Buyer’s Guide
Welcome to the Buyer’s Guide section. Please choose from one of the following guides:
- A Guide to Headphones
- Portable Headphone Recommendations – TO UPDATE
- Full Sized Headphone Recommendations
- Universal In Ear Recommendations
- TWS IEM Recommendations
- Wireless Recommendations
- Custom In Ear Recommendations
- Amplifier Recommendations
- Portable Player – DAP Recommendations
- DAC/AMP Combo Recommendations
- DAC/Source Recommendations
- Accessories Recommendations
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Build your own cables!
Anonymous
Please throw your suggestions for any additions to the list, or if I had missed anything.
Thanks!
nemo
Anything for DACs ?
Anonymous
Yes.. the HRT Music Streamers and the Audinst are popular ones and
definitely need to be included in the list.
Thanks, will revise the list.
Mike
Thanks for putting together this list! It would be awesome to see a list of your recommended portable amps. They really vary in terms of features and price but there’s gotta be a way to organize them. Love your site!!!
Obbie Hadrian
1. I think it will be nice if there’s a list of recommended earbud too.
2. It’ll be a whole lot easier to compare products if one can see the street price and its MSRP like ljokerl threads on head-fi, minus the scoring, I just don’t feel there’s a “right scoring system” where you can decide a number for a product SQ.
3. Although you’ve already listed V-Jays in Portable (as a sub $100 recommendation), I’d love to see something in KSC75 price range in Portable. There’s a sub $50 recommendation in IEM so why not make one in Portable? 🙂
Anonymous
Hi Obbie,
Thanks for the inputs.
1. The only time I’ve reviewed earbuds are on this article, other than
that my knowledge is pretty limited so I don’t think I’m qualified to
make an earbuds recommendation list.
2. I will try to add prices to the products. But this page is never
intended to be a table comparison for products.
3. I haven’t quite find anything too special in the KSC75 range. Sorry.
Obbie Hadrian
Well, it is hard to find anything special in sub$50 range 🙂
Anonymous
Precisely 🙂
Rian Kurniawan
mike, i think the prices of HD25, M50, TMA1 and Pro700 MkII has some typo 😀
Anonymous
Fixed. Thanks, man.
Danny
Mike I think the price of senn cx300 is too pricey in there 😛
And why you’ve put the HD580/600/650 and W1kX on IEM recomendation list?
No recomendation for Beta22 in amplifier section huh? Hahahahaha… (I think Brian will have same idea with me LOL)
Anonymous
Ah I really mess this list up bad didn’t I. Thanks for catching them for me.
Beta22? I haven’t been too enthusiastic about it lately. Great technicalities, that’s all.
Anonymous
Fixed! Thanks for notifying
Anonymous
Hi Mike,
I noticed that the Sony MDR-Z1000 is no longer on your list. Have you stopped recommending it or is it missing due to formatting error? 🙂
Thanks!
Anonymous
Hi
For some reason this page is getting all messed up. I need to find time
to fix it. Thanks for notifying me, cansman.
Anonymous
Fixed. Thanks for notifying!
Rūdolfs Putniņš
You might want to point out that the LCD-2 recently got a driver update so the newer second revision drivers sound a bit different. More resolution and more pronounced trebble or so they say. Quite the buzz these phones have made at the Head-fi.
Anonymous
Yes, thanks Rudolfs. Will add that in.
Cyromadeu
Hi, greetings from Brazil. I found headfonia while browsing www looking for headphones to listen to classical symphonic music and that will give me a big soundstage, silky but not rolled off highs, a moderatly laid back sound and good tonal balance. Thanks for any help. Cyro.
Anonymous
That sounds like a HD800. But what is your budget?
Cyromadeu
My budget limit is US$ 500.
Anonymous
Then get the HD650. It’s my favorite headphone for Symphonies especially Beethoven’s 9th.
Please read this article to familiarize yourself with it, so you can decide better if it’s right for you.
http://www.headfonia.com/old-school-trio-akg-k701-beyer-dt880-sennheiser-hd650/
Cyromadeu
Thanks headfonia! I was leaning toward the hd650, now I´m sure!
Anonymous
Nice.
The HD600 is also a good headphone. But the HD650 is better for
Symphonies. After all, Beethoven’s 9th is like the national music in
Germany — for sure Sennheiser tested their headphones with it many many
times.
