[orkney]

So, for reasons of practicality, finances and space, I'm looking at scaling back to just one headphone, one source, one amp. Heresy, I know, but I'm wondering if anyone here has made this choice and if so how it's turned out. There's something attractive about sitting down to listen without having to settle on all of the possible combinations of source/HP/amp, etc (I realize that many of us don't do this kind of calculation). OTOH, with simplicity departs variety, or some such homily. So, for those of you have downsized or streamlined your systems, how did you choose your winners? Any pluses? Any regrets?

best,

o

 

[Gautama]

I plan to when I go to college, and my plan then would be to get an iMod or something similar that is available at the time, possibly an iMod on something else as I cant stand apple. Then a real nice portable amp, and to top it off some UE 10s.

 

[compuryan]

I was on one setup for a while. But then I bought open cans, which I couldn't use in a portable environment. So I think you could pull it off, and be quite happy. There are even portable tube amps out there to satisfy your tube addiction (if you have one).

If I had to go back to just a single pair of phones, I would probably buy the HD25-1.

 

[Duggeh]

If I had to downsize to only one headphone for real financial pressures I would pick a Stax 2020 setup or an Ergo 2/Ergo Amp 1 setup. If Pressure was even higher, Id downsize to an unamped Jecklin Float 2.

If finances let me keep a bigger headphone, it'd be a painful painful showdown 'twixt the AMT, O2 and H2. A showdown which I suspect the H2 would win.

Regrets would obviously be my inability to chose the best headphone based upon my mood and the type of music. Such hypothetical scenarios though, make me pause as I sometimes do to realise how fortuitous I am to have the choice I do at the minute.

 

[tbonner1]

It depends on how much flexibility and portability is for you.

Are we talking about home use or do you need portable?

 

[F107plus5]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duggeh /img/forum/go_quote.gif Regrets would obviously be my inability to chose the best headphone based upon my mood and the type of music. Such hypothetical scenarios though, make me pause as I sometimes do to realise how fortuitous I am to have the choice I do at the minute.

Yup.

if I HAD to go with one that I currently have....Hmmmmm....really tough choice.

Over half my CD collection is on the classical side, and the HD600 normally excels in that arena.

Of the remainder of my CD collection, about half are classic rock which the MS2i is generally better at than HD600. But not heroically better on much of it. Of the remainder; they both do about equally well.

I guess if the number of currently available CDs were taken unto consideration, the HD600 would be the one that would be the statistically favored set of cans to remain.

....glad I don't have to decide.

 

[porschemad911]

Yeah, go for it. Pick a good source, a nice powerful, neutral amp and an allrounder 'phone like the K-701 or HD-650 and you'll get so used to the sound that you won't care it's your only phone. It's about the music right!

I really, really hope it's possible, because I don't really want to own HD-650, K-501, MS-1 and HD-280, and hope I can settle down to HD-280 (for portable) and one other for home when my new amp arrives.

So far, I'm thinking it will be easy and the HD-650 will stay. Unfortunately a mischevious little voice says it won't be quite fair until I give the K-701 a try as well. Thankfully lots of people rate it worse than the K-501!

 

[orkney]

Thanks for the thoughful replies, all. I only have the three HPs (well, a few more if we're counting things like PX-100s and, er, other SMALL headphones), but I'm coming to the conclusion that too much choice is for me a bad thing, having just come off a year of absolutely insane tube-rolling during which I came to the eventual conclusion that my faves from the get-go were still my faves now. So I have this quiet fantasy of going to my HP setup -- ONE steup! -- and simply listening to the music. I suppose it's always possible to pretend I'm a two-year old or a cat and pack away a set of 'phones in order to forget I have 'em and then be pleasantly surprised that I do. But that seems a lot of work...

best,

o

 

[elnero]

Finances pretty much dictated that I downsize to a one phone setup. I chose the E500 because it I felt it was the best all-rounder sonically as well as the most versatile for use just about anywhere. At the time I also went with an iPod for source and have since added an HeadAmp AE-2 to the mix. The AE-2 is another very versatile piece in that it is small enough and battery powered for portable use but also has rear RCA's which makes it nice for home use as well. Next I plan to add a small custom built Monica2 DAC with Coax and USB so it can be used with either the stereo or computer.

I think since I downsized I've been happier than ever, technically it may not be the best system I've had but it sure is musically satisfying.

 

[vcoheda]

 

[MaloS]

+1 on Vcoheda =]

If you exclude my portable rig, at home I really have one amp, one headphone, one source. If I get another headphone, after about 2 weeks the inferior of the two goes on the FS forums. I don't see a point in having multiple rigs when I can use the money they cost to max out a single setup, that would best them all...so frankly there is no such thing as really choosing a winner for me. Whichever headphone available serves me best all-around wins.

Although, if I really had to have only one, including portable rig, things would depend on the price. My inexpensive portable rig is what I would have if kept back with finances - Vibez->T2->ATH-EW9. If I could play with more money, I have to wait until I try out Ultrasone E9 and Westone 3 to decide.