HD6XX
Not sure what "seasoning" means.
With seasoning I mean very small 'alterations' to sound preferences. As in tubes or other euphonic additions.
I listened to HD650 and liked what I heard a lot (so I got the cheaper Massdrop version), but the bass is weak. I tried Bass EQ on my Laptop with the HD6XX but this did not go well. Everything overloaded quickly. I'd like a more real bass if that is possible.
sounds like either the 'volume' was not lowered in or by the software leading to clipping or the used headphone out ran out of voltage.
Price range, lower is better. I will spend as much as the 200 USD I paid for the headphones, but if I can get something for less I prefer to pay less.
That is really feasable. I can start naming a bunch of amps (DAC-amps) that will apply. Thus you will get a bunch of recommendations that all will fit the bill. It may be frustrating me not naming a few but I am not going to say ... buy this or that or ....
Preference, good sound. Something that sounds like real music.
amps and DAC's can not make music sound more 'real', at most some gear can make it sound poor.
I have looked at brands and I am bewildered. Every brand seems to have fanboys that praise it over the moon and detractors that claim to have never heard worse sound ever.
Truth is most of the amps will sound good as long as they can provide enough voltage (some can't) and have a wide enough frequency range.
Functionality - go between my laptop, I play Tidal and paid for "Hifi" not that I hear much of a difference on my laptop if any and my Headphone.
USB DAC + amp (or combo) seems the most likely candidate. A standalone amp is also something that could be used. Soundcards of laptops can be quite good when paired with just an amp.
Input, I guess from reading USB. But I read of loads of problems with USB, need for additional gizmo's. My laptop has optical out, but I know this is now rare and then next one I buy may not have this.
B.S. for the most part, there are some (quite rare) USB DAC's that have 'problems' with USB.
Examples are found on ASR.
Most USB works fine.
It's mainly desktop, but should be easy to carry to the main office if I work from there or to clients sites.
so small and preferably 1 product thus USB DAC-AMP combo.
That said, I would like to pursue the original thrust of the thread more.
I am disappointed by the state of reliable information to aid purchase decisions in Audio and finding that even places like this that present themselves as objective and science driven are not really that useful in making good choices is disappointing.
The absence of websites that tell you what to buy without any knowledge is for a good reason.
Those that do probably gain financially or are fanboys.
As you can see proper advise depends on proper input.
I know of no website where you can fill in all the wishes stated in my previous post and have a number of currently available gear rolling out with choices from all manufacturers and sellers Iincl ebay, amazon, ali-express etc.) that are available in your region.
The only thing one can do is ask for advise on forums or from retailers. Depending on WHO you ask you get different recommendations.
Even on one site you will get several different recommendations by folks that want to help or share personal experiences.
That's the way it is. There is no 1 RIGHT, there are a bunch of people that are 'right' and multiple recommendations/equipment will be perfect.
How can one decide what to buy? Do we really need to get a PhD in Audio simply to make an informed buying decision? There has to be a better way!
No, instead ask people for advise. Look for 'common' recommendations or one you trust and go with that.
Ask the right questions.
Give all the input they need.
Have a look around, see what fits your needs and looks nice to you and post those here.
Then I can have a look and say which one will do and shorten that list to make the decision easier is all I can offer.