Cyromadeu
Considering a US$ 500 budget which headamp should I consider to drive the hd6500 to their best? Also I ´d like to hear your toughts on the Benchmark´s HPA2 headamp included in their DAC1 line?
Anonymous
The HD650 scales up very well and so you can go up to a $2,000 amp and
it’ll still improve.
Now for $500 there are a lot of choices, depending on your preference. A
few that comes to mind is the Schiit Asgard or Valhalla. The Burson
HA-160. Or the Woo Audio 6.
Here are some links to the reviews:
http://www.headfonia.com/triple-schiit-asgaard-valhalla-and-lyr/
http://www.headfonia.com/burson-ha-160-review-vs-ambs-beta22/
http://www.headfonia.com/wooaudio6-tube-amplifier/
Anonymous
Also, between the HD600 and the HD650:
http://www.headfonia.com/the-sennheiser-trio-hd580-hd600-hd650/
The HD600 is more neutral and less laid back. The HD650 is more laid back and has more bass body.
Scytus
I’m considering the T1’s for electronica & classical music, as well as some gaming. Knowing my musical selection, would it make a good choice? (I’ve listened to the LCD-2 and did not like the sound, its just my opinion, but when directly compared to the T1, it was far too…murky for me, might be a poor choice of words) Also what would be a great price-to-performance amp & dac to pair it with?
I ask as the T1 is already an expensive headphone for me, I’d want to get a great quality amp & dac, but not something that would be past the point of diminishing returns. (An HDP was recommended to me by another user)
Anonymous
Hi Scytus,
I personally think that the T1 would be too bright for Electronica, but since you’ve listened to it and feels that it’s a better match for you, then I think that’s great.
As for a DAC/Amp, there are a few choices.
The Audinst for sub$200.
http://www.headfonia.com/audinst-hud-mx1-dac/
The Fostex HP-A3 and the CEntrance DACport for ~$400. http://www.headfonia.com/centrance-dacmini-and-dacport/ http://www.headfonia.com/fostex-hp-a3/
Obviously the $400 options will give you a better sound than the Audinst.
Scytus
Thank you sir.
The main two genres I’m interested in would be
classical & electronica.
Unfortunately I believe those two contrast each
other x]
I was previously
interested in was the DT990, and while I was drawn in for the bass, I was
scared away by the reports of harsh/sibilant highs. I listened to the T1 and
absolutely fell in love with their tonality & soundstage, but it’s true I
felt the bass was just a bit lacking.. though I thought a warm amp (and/or good
EQ) might alleviate that? I’m afraid of sacrificing that theatrical bass, as it’s
quite important for me. A common choice around head-fi for the T1 was Woo Tube
amps, specifically the WA2. Unfortunately, the WA2 is just as much as the can
itself, which I am still trying to save up for.
I do also have
quite the interest in gaming, and the use of either CMSS-3D or Dolby Headphone
for competitive gaming. The priority in gaming I have would also mean that I
need a set of cans that provide both good soundstage and imaging. I felt that
open cans leaked too much, which made the semi-closed nature of the T1 appeal
to me, as I’d be able to have the soundstage of the open can without the (full)
drawbacks of the immense leaking. This is also what I worried of with the
DT990, more leaking that the T1.
Considering that I
value both gaming & music, my plan is essentially this: Buy a Creative
Titanium HD soundcard. The soundcard has 2 sets of outputs important to me, the
line-out L/R, and the Optical outs. What I’d do with the line-out (which has
the CMSS-3D effects) is that I’d connect it directly to an amp (an amp that has
2 inputs), and use that (input 1) as my gaming input. Then I’d connect the
Optical outs to an external DAC, and I’d connect that external DAC to the next
input of the amp (input 2). So I can toggle between gaming & music mode on
my computer/amp simply by switching inputs.
What I’ve concluded out of my research was to get the T1,
pair it with a warm amp of sorts (to hopefully get a more present/thumping
bass), and a clear DAC. Knowing this, would you say I should continue with this
route, and possibly look at tube amps (or a warm ss amp)? Or should I go a
completely different direction entirely?
Anonymous
Yes, they do contrast each other and in a big way too.
The T1 is a nice headphone and if you like it then go for it. I think it’ll do nicely on a Schiit Asgard if your budget is limited. The Asgard would make for quite a nice all rounder amp though maybe not up to the quality of the WA2.
I personally don’t play games but if you’re looking for accurate imaging then the T1 does that.
