Meet me
54; been an audiophile, since my Dad...sat me down in front, of what would now be considered his kick-a$$ Vintage system...and put the headphones on me. I would say, I was about 5...and I'm pretty sure, it was to keep me from hearing my parents having s*x
In all seriousness...I've never been much of a can 'phile; despite (or maybe because of) my childhood experiences...and the fact, that I practically
lived in them during my teenage years. In fact...I'm not entirely sure, that all those hours...of sweaty, enclosed, dampness...didn't at least
contribute, to my current hearing issues (that...lots of concerts, small Eustachian tubes, etc.). Which brings us to today, and here...
After a good 20 years, of living out my Stereophile dreams (at least up to the $25k mark); the last few, have been spent in audiophile recovery...and subsequently, paring-down my system...because I simply can't justify big ticket kit, with my bargain-basement hearing. Current "been-to-the-mountain...can't-just-have-a-boombox" system, is as follows:
source > Denafrips ARES II > Audiolab 6000a > PMC 25-21s (among other, budget stand-mounts)
I've been toying with the idea, of selling-off most/all of that...getting something much more "casual listening" (and maybe "lifestyle-friendly", like KEF LSXs, et al); and setting up a "decent" headphone rig.
There was a time, when I was going to do some "casual" 'phone listening...from my
phone. I bought an
iFi nano iDSD Black, and a pair of
AKG K-272 HDs. I only used the set-up, a few times...and don't really remember my impressions, beyond "m'eh; good enough". However...with my thoughts, of possibly putting something together; I pulled the 272s out of mothballs, and started off...with plugging them, into the 6000a.
Ugh; not very good. (seemingly) NO bass...FR "balance",
seemingly all out of whack (
recessed mids,
exaggerated highs; though, admittedly...I am not used, to evaluating things at such
distance). I have some other avenues...without buying anything
new...I can try. 1) I have the aforementioned iFi...though I'd have to research what sources I can make work with that, beyond my phone. I currently have...an
Auralic Aries Mini, and
ALLO USBridge Signature. 2) I have a brand-new, never-out-of-the-box...
LH Labs Geek Pulse, I was never able to sell; and just set aside. Might be OK, for a beginner? (and better, than the on-board of the Audiolab).
I'll try them, certainly...but I've also got my eyes, on some
new choices. Namely...I was thinking
Senn HD 660 S, might be good bang-for-the-buck starters (or
K712 Pro. Can these really be $275?
https://www.amazon.com/AKG-Pro-Audi...locphy=1018702&hvtargid=pla-384523201855&th=1 )
On the "amp" side...something from
SMSL, or
Schiit; or, am no stranger to tubes...and find units like the
DarkVoice 336SE, and especially (really only, based on
looks...lol) the
Glow ONE, intriguing.
Well...I've read the forum's
Hopefully Helpful Headphone Buying Guide For Newbies (which
is particularly good); and while it's my 1st post here...for obvious reasons...I am no stranger whatsoever, to 'phile forums (and all their pros, cons, and pitfalls). So...I know there are already answers, to some...if not all...of these "questions/inquiries". And...I'll do my research. But...I also didn't think it could hurt...to introduce myself, tell my tale; and let people chime-in, if they saw fit and/or felt like it.
-CD
. Father of two teenagers and budget audiophile. I'm also a photographer and into bird photography, have photographed more than 1000 birds out of 1300 odd that's here. 
