Bit the Dollar and bought headphones.

Hello fellow agoners.  The Focal Stellias came yesterday.  I was going to comment after a few hours of listening but decided to wait.  I needed to give them more time. I’m using a Marantz CD players dedicated headphone amp as a source.  It’s the CC4003 model.  I was not overly impressed yesterday.  This is changing with further listening and different recordings.  I want to go back to the recordings I first listened to before commenting.  I’m hoping burnin is taking place as they sound much better.  Only about 5 hours total.  I was thinking a return with restocking fee if they didn’t improve but boy did they.  I’m currently listening to a symphonic Prog band from Greece called Ciccada, the release A Child In The Mirror.   Sounds extremely impressive. Exponentially better than first impression from yesterday.   I’ll comment in detail later.  I’m thoroughly enjoying them now.  

I’m using a Marantz CD players dedicated headphone amp as a source

No!  You can’t insult those nice ‘phones by powering them with a damn CD player.  Shame on you!  Stick a crowbar in your wallet and get a decent headphone amp and DAC.

@soix LOL!  Your not kidding.  The headphones are so accurate and revealing they point to the source being extremely lacking in quality. The phones also reveal a lot about the source recordings.  I’m learning a lot with these headphones.  They are that good.  I want to take my time so I buy the proper amplification and dac.  I’m used to this source and its good enough to steer me in the correct direction.  I was going nuts upon first listen.  I wanted to return them.  They sound so much better yet the source is again extremely lacking in power in all registers.  I can not drive the phones enough for proper dynamics at preferred listening volumes.  High volume especially suffers the consequences.  Since I’m driving the phones to higher levels for bass etc., the lower volumes suffer also.  Still they sound miles better than the Sonys.  This would be Sony WH-1000XM2.  I’m looking for that sound I had as a youth listening to vinyl with very old and heavy Sony headphones.  I may have had an old set of acoustic research headphones too.  I’ll  have to be happy at lower volumes for now. Did some listening last night.  The headphones are coming alive even with the lacking Marantz.  I want to get some more recommendations on amps and dacs after the community gets a better idea on my tastes.  Thanks.  I’ll post later.

I decided to go with the Woo Audio WA 22.  Music is very dear to me so I’m biting the dollar again.  One question for Woo and other tube amp  owners as a lot of tube owners listen to classical music.  How are tubes, this particular amp with progressive rock.  Progressive rock is a very demanding and dynamic music that requires proper amplification as with all music.    I do love classical too yet primarily listen to symphonic progressive as related to classical.  Anyone familiar with Renaissance to old Genesis knows what I mean.  I also listen to bands such as Haken and Dream Theater.  This is progressive metal.  In other words I need an amp that is versatile when it comes to music.  I was looking at the Sim Audio Moon with dac yet this looks sold.  I can not afford this one new and am not waiting anymore. As for the Stellias I’m happy.  Haven’t done enough listening to make further review type comments.  They are again extremely revealing.  I found with the cd head amp I desperately need a headphone amp for proper listening as I’m stuck with a very small volume range for semi quality listening.  I would greatly appreciate any comments on a good power cord for the tube Woo as I’m all but sold on it. Thanks.  Paul.