As for the two inputs on your soundcard.. I don’t understand why you want to do that. I mean the routing of the analog input to input 1 and the optical output to a separate DAC then on to input 2 of the same amp.
Scytus
Oh, the reasoning being that the CMSS-3D effects are only available from the analog ports AFAIK. That was fine, but I didn’t want to be forced to use the soundcard’s DAC for my musical listening, and so I planned to assign the optical port to a DAC, then use the second input on my amp for when not gaming.
I’ll check out the Asgard, thank you.
Anonymous
Ah, I suppose you’re right.
Well the Asgard doesn’t come with two inputs actually.
Scytus
Sorry for the late response, how would the Matrix do then with the T1?
Anonymous
I don’t think the resolution of the amplifier is fine enough for the T1. If your budget is limited, I think you have to let go wanting to have multiple inputs.
Joseph
Amazon is now selling the HD 600 and HD 650 for $314.95 and $379.99 respectively.
Anonymous
Thanks, Joseph. Will update the page.
Carlo
Hi, Mike.
What are your recommended portable sources?
Anonymous
Portable sources…
There are so many good ones out there. What are you looking for? Small/big? Ipod based?
Carlo
i am looking for a small portable source that has a long battery life, preferably slim, and something that can also integrate well into a desktop setup.
Anonymous
Hi Carlo,
Small, long battery life, and slim. I think the Ipod Nano should work well for what you need.
You can dock it in into one of these Ipod desktop docks and out to a separate desktop DAC and amp.
http://www.headfonia.com/onkyo-nd-s1-digital-ipod-dock/ http://www.headfonia.com/wadia-170-itransport/
Carlo
Thank you, Mike.
JoonBug
Mike, have the Ultrasone Edition 8s fallen out of favor with you? I wonder if you still recommend them like you did a while ago in your review.
Anonymous
It’s a good headphone, but I don’t think I’ve ever put them in the recommendation list for several reasons: it is very expensive, and yet I don’t think it’s really that special.
JoonBug
Ok, thanks. What would be a better choice for a closed phone with better SQ than the Edition 8s? I always feel the are 8s expensive compared to an HD800 and LCD2, but perhaps not for what they do. Especially compared to the Beyer T5p… But before buying an Ed8 myself, I’d like to get your input.
Anonymous
I think first and foremost you need to make sure that the Ultrasone signature is fitting for you. Give some of the other models a try, like the HFI-780 for instance. The Ed8 in a way is an extension of that.
It is true that the closed headphones landscape is a bit limited.. there aren’t a lot of choices out there. That’s why people go with custom IEMs and such, I guess.
Blarg
Do you know the Asgard has a history of damaging headphones?
Anonymous
I’ve heard about the Lyr doing that, but not the Asgard. Do they do that?
Blarg
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/562736/what-causes-this-amp-related
I don’t want to get into the controversial stuff about the guy who was banned, but the amp itself does seem dangerous! Not something I would recommend. 😛
Anonymous
Thanks, Blarg.
Let me read that thread first and see if the Asgard does need to be removed from the Recommendations page. An amplifier that blows headphones up probably doesn’t deserve to be recommended.
Andy
Hey Mike,
I thought that the Yulong U100 was your new recommendation for a budget USB DAC/amp box. Is there a reason that you’re recommending the HUD-MX1 here?
Could it be because of the Yulong’s apparent issue with Macs, or is there another reason?
Anonymous
Yes the driver issues. I don’t want to recommend something that has driver issues.
Andy
Aside from the drivers, is there any other reason to get the HUD-MX1 over the U100? I use Windows so the drivers shouldn’t be an issue.
Which do you think would be better as a budget USB DAC/amp setup, the U100, HUD-MX1, or FiiO E7+E9? Will be using with the HD25-1 II for now, playing mostly electronica.
Anonymous
Well, aside from the drivers, if you’re strictly looking from the performance stand point, then the U100 is definitely better. But there are other things like sound signature, where the U100 is brighter and the HUD-MX1 is darker. So, that’s your pick.
Between the three you listed, the HUD-MX1 has been my favorite entry level solution. It’s just so versatile.
DodgersKings323
Wondering where the Total Bithead would stack up around here.
Anonymous
It would be nice to do a review of the Total Bithead, wouldn’t it?
Carlo
Mike,
What desktop amp would you recommend that has at least 2 RCA inputs?
Thanks!
Anonymous
Hi Carlo,
The Graham Slee Solo amps have two inputs.
