What's your headphone system end game?

[Celty]

Ron Texas started a general "What is your dream system?" thread. I thought I would start one specific to headphones, DAC, Amp, etc... So whats on your list?

 

[Doodski]

Sennheiser HD 820 is the goal I'm shooting for. Retails in Canada for $3499.95
https://en-ca.sennheiser.com/high-end-headphones-audiophiles-hd-820
The pic is a model and not me.

 

[monkeyboy]

I think I have mine
Cans: Beyer T1.2, 1990, PSB M4U1 (at work)
Amp: JDS Element
DAC: Topping D50
DAP - Cowon P1 (not problem pushing either headphone)

I don't think I'd buy another set of headphones, if I want to modify the sound, I'd just add a bit of EQ.

With modern EQ, I'm starting to think the raw Freq Resp isn't all that important, just get something close to your preference. I think dynamics and distortion might be a better metrics

Same with full size speakers, I'm not sure you need an absolutely flat response, other metrics are probably more important

 

[Cahudson42]

Well, so far, I am perfectly happy with an LG V20 streamer/DAC, Liquid Spark, and HE400i.

The LS has enough power to drive the HE400i with plenty of headroom. The V20, 'tricked' into it's 2v ' hi impedance' mode, lets me use the LS in low gain mode, still with plenty of headroom.

My source is 'always' Amazon Music HD, where virtually everything I listen to is 16/44.1. 96db dynamic range is provided by this setup. Fine by me.

As always, I suffer from 'upgrade-itus' - and the Heresy is calling with it's lower distortion and even more HE 400i headroom. If buying now, I would get the Heresy. But the LS has its merits - beautiful built. Plenty of power. And no distortion that I can hear anyway.

 

[pozz]

Like @Doodski said, the Sennheiser HD820.

Would be driven by a Benchmark HPA4.

I'd also like an HD800S. Haven't decided on an endgame planar.

 

[LeftCoastTim]

AKG K371. And I’m done.

(I also use JBL Everest 110 for on the go use. Wireless, good isolation, convenient and very good)

 

[FrantzM]

I have an itch for a Sennheiser. Never had one. Because of ASR , I no longer think about spending more than $1000 in headphones. HD800 second hand? Mr Speakers Aeon closed?
Current headphones are in order of preference, not of usage...
Hifi HE6
Stax SR-007 and Stax SS Amp
Hifiman HE560

I think in term of headphones I am very close to end of game. I wouldn't mind an amp capable of driving the HE6 to its full potential. Atom works but I think I need a more powerful amp... Lingering subjective tendencies perhaps.
I also have a Koss ESL Old model, needs refurbishing, Can't find it at the moment

 

[NTomokawa]

Benchmark HPA4 driving a set of Qualia 010.

 

[JDragon]

I think I have mine. Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro -> THX AAA 789 -> Focal Utopia

 

[Severian]

Stax L700

 

[majingotan]

Cost no object and with the premium looks and feel:

DAC: dCS Vivaldi with Vivaldi Master Clock
Preamp: Benchmark LA4
Amp: 2x Benchmark AHB2 monoblocks
HP: RAAL SR1a with RIbbon/amp interface

 

[Doodski]

Cost no object and with the premium looks and feel:

DAC: dCS Vivaldi with Vivaldi Master Clock
Preamp: Benchmark LA4
Amp: 2x Benchmark AHB2 monoblocks
HP: RAAL SR1a with RIbbon/amp interface

Wowowow. Very esoteric headphones you posted.
https://raalrequisite.com/sr1a-earfield-monitors/

 

[frogmeat69]

I have my end game main headphone system DAC, the RME ADI-2 DAC, and my iFi iCan Pro amp is powerful enough to drive any of my cans to ear bleeding levels (and the HE6se to pretty loud levels), and I love it, but the SMSL SP200 gives it a run for it's money, and is just so transparent sounding. And it's a shitload cheaper, lol.
I can't seem to pick an endgame pair of headphones.

 

[majingotan]

Indeed. I've never heard both SR1a and the HE-1 but I'm surmising it would give a unique soundstage experience for a headphone given the driver technology as I'm a sucker for soundstage

 

[raistlin65]

The audio hobby (headphones included) is a journey, not a destination. I hope to be upgrading and trying out new equipment until the day I die. So whatever I have at the end is the end game

 

[SDC]

I want a realiser and a nice headphone. But not really sure what is nice.

 

[Doodski]

I want a realiser and a nice headphone. But not really sure what is nice.

What is a realiser?
Do you have a budget?

 

[SDC]

What is a realiser?

smyth realiser a16 this is what I want.
Impulcifier is cheaper way, but thread is about dream system and I dream atmos

 

[Veri]

Sennheiser HD 820 is the goal I'm shooting for. Retails in Canada for $3499.95
https://en-ca.sennheiser.com/high-end-headphones-audiophiles-hd-820
The pic is a model and not me.

Be sure to try it before buying one, I don't think the HD820 sounds very good at all. Mids and tonality are way off.

 

[LTig]

I think I have mine
Cans: Beyer T1.2, 1990, PSB M4U1 (at work)
Amp: JDS Element
DAC: Topping D50
DAP - Cowon P1 (not problem pushing either headphone)

I don't think I'd buy another set of headphones, if I want to modify the sound, I'd just add a bit of EQ.

I second that, with an RME ADI-2 PRO fs and a Sennheiser HD800 - end game reached.