I got a new A&K A&Ultima player, what headphones?
 

I got a new A&K A&Ultima sp1000 player, what headphones can I drive?

I'm a fan of IEMs and I have a really good one on order, but what open back headphones will I be able to drive?

I like LCD-X, but what else should be on my list to demo? Can I do Auteur?

The LCD-X is much easier to drive with the 20 ohm impedance and 103db/1mW rating for a portable device. The Auteur with its 300 ohm impedance and lower sensitivity shines with a dedicated headphone amp, tubes or SS. You can try the Auteurs, perhaps you will be satisfied but I doubt you will get 100% out of them.

What IEM's did you choose Mouse? Sadly I'm totally useless on headphones.

JH Audio Layla custom fit IEM. They sound perfect with A&K, that's what they were demoing with at RMAF.
My Campfire Andronica sounds really good too, it's just not in the same league nor price bracket as Layla.

I also have ordered new Campfire's Equinox custom IEM too. Their demo at RMAF sounded great too, and probably much easier to drive with an iphone, they also make lightning cables too. Lightning isn't exactly audiophile friendly, but I'm not always going to have my AK player, and sometimes I want to watch a movie on a plane.

IEM with a perfect seal is the perfect companion on an airplane. :yes:

Pretty darn svelte choices I might add!

:ok:

I have the LCD-XC, the closed version. They also play well with DAPs (I use them with Onkyo DP-X1 and Questyle QP2R).

My CIEMs came in today. All I can say is wow. There are things that JH Layla doesn't do as well as a full system, but with this A&K DAP/Layla CIEM combo there is a lot more detail and speed when listening to Al DiMeola, McLaughlin, DeLucia than I remembered. I thought this album sounded great on my Mc/SF system, until today.

Maybe the DAC, maybe the source, maybe the absence of enough room treatment to hear all this detail, but WOW.

Serge, will LCD-4Z work with A&K SP1000?

Impedance 15 ohms
Sensitivity 98 dB/1mW (at Drum Reference Point)