What’s your budget?
http://www.headfonia.com/graham-slee-desktop-amps-novo-solo-srg-ii-solo-ultra-linear/
Carlo
Thanks! i am also checking the Matrix M-Stage.
Do we have alternatives in the $200 – $500 range?
Anonymous
$200-$300 with two inputs.. can’t think of one at the moment.
Reckoncile
Great job! I really enjoyed reading this. Looking forward to the rest of the article.
Anonymous
Thanks..
Gerard Dijkstra
Very nice, would like to see you incorporate Grado as well.
Anonymous
Thanks, Gerard.
I think I will add in an Alessandro MS-1. Grados are great, I probably should think of which model to recommend.
Ryan Adiputra
i think a jays one worth to be inside the IEM’s list 😀 , that IEM is good for that price , LOL .
Anonymous
Really? Haven’t auditioned the A Jays one.
Anonymous
Really? Haven’t auditioned the A Jays one.
Anonymous
Hi Mike, Would love to hear your review on Banzai Jelly V7,Topping T21,Topping T30,Bravo Audio Valve Class A in your list as well. Thanks Mike.Very appreciated and Good Job…:):):)
Reticuli
“Often dubbed thin and clinical, but the people who loves treble, precise sound, and expansive soundstage remains a loyal follower”
The ER4S would only be dubbed that by someone who either didn’t seal it in their ears right or used the wrong amp with it. Sealed and even with a moddest Emu 0204 feeding an E7 it sounds astounding and neutral. Maybe some who like extra bass might call it midrange-centric, but thing and treble oriented? That’s not listening to it as intended for sure. Heck, I’m still on a decade-long quest to find a conventional headphone that sounds like it.
Anonymous
Good observation. I also want to find a full size that sounds like the ER4 and recently even thought about buying another ER4. It’s just that amazing.
David
Hi Mike, I’m looking to buy a HRT MS2+ with an amp. I’m more of a warm and musical guy so what type of amp would match well with the MS2+?
Anonymous
Hi David,
The Schiit Asgard is good and is warm sounding, and pairs well with the MS2 as well.
David
Yeah I was looking at the Asgard and the price is great. What about the Woo Audio wa6 and the Burson? I forgot to mention these will be powering an Sennheiser hd650.
Anonymous
The Burson and the Woo are good amps too.
Jackblack
Hey, Is this page being updated because you give raving reviews on products such as the Fiio E10 and HE 300 buy don’t add them up on this page.
Anonymous
Yes normally I would wait a while before adding a new product to the recommendation page. Wait to see how people find the product to be and if turns out to be well liked then I’ll add it in to the recommendations.
Anonymous
When you say the Asgard is smoother and more refined than the M-stage are you comparing it to the OPA627 and Class A biased M-stage? I heard the OPA627 and Class A mod brought out smoother sound from the M-stage.
Anonymous
Yes, smoother even with the OPA627 biased class A. Especially in the bass region.
Adhya Kumara
Hei mike, I am enjoying this Recommendation page (just find out that you have this hehe). But, you did not cover recommendation headphone for Classical music. hehehe..
preferable for IEM and Portable that suitable for symphony orchestra, vocal (such as tenor, soprano, etc).
thanks
Anonymous
Hey what are you doing here man?
IEM: Try the Hifiman RE-0 or the Etymotics ER-4P. I still think the Etymotics is the best IEM for classical. Should be good for vocal, symphony and orchestras. Perhaps a little weak in strings, but almost all headphones are weak in strings.
Crane1111
Hello Mike,
Do you know what are better headphones for movies between the Denon AH-D2000, Senn 598 and Beyer 990 Pro or Premium?
Anonymous
Hi Crane,
I would go with the Denon.
Crane1111
and between Ultrasone Pro 990s and the D2000s? for bass/movies?
Anonymous
Different bass, but I think the Denon is a bit better for movies.
Sunil
Brilliant …
Would be great to see it in a grid fashion – pivoted around music genres …
Thanks
Sunil.
Anonymous
Thanks, Sunil.
That would be good, but I’m not sure I have a good “solution” for every single genre-product category combination.
Activebass
Thank you so much for sharing your recommendations. I notice that there aren’t any AMP / DAC recommendations (just AMP as far as I can tell) would it be possible for you to add some recommendation in that category as well?
