Upgrade from HifiMan Sundara + Qudelix 5K

[Ole_S]

Hi guys,

I am considering selling my Sundara's + Qudelix 5K and make an upgrade.
What would a normally next step be to my headphone journey?

I have decided to buy Sony WH-1000XM5 for my bluetooth play.

Therefore my new setup should contain:
1 x desktop DAC/AMP
1 x open back headphones.

Looking forward receiving som good advises.

Thanks.

 

[Ole_S]

Hifiman Ẩrya Organic might be a way to look.

Any good recommendations, please let me know

 

[Dunring]

The Hifiman Deva Pro wired is my daily driver and having had the Sundara a few times it's got a better sound profile and a lot more comfortable. The Arya Stealth is the best headphone I've heard for planar magnetic and would be a noticable upgrade.
The Topping L50/E50, JDS Atom 2 stack, or my favorite in the price range is the Drop SMSL HO150X with the DO100 or D-6s DAC will fit on top of it.
I use a Topping A70Pro/E70 90238pro DAC and that's end game for anyone if it's in the budget. Plug an Arya Stealth into it and you'll likely never upgrade again. I've got the 50 and 68 ohm HE6SE V2 but the Arya Stealth is amazing.

 

[Ole_S]

Hi guys,

I have just been offered a set of Hifiman Ayra Stealth (B-stock) for 763.8 EUR.
How does it sound? And what AMP/DAC to pair with this?

Thank you.

 

[mtaz]

I upgraded my Sundaras with Audeze LCD-X. If you like the planar magnetic sound, I think these are worth considering.

 

[Ole_S]

I upgraded my Sundaras with Audeze LCD-X. If you like the planar magnetic sound, I think these are worth considering.

I have just bought a couple of HifiMan Ayra stealth (B-stock).

 

[Ole_S]

Since it is not allowed to create more than one thread, do you have some good recommendations to the standard cable for the Arya Stealth?
The standard cable should be "crap".

Thank you.

 

[AdamG]

Since it is not allowed to create more than one thread, do you have some good recommendations to the standard cable for the Arya Stealth?
The standard cable should be "crap".

Thank you.

You are more than welcome to create a new thread as long as you are seeking different advice about a different pice of kit. We just don’t like duplicate threads about the same subject.

 

[Jimbob54]

Since it is not allowed to create more than one thread, do you have some good recommendations to the standard cable for the Arya Stealth?
The standard cable should be "crap".

Thank you.

I'd search on here for replacement cables for any Hifiman. To the best of my knowledge they all take the same dual 3.5mm fittings at the cup end.

Most of their stock ones look and feel like junk but do the job just fine.

 

[Ole_S]

You are more than welcome to create a new thread as long as you are seeking different advice about a different pice of kit. We just don’t like duplicate threads about the same subject.

I got it!
I cannot find your recommendation to the Hifiman standard cable for Hifiman Arya Stealth?

Or did you just want to comment on the duplicate? :-S

 

[Ole_S]

I'd search on here for replacement cables for any Hifiman. To the best of my knowledge they all take the same dual 3.5mm fittings at the cup end.

Most of their stock ones look and feel like junk but do the job just fine.

And therefore I am looking for a better cable for my new Arya Stealth.

 

[Ole_S]

You are more than welcome to create a new thread as long as you are seeking different advice about a different pice of kit. We just don’t like duplicate threads about the same subject.

I got it!

 

[Jimbob54]

And therefore I am looking for a better cable for my new Arya Stealth.

Read my previous post, action it, you will find this that you might have forgotten.

Please don't be "that" guy

Hifiman Sundara + cables

Hi guys, HifiMan Sundara is very popular - no doubt about it. Therefore, I think that many users can benefit from this thread. HifiMan is known for adding bad cables, especially for the cheaper headphones. Including Sundara. Which cables do you use for your HifiMan Sundara? Both Unbalanced...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Ole_S]

Hi,

I have one more question.
If I may not ask anymore it is fair. Then please let me know.

I have decided to use my Qudelix 5K for my headphones, for now.
And wait to buy a nice desktop setup until I receive a good offer (B-stock).

Please, can you let me know if Qudelix 5K is powerful enough for both Hifiman Sundara, Hifiman Arya Stealth and Sennheiser HD600? (balanced 2,5 mm)
My current collection.

Thank you.

 

[Jimbob54]

From the specs I've seen the arya stealth is the same sensitivity as the Sundara so if you are fine with the Sundara already you should be good there.

If you've already used the HD600 with it you should have a good idea there too but other members are fine with the 600 and 800 series using the Q5K balanced.

The big caveat being a large preamp on eq can chew that headroom up quickly.

 

[Ole_S]

From the specs I've seen the arya stealth is the same sensitivity as the Sundara so if you are fine with the Sundara already you should be good there.

If you've already used the HD600 with it you should have a good idea there too but other members are fine with the 600 and 800 series using the Q5K balanced.

The big caveat being a large preamp on eq can chew that headroom up quickly.

Thank you for answering.
I am newbie, but I am not sure what you mean here:

The big caveat being a large preamp on eq can chew that headroom up quickly.

 

[Jimbob54]

Thank you for answering.
I am newbie, but I am not sure what you mean here:

The big caveat being a large preamp on eq can chew that headroom up quickly.

Let's say you use a 6db low shelf filter on the bass for any headphone. You need a - 6db preamp reduction on that eq profile. That means the rest of the frequency range is 6db quieter than without eq.

In other words max volume on everything but the bass parts of music is 6db less than before.

On your current set up, no eq, play music as loud as you like to go then in uapp or on the q5k , lower volume by 6db. It's quite a drop.

If you dont use such heavy eq, all is good. If on the q5k and sundara already you are near max volume and on the arya you need more eq than the sundara, you might need more juice.

But I doubt it. All depends on your loudness and eq preferences. Generally though people need less power than they think.

 

[Ole_S]

Let's say you use a 6db low shelf filter on the bass for any headphone. You need a - 6db preamp reduction on that eq profile. That means the rest of the frequency range is 6db quieter than without eq.

In other words max volume on everything but the bass parts of music is 6db less than before.

On your current set up, no eq, play music as loud as you like to go then in uapp or on the q5k , lower volume by 6db. It's quite a drop.

If you dont use such heavy eq, all is good. If on the q5k and sundara already you are near max volume and on the arya you need more eq than the sundara, you might need more juice.

But I doubt it. All depends on your loudness and eq preferences. Generally though people need less power than they think.

Thanks for the good explanation.
I will try mount a balanced cable to my Qudelix 5K.

Later I can buy a seperate desktop setup.

 

[Ole_S]

Hi guys,

I have just been offered a Fiio K9.
Price: 335 EUR

Please let me know your opinion on this one?

Thanks.

 

[Robbo99999]

Hi guys,

I have just been offered a Fiio K9.
Price: 335 EUR

Please let me know your opinion on this one?

Thanks.

None of this matters for sound quality. What's important is that your DAC/amp has been measured here on ASR and that it measured well and has enough power to drive your headphones to the volume that you require. If the Qudelix 5K, which you already own, can drive your headphones you own & will own to a loud enough level then there's no point from a sound quality point of view in buying another DAC/amp. The Qudelix 5K also offers parametric EQ which is exceedingly useful.