[Anouk]

Hello, well the title says it. Once my current one is done I am very much determined to spent money on headphones FOR THE LAST TIME and well on this setup (allthough not all at the seem time)?
meier audio stagedac, lehmann audio black cub e linear (which will also be the peramp for my existing speaker setup) hd800. I was thinking of going balanced but I dont think I will. I think this setup will give me the best sound for my money and also the best synergy
I am missing crossfeed in my current setup and that is one of the reasons I am going for the stagedac.
I feel rather happy after having finally made this decision.
Greetings, Anouk,

 

[Sherwood]

Better go balanced straight away, if it's "final", Anouk. You know you'll wonder later what it would have sounded like.

 

[Anouk]

Hi, the problem is I use computer audio exclusively, so this would require a balanced dac as well as a balanced amp neither the stagedac nor the lehmann are balanced (I know for a fact that the lehmann is a wonderful match with the hd800) if I would go balanced I would have to spend A LOT more money and I dont know of any commercial solid state balanced amp below 2000 euro (I am not considering a headroom and I have had it with tubes) I am kind of wary of going the diy route because I would have to rely on a diyer to built it for me.
Greetings, Anouk,

 

[fraseyboy]

Don't worry, it's just a phase. You'll want more.

 

[Uncle Erik]

You use computer-as-source exclusively?

No, you're not done with your setup. Eventually, you will succumb to analog.

 

[Anouk]

Hello oh no I am pretty sure I wont, believe me I have been in this phase as you call it for a year now, sure maybe I would want a new dac in the future but I highly doubt that I would want another headphone amp, there are not that many options anyway since i dont want 1. tubes or 2. diy stuff or 3. stuff with no preamp output. I also no longer want an amp/dac combo.
Greetings, Anouk,

 

[Anouk]

Hello oh no I am pretty sure I wont, believe me I have been in this phase as you call it for a year now, sure maybe I would want a new dac in the future but I highly doubt that I would want another headphone amp, there are not that many options anyway since i dont want 1. tubes or 2. diy stuff or 3. stuff with no preamp output. I also no longer want an amp/dac combo.
Greetings, Anouk,

 

[Anouk]

Hello, no analog for me, cds are just too expensive (i wont go further into that here, lol). Yes my computer is my exclusive source. Oh yes the hd800 will also be my last home headphone! The only other headphones I want to listen to are the top stax one, the new top grado one and the k1000 but I know for a fact I wont buy these so hd800 is the last stopp until sennheiser comes with brain implants, lol.
I am not yet done for on the road however but i am satisfied for the moment with the ie8 till I can afford custom iems.
Wow I feel so good now after FINALLY making this LONG OVERDUE decision!!!

 

[apatN]

That's quite a bold statement Anouk! You know you won't stop.

What happened with your tube adventure by the way? You didn't like tubes?

 

[majkel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif You use computer-as-source exclusively? No, you're not done with your setup. Eventually, you will succumb to analog.

Hahaha, I agree.

The best combo... as a combo... I have heard was probably this:
- vintage Denon turntable
- a decent phono stage (now replaced by the owner with the Accuphase C-27)
- Stax SRM-007tII - I know, Coriolan, BHSE, blablabla, people will tell you but this amp transforms into a sonic merlin with an analog source, the SRM-727A just couldn't catch up
- Stax SR-007

 

[Anouk]

Hi, I have decided tubes are not for me. I do not like all that swapping and wondering in the end. I juist want a solution that works and keeps working and that you dont have to worry about heating up, or whatnot. And of course i know for a fact what a wonderful combo the lehmann and hd800 make.
my current headphone and the woo audio wa2 are for sale as soon as I have sold them i am getting the lehmann. I have the emu 0404usb as a source at thit time but am sure the stagedac will be an improvement.
The ie8 can tide me over in the interim for headphone use in a few months i will hopefully get the hd800 (if it is finally available by then).
Greetings, Anouk,

 

[Elephas]

Final headphone setup? Done?! No way, we can't let this happen. No one can be allowed to escape, at least not until I can get away first.

I'm familiar with the HD800 and Lehmann Black Cube Linear. I've owned the Lehmann for a long time, I think about four years. It's a decent match, sure, but I don't think it's a good one. My PC source is RME HDSPe AES > Esoteric D-05.

I also use the HD800 with a Zana Deux. The ZD is definitely a better amp than the Lehmann. It has better dynamics, details and soundstage. It doesn't have an overly tubey or warm sound. It is admittedly quite large and tends to run hot. It's not a big problem, just don't wear clothes and don't sit with your face right up against the 6C33C tubes. If I didn't know, I couldn't tell the ZD was a tube amp and the Lehmann was SS, I might even guess the other way around.

Changing tubes is one of the joys of the music listening experience. With the ZD, it's basically only one tube that is changed. No fiddling with bias knobs is required. That's it, just swap one tube and listen for changes in smoothness, midrange body, bass impact, treble extension, etc. with each change potentially making your listening experience slightly more enjoyable. The Lehmann BCL can't do that.

 

[Oublie]

Hmm thats a real shame, I live in ireland and know a couple of guys who work for Sennheiser - apparently they have just started R&D on the HD900

 

[Anouk]

Hey Elephas, unfortunately I dont seem to have great luck with tube amps, lol. Also I think the zana would be too big for me. I have all my audio gear on a desk, i live in a small appartment and it is already quite full as it is and that is just with the woo wa2 which I guess is a lot smaller. No doubt the zana would be better though since they are made for sennheiser, I also hear you can get the zana in balanced config these days.
Unfortunately I am quite done with tube amps.
I am rethinking about rudistor though.
Greetings, Anouk,

 

[Anouk]

Hi, I know I wont get the zana but now I got myself thinking about Rudistor and Grace. I will have to ask Rudi if he is able to add a preamp output on request. I found the phonitor to be a lot like the lehmann if you dont take the crossfeed into consideration.
Well, I guess I will make do with my emu 0404 usb and my ie8 till I make a final decision.
Greetings, Anouk,