for the iPod Classic to Fostex but apart from that all interconnects are standard.
 
My music is varied with Skrillex next to Tracy Chapman and Jack Johnson next to Genesis in my 'Top 25 Most Played' Playlist. Most of it 320kbps or above with alot of Apple Lossless on the iPods and FLAC on the Macbook.
 
What am i looking for? Not sure. The current rig is good but still lacking clarity and warmth IMO, That might be user error and i'm trying apps/setting etc all the time to correct that. I work aboard a ship which i imagine has noisy AC circuits but it also has limited space and no desk etc so ideally portable but im never planning on using it as I walk anywhere. But in consice bullet points...I'm looking for suggestions on....
 
 
A DAC/Amp that will work well with my Mac Book that is also something i can play abit with (Chord Hugo?)
or
Something with Tubes so i can play around changing those to find a nice Synergy or goods. (???)
or
Overhead headphone suggestions (I like Shure at the moment but open to less mainstream options)
or
A combination.
 
Discuss away . . . .
 
 
Also, Currently based in Rhode Island, USA if anyone's interested in a meet?

 

[cel4145]

Are you considering open headphones? That don't isolate well and leak sound, but they do have very good sound quality

 

[bigwilly1]

Hi Guys,
 
Pretty sure the Hugo is next on the Hit-List. Ticks all my boxes in a sexy box.
 
next thing is headphones. Been looking at the Audeze LCD3. I have some concerns about the reliability though? My job takes me round the world, often in LEDC's for between weeks or hours at a time, sending headphones home and organising them to be re-sent to me every month is simply not an option. 
 
Still open to options though. Love the bass of the SE846's IEMs but find them quite harsh to listen to for long periods of time. 
 
How much leak is involved in the Open ear phones? I spend most my time listening in a quiet cabin with only air con in the back ground but often have my missus in the cabin - will the leak annoy her much?

 

[Jeff Y]

  Hi Guys,
 
Pretty sure the Hugo is next on the Hit-List. Ticks all my boxes in a sexy box.
 
next thing is headphones. Been looking at the Audeze LCD3. I have some concerns about the reliability though? My job takes me round the world, often in LEDC's for between weeks or hours at a time, sending headphones home and organising them to be re-sent to me every month is simply not an option. 
 
Still open to options though. Love the bass of the SE846's IEMs but find them quite harsh to listen to for long periods of time. 
 
How much leak is involved in the Open ear phones? I spend most my time listening in a quiet cabin with only air con in the back ground but often have my missus in the cabin - will the leak annoy her much?

I have the Hugo and I'm enjoying them but the LCD3 might present a problem. Audeze headphones are pretty infamous for having the drivers get blown out of their place. Not the best quality control I assume. There are lots of people who have had their LCDs and spoiled them under a year.
 
The sound leak very much depends on the volume you listen to.
 
If you like smooth sound, HD650s may do the trick for you.

 

[bigwilly1]

Hi Jeff,
 
Thanks for the reply.
 
Im gutted the Audeze wont work for me .
 
What other headphone similar to the Audeze are there but are reliable? I love the wood effect and the craftsman ship of those headphones - they remind me of the 70's/80's audio kit which i really like. The HD650s look at little too star trecky.