Also, what would your recommendations be for a good desktop AMP / DAC combo to give the HD598 a boost? Would the Furutech ADL GT40 or Schiit Asgard + Bifrost be overkill. Buying either one should hopefully help me future-proof somewhat I guess.
Thanks!
Anonymous
Yes I definitely need to add some in.
For now I think you can probably try in the CEntrance DACport with your HD598. It’s a nice and simple solution with good sound.
I’ve never listened to the Furutech so I can’t say. The Asgard and Bitfrost looks like a very promising combo, and I can vouch for the Asgard, but we’re still waiting to get our Bitfrost for review.
Activebass
Hi Mike, thanks for the suggestion, but the CEntrance DACport might be a bit out of budget and so I’m thinking about the E10 with the HD598. In your review of the E10 you compare it to the Audinst and wrote:
“What keeps me holding on to the E10, however, is the bass section and
the midrange. Though I never feel the Audinst to be lacking on those
areas, but next to the E10 with its fuller mids and lows (even with bass
boost off), the Audinst seemed to be overly laid back and lacking PRaT.
The E10 however very easily got my attention with its full sounding
vocal and punchy bass.”
I auditioned the HD598 yesterday as well as a DT880 250 Ohm and the treble on the DT880 were killing my ears. The HD598, however, sounded very good with every genre and had me rocking to RHCP’s “Suck My Kiss”. I still found a bit “restrained’ in the mid-range department though, so would you think the E10 a good partner for the HD598?
Anonymous
Good observations, I also find the DT880 to be too bright for mainstream music recordings like RHCP.
This is my take on it: http://www.headfonia.com/old-school-trio-akg-k701-beyer-dt880-sennheiser-hd650/
Now the HD598 would be a good pairing with the E10, but I’m not so sure if it’ll open up the restrained midrange enough for you. It’s going to be a good, fun pairing, but if you want absolutely clear midrange you may need to spend more than that.
Activebass
Now THAT is a long review! 😉 I will read it in its entirety, but I did skim through some parts and then the last page. The thing is that even if the DT880 are so revealing they would theoretically be great for monitoring, I would say they would lend themselves only to monitoring certain genres of music. Mainly acoustic, vocal-centric recordings and mellow jazz recordings without horns or drummer.
I hear what you’re saying and so will do a bit more research and wait for the cans to arrive first. I pulled the trigger on the HD598 through Amazon. I’ll listen to them through my new MArantz CD6004 first and then my laptop. Once I know how they sound with my laptop, I’ll have a better idea of how I want to compliment them.
Thanks for the feedback!
Anonymous
Yes that was a really long review, and I totally agree with you on the DT880. I think they are good headphones, if you are listening to flawless, audiophile recordings. Any less than that and they’re pretty cruel.
Good let me know how you like the HD598.
Activebass
Hey Mike, you asked me to let you know how I like the HD598, so here’s a brief summary. New out of the box, they sounded very impressive with female vocals plugged in straight to my Marantz CD6004 CD player. Tori Amos, Adele, Rebecca Pidgeon’s Spanish Harlem all sounded really good an accurate. The drums on Amos’ Crucify must sound fantastic. Indeed, drums overall sound great on these cans except that the kick drum lacks a bit of punch. Next I put in Metallica’s self-titled album (black cover) and the cans don’t sound amazing except for Lars Ulrich’s drums. They sound absolutely killer. the guitars sound restrained though, but half an hour later I can already hear the cans opening up slightly when I go back to the opening track ‘Enter Sandman’ and it’s definitely not my ears getting used to the sound. So I’ve been burning in the cans for 36 hours now and they already sound better and more open.
I’ve stopped trying to figure out what genres they do or do not sound good with, because it depends on the recording. The HD598 are not kind with poor recordings – especially not from my laptop. I hear a lot of clipping even at low volumes.
Sometimes I feel they don’t do fast rock well, but then I listen to System of a Down’s ‘Chopy Suey’ and the HD598 kicks ass – Rick Rubin just produces great albums. I will say that the cans always sound very good with more mid-tempo stuff across all genres. Classic rock, pop, vocal-centric recordings, orchestral, reggae etc.
What they don’t do well is most electronic/dance stuff, but I don’t listen to that kinda stuff much.
The cans sound a lot better from my Marantz CD player, so I guess that deck must have a very good DAC built in. I will probably get a USB DAC/amp for my laptop that can supply a bit more punch in the low end and clarity in the upper mids. Any suggestions? I am going to enter the Burson photo contest 😉
For anybody reading this – straight out of your laptop, you can improve the sound of the HD598 by using your music player’s graphic equalizer.
