Looking for a relatively portable audio setup for use with my phone and laptop for 300-400 USD.

[bradythehuman]

Hey y'all, I currently have a pair of Audio Technica m50x's that I have been really enjoying for the past 3 years and am looking to upgrade with 300-400 dollars to spend. I listen to primarily Jazz and really like to be able to hear all the parts clearly. I also listen to some funk and classic hip hop. I use spotify's highest sound quality setting for most of my listening but I also listen to live concerts on youtube with fairly poor audio quality as well as some higher fidelity files I have downloaded.
 
I'm looking to buy a complete setup with a dac, amp and headphones to take with me to use with my laptop or phone via USB. I am looking for closed back over ear headphones for noise isolating reasons. I would prefer it if the dac and amp or combo would be no more than roughly a couple phones rubber banded together so i can fit it in my sweatshirt's kangaroo pouch. This is because I need to be able to walk around with this setup. For this reason I also can't be plugged in to any power source. I use my headphones a lot so i would like them to be at least reasonable comfortable and durable.
 
I have been looking at the Filo Alpen 2 dac/amp as well as the Beyer DT 770. From what I can tell the 80 ohm version would be the one to get. I am in no way set on this and would very much appreciate suggestions.
 
Thanks

 

[MisterMudd]

Hey y'all, I currently have a pair of Audio Technica m50x's that I have been really enjoying for the past 3 years and am looking to upgrade with 300-400 dollars to spend. I listen to primarily Jazz and really like to be able to hear all the parts clearly. I also listen to some funk and classic hip hop. I use spotify's highest sound quality setting for most of my listening but I also listen to live concerts on youtube with fairly poor audio quality as well as some higher fidelity files I have downloaded.

I'm looking to buy a complete setup with a dac, amp and headphones to take with me to use with my laptop or phone via USB. I am looking for closed back over ear headphones for noise isolating reasons. I would prefer it if the dac and amp or combo would be no more than roughly a couple phones rubber banded together so i can fit it in my sweatshirt's kangaroo pouch. This is because I need to be able to walk around with this setup. For this reason I also can't be plugged in to any power source. I use my headphones a lot so i would like them to be at least reasonable comfortable and durable.

I have been looking at the Filo Alpen 2 dac/amp as well as the Beyer DT 770. From what I can tell the 80 ohm version would be the one to get. I am in no way set on this and would very much appreciate suggestions.

Thanks

What about source? Will you use your phone with Spotify?

 

[MisterMudd]

What about source? Will you use your phone with Spotify?

Oops. Read your post again. The Fiio Alpen would be great for what you suggest. However, for a little more money you can get the Fiio X3 2nd generation and have a portable DAP that you could take with you, or connect to your computer via USB. Plenty of power to drive your suggested headphones, and I think it has a better sounding DAC in it also.

 

[serman005]

I would suggest you check out the NAD HP50, an excellent portable that is within your reach if you are going to get an Alpen. It is a very neutral headphone, comfortable, and well-made. Great soundstage for an open can. The MEZE Classics is also good but it may be a bit too expensive and it is almost too beautiful to take outside. Still, it's an option. There are not a lot of headphones that are closed and in the $300ish price range, believe it or not. One more to consider is the SoundMAGIC HP150--slightly v-shaped and really good.

 

[bradythehuman]

I would suggest you check out the NAD HP50, an excellent portable that is within your reach if you are going to get an Alpen. It is a very neutral headphone, comfortable, and well-made. Great soundstage for an open can. The MEZE Classics is also good but it may be a bit too expensive and it is almost too beautiful to take outside. Still, it's an option.

Thanks so much for the suggestions. I looked at the HP50's but don't know if I can stomach the design. It's not awful, but it really doesn't appeal to me. If I were to get the Meze Classics, would the Alpen 2 dac/amp be a good choice or is there a better option. I found the 99 C's for $240 so I've got a little wiggle room on the price of the dac/amp but the cheep the better.