Don't spend more than this on a headphone setup!!
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- Опубликовано: 2 июл 2024
- Audiophile headphone setup under $500 ($400 actually)
Schiit Modi: www.schiit.com/products/modi-...
Schiit Magni: www.schiit.com/products/magni...
HiFiMan HE400SE: amzn.to/3yhik1r
Under $1000
Topping E50: amzn.to/4agmJPy
Geshelli Labs Archel 2.5XL: bit.ly/3V2lxtF or Erish 2: bit.ly/4bjVGE7
Sivga SV023: amzn.to/3UKsEqt
Under $2000
Geshelli Labs J2S AK4499: bit.ly/J2SAKM
Aune S17 Pro: amzn.to/3UzJtnO
xDuoo TA-20 Plus: amzn.to/4bgoopr
HiFiMan Ananda Nano: amzn.to/3WH01Nq
Honorable Mentions:
xDuoo MT-601: amzn.to/3wHZn7y or MT-602: amzn.to/3WIu6vP
xDuoo TA-26S: amzn.to/3UGcZrV
ETA O2 review: • These WILL surprise yo...
Sennheiser HD 660S2: amzn.to/3QLa7Ja
Verum Audio Verum 2 review: • How can a headphone at... (purchase link in the review description)
Get your Passion for Sound merchandise: passion-for-sound.myspreadsho...
My recommended best audiophile headphone setups for under $500, under $1,000 and under $2,000.
My top recommended HEADPHONES (prices in USD)
HarmonicDyne Athena - $179 - bit.ly/3QvQdlq
Moondrop Para - $299 - amzn.to/4c1C4F9
Sivga SV023 - $449 - amzn.to/3UKXsZ5
Meze 109 Pro - $799 - amzn.to/3y6l6qi
Sony MDR-Z1R - $1,800 - amzn.to/4dy4szZ
ZMF Atrium - $2,499 - www.zmfheadphones.com/
Meze Elite - $4,000 - bit.ly/3UMIDWb
Focal Utopia (2022) - $4,999 - amzn.to/44xEHvx
My top recommended IEMS (prices in USD)
KZ ESX - $30 - amzn.to/4bpMyxC
Tangzu FUDU - $89 - amzn.to/3UvOrlk
Simgot EM6L - $129 - amzn.to/4a3SLy1
Meze Audio Alba - $159 - bit.ly/AlbaIEM
Thieaudio Elixir - $209 - amzn.to/3ULd9zr
7Hz Timeless - $220 - amzn.to/3QslVA8
Yanyin Canon II - $379 - bit.ly/YanCanII
Xenns Mangird Top - $530 - bit.ly/XENNSTopLin
Sennheiser IE600 - $700 - amzn.to/44AxcUQ
Sennheiser IE900 - $849 - amzn.to/4b66wxy
Westone Mach 70 - $1,400 - amzn.to/3ULUK5P
My top recommended TRANSPORTS (prices in USD)
WiiM Pro - $168 - amzn.to/4bpTDOw
SMSL PL200 CD - $669 - amzn.to/3Wsd0lJ
Eversolo DMP-A6 (Master Edition) - $1,299 - amzn.to/44sBMUR
Eversolo DMP-A8 - $1,980 - amzn.to/3QxRU1B
My top recommended DACS (prices in USD)
Topping E30 II - $149 - amzn.to/3JQyGkd
Topping E50 - $199 - amzn.to/3WucWSO
SMSL DO200 Mk2 - $469 - amzn.to/4a5Di0C
Topping D70 Pro OCTO - $599 - amzn.to/4a8bubZ
Geshelli J2S AK4499EX - $680 - bit.ly/J2SAKM
Schiit Bifrost 2/64 - $799 - www.schiit.com/products/bifro...
Gustard R26 - $1,650 - amzn.to/3QyZ0mB
Schiit Yggdrasil - $2,299 - www.schiit.com/products/yggdr...
Chord TT2 - $5,295 - chordelectronics.co.uk/produc...
My top recommended HEADPHONE AMPS (prices in USD)
Schiit Magni - $119 - www.schiit.com/products/magni...
xDuoo MT-604 - $169 - amzn.to/4bpNYrW
xDuoo TA-26S - $319 - amzn.to/3UJbfzx
Geshelli A3 Pro - $499 - bit.ly/GLA3Pro
Aune S17 Pro - $699 - amzn.to/4a75v7b
Schiit Mjolnir - $1199 - www.schiit.com/products/mjoln...
