How sweet would this setup be?

[snoxu]

Ori Modded Zhaolu
Heed CanAmp
K701

Can I do any better? Seriously for the same money or less can I do any better? Another DAC, amp, headphone, what?

This might easily reach 900 eurobucks total. The most expensive item is going to the Ori modded Zhaolu, because I'm from Euroland and customs tariffs here are no joke.

As far as my musical preferences go, I listen to a wide variety of crap

, but mostly electronic, rock, bit a jazz, a bit of classical, bit of this, bit of that. Autechre, Nine Inch Nails, Air, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Elgar: Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, Op.85, Perfume: the Story of a Murder OST is what I've been listening to lately.

I can't say I consider myself a proper audiophile or know the lingo, but if i had to describe what kind of sound I like I would use some of the following words or frases: convey detail, fun, natural, presence, body, cavernous, scary, tight articulated bass, a bit punch in my beats please but nothing overwhelming, somewhat "laid back" but not boring.

I can't handle to much treble or what people here refer to sounding "bright", overdone it grates on my nerves. I also wouldn't enjoy a setup that's fatiguing.

I need some opinions now and to know that I'm making the right choices.

 

[MaloS]

AAh, your description would be the holy grail of headphones -_-

If you have issues with brightness, I'd give hd650 a shot rather than k701, k701 certainly has its treble. The only issue is that hd650 might be too laid back for ya, but shouldn't be much of an issue in reality. Otherwise, looks like a great chain =]

 

[snoxu]

I actually live somewhat near a Sennheiser distributor, I've been thinking of calling them, so I can audition some of their headphones. Might head over there tomorrow...

 

[Advil]

The Heed Canamp seems to fair well with the HD650, I'd definitely give that a try.

With your taste in music I think the HD650 would be most fun. It has the bass you need for epic choral pieces and for that smooth bass guitar in jazz. And with electronic you'll like the balance and once again that bassy sound. Both are great headphones but I think you'd like the bass

 

[F107plus5]

Only two things missing from the description:

"Makes me laugh. Makes me cry"!

.....MS2i.

 

[d-cee]

looks pretty alrite! a bit like my rig except my Zhaolu isn't ori modded

 

[snoxu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Advil /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Heed Canamp seems to fair well with the HD650, I'd definitely give that a try.

I've actually emailed Heed recently and they made me a limited offer of free shipping. I'm really tempted to pull the trigger, but still wondering if some other amp more or less in the same price range would be better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Advil /img/forum/go_quote.gif What type of music do you like? What sound are you looking for?

I'm only 26 and through the years I've listened to a bit of everything and still do. If I had to limit to 3 broad genres it'd be rock, electronic music, and some classical. I listen to everything else every now and then. Maybe you can get a better idea from few albuns I've been listening to lately.

Nine Inch Nails - Downward Spiral
Clark - Boddy Riddle
Air - Walkie Talkie
Elgar: Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, Op.85
Autechre - Untilted
Perfume: the Story of a Murder Soundtrack
a bit of Ryuichi Sakamoto
a bit of Radiohead

I'll often listen to some cheesy pop music for good measure. Can't help it, need some cheesy beats every now and then. Urvasi, Urvasi would be an example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crCtY5J8am4

 

[snoxu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by F107plus5 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Only two things missing from the description: "Makes me laugh. Makes me cry"! .....MS2i.

How could I forget... lol I often go into hysterical fits when I listen to the musics

 

[khbaur330162]

You should definitely consider a PPA to go with those HD650's or K701's. Wide soundstage, clean, clear, and articulate to make those Senn's come to life, bass boost for a bit of fun with the K701's.

K701's = DAC AH modded by Pacific Valve (smoother, warmer, lush sound)
HD650's = Zhaolu (a little brighter to give them some life)

Good luck.

 

[snoxu]

And what is a PPA?

 

[khbaur330162]

Phil's Portable Amplifier - PPA

It's a DIY amp designed by Phil Paul LaRocco and a few other DIY enthusiasts. It's said to rival amps many times its price tag. It's a few years old and has since lost it's luster to DIY'ers, however it can still hold its own very well, especially once diamond buffers and a regulated power supply like a STEPS are added.

You can find them used anywhere from $200-$350 fairly often which, depending on configuration, are usually fairly good deals.

I've owned a PPA before professionally built by PPL and it was a very nice, detailed, articulate and airy listen. Went very well with my CD3K's, and from what I remember of it with my K701's, it mated fairly well with those too.

PPA's are said to match up especially well with Senn's because they usually have a sort of laid back, bass heavy sound signature, and PPA's help clean/liven them up.

Good luck on finding your perfect setup.

 

[cotdt]

That is a VERY good setup. Another good setup is mine (listed in my sig).

 

[granodemostasa]

nice setup.... however for the doe i think going balenced from a Lavry DA-10 might be worth it.

 

[cotdt]

... or a Zapfilter, since Zapfilters add balanced outputs. Eventually allows you to upgrade to a balanced amp.

 

[snoxu]

The Lavry DA-10 is a bit on the steep side. I'm planning to spend a somewhat equivalent amount on the entire rig, not just the DAC. Trying to set some limits.