Disfigured
New Head-Fier
Hello!
I have started to do some research to update my current headphones and a DAC, and received a recommendation to get a proper headphone amplifier at the same time to get more juice out of the headphones. I would need some recommendations on pairings and understanding what could serve me the best considering my taste in music and what I am looking for in terms of sound. Apologies about the long message.
Lets’ start with some background first. I currently have old Sennheiser HD595s and TEAC UD-301 as a DAC. For the past few days, I have been going to few HIFI shops to try to out some new headphones without knowing too much what exactly I want or I would be looking for in terms of sound. Today I think I found out clearer direction when I tested 3 pairs of headphones; Hifiman Devas, Hifiman H400se. and ZMF Eikons. I was interested to first find out how especially the Devas sound and the guy at the store also let me test the ZMFs to hear out the difference between different price categories. The other day I also tested Beyerdynamic DT-1990 Pros in a different store so those are the headphones I have been able to test out so far.
What I learned from these tests was that ZMFs gave me much clearer picture of what I want from the sound. I spent about 30 minutes with the Hifimans and after the guy gave me the ZMFs, I found myself sitting on the chair for one hour straight and thinking “God damn, now I get it” with no desire to change. Also note that I used Feliks Audio Elise as tube amp there so that also probably had good impact on the ZMFs, but now for the sound!
What I’m looking for in the sound?
What I listen to and what the headphones are for?
I have wide taste. I have long metal background but over the years have gathered interest in lot of other genres such as Jazz, Synthwave, Classical, pop, rock, electronic, ambient, blues, but it is quite important that the headphones are capable of handling variety of metal. Meshuggah, Opeth, Symphony X, Dream Theater, Metallica, Dimmu Borgir, Cult of Luna, Ozzy etc.
You’ll probably then ask, why not just buy the ZMFs? Well, I think they are a bit too expensive and I’m not really sure I would want to spend that amount off money on headphones. Also, the ZMFs have wooden details on the earcups that I do not appreciate that much considering they probably add up to 200-300 euros more to the price.
I did some research on headphones and the ones that I have been most interested in are Audeze LCD-Xs and Audeze LCD-2s. Based on reviews, they would probably be very close to what I am looking for and at least Xs have gained praise from metal heads as well, but of course not sure because I have not actually tested them and not sure if there is a place where I actually can. Thoughts on this?
In terms of a DAC, what I have been mostly looking at is RME ADI-2 FS. Has gained lot of praise, has remote control that I’m looking for and EQ as well. My intention is to connect current monitors to it, TV and console as well. Any thoughts?
I do not really have experience when it comes to headphone amps. The Feliks Audio Elise has been said to be extremely good tube amp, but price feels too much for me, considering that I’m already looking into over 1000 euro headphones and a DAC. If its not a tube amp, then Topping A90 was recommended, but I have no idea how well it would go with the Audeze LCDs. Have not been able to gather info about that so especially interested to hear about that if somebody has that combo?
I’m not really looking to buy the best there is, but I am definitely open to spend good deal of money into something that makes me feel good and what would last for a long while. If I can save some money here and there while still getting something good, it's fine. Suggestions in terms of headphones, DACs, amps and combos?
Thank you!
I have started to do some research to update my current headphones and a DAC, and received a recommendation to get a proper headphone amplifier at the same time to get more juice out of the headphones. I would need some recommendations on pairings and understanding what could serve me the best considering my taste in music and what I am looking for in terms of sound. Apologies about the long message.
Lets’ start with some background first. I currently have old Sennheiser HD595s and TEAC UD-301 as a DAC. For the past few days, I have been going to few HIFI shops to try to out some new headphones without knowing too much what exactly I want or I would be looking for in terms of sound. Today I think I found out clearer direction when I tested 3 pairs of headphones; Hifiman Devas, Hifiman H400se. and ZMF Eikons. I was interested to first find out how especially the Devas sound and the guy at the store also let me test the ZMFs to hear out the difference between different price categories. The other day I also tested Beyerdynamic DT-1990 Pros in a different store so those are the headphones I have been able to test out so far.
What I learned from these tests was that ZMFs gave me much clearer picture of what I want from the sound. I spent about 30 minutes with the Hifimans and after the guy gave me the ZMFs, I found myself sitting on the chair for one hour straight and thinking “God damn, now I get it” with no desire to change. Also note that I used Feliks Audio Elise as tube amp there so that also probably had good impact on the ZMFs, but now for the sound!
What I’m looking for in the sound?
- Clarity and brightness. Not too much though as for example with the ZMFs I found out that when listening to jazz, some saxophone heavy parts started to give me exhaustion and I had to lower the volume a bit and take a break.
- Bass. I love bass, but not too much. Really enjoy when I can hear multitude of lower frequencies and clearly hear the bass lines throughout the songs without it getting muddy and unrecognizable. I think the ZMFs really gave great amount of bass and enough detail.
- Roughness and naturality (probably goes with clarity and brightness as well). With the ZMFs, I felt that there was certain roughness and naturality with metal. Hearing that true distortion like I was playing myself without it getting smoothened out. Sometimes I could also hear pick sliding on the string, giving me that warm feeling like standing next to the amp.
- Kick and aggressiveness. ZMFs really succeeded on this one. With all the others, I felt that there was something missing and they weren’t able to deliver the punch and kick what I wanted to hear. Especially with metal, I want to feel that energy.
- Decent soundstage. Not much to compare to really. I like when I can clearly tell at which direction instruments are at. Spaciousness is something I don’t have much experience with and recognizing distance.
What I listen to and what the headphones are for?
I have wide taste. I have long metal background but over the years have gathered interest in lot of other genres such as Jazz, Synthwave, Classical, pop, rock, electronic, ambient, blues, but it is quite important that the headphones are capable of handling variety of metal. Meshuggah, Opeth, Symphony X, Dream Theater, Metallica, Dimmu Borgir, Cult of Luna, Ozzy etc.
You’ll probably then ask, why not just buy the ZMFs? Well, I think they are a bit too expensive and I’m not really sure I would want to spend that amount off money on headphones. Also, the ZMFs have wooden details on the earcups that I do not appreciate that much considering they probably add up to 200-300 euros more to the price.
I did some research on headphones and the ones that I have been most interested in are Audeze LCD-Xs and Audeze LCD-2s. Based on reviews, they would probably be very close to what I am looking for and at least Xs have gained praise from metal heads as well, but of course not sure because I have not actually tested them and not sure if there is a place where I actually can. Thoughts on this?
In terms of a DAC, what I have been mostly looking at is RME ADI-2 FS. Has gained lot of praise, has remote control that I’m looking for and EQ as well. My intention is to connect current monitors to it, TV and console as well. Any thoughts?
I do not really have experience when it comes to headphone amps. The Feliks Audio Elise has been said to be extremely good tube amp, but price feels too much for me, considering that I’m already looking into over 1000 euro headphones and a DAC. If its not a tube amp, then Topping A90 was recommended, but I have no idea how well it would go with the Audeze LCDs. Have not been able to gather info about that so especially interested to hear about that if somebody has that combo?
I’m not really looking to buy the best there is, but I am definitely open to spend good deal of money into something that makes me feel good and what would last for a long while. If I can save some money here and there while still getting something good, it's fine. Suggestions in terms of headphones, DACs, amps and combos?
Thank you!