Is the upgrade worth it?

[Boduke]

Hello, I need help deciding if an upgrade on my headphone audio system is worth it.
It currently consists of:

• Topping u90 (IIs interface to...)
• Topping d90 III sabre
• Topping a70 pro

Everything is connected in balanced. Music comes from streaming via pc-usb using qobuz in addition to my local SACDs, both of them played on audirvana.

I was looking at:

• the Topping combination a900+d900
• the SMSL combo VMV D3R+VMV P2 MK2
• various equipment from Gustard but I don't know this brand very well

Is it worth upgrading or is my current setup good? Do you have any recommendations for other brands as well?

 

[Power Pop 23]

Hi,

Your current setup is good, very good.

EDIT - you may benefit from an 'upgrade' that gives you the option to apply Parametric EQ to your sources - like the Topping DX5 II DAC/Headphone Amp.

 

[Ruediger]

Define worth to upgrade.

Like the looks and options of the other units better?

 

[Boduke]

Hi,

Your current setup is good, very good.

EDIT - you may benefit from an 'upgrade' that gives you the option to apply Parametric EQ to your sources - like the Topping DX5 II DAC/Headphone Amp.

I've always used the fabfilter pro vst plugins in audirvana to equalize headphones on Harman target

Define worth to upgrade.

Like the looks and options of the other units better?

only technical specifications to obtain better sound

 

[Ruediger]

only technical specifications to obtain better sound

I think it will be hard to achieve even tiny crumbles by replacing these units.

Unless there is something that leaves space for optimization. Like the pairing of your headphones with the headphone amp.

Upgrading is fun, but if you have 4-digits burning a hole in your pocket - thought about other headphones or speakers? A much, much higher chance to actually hear a difference that's not just bias/expectation/talk in the head.

 

[Boduke]

At the moment my headphones are DC Noire X

​

 

[Thighsofsteel]

If you are streaming from a PC, you can apply EQ via Equaliser APO. I wouldn’t spend on new electronics. What you have now is top of the tree.

 

[Ruediger]

At the moment my headphones are DC Noire X

Same here but they are still new to me.

Mostly in use with a SMSL DO400 (also a 9039pro DAC) and it's headphone amp. And an iBasso dx180.

I would love to try a top end Topping, VMV or Gustard source. But honestly I don't expect much besides the much nicer units on the desk.

 

[Boduke]

If you are streaming from a PC, you can apply EQ via Equaliser APO. I wouldn’t spend on new electronics. What you have now is top of the tree.

I'll give it a try

Ok, in the end it looks like I'll have to drop it for now