[E8ArmyDiver]

I have absolutely loved my HE400i cans since day one but gave them to my nephew & now need an upgrade pair...If I could get a bit better staging & imaging along with a touch more warmth I think I could be happy...Amp is Quad AV-One which makes the most power at 300 ohms but drives the hell out of the 400i...Budget to $750.00..Thanks much.Take care...

 

[JoachimL]

Would buying second-hand be an option, or are you looking for something new <$750?

 

[E8ArmyDiver]

I suppose I could Lysol a used pair(lolol)...

 

[JoachimL]

Audeze LCD-2C is an option. I've owned one for a few days, and I'm happy with it.
Some say the Mr.speakers aeon flow is a good alternative (haven't heard it myself).
I tried the Hifiman edition X v2, which I liked even more than my LCD-2C. Maybe
you could find one used at $750. ZMF headphones I think get quite a bit of praise,
but again, I haven't tried them.

For better staging and imaging, I think Sennheiser HD800S is a good alternative.
But a used pair might cost you a bit more than $750. I think it's more of a neutral
sounding headphone, though. Before I bought the LCD-2C, I used Grado SR325i,
which is quite bright, so I tended to find other headphones dark while they actually
sound neutral.

Visit a hifi-shop if you have the opportunity, and try out a bunch of headphones.
I almost bought a certain headphone about this price range based on others'
opinions - I'm glad I didn't, as it was underwhelming to my ears.

 

[Elecroestatico]

take a look at the focal elear! your welcome!

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I have absolutely loved my HE400i cans since day one but gave them to my nephew & now need an upgrade pair...If I could get a bit better staging & imaging along with a touch more warmth I think I could be happy...Amp is Quad AV-One which makes the most power at 300 ohms but drives the hell out of the 400i...Budget to $750.00..Thanks much.Take care...

Maybe the LCD-2C.

 

[E8ArmyDiver]

Thanks guys..Looks like my amp puts out about 35 milliwatts into the 110 ohm load of the LCD-2C.You guys think it will drive them properly?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Thanks guys..Looks like my amp puts out about 35 milliwatts into the 110 ohm load of the LCD-2C.You guys think it will drive them properly?

I missed that part about your amp designed for high impedance loads. That's likely not enough for those (product site has a different sensitivity rating, like it's supposed to be xxxdB/1V instead of the stated xxdB/1mW, same way AKG uses the efficiency figure and labels it "sensitivity"), unless you listen at low volumes.

In terms of response though the LCD-2C is still kind of like what you'd want if you want a warmer HE400i. Response from 1000hz to 10hz is practically identical (ie both are nearly flat) but it's smoothly rolled off above 1000hz, unlike the deep dips and tiny spikes on the HE400i.

The thing is though it's kind of hard to find high impedance headphones now. Beyers come with alternate 32ohm versions, and Sennheiser's HD700 and HD660S aren't at the 300ohms of the HD800 and HD580/580J/600/6XX. And among these the HD800 has better imaging but won't be warmer than the HE400i; HD650 is warmer, but you sacrifice imaging; and if you're looking for practically similar sound, I wouldn't recommend the HD600. It was great for its time but compared to the HE400i, the latter is technically better sound wise (product support and durability stopped me from selling my HD600 to get one though).

 

[E8ArmyDiver]

Starting to sound like maybe I should just pony up for the HD800S...My amp is superbly musical & the phone stage is driven off 12AX7,60 milliwatts @300ohms...You think I will get my $ worth with this combination?

 

[FastAndClean]

Thanks guys..Looks like my amp puts out about 35 milliwatts into the 110 ohm load of the LCD-2C.You guys think it will drive them properly?

no

 

[E8ArmyDiver]

no

So that's no to the Audeze.What about the HD800S?

 

[FastAndClean]

So that's no to the Audeze.What about the HD800S?

its even worse for 300 ohms, find something that can output 1 watt at 32 ohms or higher, if you want good dynamic range with planars or high impedance dynamic driver headphones you need power, 35mw at 110 is too weak, if you want budget solution magni 3 is good option

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Starting to sound like maybe I should just pony up for the HD800S...My amp is superbly musical & the phone stage is driven off 12AX7,60 milliwatts @300ohms...You think I will get my $ worth with this combination?

Probably not. The HD800S will probably not have problems getting loud, but if that's all the amp can manage, THD+N might not be all that good if you crank it up. And then there's clipping if you really crank it up.

That said, that's not my main concern, but that you're looking for something warmer than the HE400i. The HD800S is warmer than the HD800 but I'm not sure if it's noticeably warmer than the HE400i.

 

[E8ArmyDiver]

I still have an APPJ Audio PA1502 amp loaded with matched & balanced NOS Mullard tubes from the late 50's sitting in it's box...1watt @32ohms..I was trying to avoid adding another piece of gear but it,along with something like the LCD-2c might be where I need to go...Thanks guys..