MohawkUS
1000+ Head-Fier
I'm currently using onboard audio, a Schiit Asgard 3 running into a pair of Audezes LCD2C Closed and looking to switch my system in a different direction by adding in a DAC, replacing the amp, or buying a combo unit. Budget of $700. I have a long list of gear I've owned on my profile(My account here is 10 years old.)
I'm looking for a type of sound that I've only heard from Grado or select vintage/NOS components, a kind of 'spicy' sound with a strong presence region with a sparkly more tactile treble. I want the sound focused on the excitement and energy of the highs, not as worried about raw detail. I'll be keeping my Audezes as I like their V-cuved sound, they allow me to get along with an amp like the Asgard 3 which is strong in the lower/mid ranges(I find low-mid fullness fatiguing.) The Audezes are 70ohm and easy to drive for a planar(300-400mw should cut it, I'm guessing.) Unlike most planars they do respond to amp output-impedance and unlike most headphones it's by a boost in the upper-mids instead of bass. I'm open to this coloration.
I don't think I'm looking for something with a boosted frequency response but a subjective character(distortion?) I've owned objective focused amps such as the Schiit Hersey & JDS Atom with clean/crispy treble and I'm not getting what I'm after even EQing for volume. I heard sparkle from some of the hybrid amps I've tried such as the Lyr 2 but the bass/mids were stealing the show so to speak. I'm finding it difficult to get the treble timbre I like without roll-off, excess fullness down low, or the grainy sound of vintage gear. While I enjoy the Asgard 3 it does downplay the treble making it likely incompatible with the goal I'm after now. That's the hole I keep sticking myself in; I'm a picky treble-head and prefer gear that rolls off the treble over that which produces a bland treble.
TLR I'm looking for budget gear that's bright & exciting but not too clean. Dislike low end bloat. Needs to power efficient planars. DAC or Amp or both.
Any suggestions?
I'm looking for a type of sound that I've only heard from Grado or select vintage/NOS components, a kind of 'spicy' sound with a strong presence region with a sparkly more tactile treble. I want the sound focused on the excitement and energy of the highs, not as worried about raw detail. I'll be keeping my Audezes as I like their V-cuved sound, they allow me to get along with an amp like the Asgard 3 which is strong in the lower/mid ranges(I find low-mid fullness fatiguing.) The Audezes are 70ohm and easy to drive for a planar(300-400mw should cut it, I'm guessing.) Unlike most planars they do respond to amp output-impedance and unlike most headphones it's by a boost in the upper-mids instead of bass. I'm open to this coloration.
I don't think I'm looking for something with a boosted frequency response but a subjective character(distortion?) I've owned objective focused amps such as the Schiit Hersey & JDS Atom with clean/crispy treble and I'm not getting what I'm after even EQing for volume. I heard sparkle from some of the hybrid amps I've tried such as the Lyr 2 but the bass/mids were stealing the show so to speak. I'm finding it difficult to get the treble timbre I like without roll-off, excess fullness down low, or the grainy sound of vintage gear. While I enjoy the Asgard 3 it does downplay the treble making it likely incompatible with the goal I'm after now. That's the hole I keep sticking myself in; I'm a picky treble-head and prefer gear that rolls off the treble over that which produces a bland treble.
TLR I'm looking for budget gear that's bright & exciting but not too clean. Dislike low end bloat. Needs to power efficient planars. DAC or Amp or both.
Any suggestions?