What to do?

[WatchWinder]

I find myself with a few quid to spare, and before it needs to be spent on ‘the house’ I would like to spend it on something audio related. Currently I have a Fiio M11 plus, Focal Clear MG & Beyerdynamic T5 3rd gen & Mark Levinson 5909. I don’t really want another pair of headphones to add to the collection so I have decided to either:-

1. Sell the Fiio M11 and upgrade to a Fiio M17 (or another DAP suitable for Apple / Amazon Music streaming, suggestion please….)
2. Sell the Clear MG and upgrade to Focal Stellia?
3. Add an external amplifier (K9 Pro?) to connect the the Fiio for the Clears & Beyers?

Which do you think would give me more bang for buck? I use the Fiio and headphones only indoors but in different rooms so want to keep the setup as portable as possible

Ta

 

[LoneFurrow]

I find myself with a few quid to spare, and before it needs to be spent on ‘the house’ I would like to spend it on something audio related. Currently I have a Fiio M11 plus, Focal Clear MG & Beyerdynamic T5 3rd gen & Mark Levinson 5909. I don’t really want another pair of headphones to add to the collection so I have decided to either:-

1. Sell the Fiio M11 and upgrade to a Fiio M17 (or another DAP suitable for Apple / Amazon Music streaming, suggestion please….)
2. Sell the Clear MG and upgrade to Focal Stellia?
3. Add an external amplifier (K9 Pro?) to connect the the Fiio for the Clears & Beyers?

Which do you think would give me more bang for buck? I use the Fiio and headphones only indoors but in different rooms so want to keep the setup as portable as possible

Ta

I like your style - best be quick before the funds get absorbed elsewhere!

Re 1:
Are you happy with the M11 or do you feel it's lacking? Rather than swapping out the M11 for M17, you could look at adding a portable DAC/amp such as the Shanling H7, iFi xDSD Gryphon or Fiio Q7. Assuming, of course, you're happy with two devices. If not, it would be worth looking at the HiBy RS6, iBasso DX320, and Shanling M6 Ultra or M9.

Re 2:
Personally, I'd skip Stellia and hunt down a set of pre-owned OG Utopias if I were going to upgrade Clear MG. If you're able, it would be worth heading to one of the UK audio stores to try a few different headphones.

Re 3:
I had a K9 Pro for about six months but I was never that happy with it so eventually returned it (thank you, Amazon). It's not a portable option so would limit you to a fixed location unless you're happy unplugging it every time you fancy moving rooms.

As a complete left-field alternative, how about adding some IEMs to the mix? Or do you prefer using headphones all the time?

 

[WatchWinder]

Thanks very much for your reply.…

Re 1 - I have tried two devices before, but it is a pain. I do have a Gryphon, but when I connect it to the M11 output, I am not convinced the sound is any better. Maybe its slightly different with the Xbass and XSpace buttons pressed, but I wouldn’t say its any better

Re 2 - I wanted to change the Clears for closed back if possible, as I am restricted with the open backs when I can use them. If the Mrs is watching tele, or reading in the lounge, the open backs don’t really work

Re 3 - The K9 was a last minute add to the list. You are right, I don’t think this would add much, as all of the headphones I have are easy to drive with the M11 so not sure I would see any benefit from it.

I have been thinking about IEM’s but I have VERY small ear cancels and when I have tried them in the past, even will the smallest tips fitted, they don’t fit comfortably. Even the latest XS Apple Airpods Pro tips are a little too large. I also find when I do try IEM’s they seem to make my ears itch!

 

[LoneFurrow]

From what you've said, it sounds like changing the Clears might make more sense.

M11 is an excellent DAP in its own right although it's by no means as powerful as M17 or an external amp. Have you tried running M11 to Gryphon via USB or just via line out? Connecting via USB will obviously use Gryphon's DAC and amp sections, so should give you quite a different character.

Clear MG and Stellia are similarly sensitive so I assume if your M11 can drive Clear MG, it should be OK with Stellia. I'd check out some other closed back headphones - Sony MDR-Z1R, ES Labs ES-R10, Denon AH-D9200 e.t.c - but it sounds like Stellia may be your best option.

As for IEMs, they're so personal it's always hard to judge. Meze Advar and Sennheiser IE900 are both pretty small, so might work from a fit perspective. It sounds like you're more interested in headphones though so I'd avoid the IEM rabbit hole!

 

[WatchWinder]

I did try the Gryphon via USB which did change the sound of Tidal a little. I guess my ears may not be 'tuned' to pick up these subtle differences. I managed to pick up some used Stellias on Ebay this morning for a reasonable price so will see if I can notice an improvement in sound from the Clears. If I don't notice any significant upgrade, I'll sell the lot and buy some Beats

 

[LoneFurrow]

I did try the Gryphon via USB which did change the sound of Tidal a little. I guess my ears may not be 'tuned' to pick up these subtle differences. I managed to pick up some used Stellias on Ebay this morning for a reasonable price so will see if I can notice an improvement in sound from the Clears. If I don't notice any significant upgrade, I'll sell the lot and buy some Beats

Great stuff, hope you really enjoy the Stellias.

Personally, I prefer Qobuz to Tidal but that's a topic for a whole different thread!