Planar headphones

Thanks for the response curiousjim, your reply enforces my direction.

skc

Suggest you demo Audeze LCD GX.  Marketed as a gaming headphone, but had great music reviews (I'm music only).  I have owned for 2 years and thoroughly enjoying.  I recently checked out Arya Organic and HE1000 HE after recent price drops, and like the Audeze.   

Roon has custom tuning options for individual Audeze models, and I'm a happy listener.  Good luck in your search.

@soix is absolutely correct. The HE1000 V2 (Stealth) is the sweet spot of the HifiMan range. They originally sold for $3K and are now a steal at $1399. I loved mine so much that I stretched and got some Susvaras. It wasn't until they were fully broken in that they surpassed the HE1K's. There is a guy named Crinacle that has a well-known headphone ranking list. #1 is the $60K Sennheiser headphone "system" (can't remember the model #, it's not like I'm ever gonna buy it), #2 is the Susvara, #3 is the HE1000 V2.

I've had Audeze before (LCD-2 and LCD-X) and to me they're not in the same league. They're also really heavy. I do like several Focal models but of course those are dynamic.

@skchun 

If you are really lucky you can score a pair of Raal SR-1a's and a Schiit Jotunheim R Amp for $795 to $1300, according to another site that lists asking prices for gear across a number of sites.:).  There is now a SR-1b model.  Full range ribbon headphones.

https://raalrequisite.com/product/sr1a-true-ribbon-headphones/

List is ~4k.  Many, many positive reviews.  The first time I listened to mine, I though I had not turned off my ML CLX's and ARC system and the phones weren't on.  Wrong, I was listening to something that is the equal of my system that fits on one's head, and doesn't touch your ears, so the soundstage is in front of you. 

Earspeakers.  They are incredible.

-docknow

Thanks for the topic, skchun...

I don't have extensive experience with headphone playback, however, I can contribute this much.  Years ago, I opted to use a headphone during "day dad" duties for my toddler.  I elected to use a pair of open backed Sennheiser 600's with the mandatory cable upgrade (inexcusable)..along with a nice Antique Audio tubed headphone amp, from the day.  This served okay.  Jumping 20 years forward...as a bedroom system for not a lot of money, I love my Little Dot MK III OTL head amp / HIFIMAN HE-5XX planar sound combination.  Tube rolling is a wonderful option:

Amazon.com: Little Dot MK III Headphone Tube Amplifier : Electronics

Amazon.com: DROP + HIFIMAN HE5XX Planar Magnetic Over-Ear Open-Back Headphones, Black : Electronics

Again, I greatly prefer "full body impact" from a sound system.  I think of headphones as maybe a meal of appetizers...immediately satisfying, hardly gratifying for the long haul.  At present, in my small studio, using the BACCH Plug-In with a nearfield loudspeaker setup, I'm vastly enjoying some of the best of both worlds.  Given a limited budget, I'll always improve the big rig first.  

More Peace,   Pin