Boost the 62Hz frequency by 2 or 3 notches. 125Hz by 1. 1KHz by 2 & 8 KHz by 4 notches and you’ll get a more fun/engaging/livelier listening experience.
Songs like 311’s amber or Summer Romance by Incubus sound a lot better that way then on flat. Even the Eagles and Norah Jones benefit from these settings.
Overall I’m happy, but not ecstatic. Hopefully they will sound even better after 100 hours burn-in. Two things I love about the HD598 though – they are the most comfortable headphones I’ve ever worn – no sweaty ears or clamping force squeezing your skull and there’s no listening fatigue. Listening for hours without my ears getting tired even at louder volumes = aural heaven! Sorry for the long post.
Mike
Hey Activebass,
I think your review is spot on, and I agree with almost everything you say there. How it’s superb with female vocals, lackking punch for kick drums, not kind with bad recordings, bad with electronic music and everything else.
The Burson would give you the improved mid clarity and the low end impact, better than the Marantz CDP. However, the HD598 is inherently not a very strong bass-punch headphone. The Mid clarity, out of a high end tube amp is excellent though.
Anonymous
And I don’t mean that the E10 has a bad midrange either, but I’m not sure how clear of a midrange you are looking for here.
GettCouped
I have the Bifrost and Asgard and I can tell you the combination is amazing. A very high level of detail combined with great imaging and a warm edge. I haven’t tried the USB portion yet. Use LCD-2 r1 and T1. The T1 sounds luxurious.
Anonymous
I can imagine how that would sound. The Asgard is a very good pairing with the T1, and having a good DAC behind it is just going to make it better.
Activebass
Thank you so much for sharing your recommendations. I notice that there aren’t any AMP / DAC recommendations (just AMP as far as I can tell) would it be possible for you to add some recommendation in that category as well?
Also, what would your recommendations be for a good desktop AMP / DAC combo to give the HD598 a boost? Would the Furutech ADL GT40 or Schiit Asgard + Bifrost be overkill. Buying either one should hopefully help me future-proof somewhat I guess.
Thanks!
Bulmanxxi
Mike,
Have you listed to the Rolls/Bellari HA540? It is the same price as the Asgard but all tube Class A amp that can drive headphones from 16-2000Ohms!
Mike
Need to give it a try, but the standard Rolls amplifier is not very high quality.
Kevin Sommers
The burson didn’t make the list? I’m surprised, you seem to really like it. Just wondering, I was thinking of picking up the DS model for my rig. I have a feeling it will pair well with my Ultrasone PRO2900, which you should review some time. 🙂
Mike
Kevin, yea the list is in no way final and I really should consider the Burson to be put in the list.
Chris
Would the Musiland 02 US be better than the HRT Streamer II or HRT Streamer II all the way?
Mike
HRT MS2 all the way.
Anonymous
Hi Mike,
I was wondering if you could help me with a recommendation?
I’ve just changed jobs and regret that I’ll be spending much of my time on public transport; I am looking for some ultra-portables with enough isolation to avoid upsetting fellow passengers.
If it’s any help, I have a basic (iPod -> Fiio L3 -> JDS Labs cMoyBB) setup and listen to most kinds of music, including Acid Jazz, Soul, Indie Electro and DnB.
Thanks,
Thomas
Mike
Hi Thomas,
I think the most isolating ultra portable headphone is the Marshall Major. And from there the HD25-1 and the Beyerdynamic DT1350.
Anonymous
Hi Mike,
Thanks for your recommendation.
I absolutely love the HD25-1, but I think it’s a bit too big for me to commute with.
I will have a look at the other recommendations to see how they stack up from a size perspective.
Thanks,
Thomas
Mike
Thomas,
The DT1350 should be much smaller in size. 🙂
RCWillis9
Hello Mike,
Any thoughts on the Little Dot MK III?
Thanks,
Bob
Mike
Bob,
I’ve listened to the Mk4 and it was a good amplifier. I have no experience with the Mk3 though.
Rgds,
Mike
Den
Hey Mike,
Could you share your thoughts on the Mk4?
Thanks,
Den
Chris
Sorry, meant Chris. LOL Don’t know where Den came from.
