Happy new year,
Looking for your honest recommendations and guidance.
I am currently running Bluesound POWERNODE 2i (HDMI) connected to an old pair of PSB speakers. I mostly use streaming, either Tidal Hifi, bluetooth internet radio or podcasts. I also have a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO 2M connected to the Powernode with a riaa from NAD (
PP 2e). Mostly enjoying during the weekends for real music listening. I mostly listen to Classical, Jazz and Pop.
Lately I have been increasingly listening through headphones. It's very enjoyable and keeps my neighbors happy. Spouse too for that matter. Today I am running something that is easy to drive (ATH-AD2000X, Meze 99 classics and sometimes a pair of B&W PX7). The Powernode is more than capable of driving those, but perhaps not as well as the Ifi zen dac v2 I have connected to my Imac in the home office.
For domestic purposes I am considering a second pair of Closed earphones. It's mostly because the ATH-AD2000X is not that enjoyable with Pop (let's say Taylor Swift) or with bass dependent instrumental jazz (say.. Esbjørn Svensson Trio). The Maze works, but it is a bit on the heavy side for bass and does not sound as lovely as the Audio-Technicas. Currently Considering ATH-AP2000Ti, ATH-AWAS or Audeze LCD-2 or X, HIFIMAN HE-R10D or the Focal Celestee. None of these considerations are based on hearing preferences. It's just me reading and getting eager. Anyways. The point here is that I might require something that demands more power than the PowerNode can supply. I am therefore in the market for advice. Closed backs not only for the bass but also to keep my spouse happy.
Is it perhaps time to get a dedicated headphone amp? Will that also perhaps increase the perceived performance of my ATH-AD2000Xs?
Domestically, the Shiit Jotunheim 2 with a riaa module might work as I can “sell in '' that it's just replacing a box (the NAD Riaa) with a more useful one. Not sure if anyone has any experience with the Powernode, but pretty sure I would connect it to the Powernode for headphones using the mini-jack (will need to plug/unplug, but that fine) and then connect the RCA from the turntable to the Shiits Riaa module. Not sure if this will give me the ability to listen to headphones with Vinyl but perhaps some of you smart and experienced people will know? I mostly stream when I listen to headphones as I am not that fond of the crackling sounds. I live in the inner city and keeping the records free for dust is a full time job. Especially during the winter. So for headphones listening it's 90 % Tidal.
Looking for your honest recommendations and guidance.
I am currently running Bluesound POWERNODE 2i (HDMI) connected to an old pair of PSB speakers. I mostly use streaming, either Tidal Hifi, bluetooth internet radio or podcasts. I also have a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO 2M connected to the Powernode with a riaa from NAD (
PP 2e). Mostly enjoying during the weekends for real music listening. I mostly listen to Classical, Jazz and Pop.
Lately I have been increasingly listening through headphones. It's very enjoyable and keeps my neighbors happy. Spouse too for that matter. Today I am running something that is easy to drive (ATH-AD2000X, Meze 99 classics and sometimes a pair of B&W PX7). The Powernode is more than capable of driving those, but perhaps not as well as the Ifi zen dac v2 I have connected to my Imac in the home office.
For domestic purposes I am considering a second pair of Closed earphones. It's mostly because the ATH-AD2000X is not that enjoyable with Pop (let's say Taylor Swift) or with bass dependent instrumental jazz (say.. Esbjørn Svensson Trio). The Maze works, but it is a bit on the heavy side for bass and does not sound as lovely as the Audio-Technicas. Currently Considering ATH-AP2000Ti, ATH-AWAS or Audeze LCD-2 or X, HIFIMAN HE-R10D or the Focal Celestee. None of these considerations are based on hearing preferences. It's just me reading and getting eager. Anyways. The point here is that I might require something that demands more power than the PowerNode can supply. I am therefore in the market for advice. Closed backs not only for the bass but also to keep my spouse happy.
Is it perhaps time to get a dedicated headphone amp? Will that also perhaps increase the perceived performance of my ATH-AD2000Xs?
Domestically, the Shiit Jotunheim 2 with a riaa module might work as I can “sell in '' that it's just replacing a box (the NAD Riaa) with a more useful one. Not sure if anyone has any experience with the Powernode, but pretty sure I would connect it to the Powernode for headphones using the mini-jack (will need to plug/unplug, but that fine) and then connect the RCA from the turntable to the Shiits Riaa module. Not sure if this will give me the ability to listen to headphones with Vinyl but perhaps some of you smart and experienced people will know? I mostly stream when I listen to headphones as I am not that fond of the crackling sounds. I live in the inner city and keeping the records free for dust is a full time job. Especially during the winter. So for headphones listening it's 90 % Tidal.