Upgrade Advice!!

[adurantas]

Hey all. First time posting to head-fi. I've been more of a forum stalker for some time now. I need some advice on a future upgrade to my setup. I have a few headphones (westone um2, UE 6000, Sennheiser HD 598, V Moda M-100, etc.) I have just purchased a Sennheiser HD 650 alongside a Schiit Magni/Modi combo (waiting for them to come in the mail today/tomorrow). I am playing flac files through my macbook pro. 
 
What do you guys recommend as future upgrade to my setup. I'm not sure if I should upgrade my amp/dac first, or straight to upgrading the headphone. I was thinking of the HD 800. 
 
Just as some music background. I have a pretty diverse taste. My preferred listening is rock, nu-metal, classical, classic rock, occasionally country, Josh Groban, and the like. 
 
I am open to your suggestions. Thanks in advance!

 

[Youth]

Since you just upgraded my advice would be to settle in with the new gear and enjoy it for a while. Personally I would upgrade the DAC and amplifier next. 

 

[fjrabon]

yeah, just wait a while until you get a handle on what you do and don't like about your system.  The HD650 + M2U is a great setup that I used for a while.  Normally I always say spend more on your headphone than your amp + DAC, but the HD650 is an exception, as it famously scales up very well.  One piece of advice, the stock cable is trash (compared to how good the headphone is) upgrade there.  I still, to this day, hae no idea why Sennheiser put that crap cable on the HD650.  I didn't even believe in cable change until the HD650, and I still only think cables make a difference in extreme cases.  It's just that the HD650 cable is an extreme case.  It's not a crazy night and day difference, but it is an audible difference and relatively easy upgrade.  You don't even need to go crazy either with a $400 cable, just a decent silver cable for the HD650 will speed it up, and give it a bit more top end sparkle and energy.  If you like it warmer, then a decent copper cable will work.