Advice on new headphone system please

Very sorry to hear about your injuries.

‘From your descriptions of the sound you like, see if you can find some Beyerdynamic T2 headphones to listen to. They among the most unique and natural sounding that I own / heard. While I listen to my Focal Utopia and Sennheiser 800s the most, because in absolute terms they simply out perform everything else. The Sennheiser are not trebly… in my system… they used to be in earlier incarnations of my system.

Also, consider not thinking about spending any money on interconnects… get the very best components you can. Then listen and enjoy… and at some point your finances can recover and then you can think about interconnects… as an upgrade and treat to really optimize your system.

Also, I am sure most folks found this true. It is really hard to do a one time purchase and done. It is hard not to learn so much from your initial repurchase that you want to trade or try different stuff to zero in on the sound you really want. But you have to start somewhere and the higher you shoot the less turnover you have.

I own or (owned) top level Denons, Sennheiser, Focal, UltaSonde Edition 8, LCD2, ADK, Grado… and some others. Grado can be relaxing. Denon (D9000) require massive power to get bass under control… then they are amazing.

Check out the Sony TA-ZH1ES amp (it includes a nice DAC) and MDR-Z1R headphones. That might tick all your boxes and leave you with some money in your pocket. 

Thank you again for the responses.  Are there open backed headphones that are quiet enough to use in the same room my mother sleeps in?  I know open back sound better and are more forgiving.  I ask because I take care of her and this entails sleeping in the same room. She has the TV on all night anyways, lol and it is LOUD.  I just had to give her my Panasonic plasma! She currently has Yellowstone on with horses, cars, guns and swearing mouths a blazing.  Also, I don’t want to give the wrong impression about musical taste.  I didn’t mean I listen to digital based or led music.  Progressive rock, especially modern does employ a lot of digital effects though.  Todays recording technology employs a vast range of digital technology.  This requires the proper equipment to decode this in a pleasant non fatiguing way.  Still I prefer analog instruments.   For example,  I like analog synthesizers not digital.  Analog is so much better all around in my opinion.  Maybe the closed back headphones gave this impression too.  I’d much rather use open if possible.  I looked at the Sony amp and headphones and this isn’t an option.  Thanks for the suggestion.  I do have several dvd audio discs that maybe the headphones as a second or third set would come in handy.  I’m no where near this point though.  Focal look very promising.  The Utopias are to expensive.  If I had the money they would be a no brainer.  I’m thinking open back now as this would create a lot more options and sound better.  Still not sure if any are “quiet” enough.  I’m in the Florham Park area of New Jersey.  Please advise if any of you are in the same area.  I really need to audition equipment at this price and with my tastes.  Also looks like the Sennheisers are still an option with a warm enough amp and dac.  The Beyer Dynamics look interesting.  I couldn’t locate T2’s.  They have the 5’s.  I definitely would like to audition when I have this narrowed down better.  Waiting on interconnects is how I was leaning to begin with.  I still would need a balanced set to run from the dac to the amp unless I use my audio quests.  I know they aren’t the best yet I would have something to look forward to upgrading.  Thanks for the advice everyone. You saved me from rushing into possibly buying a fatiguing setup.  I do have the option of exchanging at audioadvisor yet auditioning in store is out.  Any suggestions on where to buy are appreciated too.  Sorry so long winded.  Thanks for the kind words ghdprentice and the suggestions fellow audiogon members.  Please advise if anyone is in area and would be interested in auditioning equipment with me.  Also if anyone is selling equipment in area I could audition.  You can PM me.

What gives you the idea open back headphones are "better"? In what way? Why was the Sony combination not an option? 

You should definitely go audition some headphones. 

@paulg1966 Where are you located? There is an audio show in Los Angeles that will have headphones in January. There is also CanJam in NYC in January or Feb. CanJam is all about headphones.

Just saw your comments about your injuries. Sorry to hear about that. Music will help you heal. I guess you can forget the shows I mentioned.