Mike
Den,
The Mk4 was smooth sounding, a little mellow/slow paced, spacious soundstage, good mids, smooth treble, typical tube amp bass (mostly in the upper bass, not much lows).
Miguel
Hello Mike!
I just received my Sennheiser HD650. What do you think about using my pc laptop with Woo Audio WA6 and SennheiserHD650?
Thanks,
Miguel
Mike
Hi Miguel,
Yes just add in a good DAC in between like the HRT MS2/MS2+ or DACport LX.
LQ
hi mike, i read ur review on dt1350 and what i get that the dt1350 is a better in spec techs, but why you dont put it one the recommendation list?
Mike
Not easy to get on the Recommendations list 😉
What I do is I wait to get some feedbacks from friends who own the product and see if they are happy with the purchase, because tech specs are meaningless if people don’t enjoy it. I want to make sure that the Recommendations list contain products that are truly enjoyable to own and listen to.
Bak
hi mike, any experience with the AKG K 430? my px100s just died, so i’m considering between these and the px-200 ii’s…. i listen to mostly hip hop but also alot of asian pop, acoustic, ballads…
Lorenzo Guerrini
help me
which amp and dac for hd-600?Burson ha-160 + V-DACII or Burson ha-160DS or other?I love the dynamic sound and soft
Mike
Hi Lorenzo,
Can you explain more? Dynamic sound and soft? What music, what bands?
Barbara Johansen
Great site!
Im about to buy the P5 from Bowers and Wilkins for my IPhone 4S. Love their sound, goes perfectly with my music taste and spoken word.
But I am really unsure Of what amp to go for? Any thoughts?
Mike
Barbara,
I would go direct with the P5. It runs very well just straight out of the Iphone.
Barbara Johansen
Super Thx:)
Georgelai57
Hi. I’m no headphone-phile though I do have the Audio Technica ATH M50, Grado SR60i, Klipsch Image One and IEMs like Senns S4i. The problem is I just can’t get used to IEMs despite oval tips like the S4i. I know earbuds that sit outside like Apple’s stock ones aren’t great sound-wise but can you recommend some good ones? No headband type or neckband type. Ideally like Apple’s stock, with iPhone mic preferably, and of course great sound. Great website too!
Mike
Hi,
I did a high end earbuds comparison a while ago, you can check it here: http://www.headfonia.com/high-end-earbuds-review/
Little Blue
Hi Mike, I need some help on what to get my audiophile boyfriend for his birthday. He has Sennheiser HD598s, a Denon AVR 2807, a turntable, and B&W speakers. He just listens to music (rap, rock, indie music, etc) at his desktop at home mostly. Any ideas for me to wow him??
Mike
Hi Amy,
You can get him a new headphone, something easy to enjoy like the Sennheiser HD25-1.
Or you can get him a cool desktop amplifier for headphones like the Schiit Asgard. For $250 I think he’ll be surprised that his girlfriend somehow manages to dig up this cool amplifier to use with his Sennheiser headphone.
Please check the Amplifier Recommendations section for the Schiit Asgard, or Headphones Recommendations for the HD25-1.
Little Blue
He could use an amp even though he already has a reciever? Doesn’t that already have an amp in it? Or am I dumb…
Lieven V
The receiver does have an amp, for the speakers, not one dedicated to a headphone. I’m sure he’ll love the Asgard or some nice new headphones. I would 🙂
Little Blue
What would be a comparable amp…but not as much lol. like max $150
Mike
Yes you are right Amy. So it’s entirely up to you, a new headphone would be cool too, but I think a separate dedicated amp would be good and the Asgard should be better than the headphone amp in the receiver.
Little Blue
What about the NuForce uDAC2?
Mike
The uDAC is not that special in my opinion.
You want a $150 amp? Maybe check this article: http://www.headfonia.com/music-on-a-budget-sub-100-portable-amps-shootout/
Florent Vaucelle
Hi Mike, I have 400€ (about $500) available for an amp/dac
Florent Vaucelle
Hi Mike, I have 400€ (about $500) available for an amp/dac upgrade, and I though about getting Schiit Asgard paired with Fiio Alpen so I could have dac and amp for both office and portable setup.
I’m wondering if there’s a better alternative like a dedicated dac + portable amp + Asgard that could fit within my budget, but I’m kind of lost with all these portable devices available! I currently own E7+E9 and would like to move on to step 2.
Note that I’m not holding tight on the Asgard, but you seem to praise it quite a lot, and the price look very fair.
Thanks!