2. misc-audio
  3. 132934-8622

Making the audiophile experience more available

I love my audio system.  Wilson, Audio Research, blah, blah, etc etc, I have a pretty killer system in my living room for a non-millionaire.

I also have a 16 month old son, and work has gotten more demanding lately, which means the amount of time spent listening in the living room is diminishing quickly :-(

I started getting interested in a headphone option for my computer desk, where I spend a lot of time doing tasks that would be lovely with some good music.  I ended up with a pair of Audeze LCD-2 headphones, and I am smitten - they are really great.  I connect them to a Chord Mojo and listen to my music via roon from my hard drive and tidal.  The sonic enjoyment that I can get from my computer desk is on par with the enjoyment that I get when listening to my living room system.  (i am not saying that experience is the same, just that the enjoyment level in both areas is high).

Last night, I watched Star Wars, The Force Awakens to get ready to see the new episode in the theaters.  I connected the Chord Mojo to my TV, and listened to the movie on my headphones.  Spectacular!  SUCH a different experience than watching on the TV with the TV speakers. (my hifi system is a 2 channel affair in the living room without a TV).

Anyway, the point of this post is, if you are an audiophile, and you don't yet have a serious pair of headphones, and a serious headphone amp, you should consider it.  In my research a serious setup can start at about $800 - $1200 for both items and for $2k you can probably be at a very nice sweet spot for phones, amp, and cable.  I have $1550 in mine at the moment, though I am considering to add a headphone amp to my main system to listen to records when the baby is sleeping, and not just at my computer desk with the Chord Mojo.  I have my sights set on a Schiit Jotunheim ($400) and a long balanced cable from corpse cable ($225).

For a small investment in living room equipment terms, one can greatly extend the possibilities for enjoying superior sound!



marktomaras
asp307
159 posts
 
Thanks for the post, I too have a little one (2 1/2) so time for listening occurs after 8:30pm. I can achieve enough enjoyment out of low-level listening in my music room. I did however purchase a pair of Focal Elear headphones which I am running through my Cronus Magnum integrated. The sound is amazing, however, I am still getting used to wearing headphones. My preference is to listen to my loudspeakers (Zu Soul MKII), but there are advantages to headphone listening like not having to take room acoustics into account. I've used my headphones maybe 5 times in the past 6 months, however, I do foresee a time where I'll get much more use out of them so I have them for a 'rainy day'. 

PS- The Elear's are unbelievable
marktomaras OP
544 posts
 
asp307, if you ever have long computer sessions, I would highly recommend a small amp at your computer desk.  I am a photographer, so during photo shoot edits, music is wonderful.
erik_squires
16,036 posts
 
Or.... you could build your own speakers. :)

Best,

E
More to discover