[Preachy1]

Thank you! Im almost at my endgame. Endgame for me will be the Matrix X Sabre Pro DAC with Dragon Inspire Fully Upgraded tube amp and Bryston BHA-1 SS Amp. Then a nice wood audio rack. That will be the end of my headphone upgrade experience. After that, its on to speakers!

"on to speakers". Yes! I'm in the process of redoing my listening space (aka - basement). I have my sets set on a pair of vintage Martin Logan ESL's, not sure which model. I'll have to wait a bit to determine what my budget will allow.

 

[Preachy1]

And regarding the concept of "end game", I'm trying hard to convince myself that I'm nearly there. I'm definitely there as far as cans go. The only thing I want to do is at least try out a pair of Utopias to see if they live up to the hype. Otherwise, with my current collection of ZMFs and Audezes, I'm right where I want to be. I am thoroughly enamored with the Elise amp. I just need to upgrade the DAC and I should be all good!!!

 

[johnzz4]

Nice man! Power cables and interconnects are my next upgrades. I plan to go the Pangaea route with the power cords and interconnects I am still doing my research.

Pangea is an excellent value, and simply great regardless of cost. I have some Shunyata Viper PCs for sale. I would recommend those if you want to increase dynamics and give the sound more body.

 

[BobG55]

I’ve come full circle. Started off with a modest HD600 and decent affordable Cambridge stereo system, way back when. Eventually owned such HPs as HD800, HD800 S, Focal Utopia, Audeze LCD 2.2 rev 2 etc.; Headamp GS-X MKII, Eddie Current Zana Deux S, Violectric V281, Auralic Taurus MK2, etc.; PS Audio PerfectWave MKII DAC, Violectric V850 DAC, etc.; Pioneer Elite PD-93 CDP, Pioneer PD-91 CDP, etc.

I’ve had this present set-up for quite a while now & like it as much as anything I’ve owned in the past.




I listen to CDs. The TEAC PD-H600 is one of the best ever made CD player with an exceptional internal DAC along with an all aluminium chassis & “Esoteric” parts (Esoteric is TEAC’s High End series).
http://audio.teac.com/product/pd-h600/

​

Since 2003, I’ve never been without my favourite headphone : the fabulous Sennheiser HD600.



The JDS Labs Objectve2, an incredible sounding headphone amplifier considering the price. To it’s right, the Schiit Loki & JDS Labs Subjective3, tone adjusters. A slight bass, midrange or treble tweak is all that is needed most of the time to get the perfect sound I’m looking for. Of course the recording production is always the most important factor.



... and last but, not least, the underrated Violectric HPA V100. Underated in my opinion because I’ve owned it’s successor the V200 & the V281 flagship HPA of the V series & prefer the V100. I love the V100’s basic flat, neutral yet detailed overall sound. If I need a bit more of a tonal adjustment, I have the Schiit Loki & Subjective3 for that. I found both the V200 & V281 too dark, lacking detail & not as fast as the V100.


I mostly listen to blues now and am more than satisfied with this set-up. All these years I spent money, without regret, on my quest for the “end game” set-up only to have come full circle & most likely finding it with a modest set-up. Over a year now without longing for anything else. It may have to do with being in my mid-sixties now but I like this set-up & it’s good enough to just sit back and enjoy the music.​

 

[Pharmaboy]

I’ve come full circle. Started off with a modest HD600 and decent affordable Cambridge stereo system, way back when. Eventually owned such HDs such as HD800, HD800 S, Focal Utopia, Audeze LCD rev 2.2, etc.; Headamp GS-X MKII, Eddie Current Zana Deux S, Violectric V281, Auralic Taurus MK2, etc.; PS Audio PerfectWave MKII DAC, Violectric V850 DAC, etc.; Pioneer Elite PD-93 CDP, Pioneer PD-91 CDP, etc.

I’ve had this present set-up for quite a while now & like it as much as anything I’ve owned in the past.




I listen to CDs. The TEAC PD-H600 is one of the best ever made CD player with an exceptional internal DAC along with an all aluminium chassis & “Esoteric” parts (Esoteric is TEAC’s High End series).
http://audio.teac.com/product/pd-h600/

​

Since 2003, I’ve never been without my favourite headphone : the fabulous Sennheiser HD600.



