[Frankie D]

Hello all. Quick question. What would you consider to be the best closed back headphones on the market? Asking for a friend. Thank you.

I would disagree with many as I dislike the Caldera Closed. For me it is the Atrium Closed. Partnered with top electronics it scales higher IMHO. And I love its bass.

 

[goldwerger]

Hello all. Quick question. What would you consider to be the best closed back headphones on the market? Asking for a friend. Thank you.

My favorite closed-back headphones in car production are:

1. Caldera Closed
2. Atrium Closed
3. Rognir Planar (neural tuning, ECL-03 MF pads)

 

[Spawn300Z]

I would say DCA Stealth and HIfiman HE-R10P Stealth for Planars and Focal Stellia for Dynamic. Then I would go ZMF Caldera Closed or Verti Closed Respectively. IMHO

 

[shaylin3]

My favorite closed-back headphones are 1.DCA Stealth 2.ATH-W2022, but the sounds of these two headphones are at two extremes.

 

[goldwerger]

I have a small itch to scratch testing power conditioners. This isn’t based on a problem I need to solve, as much as curiosity what I may further optimize

I’m currently using the IsoTek EVO3 Aquarius and Transparent PowerBank 6, which have served me well.

I’ve had on my short list to look into:

• Puritan Audio PSM1512
• Audio quest Niagara 5000 or 7000
• PS Audio PowerPlant 15 or 20

Has anyone tested/compared any of these? What sonic impact have you experienced? Any other one should add to this list? (in my case, I need 10-12 US outlets; and budget would be roughly in the $4-10k range)

 

[ThanatosVI]

I have a small itch to scratch testing power conditioners. This isn’t based on a problem I need to solve, as much as curiosity what I may further optimize

I’m currently using the IsoTek EVO3 Aquarius and Transparent PowerBank 6, which have served me well.

I’ve had on my short list to look into:

• Puritan Audio PSM1512
• Audio quest Niagara 5000 or 7000
• PS Audio PowerPlant 15 or 20

Has anyone tested/compared any of these? What sonic impact have you experienced? Any other one should add to this list? (in my case, I need 10-12 US outlets; and budget would be roughly in the $4-10k range)

The 12 outlet requirement is hard to please.
From a quality perspective the InAkustik AC-4500 is worth a recommendation, however way too few slots.

Same goes for the Stromtank, which would be achieveable with a 10k budget

 

[goldwerger]

The 12 outlet requirement is hard to please.
From a quality perspective the InAkustik AC-4500 is worth a recommendation, however way too few slots.

Same goes for the Stromtank, which would be achieveable with a 10k budget

Thanks very much for the ideas!
Yes, indeed. Today I have two 6-outlet conditioners stacked. Would be nice to consolidate it, but it does limit the field..

 

[Frankie D]

I have a small itch to scratch testing power conditioners. This isn’t based on a problem I need to solve, as much as curiosity what I may further optimize

I’m currently using the IsoTek EVO3 Aquarius and Transparent PowerBank 6, which have served me well.

I’ve had on my short list to look into:

• Puritan Audio PSM1512
• Audio quest Niagara 5000 or 7000
• PS Audio PowerPlant 15 or 20

Has anyone tested/compared any of these? What sonic impact have you experienced? Any other one should add to this list? (in my case, I need 10-12 US outlets; and budget would be roughly in the $4-10k range)

As you know, I use the Puritan 1512. I like it, but have not directly compared it to others myself. I have pretty good power, so the difference it made is minimal. Hard to hear, but in my testing the connected equipment was a bit quieter ( tested with SS. Tubes might be more of a difference ). The noise that was lowered was at very high volume ( too high to use ) with no music playing. But it did lower it.

I also have Audience on my 2-channel system. I would say the Audience is superior in sound quality as I heard a difference in my 2-channel and I saw it on my TV as did my son. However, for the price, I went with Puritan for my HP system. Audience just got too expensive for me.

 

[Frankie D]

Thanks very much for the ideas!
Yes, indeed. Today I have two 6-outlet conditioners stacked. Would be nice to consolidate it, but it does limit the field..

I forgot to add the link to my original impressions on the Puritan 1512:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the...ssions-music-and-musings.972819/post-18145349

 

[tfenton02]

My primary source for music beyond my room library is streaming (through Roon). What are your thoughts on the value of a DDC in between the streamer and the DAC?

 

[audioaura]

As you know, I use the Puritan 1512. I like it, but have not directly compared it to others myself. I have pretty good power, so the difference it made is minimal. Hard to hear, but in my testing the connected equipment was a bit quieter ( tested with SS. Tubes might be more of a difference ). The noise that was lowered was at very high volume ( too high to use ) with no music playing. But it did lower it.

I also have Audience on my 2-channel system. I would say the Audience is superior in sound quality as I heard a difference in my 2-channel and I saw it on my TV as did my son. However, for the price, I went with Puritan for my HP system. Audience just got too expensive for me.

Sounds like the Puritan is great for the price, but the Audience really shines for 2-channel setups. Good to know the differences you noticed, Thanks for sharing!

 

[OneEyedHito]

My primary source for music beyond my room library is streaming (through Roon). What are your thoughts on the value of a DDC in between the streamer and the DAC?

I like a DDC when using i2s as input on my DAC, singxer makes a couple of decently price to performance ratio ones that I have used in the past. Are you using the NAD as your DAC?

 

[Animagus]

Looks like I've been living under a rock as I just got to know about our Watercooler group expanding to the headphone world. Haven't been on HF as much lately because of extremely busy work life but I just finished up a review and thought I'll share in the relevant threads.

Here's my review of HEDD Audio's HEDDphone Two. I go through its tonal and technical performance in detail, including pre and post EQ calibration performance as well as comparisons with some of the popular performers in the price segment. Enjoy!

HEDDphone TWO

 

[tfenton02]

I like a DDC when using i2s as input on my DAC, singxer makes a couple of decently price to performance ratio ones that I have used in the past. Are you using the NAD as your DAC?

I have the new Laiv Harmony DAC incoming and they have DDC pre order available so I may pull the trigger on that. NAD powers my speaker set up

 

[Death_Block]

Looks like I've been living under a rock as I just got to know about our Watercooler group expanding to the headphone world. Haven't been on HF as much lately because of extremely busy work life but I just finished up a review and thought I'll share in the relevant threads.

Here's my review of HEDD Audio's HEDDphone Two. I go through its tonal and technical performance in detail, including pre and post EQ calibration performance as well as comparisons with some of the popular performers in the price segment. Enjoy!

HEDDphone TWO

​

Such an interesting phone that. Looks small in your hands.