Best value High-End setup for 2016 ?

[LeMat]

 
I have the same Focal studio monitors connected to a Yggdrasil DAC - Pretty awesome combination IMO!
In fact, they are so good together that I've pretty much given up on headphone listening...  (I know, I should be banished from these forums... Lol).
 
For volume attenuation I use the Emotiva Control Freak "Balanced" - passive volume control.

Same experience here ! Some problem with my B22 and the addition of those speakers took me away from the head-fi world for some time ! I had a crazy good setup before, Moon 600i & Dynaudio Focus, but when I found out about what studio monitors can do for a 5th of the price, I've sold my setup !
Anyway, it seems I can't stay away from this passion for too long ! This emotiva thing is really interesting !
 

  Hey LeMat interesting thread. I feel it the same to get something adult final but not for cosmic price. I had LCD2 older version in past and I used it with unknown quality DAC out of his preamp and I have to say LCD2 sounded very nice universal with quality clear system, even I didn't think about buying separate amp for them because I was satisified. What I wanted say is I liked LCD2 a lot but definitely their potentiality is limited due to their character and in my opinion the most important for them is clear energetic system.
So I think better idea would be upgrade try more headphones at least LCDX which is more open, if you like Audeze like me..
 
If I had money I would look at Meitner MA1 demo peice which can be seen sometimes for much much nicer price or unknown GredAudio pDAC-2 which looks phenomenal for around 3000euro and many others as Crashem said..  

 
Thanks ! Indeed I like the Audeze's sound. I've owned many cans, grado, HD800 but settled on the LCD2. I should try the higher-end model, especially the LCD-X that is constantly mentioned everywhere. I'm quite curious about the new HD800S. In balanced mode, they might have what was missing before, the slam and energy of the Audeze (or at least before they introduce the fazor). Otherwise I loved the comfort and soundstage of those.
Meitner... sure I bet it's really good but it almost fall in the esoteric hifi category ! I also love the design of the MSB analog DAC but I won't even consider it. Too $$
 
Bottom line, there seems to be a consensus on the Yggy here. Sure it's a bit big but it's not that much of a problem. I've read good things about the Auralic Vega. Anybody had a chance to compare those 2 ?
Regarding the amp, violectric products look really well built but I'm a bit concerned about their value. Are they really reference class products ? Since I'd prefer a balanced output, I'd need the V281. 2300$ looks steep. Worth it ?

 

[Crashem]

I get the impression that yaggy is ahead of Auralic Vega but have never done a comparison or lived with either for any period of time.  I think the Vega is a great product, but it is getting a bit long in the tooth and with the speed in which DAC tech is changing, I would probably go with Yaggy (assuming those were my two choices).  I do encourage you to really look into the Lampizator Euphoria as well.  It is DSD only, but Lampi are known for DSD and I have upsampled PCM to DSD in HQPlayer and JRiver and it sounds awesome.
 
As for amps, look at the Auralic Taurus MKII.  They have held there value and I would consider them a reference level amp from a competency/neutral perspective.  Also, I think the Eddie Current Black Widow is currently the best bargain amp wise at its price.  If you can afford it, Headamp GSXII is a bargain at its price.  Should be great match with any Audeze phones (I use one with LCD X).  Btw, I consider something a bargain if you get more for your money and equipment will hold its value.

 

[LeMat]

  Btw, I consider something a bargain if you get more for your money and equipment will hold its value.

 
Can't agree more !
 
Lampizator is tempting even if it doesn't come cheap. The use of tube should produce a nice analog sound, in line with what Vinnie Rosso has released I guess. One must say they certainly look DIY though ! 
Speaking of DIY, Ti Kan has come up with a new reference DAC http://www.amb.org/audio/gamma3/ and it looks ambitious !

 

[Crashem]

   
Can't agree more !
 
Lampizator is tempting even if it doesn't come cheap. The use of tube should produce a nice analog sound, in line with what Vinnie Rosso has released I guess. One must say they certainly look DIY though ! 
Speaking of DIY, Ti Kan has come up with a new reference DAC http://www.amb.org/audio/gamma3/ and it looks ambitious !