The JDS Labs Objectve2, an incredible sounding headphone amplifier considering the price. To it’s right, the Schiit Loki & JDS Labs Subjective3, tone adjusters. A slight bass, midrange or treble tweak is all that is needed most of the time to get the perfect sound I’m looking for. Of course the recording production is always the most important factor.



... and last but, not least, the underrated Violectric HPA V100. Underated in my opinion because I’ve owned it’s successor the V200 & the V281 flagship HPA of the V series & prefer the V100. I love the V100’s basic flat, neutral yet detailed overall sound. If I need a bit more of a tonal adjustment, I have the Schiit Loki & Subjective3 for that. I found both the V200 & V281 too dark, lacking detail & not as fast as the V100.


I mostly listen to blues now and am more than satisfied with this set-up. All these years I spent money, without regret, on my quest for the “end game” set-up only to have come full circle & most likely finding it with a modest set-up. Over a year now without longing for anything else. It may have to do with being in my mid-sixties now but I like this set-up & it’s good enough to just sit back and enjoy the music.​

that's one helluva "headphone odyssey"

you probably already know this--but if not, a Head-Fi pal experimented with rolling opamps in his V100 and found a significant sonic upgrade as a result.

i've never heard a V100 (maybe some day), but sure do like that Lake People/Violectric sound...

 

[BobG55]

that's one helluva "headphone odyssey"

you probably already know this--but if not, a Head-Fi pal experimented with rolling opamps in his V100 and found a significant sonic upgrade as a result.

i've never heard a V100 (maybe some day), but sure do like that Lake People/Violectric sound...

Hi Pharmaboy,

Yes, as a matter of fact I first heard/ learned about op amps rolling, this past November when an Hi-Fi member sent me a message on the subject. He wrote about Sparkos dual op amps and having rolled them with four of his previous amps getting his best results with the V100.

I appreciate you mentioning this to me also. Maybe something I’ll look into eventually. Maybe ...

Thanks again & hope you’re enjoying your V281 & your music.

Best.

 

[Dickymint]

Alternative bit of symmetry. I bought some cables about 15 years ago, even second hand they cost me a small fortune, they haven't worked for me, they seemed to kill the treble but when I had used them between the Schiit Asgard II and my Denon DVD 3910, the sound is astonishing, no idea why. There is not even a name on them!

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Beautiful pair of ATs! Love the wood barrel on the cable too.

 

[Dickymint]

Beautiful pair of ATs! Love the wood barrel on the cable too.

Just got them recently, they sound strange compared to my usual headphones, HE400's, HD700's but something about them just makes me keep going back to them, they sound great with everything.

 

[antdroid]

I just picked up the SMSL SP200 THX-AAA 888 Amp. Great value and small size is a plus!

 

[Shane D]

I just picked up the SMSL SP200 THX-AAA 888 Amp. Great value and small size is a plus!

It really is, isn't it? Combine that with the price and it was a no-brainer for me. It took me quite a while to appreciate it's sound.

Shane D

 

[gefski]

Cleaning out the closet has its advantages. Added a pair of “packed away for years” 1978-ish a/d/s 200s for a bit of near field listening. Not a “reference” speaker setup for sure, but really enjoyable for a change-up from listening to cans.


Using the Asgard3 pre-outs to the power amp of a NAD integrated under desk that I’ve only used for toubleshooting of broken gear for years.


Cost — $29 for a pair of audioengine stands.

 

[leviathan2210]

This is what I have at the moment, I'm quite proud of it since it's kinda hard to come across this kind of equipment here in Brazil. I simply love this combo ! The Ether 2 was a big upgrade from the Sennheiser HD660S, Fostex TR-X00 Ebony and Hifiman Edition XX I owned previously and the Hugo is simply delightful, it took everything I loved about the Mojo and took it to a new level.

 

[Slipmyster]

 

[JTori]

Cleaning out the closet has its advantages. Added a pair of “packed away for years” 1978-ish a/d/s 200s for a bit of near field listening. Not a “reference” speaker setup for sure, but really enjoyable for a change-up from listening to cans.


Using the Asgard3 pre-outs to the power amp of a NAD integrated under desk that I’ve only used for toubleshooting of broken gear for years.


Cost — $29 for a pair of audioengine stands.

The ADS monitors were pretty high end when they debuted. And, not cheap. I recall this attache' in the mid-70s, which came with a pair of these and a Nakamichi cassette player. And, I remember coveting it.

Joe.