[opd1]

Hey everyone. Long time lurker of Head-Fi, though haven't been compelled to post much. My previous account was with my SBC Global email address so I must not have used it in quite some time. Checked some old messages and looks like I bought my first headamp, a custom built Dynalo, from someone in 2006 which sadly got damaged in a move.

More recently have been a Schiit-head, buying a Magni/Modi stack in 2013 which I replaced last year with a Bifrost 2 / Jotunheim 2 combo, and am eagerly awaiting the BF2/64 upgrade.

Lately, I've been contemplating an eventual headphone upgrade to (perhaps) better take advantage of my DAC/Amp setup. I'm pretty happy with my current cans, so if a new purchase ends up being more of a side-grade, its probably not worth it for me. Just curious what folks think of the options below.

My current headphones are the Sennheiser HD600 and Hifiman HE-560 (v3 that was sold by Adorama, not the greatest build quality but I like the sound). Listen to a lot of rock music (Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr, Spoon, Radiohead) but also jazz (Coltrane) and ambient music when I'm working.

Here are the options I've seen recommended, mostly in the $800-$1200 range:

Audeze:

• LCD 2 classic $800
• LCD 2 $1000
• LCD-X $1200

Focal:

• Drop Focal Elex $750
• Focal Clear $1500

Dan Clark Audio:

• Drop DCA Aeon Open X $530
• DCA Aeon 2 $900

Hifiman:

• Hifiman HE6 $1300
• Hifiman Arya $1300
• ZMF Aeolus $1200

I'm curious what, if anything, y'all think would be a worthwhile upgrade either on this list or something else entirely.

 

[pbui44]

Get an Adorama Edition Hifiman HE-6SE for $499 with only this link:

https://www.adorama.com/hmhe6sev2.html?emailprice=t

 

[buke9]

$499 is a great price for the HE-6seV2 I paid $560 a year or so ago very good headphone.

 

[pbui44]

Also, since the OP's location is in the SF Bay Area and if they have time to try out this amp:

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/ele/d/half-moon-bay-audio-gd-master-19/7510464157.html

 

[pbui44]

Lastly, if the OP has time to pick up this free item :

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/ele/d/san-francisco-free-cowin-e7-noise/7512463067.html

 

[hartphoto]

Spend some time on either the Audeze LCD-X 2021or Jotunheim 2 thread, and there is a synergy mentioned between these two several times, several different forum members. As a newbie enjoying these, I'll definitely agree. Insanely musical in balanced line out mode from my DX320, to Jot2, to LCD-X (also balanced). Great dynamics, fun and engaging. The LCD-X 2021 crosses the BST listings here well in your price range.

 

[ckhirnigs113]

If you’re ok with used options, you can find really good deals on ZMF Auteurs at the moment with the release of the new Auteur Classic. I much-preferred the Auteur to the Aeolus, though both are great. I find the Auteur more versatile than the Aeolus and a really good jack-of-all-trades.

Disclaimer: If you get a ZMF, you might get tempted to get a tube amp as well. It happened to me, and now there’s no going back to solid state unless I get something very high-end like the ECP DSHA-3F that has always intrigued me.