Hey folks!
After starting a thread asking for recommendations for my first headphone/amp combination and the many enthusiastic responses & recommendations, I landed on the Piety/Meze 99 Noir combo & couldn’t be happier with either as my first foray into this whole headphone thing given my sonic preferences. I enjoy a nice, warm presentation, especially in the midrange, and would give up a little HF detail for it if necessary. And thanks to my tinnitus I am VERY sensitive to sibilance.
Now my question is: Where do I go from here if I wanted to “up my game” a bit? I know a case could be made for upgrading either, especially if upgrading the amp would make the Noirs an even better headphone, but like I said I’m open to upgrading either.
I’m not into collecting equipment and sell whatever I’m not using quickly once an upgrade/new purchase is made, but that doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t mind having a second pair of headphones, especially if they give me close to the same sonic signature as the Noirs but were cooler (in temperature) to wear. I unfortunately sweat a bit and do find the Noirs a bit “warm” at times. And the second pair doesn’t necessarily need to be “better” but cooler would be its advantage to warrant owning.
For reference, what I like most about the Noirs (and maybe the 99s in general and/or the Noir/Piety combo) is their natural, almost palpable, presentation of acoustic instruments, especially the "wood" of stringed instruments while at the same time not drawing attention to the upper frequencies which, in my opinion, may take away from that quality. I mainly listen to small ensemble classical & jazz but will also listen to large-scale orchestral works on occasion.
Sorry for the long post and thank you in advance for any suggestions/recommendations.
Dave
After starting a thread asking for recommendations for my first headphone/amp combination and the many enthusiastic responses & recommendations, I landed on the Piety/Meze 99 Noir combo & couldn’t be happier with either as my first foray into this whole headphone thing given my sonic preferences. I enjoy a nice, warm presentation, especially in the midrange, and would give up a little HF detail for it if necessary. And thanks to my tinnitus I am VERY sensitive to sibilance.
Now my question is: Where do I go from here if I wanted to “up my game” a bit? I know a case could be made for upgrading either, especially if upgrading the amp would make the Noirs an even better headphone, but like I said I’m open to upgrading either.
I’m not into collecting equipment and sell whatever I’m not using quickly once an upgrade/new purchase is made, but that doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t mind having a second pair of headphones, especially if they give me close to the same sonic signature as the Noirs but were cooler (in temperature) to wear. I unfortunately sweat a bit and do find the Noirs a bit “warm” at times. And the second pair doesn’t necessarily need to be “better” but cooler would be its advantage to warrant owning.
For reference, what I like most about the Noirs (and maybe the 99s in general and/or the Noir/Piety combo) is their natural, almost palpable, presentation of acoustic instruments, especially the "wood" of stringed instruments while at the same time not drawing attention to the upper frequencies which, in my opinion, may take away from that quality. I mainly listen to small ensemble classical & jazz but will also listen to large-scale orchestral works on occasion.
Sorry for the long post and thank you in advance for any suggestions/recommendations.
Dave