If you had $10k and were starting from scratch…

[wantan]

Starting from scratch today with 10k the first thing I'd do is to rent a professional recording studio to set up some proper blind tests to listen to various DACs and AMPs for a personal final answer to the subject.

As for gear I'd probably go for a Smyth Realizer setup if I had to spend everything on audio.

If I'm free to do whatever I want with the 10k I'd buy:
-RME ADI 2DAC FS (or maybe the SE)
-Schiit Vali 3 (for flavor)
-Schiit Modi DAC (for a second computer setup)
-Lake People G105 (for flexibility)
-Qudelix 5k
-Beyerdynamic dt880/600
-Beyerdynamic dt770 Edition
-Sennheiser HD490pro
-Sennheiser HD25
-a DAP
-Cables a mix of Cordial and custom build Mogami studio cables.

I'd spend the remaining 7k on something else.

 

[botmann]

.... I wouldn't get a rig listed by audiophiles. Not that Headfiers lack important insight and experience, or that the suggested rigs are crap, ....

I don't agree or disagree with the statement. There is a lot of implied issues in this statement. The first one, you may not have figured out what "sound" you enjoy a lot, or most. Next, you also don't know necessarily the sound the person given suggestions/advise compares to the sound you "like".

Listening to as much gear as possible is the only way to figure it out. This can be difficult if you're not near areas where people meet up or don't have friends/people into the hobby.

When getting advise or suggestions, try to get as many as possible. Earlier on, such as for someone entering into the hobby, I would look at common themes on the piece of equipment. I would also suggest going towards gear that is more "general" use.

Of course, for most people, I would disrecommend spending $10K (US) on their initial setup. For most, that is a lot of money and not discretionary. The exceptions would be someone that could easily afford that amount or someone who is into music/audio and hasn't had the opportunity to explore a better listening experience.

 

[MindBreak]

This thread has transformed from a hypothetical thought experiment, and morphed into a philosophical debate in the audiophile community.

 

[marvel2023]

annihilator and a cheap dac amp

 

[botmann]

This thread has transformed from a hypothetical thought experiment, and morphed into a philosophical debate in the audiophile community.

Like no one could see that happening, LOL.

 

[LanceSaintPaul]

Are we not men? We are Devo!

 

[moriez]

Anyway, I know this is a question with almost infinite possible answers - if you were STARTING FROM SCRATCH today, knowing everything you have learned along the way how would you decide to spend $10,000 on a headphone based hi-fi setup?

Some of the replies reminded me that no matter how much you spend it can still leave a man as uncontented as at the start of the journey. Some of our favourite albums will continue to sound like absolute crap at 1000 dollars the same as 10k because of how they were recorded or mastered. This leaves the options for either hunting for good recordings or listening to great ones over and over because even owning two different setups is not going to cut it in my experience. I guess that ties in to lowering expectations. 10k or whatever amount doesn't mean that much other than widening your choices and I think that's kind of a trap: the chase. Fun and at the same time (in hindsight) silly

That said, get two or maybe even three headphones suited for the genres you enjoy most. This is the area you should investigate first.

 

[TurboDorkDon]

Just want to give a HUGE THANKS to everyone who has chimed in - it is incredibly awesome to see so many active and willing to lend any level of input and advice to someone getting into the hobby. Just a big thank you to everyone.

 

[Luckyleo]

Just want to give a HUGE THANKS to everyone who has chimed in - it is incredibly awesome to see so many active and willing to lend any level of input and advice to someone getting into the hobby. Just a big thank you to everyone.

My system right now is approx. $10K

DAC: Yggy+ GS2
Tube Amp: ZMF Aegis
Headphone: ZMF Atrium Open

I'm assuming that $10K is a fairly substantial sum for you. Some have mentioned that the journey is very important to your end game happiness. I strongly agree. I've been in the hobby coming up to 20 years. I've had many pieces of gear over that time which allowed me to discern my likes and dislikes as I gradually moved up in quality. I'm not saying that going forward, I won't be changing my gear over time, but I will be less likely to make a mistake in my purchases because of my history with various gear.

 

[MindBreak]

My system right now is approx. $10K

DAC: Yggy+ GS2
Tube Amp: ZMF Aegis
Headphone: ZMF Atrium Open

I'maAssuming that $10K is a fairly substantial sum for you. Some have mentioned that the journey is very important to your end game happiness. I strongly agree. I've been in the hobby coming up to 20 years. I've had many pieces of gear over that time which allowed me to discern my likes and dislikes as I gradually moved up in quality. I'm not saying that going forward, I won't be changing my gear over time, but I will be less likely to make a mistake in my purchases because of my history with various gear.

Well said, and you have my setup goal (for now anyway ).

 

[MindBreak]

Just want to give a HUGE THANKS to everyone who has chimed in - it is incredibly awesome to see so many active and willing to lend any level of input and advice to someone getting into the hobby. Just a big thank you to everyone.

Good luck, and much happy listening sessions in your audio journey!

 

[MD Rohit]

Dac- w4 for portable use
Desktop dac - questyle cma15
Headphone - Sennheiser HD 800S
Iem - z1r and ANNIHILATOR
Dap- Sony wm1z

 

[arifgraphy]

I will think and eat, think and eat... think and eat! Then lost all my money by paying restaurant bills. And will start to think again!

 

[Fatdoi]

for $10k new
solid state option Laiv Harmony DAC $2700 -> Burson Soloist GT3 $3000 -> Focal Utopia 2022 $5000 = $10700
tube option Laiv Harmony DAC $2700 -> ZMF Aegis $3500 -> ZMF Caldera $3500 = $9700
for a one headphone setup, i'll be happy with either one

 

[jonathan c]

for $10k new
solid state option Laiv Harmony DAC $2700 -> Burson Soloist GT3 $3000 -> Focal Utopia 2022 $5000 = $10700
tube option Laiv Harmony DAC $2700 -> ZMF Aegis $3500 -> ZMF Caldera $3500 = $9700
for a one headphone setup, i'll be happy with either one

.... interconnect cables?