[Dglass]

More looking to learn what is good at each price point (just going for sound accuracy and ability to drive higher impedance headphones for whenever I get them), and what the differences are when you go up a tier. Budget is probably 2k or less combined, but maybe flexible if it's really convincing?

I have a scarlett 2i2 and the shciit modi+magni atm. My headphones are DT 1770, HE 560, and ATH m50x.

*Edit
I'm very happy with the schiit modi and magi (both 3rd gen) I have, it's a huge step up relative to the scarlett 2i2 for my 250 ohm beyers. Just wanting to find the next step I guess?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

More looking to learn what is good at each price point (just going for sound accuracy and ability to drive higher impedance headphones for whenever I get them), and what the differences are when you go up a tier. Budget is probably 2k or less combined, but maybe flexible if it's really convincing?

More power without increasing (if not decreasing) noise and distortion.

It's kind of like spending more on some cars. A Quattroporte has more power than a Camry. It gets past slower numbnuts hogging the center lane before you slam into oncoming traffic which, along with the cozier interior, makes for less fatigue while driving. It also puts that power down with controlled body movements, so you don't understeer off the road as easily and you can even induce some tail wag either because you're an idiot or because you just need to overcome what understeer it has by lifting the throttle then getting back on it to move forward into the straight section at a faster speed.

Note that power delivery can still depend on impedance and the power requirement depends on more than impedance, meaning

1. output at 300ohm isn't always 1/8++ of output at 300ohm (a Schiit Lyr2 for example doesn't output that much more power than an Asgard2 at 300ohms), and

2. a 93dB/1mW 35ohm headphone will actually need more power than a 300ohm, 96dB/1mW headphone.

I have a scarlett 2i2 and the shciit modi+magni atm. My headphones are DT 1770, HE 560, and ATH m50x.

Maybe the Meier DACcord FF and Classic FF.

Or Violectrics.

 

[pbui44]

Typically, both reduced distortion and power increase with the price, but it gets complicated really quick. The Schiit Magnius has a SE (single-ended) amp section that is more powerful than the Magni 1 and 2, but not as powerful as the Magni 3. However, its real selling point is a balanced XLR section that will power your HE-560, provided that you get XLR cables for it as well:

https://www.schiit.com/products/magnius

https://www.amazon.com/NewFantasia-Balanced-Compatible-Headphone-Replacement/dp/B07HGP7W2S?th=1

The next DAC that I will bring up is the Schiit Modius:

https://www.schiit.com/products/modius

However, if you already have an extensive CD/MP3/FLAC music collection, then getting a Schiit Bifrost 2 will bring out even more details than the Modi by strengthening the signal with its True Multi-Bit DAC:

https://www.schiit.com/products/bifrost-1

At this point, what you already have has basically reached the audio ceiling (with just a few special exceptions) when pairing the Magnius with a Modius/Bifrost 2, so you will have to upgrade your headphones to get even more improvement in sound, like the Drop DCA Aeon Closed X or Hifiman HE-6SE Adorama edition and an XLR cable (HE-6SE already comes with an XLR cable and 1/4" adapter):

https://drop.com/buy/drop-dan-clark-audio-aeon-closed-x-headphones

(pick the 4-pin XLR option for this link, as the Drop DCA Aeon Closed X already comes with a 1/4" DUMMER cable)
https://danclarkaudio.com/dummer-cable-for-aeon-and-ether-headphones.html

(use this link only to keep the HE-6SE at its discounted price of $549)
https://www.adorama.com/hmhe6sev2.html?emailprice=t

That should be about $2k total with the BiFrost 2 option. Hope this all helps.

 

[Neweymatt]

More looking to learn what is good at each price point (just going for sound accuracy and ability to drive higher impedance headphones for whenever I get them), and what the differences are when you go up a tier. Budget is probably 2k or less combined, but maybe flexible if it's really convincing?

I have a scarlett 2i2 and the shciit modi+magni atm. My headphones are DT 1770, HE 560, and ATH m50x.

Are you happy with the Schiit you've got? Bifrost2/Jotunheim2 are well within your 2k budget, will be a significant and noticeable upgrade with the headphones you have, and set you up for exploring many more in the future.

While I'm not quite ready to declare 'end game' with my Bf2/Jot2 desktop rig, I feel it's at a plateau where I'd have to go up another order of magnitude in $$ to realise significant gains, and I'm kinda done for a while.

 

[silent-circuit]

Honestly, a Jotunheim 2 with the multibit card will be more than enough for 90%+ of people, assuming you only need USB input.

 

[Ari Pereira]

Good afternoon everyone.

I'm looking for an Ampli for the Hifiman 400se. I have my eye on 03 models:

a P10 teddy bear
Loxjie P20
Jds Labs - Atom Amplifier Headphones.

Of the 3 mentioned above, which would be the best cost-benefit?



Sorry for the bad English, as I speak from Brazil.

 

[pbui44]

Good afternoon everyone.

I'm looking for an Ampli for the Hifiman 400se. I have my eye on 03 models:

a P10 teddy bear
Loxjie P20
Jds Labs - Atom Amplifier Headphones.

Of the 3 mentioned above, which would be the best cost-benefit?



Sorry for the bad English, as I speak from Brazil.

Next time, please create your own thread.

Of those three, the Loxjie P20 looks best and I recommend that you also get this cable:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...xp_id=026a66dd-c616-473e-b42b-2c19dd9da96a-49