[Boardin087]

Hrm I'll probably go with the Denon then. Too bad they are about 50 more then I paid for the AKG's

 

[Boardin087]

anymore thoughts. Is it worth spending this much or should I go a tier down. Honestly the AKG's don't sound much better than the nuforce 700x and they were 65$

 

[PurpleAngel]

Currently on eBay there are two used Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80-Ohm headphones that are under $95.
(there are also two at exactly $100, stay away from them, they are broken, sold as-is).
80-Ohm is the start of the sweet spot for the Essence STX (someone else did the math on that).
You can get three LME49860NA op-amps (operational amplifiers) for the STX for $15 off eBay

 

[Boardin087]

Quote:

Currently on eBay there are two used Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80-Ohm headphones that are under $95.
(there are also two at exactly $100, stay away from them, they are broken, sold as-is).
80-Ohm is the start of the sweet spot for the Essence STX (someone else did the math on that).
You can get three LME49860NA op-amps (operational amplifiers) for the STX for $15 off eBay

Don't I have to solder the op amps?

 

[Boardin087]

nvm read about it. ahh so many choices, so confusing. Wish I could test them all

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

Don't I have to solder the op amps?

Nope, they are (dual channel) DIP-8 (socketed), it's the SOIC chips that need to be soldered.
All you need is a really small Philips tipped screwdriver to remove the 4 small screws holding the shield cover.
and a really small flathead screwdriver to remove the 3 stock op-amps (LME4652 & two JRC2114)
The stock op-amps are fairly neutral, so you do not have to replace them (but it fun to).
The LME49860NAs are the exact same op-amp as the LM4652, but with a better voltage range.
 
LME49990NA are considered better, but are only single channel and only sold as SOIC.
So you need six of them, 2 LME49990NAs (soldered) per SOIC to DIP-8 adapter.
Some guy on eBay sells the LME49990NA (two) pre-soldered to an adapter for $18.50 each or $55.50 for three.
 
 

 

[Boardin087]

Ended up trying the AKG's, the DT990's and the AH-D2000's. I love the D2000's and they are perfect for my tastes. Love them. DT990's were by far the worst of the 3, I found the sound flat and boring, no real appeal to them. Still really liked the AKG's, would have kept them if I had diferent taste in music

 

[David Zember]

You can't go wrong with the Westone 4R's, as long as you don't mind the price.