Building a setup...

[matt_zak]

After contemplating for what seems like forever I’ve decided to put off building another 2ch system while over here in the desert. I have decided to build a headphone system. In the past I had Sennheiser HD600’s with a Little Dot mk2. It was a decent setup but this time I’m looking to take it up a notch.

As with everything, I’ve researched way too much and my mind has me building what seems like a million different systems. I’m looking to stay under $3,000 and of course my fingers are crossed for some good Black Friday deals (Ivan...cough cough)

Here is what I’ve narrowed it down to:
Audeze LCD-X w/ Bryston BHA-1 and a Schiit Modi Multibit
Audeze LCD-2 w/ Bryston BHA-1 and a Schiit Bifrost Multibit
Audeze LCD-3 w/ Audeze Deckard
Sennheiser HD850S w/ HDVA600

As you guys know the combinations are endless. Do any of you have any other suggestions? I'm having trouble deciding if I should keep the quality of DAC as close as the quality of amp. Also, because I have a two little girls and 2 cats I would prefer to stay away from tubes.

Classic rock, jazz and classical are the main genres that I listen to. Rap is probably the only thing that will never get played on this. Thanks for the help.

[Masterlu]

Personally speaking, I would leave the Sennheiser HD850S w/ HDVA600 off your list.

[matt_zak]

Wow, I figured some of our headphone guys would've chimed in.

[robfine]

Okay, I'll bite. I am in a similar place except I want to upgrade a relatively inexpensive, but not bad sounding headphone system I have on my night table. I have Audeze LCD-XC (closed back), Beyerdynamic T5p, and HiFiMan HE-500 headphones. I think you should add the LCD-XC into your selection. At this level, it is not a question whether open or closed back are better, they are just different. And closed back phones have certain benefits- they keep outside sound out (and isn't that what headphones are really for, anyway-- as opposed to speakers?) Also, they keep sound in which can be a big benefit. My wife falls asleep before me 75% of the time and when she does, the XCs come on for a really nice listening session to unwind or fall asleep to.

These phones are fed by a Logitech Squeezebox Touch connected to the network with Ethernet. For the Touch I have a Channel Island power supply with Shunyata Venom PC. The Touch feeds a Centrance DacMini connected by a WW SuperNova Toslink. The Centrance has a very nice DAC and headphone amp. I think it's time to upgrade what I have sitting the nightstand. I have to deal with limited real estate, WAF and budget. Two components I have started to look at are the Audeze Deckard, and also the Bryson BDP-Pi. If only Bryston built a DAC/Amp that was in the 1/3 size format of the BDP-Pi and BOT-1. What a killer desktop or night table system it would be in combination with the BDP-Pi. (Jim Tanner- anything like that on the horizon I should hold out for?). I figure if the BDP-2 works great in my main system why not the Pi for the bedroom? BTW: what source(s) are you using ?

Anyway- for you-- give the XCs an audition. You might like them more than the Xs. (I didn't mention considering the BHA-1 for me because I need something that takes up less real estate but a great choice-- ask Ivan, he probably has some in his garage taking up valuable space he needs to move out to make room for other goodies).

For me, I'm looking for suggestions for my night table system (except my headphone hunt is done for awhile). any suggestions for source (streaming), I have an Ethernet connection right there, and DAC/amp or separates would be appreciated. And maybe what's suggested for me will work for you and vice versa.

Thanks

[matt_zak]

Thanks for the info. I've thought about the XCs also. Personally I think any of the Audeze headphones will work for me. It's about staying in my budget now. My wife knows all to well how I can destroy a budget. This past summer when car hunting I started out looking at Hyundai's and ended up with a Cadillac lol.

My laptop will be my source. The desk is basically in the dinning room that looks into the living room. So if the amp is on the right side of my desk then I can sit on the left side of the couch (or lay down) and the cord will reach fine.

Have you looked at the Bel Canto DAC1.7 or 2.7? They both have headphone amps built in and have a small footprint that might work for you.

Matt

[robfine]

Have not looked at the Bel Canto DACs but I will now.

[doggiehowser]

I'd recommend one of the Chord headphone amps with a built in DAC. Chord makes their own FPGA discrete DACs, not an off the shelf chip and they are IMHO world class.

The Mojo might be small but it is surprisingly gutsy for a tiny battery operated device.



I'd go for the Hugo TT if I needed the balanced connectivity to my hifi gear (or proper RCA) vs mini stereo to RCA cabling on the Mojo.



The headphone amp sections are no slouch either.

And when money is no object.. the Chord DAVE

[Levitator]

I have the chord mojo for my headphones and in my opinion its a cracking little unit!

[matt_zak]

Which headphones do you use Levitator?

[Jack in Wilmington]

I was at my local HiFi shop to check out the Auralic Aries music server and they had the Auralic Taurus headphone amp sitting there with a pair of Sennheiser HD800's and a PSB (didn't catch the model) headphones. The unit was really clean and sounded great through both cans.