The next step (or not)

[networkn]

I have a pair of HD650's and a pair of Beyer T1's. I love them both. I am always on the look out for the next step.
 
For Amplification and DAC I have a Crack Amp with Speedball, and a Schitt BiFrost.
 
I understand the rules of diminishing returns and wonder if it's worth considering something like the LCD-3's or something. It's going to cost about $2K USD, and probably I'd have to get rid of my T1's to make that justiable. I'd do it if it was a significant upgrade but I am wondering if the T1's are actually the sweet spot for sound quality in the $1-$3000 market.
 
Also, I have been considering a combination DAC AMP, and had thought of the Grace M920 probably second hand might be a good one to consider, though honestly I'd prefer to stay within $700-800 second hand would be ok. 
 
Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[crazychile]

I have a pair of HD650's and a pair of Beyer T1's. I love them both. I am always on the look out for the next step.

For Amplification and DAC I have a Crack Amp with Speedball, and a Schitt BiFrost.

I understand the rules of diminishing returns and wonder if it's worth considering something like the LCD-3's or something. It's going to cost about $2K USD, and probably I'd have to get rid of my T1's to make that justiable. I'd do it if it was a significant upgrade but I am wondering if the T1's are actually the sweet spot for sound quality in the $1-$3000 market.

Also, I have been considering a combination DAC AMP, and had thought of the Grace M920 probably second hand might be a good one to consider, though honestly I'd prefer to stay within $700-800 second hand would be ok. 

Any thoughts appreciated.

Do you have one of the latest Bifrosts? (4490 or multibit). If not, I would have it upgraded to either. I don't have any experience with the Grace, but that still seems like a side step at best over what you currently have. Since you like your HD650s, maybe look at the new HD800s.

 

[networkn]

Do you have one of the latest Bifrosts? (4490 or multibit). If not, I would have it upgraded to either. I don't have any experience with the Grace, but that still seems like a side step at best over what you currently have. Since you like your HD650s, maybe look at the new HD800s.

 
I have a BiFrost without USB (second generation I think). You understand the BiFrost is a DAC right? Are you suggesting the best next step is to upgrade my DAC only?

 

[crazychile]

Do you have one of the latest Bifrosts? (4490 or multibit). If not, I would have it upgraded to either. I don't have any experience with the Grace, but that still seems like a side step at best over what you currently have. Since you like your HD650s, maybe look at the new HD800s.

I have a BiFrost without USB (second generation I think). You understand the BiFrost is a DAC right? Are you suggesting the best next step is to upgrade my DAC only?

I'm big on the importance of the source, and if you don't have the latest generation Bifrost, you can upgrade to the '4490 board really cheaply, especially if you do it youself. Its just a plug in board. Since you don't have USB, then yours is an older version, since USB comes standard now. I'd start there before you move into new headphones or amps. It might be all you need to get you where you want to be.

 

[buke9]

   
I have a BiFrost without USB (second generation I think). You understand the BiFrost is a DAC right? Are you suggesting the best next step is to upgrade my DAC only?

I agree a dac is not going to make a lot of difference for the most part. Yes a dac can improve things but not to dramatic levels.I have never heard the Crack but have read good things about it. I have mostly planars so it doesn't play well with them. I understand the want to look for the next step up. What is it about your setup you think is lacking?

 

[networkn]

I am not sure if I could answer thate

  I agree a dac is not going to make a lot of difference for the most part. Yes a dac can improve things but not to dramatic levels.I have never heard the Crack but have read good things about it. I have mostly planars so it doesn't play well with them. I understand the want to look for the next step up. What is it about your setup you think is lacking?

 
I am not certain I could answer that easily. The HD650 blew my mind when I got it, then I heard the T1's and was like I must have them, and to my airs it's a reasonable difference ( in terms of upgrade). 
 
