If I was in an almost everything had to go situation, I could live happily with the Sony NW-ZX300 DAP and Focal Radiance headphones.
Although, as I write that, I haven't actually paired them up yet.
But I love my DAP and am a huge Focal fanboy.
I'd need to resort my collection into just two categories, 'Good Production' and 'Worse Production'.
Two DAP's, two headphones... Surfans F20 + KPH30i. And Acmee MF02s + DT770 80 ohms.
My Sundara 2020's or maybe the last cans before I stepped into Sundaras-and-up categories, Senn HD598, are about as low as I realistically can go for desktop use these days (though I use Sony's WF-1000XM3 in-ears on the go which are even cheaper). For source chain, my Modi 3 + Magni 3 were fine for Sundara, or maybe I'd drop down to a Moonriver2 to save just a bit?
As part of my exercise to figure out a budget system I can live with, I decided to hook up GS-1(mk2 module) to mojo driven from Nu Audio via optical. It's been 3 hours now and I am still listening so something must be right about the setup. Event though next on the table is Emm Labs NS1 - Dac2X - GSX combo, I did not feel the urge to switch over, which tells me the budget system is doing most things correctly.
Here is the chain: EVGA Nu Audio (separate 850w PSU) /toslink- Chord Mojo (iUSB3.0 power supply only; battery disconnected) - Headamp GS-1 (DACT with mk2 modules) - Focal Clear.
If you search around, you can pick up everything (other than the cans) for well less than $1k altogether.
Ask me this like 3 years ago and I would have said just give me any Bluetooth headset with a mic; how opinions can change, lol. If this was a simple pick one and discard the rest, I'd take my Empyreans and my FiiO M17, but with price in mind...
I can't go back to direct audio nor cheap earbuds. I must have a DAC; the BTR5 serves as a good base, I still use it at work. Versatile, works as a USB DAC for my PC or a Bluetooth DAC for my phone. As for audio, I would settle for an IEM. They are cheap, block lots of noise, and I don't mind the sound even now. It'd have to be the KZ ZS10 Pro. So about $110 for the BTR5, and another $50 for the ZS10's. Thought about giving up some audio quality for the sheer convenience my Bose QC-II Earbuds have, but they are about twice the price, and I would not be content going back to Bluetooth audio for music. They also hurt my ears after a couple hours, due to the wedge-shape of their inserts.
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.
You've got the right idea here. I sold my Piety because I preferred my plain ol' Magni 3+ and I would substitute in my HE560s (doesn't matter the version, I own v1, v3, and v4). I totally agree on the Wiim Mini which I literally started using with my MMB2 less than a week ago. This signal chain (Qobuz/Local FLAC/Network Streaming >> Wiim Mini >> MMB2 >> Magni 3+ >> HE560s) sounds quite good and has become my go-to open back setup on the road though I do use my Lyr more often than the Magni 3+, but for the purposes of what I could live with the Magni will do just fine.
So basically, good call! I'm pickin' up what you're puttin' down.
I picked up a Sonic Frontier SFD-1 mk2 a couple of weeks ago and it has been one of the most impressive purchases I have made in recent memory. I got it paired with Reflektor 6H23N and the sound of SFD-1 is rich, open, big, transparent, holographic; it has micro details, macro dynamics, PrAT, bass slam and there is weight to each note. SFD-1 with Reflektor makes my Emm Labs sound like a smaller upgrade than the price difference would otherwise suggest. Impressive 30yr old dac for less than $1k and can probably compete with $3-5k modern dacs if we are talking about redbook only performance.
If you are short on cash, go search for one and you should be all set until you can muster enough for a $10k+ dac. Feed it with a good transport or streamer (Aurender, dCS and Emm Labs streamers would be my picks).
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