steve2151
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2011
- Posts
- 505
- Likes
- 22
Quote:
I used to run an Audio GD NFB-10SE with an HE-6 before before moving to my current desktop stack. For a $500 dac/amp box it performed admirably with the ortho and the Q701, HD 580, and DT 990 I used to own. Other head-fiers also reported hearing good things with the HE-500 and LCD-2 as well.
I currently own an Audio GD SA-31 amp that you could pair with one of their single ended Wolfson dacs and still stick to budget. It's powerful (10 W into 40 ohm), but still works with low impedance headphones. I've also heard and can recommend the Schiit Lyr/Bitfrost and for a bit more, the Yulong A18/D18 stack (you'll need to buy this used, but someone is currently selling a set in the forums). I'm fairly positive that there's an SA-31 up for grabs there as well.
Headphone comes down to personal preference, but the HE-500 is the best value and what I feel to be the most well rounded of the three you mention.
Edit - didn't notice you wanted to keep the E9 amp. In that case, the LCD-2 is probably the least demanding of chain quality while having lower power requirements than the HE-500. However, all of the headphones on your list would benefit from a better source and amp.
Howdy folks,
I've been researching headphones and amp/dac pairings for the last few months and since bonuses are due at work, I've decided to upgrade my current setup: HD-595 & Pico Dac/Amp combo. I have $1500 to $2000 to spend and so far I'm interested in the LCD-2, HE-500, and T1 (used) paired possibly with Schiit Bifrost and Lyr or Asgard. I listen to a wide range of genres (lots of Radiohead, Tori Amos, Bjork, Fever Ray/Knife, Rush, Armin van Buuren, and MBV) so a jack of all trades setup would be preferred. I have FLAC recordings, but as of late I've been listening to Spotify premium, thus I'd like a phone that performs well with subpar source material.
I realize I may be asking a bit much from one setup. Hopefully some folks may be able to offer a head-fi novice some suggestions to best maximize his bang-for-the-buck.
Thanks!
I used to run an Audio GD NFB-10SE with an HE-6 before before moving to my current desktop stack. For a $500 dac/amp box it performed admirably with the ortho and the Q701, HD 580, and DT 990 I used to own. Other head-fiers also reported hearing good things with the HE-500 and LCD-2 as well.
I currently own an Audio GD SA-31 amp that you could pair with one of their single ended Wolfson dacs and still stick to budget. It's powerful (10 W into 40 ohm), but still works with low impedance headphones. I've also heard and can recommend the Schiit Lyr/Bitfrost and for a bit more, the Yulong A18/D18 stack (you'll need to buy this used, but someone is currently selling a set in the forums). I'm fairly positive that there's an SA-31 up for grabs there as well.
Headphone comes down to personal preference, but the HE-500 is the best value and what I feel to be the most well rounded of the three you mention.
Edit - didn't notice you wanted to keep the E9 amp. In that case, the LCD-2 is probably the least demanding of chain quality while having lower power requirements than the HE-500. However, all of the headphones on your list would benefit from a better source and amp.