 
Lampizator definitely has DIY roots.  The thing is that the Lampizator is famous for its DSD.  Arguably one of the best at any price range.  I heard from the distributor in the North America last week.  He mentioned that they might have demo unit available for listen.  PM me and maybe I can connect you with him.

 

[knopi]

 
Thanks ! Indeed I like the Audeze's sound. I've owned many cans, grado, HD800 but settled on the LCD2. I should try the higher-end model, especially the LCD-X that is constantly mentioned everywhere. I'm quite curious about the new HD800S. In balanced mode, they might have what was missing before, the slam and energy of the Audeze (or at least before they introduce the fazor). Otherwise I loved the comfort and soundstage of those.
Meitner... sure I bet it's really good but it almost fall in the esoteric hifi category ! I also love the design of the MSB analog DAC but I won't even consider it. Too $$
 
Bottom line, there seems to be a consensus on the Yggy here. Sure it's a bit big but it's not that much of a problem. I've read good things about the Auralic Vega. Anybody had a chance to compare those 2 ?

 
I had at home on test for a few month also more cans LCD2, HD800, HE500, AD2000, LCDX via Casea Orion lite. Although I am not saying Audeze is better but I would settled on Audeze as well I like how it sounds kind normally that you don't have feeling that the sound of something bothers, just everything fits nicely with rest of the spectrum.. 
Sorry I thought MA1 as demo piece if you will have luck but still I guess it will be close to 4K.
 
Yes the Yggy and Vega is probably the most popular here. According to impressions Yggy seems to be a little more clean so I guess it should suit to Audeze more. I bought Brooklyn last week but unfortunately I can not try it with headphone at this moment because I settled on speakers now but from first impressions on different forum it seems quality of the dac will be in class Vega, Yggy etc.. I bought it because of future MQA as I like spootify, tidal etc. it is comfortable and possible if I will return in future to headphone LCDX.. 

 

[SupaFuzz]

Audeze and Auralic is a great combo.  Highly recommend that LCD-X with a balanced connection.

 

[LeMat]

   
The thing is that the Lampizator is famous for its DSD.  Arguably one of the best at any price range. 

Thing is, I don't have much interest in DSD (shame !

). I'd be 100% in it if recordings were not that scarce ! I've spent some time browsing what I could find in DSD but most of it is classical or unknown stuff. Compliance with DSD won't be a decisive factor, at least for now. 
 
Question, for those of you who are "old" headfiers and are familiar with the B22, how does it compare with the latest amps on the market ?

 

[pippen99]

  Audeze and Auralic is a great combo.  Highly recommend that LCD-X with a balanced connection.

 
+1.  I am running Auralic Aries Mini into Auralic Vega into Cavalli Liquid Carbon/Woo WA5 into Audeze LCD-X.  It took me about a year to get to this point and I can see this lasting for a long time.

 

[comzee]

My vote goes to STAX SRS-002 + Dragonfly v1.2. If you buy the SRS-002 off Ebay, it's $400, Dragonfly $150, shipping = $600 all in.
 
imo,ymmv, I like it better than my hd800+LehmannBCL+Master7 (total cost $5000)

 

[Crashem]

  Thing is, I don't have much interest in DSD (shame !

). I'd be 100% in it if recordings were not that scarce ! I've spent some time browsing what I could find in DSD but most of it is classical or unknown stuff. Compliance with DSD won't be a decisive factor, at least for now. 
 
Question, for those of you who are "old" headfiers and are familiar with the B22, how does it compare with the latest amps on the market ?

 
If you can do the upsample from PCM to DSD, I hear it is competitive with PCM DACs above its price range.

 

[LeMat]

  My vote goes to STAX SRS-002 + Dragonfly v1.2. If you buy the SRS-002 off Ebay, it's $400, Dragonfly $150, shipping = $600 all in.
 

Ok that might not be an end game system, but this is good value for sure. However, in ear, no pre-amp output, single ended, it's a no go for me.
 
Considering the Taurus MkII appeared here as a safe bet, I pulled the trigger on one that showed up in the sale section. From there I'll be able to better judge my cans and DAC and build a system around it.