[chesebert]

In the face of ever escalating material and energy costs and manufacturers demanding ever more from customers, I have been thinking about what would be the least expensive config that I can be happy with for the long term. After bunch of testing and thinking I have arrived at my config below. What would be your config?

Linn Klimax DS -> Headamp GS-1 mk2 -> HD650

(So amp + headphone in total is less than 1/10 of the cost of source in case you were wondering)

 

[Radio81]

Creative SoundBlaster E5 + Creative BT-W3 USB bluetooth adapter, Sennheiser HD660S, and Modmic Wireless for chat audio. Oh, and throw in an Audiophile Ninja 4' 3.5mm cable for the 660S.

The SoundBlaster E5 works wired with PS5/PC. It has AptX-LL bluetooth reception, virtual surround options, and plenty of power for the 660S. It can also be paired to the BT-W3 transceiver for wireless use with PS5/PC. For me, that would cover gaming, movies, and music, with the option to be wired or wireless.

 

[TYATYA]

Cheapest which I like:
Cayin ru6 + ibasso SR1 air venting mod.
The important thing is that mod.

 

[Magol79]

Audio Technica R70x + decent AIO, something like the newer Sabaj units.

 

[Festive56]

Wiim Pro > Schiit Modi Multibit 2 > Nitsch Magni Piety > Hifiman Sundaras. I know the Mimby2 isn't out yet but should be a much less expensive alternative to Bifrost 2/64 while retaining some of that multibit goodness. A real cheapskate could substitute a Wiim Mini for the Pro for maybe a little over half the cost. Happy ears for WELL under a G.

 

[padam]

DA11 -> SRA-3S -> SR-Lambda

 

[DenverW]

drop x grace sdac > bottlehead crack > hd600.

 

[bozebuttons]

I Basso dx300max ss Grado hp1,amazing combo together.

 

[Cheesebuggah]

With access to EQ and DSP: Modi 3+ > Magni 3+ > KSC75/X. I'll take it stock or modded.

 

[afgani]

bought for mom xiaomi piston 3 i can listen to them without any issues

 

[genefruit]

Of what I own, my current traveling kit of iPhone>Topping G5>DCA Stealth. If I was to buy something, probably could spend half of that and be happy for the long term. When thinking about the above, the one edit I'd want to make is somehow still have Roon. So I guess Roon is what I'd miss most.

 

[berger]

iPhone + Shure SE215

 

[Angelic]

Mobile phone+ Sennheiser hd25

 

[bagwell359]

Cambridge CXC CD transport OR TIDAL Hi-Res -> iFi ZEN Stream
-> Gumby -> BHCs -> HD-300

 

[Trihexagonal]

A vintage Thinkpad W520 and a pair of Radioshack Pro 25 headphones.

Wait...that's what I'm listening to now...