2. headphones
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Need new headphone setup.

I have a speaker oriented system that is very satisfying to me. But because of a need to maintain domestic tranquility I’m looking to go to a less noisy alternative: i..e. headphones.
I want to spend a total of about $1000. So, nothing too fancy. Not the equivalent of my much more expensive speaker system.
What do I need to assemble a headphone system independent of my regular system which is accessible from my listening chair and side table?
I plan on solely streaming. My present system contains a WiFi streamer.
Can that be incorporated, or do I need a new streamer?
I understand that I need a headphone preamp along with the cans.
I know my budget is not too high, but can I get something relatively decent at it?

Currently, I listen though cheap ear buds and stream through an iPad.

128x128rvpiano
tim_p's avatar
tim_p
361 posts
 

Congrats on the Sennheiser 600's, love my 800's and Schiit Lyr 2 combo. 

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,423 posts
 

I use both Qobuz and Idagio.

ddonicht
14 posts
 

I would just go over to Drop (that's what I did).  There you can pick up a decent DAC, headphone amp, and a set a cans for under $1k. You can of course spend more too but you don't need to for some decent stuff. 

vinylandtubes
45 posts
 

1+ Soix

Agree with the Audeze recommendation.  I enjoy my Audeze LCD-X.  Easily run off an iPad or phone.  Being over-the-ear, they’ll be a real change from in-the-ear monitors.  They are heavy but, unlike other ‘phones that I’ve had, not fatiguing.  Stellar review in The Absolute Sound by Arnie Nudell (the genius behind Infinity and Genesis); it’s an older review (Sept. 23, 2014) and they’ve since been updated with fazor technology. List price is $1,190, but Music Direct currently has an “open box” set available at $999.  Best of luck with your search!

headphonedreams
522 posts
 

Good luck with your HD600 and Cobalt!

I was gonna say that the Cobalt is great. I use a Black myself but has listened to the Cobalt in a store and it is better.

If you ever want better headphones I suggest trying Focal. I think the Elex from Drop is available for $700, cheaper if you buy used. I have Beyerdynamics Amiron Home which were said to be slightly better than HD600. There is also DT1990.

You can also look around in the headphone forums for more ideas once you get hooked. For example in Reddit. 

 

 

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