Honestly, the LCDX is probably the end game for many, paired with RME ADI 2. I think it is an end game not only because it excels in many areas in sound, it is also because of value for money. I'd love to try the LCD4z and what does the LCD4z seem to be is an upgrade to the LCDX with warmer tonality? So maybe the 4z is indeed the end game yet the value for money and the price gap between the two might turn off many listeners. The X I consider is an endgame, but I also own others and want to try others as well.
Honestly, the LCDX is probably the end game for many, paired with RME ADI 2. I think it is an end game not only because it excels in many areas in sound, it is also because of value for money. I'd love to try the LCD4z and what does the LCD4z seem to be is an upgrade to the LCDX with warmer tonality? So maybe the 4z is indeed the end game yet the value for money and the price gap between the two might turn off many listeners. The X I consider is an endgame, but I also own others and want to try others as well.
As you go through your journey, you will listen to a lot of headphones. You might try some, you might buy some. Then you might jump to what you think is the next best thing.
Eventually, you will come to a point that you'll feel that everything is stale, you might even call it boring or uninteresting, and that's okay.
But through all this, there is always that one headphone that you always go back to. And everytime you hear it, it just makes you feel one with the music. It just makes the music feel alive and real. And nothing else really matters. Just you enjoying your time with your music.
Regardless of price, that is your end game headphone.
@jonathan c, hey I remember you from the other thread haha. I am using PC to RMI ADI 2 to Lyr. Cables: Carbon Audioquest PC to RME, and RCA Schiit brand from RME to LYR. I honestly think audio is improved when I use Carbon rather than the generic USB one.
As for headphones, my endgame are the Sennheiser HD540 Reference and Sennheiser HD250 Linear. Both are from the late 80's/early 90's, which is when I bought them.
I also heard and/or tried the Sennheiser HD430, HD560, HD580, HD600, HD650, HD800, the Beyerdynamic DT770 and DT880.
Somehow I always keep coming back to the HD540 & HD250 as my favourites. At some point you simply have to say enough is enough, stop trying out new ones, and enjoy what you have and works well for you.
@jonathan c, hey I remember you from the other thread haha. I am using PC to RMI ADI 2 to Lyr. Cables: Carbon Audioquest PC to RME, and RCA Schiit brand from RME to LYR. I honestly think audio is improved when I use Carbon rather than the generic USB one.
You can do so many things with PC aside from upgrading USB cables and other things. You can try oversampling or you can try different streaming apps and probably dial-in that way as well
The Canever UnoZero DAD-HPA is definitely end-game for me. The quality build, engineering, and sonics are simply amazing. The DAC is the best sounding I've come across. The built in headphone amp sounds better than most stand alone high end headphone amps.
For headphones, this is proving more elusive. Two on my list is the Grado Signature HP100 SE (open), and the Ultrasone Edition 15 Veritas (closed).
IN the ten years I have been part of HeadFi I have owned 5 amps and 4 Dacs. I am not one who felt compelled to try everything that comes down the road. I sought to make as straight a line to the top as possible. I have owned my top amp for 6 years and my dac for 4 years.
I thought I was done in terms of cans and then Grado dropped HP100 and I was like a reference/non wonky Grado that combines the best of HP1000 with PS1? Sign me up. They are now one of my most used cans.
I think I am done in terms of tube amps and I am not willing to part with any of my Eddie Current stuff. I simply ran out of room on my racks - 6 shelves all filled with EC stuff lol. I am curious about WA33 but can’t find 2 more shelves.
CFA3 is really end game for solid state (not the Headamp version which I think sounds too clinical). But I want another one that can output 100w+ into speakers.
I am almost done with source - just need to give Emm Labs a bunch of money to get my SACD upgraded to the latest dac spec and give PBD a pot of cash to swap out Merlot for MPD8.
@jonathan c, hey I remember you from the other thread haha. I am using PC to RMI ADI 2 to Lyr. Cables: Carbon Audioquest PC to RME, and RCA Schiit brand from RME to LYR. I honestly think audio is improved when I use Carbon rather than the generic USB one.
The ones I stuck with are not what others might consider as "end game" price-wise, but the ones I enjoyed the most - Grado SR80e, Shure SRH440, Philips Fidelio X1S, Fiio JT1. I owned some Superluxes like the HD330, and those were good too.
I can afford headphones at a higher pricepoint and auditioned a lot - from the Beyerdynamic DT880 Premium, Hifiman HE400i, AKG K550, Sennheiser 600 series, and quite a few more...I just can't justify the price-to-performance. Running them from the OG Fiio M11, sometimes paired with the OG Fiio E12 Mont Blanc, going beyond $300 is not doing it for me.
You know what's funny, and you'd probably laugh at this - the best sounding headphone I've ever heard balance-wise...is the 1More Sonoflow Pro. It's just a perfect blend of convenience, a non-fatiguing yet engaging sound, and bass slam that would make some of the headpbones on this list blush. It's pretty "physical", very enjoyable. Running them at LDAC through my phone, and I couldn't be happier.
I'm in my forties, and I guess as you grow older, you get past the point of "Oh the heavenly details, the imaging, the soundstage!!!" and simply find something to enjoy your music with. That's the key, isn't it? To find something that you enjoy all your music with.
Am I closing the door and saying that that's it for me? Maybe. Maybe not. Such is the joy of discovery in life that we can never tell. Driver technology has become so good since the 90s that at any price point now, you'd find absolutely amazing headphones.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
