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

rvpiano,

I've been a headphone believer for decades; currently, I splurged on a set of the HiFiMan HE1000 (an insane $3,000!).  But the Sennheiser line is outstanding for the money, if you can use an open-back design. The HiFiMan is so open, by the way, that one can listen to it without too much loss from several feet away.

FWIW, I'm also a believer in the HeadRoom headphone amp with its crossfeed processing circuit. The circuit's effect is very subtle; the only dramatic way to confirm it's doing anything is to unplug one of the channel leads while listening. With ordinary amplification (or the processing circuit switched off), the result is like having one's head split in two, or going suddenly deaf in one ear. In other words, not at all like disconnecting one speaker of a stereo pair. But with the processing circuit in, the effect is startlingly like losing one of a stereo pair of speakers. You still have a 3-D sense of space, even though all the music seems to be located at the still-active earcup.

Of course, no one listens to music like that. So what is the real world effect of the circuit? Well, less headphone fatigue, for one thing. And the music really does seem to be coming from in front, rather than being piped directly into your brain.

There are several versions of this device, and used ones are available from time to time on eBay for $200 or so, depending on the model. They're all very well made.

Incidentally, the mind behind HeadRoom is Tyll Hertsens, an interesting person in his own right.

Just pulled a reverse and cancelled the Sennheiser and spent a lot more on the AUDEZE.

I love you man!  Which model did you get?  I hate to say it, but they will scale up considerably with a better amp/DAC, but the Cobalt will definitely be a good start.  Congrats...again!

 

Was going to suggest the Meze 99 Classics.  They have a richer sound great for classical and jazz.  Not so great for bass heavy music like rock, etc.  Just too much bass IMO.  Excellent build quality and super comfortable as well.  I am in the process of researching an amp for them.  Something dynamic with a clear top end.  Extra bass emphasis not required!  Any suggestions welcome!

I really like Audeze's house sound.  I have LCD-2, LCD-XC, and LCD-4.  You're probably leaving a lot on the table in terms of sound quality with that DAC.  You really need a decent DAC and a headphone amp to get the most out of those headphones.  You're off to a nice start though.