I do wonder sometimes if I am missing stuff in my recordings, though without a double blind test it would be hard to find. With my HD650's, I auditioned those with a $1400 amp though I can't recall which one, and there was stuff in those songs that I'd never heard before, like whispers in a Celine Dion song I've listened to 500 times before, that even with my current gear I haven't heard again. 
 
I guess I also like to try new things, and thought perhaps instead of upgrading my T1's I could see what all the fuss with the HE-560's was as if I wasn't in love with them I could probably easily move them on without losing too much. 
 
The big attraction for me right now would be 1 REALLY good DAC/Amp Unit, that worked well with the type of gear I have, so I could take it away on holiday with me or something. The crack isnt portable. I would be ok if it was a reasonable sized single piece, but not 2 bits, with the cables to connect them etc. 
 
I guess I was after some idea what this years "Wow I can't believe this isn't priced 3 x higher) kit was. I like finding stuff like that.
 
Not sure I am making sense. 
 
Part of it is, that I can't get a lot of this stuff cost effectively at home, so when I am in the US in a few weeks, I thought I might grab some stuff that was "must hear" and bring it back knowing I can sell it for what I paid for it if I don't love it type thing.

 

[crazychile]

 

I have a BiFrost without USB (second generation I think). You understand the BiFrost is a DAC right? Are you suggesting the best next step is to upgrade my DAC only?

I agree a dac is not going to make a lot of difference for the most part. Yes a dac can improve things but not to dramatic levels.I have never heard the Crack but have read good things about it. I have mostly planars so it doesn't play well with them. I understand the want to look for the next step up. What is it about your setup you think is lacking?

Some people say they can't hear a big difference between dacs, I thought I was one of them until I upgraded my Dac from the Modi to the original Bifrost Uber, and it made a bigger difference than jumping from the Vali amp to the Lyr 2. There are other threads here where people made the upgrade from the Bifrost Uber to the new 4490 board and said it was a major improvement. Some even say the performance is really close to the Multibit upgrade (which I have), and if thats the case, the $70-$100 to upgrade is a cheap fix. The OP has nice stuff elsewhere in the chain, so I think the differences will come through. Personally Id start there before I made major hardware changes.

I would also like to know what the OP thinks his system is lacking.....

 

[networkn]

I'm big on the importance of the source, and if you don't have the latest generation Bifrost, you can upgrade to the '4490 board really cheaply, especially if you do it youself. Its just a plug in board. Since you don't have USB, then yours is an older version, since USB comes standard now. I'd start there before you move into new headphones or amps. It might be all you need to get you where you want to be.

 
So just confirming. I can buy a 4490 upgrade which is plug and play for my existing BiFrost? My invoice says NoUSB, but I am sure it actually has USB, though I need to check when I get home. 

 

[buke9]

From what you are asking the one thing I can recommend is the QP1R. It is a Dap that is just great SQ wise. I hear things on recordings I never heard before. My main setup isn't super but not bad (Cavalli Liquid Carbon and Teac UD-301) and I prefer the QP1R most of the time.

 

[buke9]

I think upgrades have to be shipped back to Schiit to be done. I might be wrong but I think it is a liability thing.

 

[fjrabon]

  I think upgrades have to be shipped back to Schiit to be done. I might be wrong but I think it is a liability thing.

no, they don't.  Schiit sends you the upgraded PCB and you install it yourself.  It's basically exactly like buying and installing RAM on a PC laptop.

 

[fjrabon]

   
So just confirming. I can buy a 4490 upgrade which is plug and play for my existing BiFrost? My invoice says NoUSB, but I am sure it actually has USB, though I need to check when I get home. 

for the pre-4490 Bifrosts, USB was optional.

 

[buke9]

I stand corrected. Is the multibit stuff that way also?

 

[fjrabon]

  I stand corrected. Is the multibit stuff that way also?

yes.  
 
edi: misread what you were asking about.  Multibit upgrades have to be installed by Schiit.

 

[buke9]

Nice to know. Thanks. I've been wanting a Gumby so If I can pick up a Gungnir cheap enough cool.