[Delta9]

To start off with, I've already consults the headphone guide. I just don't really trust myself, so I'm putting the question out there.
 
Budget - I'm getting back ~$585 USD from my tax returns and I was going to get a second 780 Ti GPU, but I figured I'd rather upgrade my sound.
Location - California, USA.
 
Current Hardware -
Currently I'm running the following headphones: Sennheiser HD 280 Pro, ATHM50s and Beredynamic DT770Pro. While I like all of these headphones, I just feel that my sound can probably be improved. I'm running these off of my motherboard (ASUS Rampage IV Gene) which has the SupremeFX III chip on it. Which uses 1500uF capacitor. Bench testing has produced a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 110dB. I'm not sure of the max ohms that the onboard jack supports though.

Music I listen to - I mainly listen to the upper stuff like Com Truise (synthwave), Tycho, J Dilla, a lot of Trip Hop and Downtempo and other music which can be a bit bass heavy, but not overly so like dubstep.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-T51qRXmz8 <- Com Truise - She Melts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtIREN4c3Ac <- Tycho - Hours
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Agl1TgVfls0 <- J Dilla - Life (Instrumental)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4w21HcML2M <- Nujabes - Kumomi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcAiayke00I <- Random Trip Hop Mix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ygeQQy9APo <- Daniil Shafran - Vocalise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAhFQKV-7vI <- Black Sabbath - Voodoo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3rnxQBizoU <- Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An4uDegHB8s <- Stevie Ray Vaughan - Little Wing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQH3LtNePgI <- Led Zeppelin - Kashmir

What I'm looking for - I'm looking for a really good pair of headphones + a dac/amp combo to improve my listening experience.

If possible use up all $585 USD (try to factor in shipping if possible) in whatever you decide.

Form Factor - I prefer over ear headphones. I do not like ones that sit on my ear as I wear glasses and that can pinch and create a lot of discomfort after a while. I don't like IEMs because I have oddly shaped ear canals and none of them fit very well. I'd prefer a closed back design, but an open back is fine if it is better than the former.
 
 
Thanks for the help.



 

 

[windowlicker]

1) I think you will definitely benefit from an amp
 
2) DAC may be OK since you have a fancy sound card
 
3) A closed-back step up from DT770 that is still bassy (I assume that's what you need, given the music) is probably Fostex stuff... Mad Dog/Alpha Dog or TH-600. (TH-900 are probably way out of budget)
 
4) Open is generally considered better if you are OK with that. More options and the soundstage will be more expansive

 

[Delta9]

Are there any reviews on this forum for the Mad Dog/Alpha dog? Never heard of them but looks good.

 

[billybob_jcv]

There are HUGE threads in the full-size headphone forum on both the Mad Dogs and the Alpha Dogs.

 

[Youth]

Since you will get the biggest change from headphones I think it would be best to invest all of your money in exactly that. TH600 or Mad Dogs/Alpha are probably your best bet in that pricerange. Then sell your old headphones and save up for a decent amp. Since you already have a soundcard I think getting a dac is the last place you should look at.

 

[Delta9]

  Since you will get the biggest change from headphones I think it would be best to invest all of your money in exactly that. TH600 or Mad Dogs/Alpha are probably your best bet in that pricerange. Then sell your old headphones and save up for a decent amp. Since you already have a soundcard I think getting a dac is the last place you should look at.

I don't have a soundcard. My motherboard is the ASUS Rampage IV Gene. Its like a ~$250 motherboard. It has a really good onboard audio chip.

 

[Delta9]

So at the moment I'm looking at the following:

Mad Dog, Alpha Dog, Shure 1540, ATH-1000X. Thoughts?

 

[billybob_jcv]

My thoughts are that I have never seen an integrated mobo sound card that could adequately drive the Mad Dogs (and probably not the Alpha Dogs either).

 

[Delta9]

My thoughts are that I have never seen an integrated mobo sound card that could adequately drive the Mad Dogs (and probably not the Alpha Dogs either).

I'm planning on getting the Magni2/Modi 2 stack from Schiit. With that out of the way what headphone suggestions do you have?