Really only want to spend $500 but can't find the ATH-W1000 for less. It is one of my contenders. I have no idea what they sound like or any AT can for that matter. RS-1's? What would you buy and why?
I totally agree with rlanger. that would be my first choice. They are very comfortable, the soundstaging is great, very detail at the top, sweet in the middle, powerful and fast at the bottom. A truly enjoyable headphones.
Later down the road you can invest in recabling them to take the to the ultimate step.
I was in your exact situation two months ago. Frankly, $500 is a lot for headphones, especially if you're not sure what you want (curiosity is always a poor value). I have the RS-1 as well as the HD600 and HD650. The HD650 is easily my favorite cans because they scale so well with different sources and amps. Perhaps you should try picking up some tubes or try a different amp- the WA3 is still a very competent unit. I've also had the D2000 and I feel they are a giant below $200, but their value quickly diminish above that price.
The RS-1 would be a nice compliment to the HD-650, K-501, and DT770. Everyone should have a Grado around and the RS-1 is terrific fun, especially with a tube amp. You'd have a great time with it.
Though $600 will get you into a decent vinyl setup. That would open up a world of new, inexpensive music. Have you thought about it?
To confuse the issue I personally (in my system) love the sound of the W1000s. I use them often. I alternate them with the AD2000 which are also in your budget and, IMO, are also very comfortable and sound great.
On the other other hand you probably should find a way to listen to all of these cans before you buy a pair. The fit people differently and everyone likes a different sound profile.
I don't know where you live but cans like the Senn HD650 (which I also really like) are more likely to be available at a stereo shop and the AT or Dennon cans so you can at least get an idea of how they feel on your noggin and how they sound.
If you can't find a meet or a local shop that will allow you to check out cans then you can probably find a vendor who will allow for returns. I am pretty sure that HeadRoom (a sponsor of this site and an all around excellent vendor) allows for returns on headphones.
Good luck and have fun.
EDIT:
I didn't mean to imply in any way that Lawton Audio wasn't an excellent vendor. I just have personal experience with HeadRoom.
Got 650's, have had for long time. They don't get much love since the Dt770's that HeadRoom stopped carrying for some reason, at least in the incarnation I have (2005). Had Alessandro Ms2i's for a while and they only got luv with metal. They got gone when I purged a bunch of cans one day. Almost pulled the trigger on a pair of demoed RS-1's the other day. I can get RS-1's on 30 day demo with AA or Headroom but AA always seem to have RS-1's and 2's that have been returned. (?)
Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif The RS-1 would be a nice compliment to the HD-650, K-501, and DT770. Everyone should have a Grado around and the RS-1 is terrific fun, especially with a tube amp. You'd have a great time with it.
Though $600 will get you into a decent vinyl setup. That would open up a world of new, inexpensive music. Have you thought about it?
I had a nice vinyl setup at one time. Rega P2 and AA VITB pre, Sumiko BPS cart and about 1000 records. Sold it all in about 30 days back in the long hot summer of '06. The only thing I regret about that is having not archived some of the rarer vinyl that never showed up on cd.
I may try an RS-1 and a K702. Can always send them back or sell them.
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