Burson Audio Voyager - $5,300+ - bit.ly/4a8Mwcq
My top recommended DONGLE DACS (prices in USD)
Moondrop Dawn Pro - $50 - amzn.to/3y2dd57
Simgot DEW4X - $80 - amzn.to/4b68rlK
Questyle M15i - $349 - amzn.to/4doMSyp
My top recommended WIRELESS 'PHONES (prices in USD)
Soundpeats Air3 Deluxe - $40 - amzn.to/3UIXQr4
Soundpeats Air4 Pro - $79 - amzn.to/3Wyj4tj
Edifier Neobuds Pro 2 - $130 - amzn.to/3WwMpEf
Sennheiser Momentum 4 - $379.95 - amzn.to/3WrEqZ0
HiFiMan Svanar Wireless - $499 - amzn.to/4amOhmx
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00:00 Introduction
00:48 System under $500
03:25 System under $1000
06:03 Another DAC option
06:32 System under $2000
10:46 Wrap-up
#audiophile #audioreview #budget 
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nice review and your editing has gone a couple of notches up - great work
Thank you! I'm glad you like it!!
Good afternoon from Toronto ☕️
I sent your video to some of my friends who are thinking of getting the HeadFi hobby.
I’m good as I’ve reached a level that for me is comfortable and give me a performance 🎭 that I love.
Great video 👍
Currently using the Mese 99 Neo on a 25 year old Creek OBH-11 headphone amp, but I'm planning on updating that and DAC next month. Likely the Schiit Modius and Midgard, or the Asgaard 3 with the built in DAC depending on what you think of the new "fixed" one with 2V or what it was.
my in office setup is a modi/magni stack with a set of Drop HD6XX. I also use my new Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro X LE. Indeed a great little setup
Thanks for creating the video and sharing your recommendations. It's like a gentle dip (with arm floaties for safety) into the abyss of hi-fi audio.
I'm glad I could help!
$500: Edition XS open-box and any of the $200 dac-amps or save money with something like an E10K.
$1000: The same unless you want more dynamics and technicality and would use EQ, then HE6se V2 with any amp that can drive it like the THX ones for $200 work fine.
$2000: HE1000se open-box and similar amps as before.
Great advice, great video, thanks man.
My pleasure. I'm glad you liked it!
If there is something useful to add:
1.st point to consider, is to always try headphones first. Not all - especially most expensive ones - fit best on any head or ears, some put incredible pressure disregarding listener's ergonomy.
2.nd point, electromagnetic headphones usually demand a digital amplification, I had some best of both, but it was no good idea to try them together.
3.rd point, tube-amps work great with dynamic headphones make even less resolving or older models sound nice
Geshelli dac with aune s17 is really really orgasmic and my end game system. I am thinking of putting together a speaker system maybe with KEF or Q acoustic with cambridge A B amp
You nailed it here. My exact setup is the S17, J2s and ananda nano hahaha. I also have a dmp-a6 that I love.
Awesome setup!
I can vouch for the Geshelli products. Just got the Erish 3 Amp to stack with my J2S AK4499 & Sparkos Op amps DAC. Great Bang for the Buck
I'm excited to try the E3 soon!
Modi + / Magni Unity or MB / Loki + and the DT770 pro 250ohm is a perfect setup for me. Pioneer Elite transport for CDs / CDr or Fiio X52G for streaming HiFi Res via coaxial in Modi.
No complaints and not too expensive. It's the damn Canadian dollar, import fees and shipping that suck. Enjoy the summer tunes with a cold one!
Really enjoy your reviews and content, very thorough. I just got into headphone listening, and for my first purchase, I bought the sennhieser 660s2 (for $400 US) and an xduoo ta-22 (for $440 US). I'm very happy for using it for late-night bedside listening. I chose the tube/hybrid for my first taste into tube amplification (as opposed to my home audio system, which are class d driven separates).
The headphone systems are considerably more affordable, which gives me the option of trying additional amplifiers/dacs in the future for a different sound. May have to try something even more tubey with a better dac.
So glad to hear that you're enjoying the exploration of headphones in addition to your 2-channel setup. There's so much variety to enjoy between both types of listening.
Thank you for this video. 👍
My pleasure!
I watched your tier list a while back and saw you gave the Arya Stealth an S tier rating. Recently after weeks of research, I was liking what I heard about it and pulled the trigger at $1259. All I can say is WOW. I was expecting a side-grade from my Focal Clears and in my opinion, got a massive upgrade. First time I've ever really been amazed on my 1.5 year Hifi Journey. I could almost call this end game, paired with my Fiio R7 but maybe next on the list is my DAC/Amp. Thank you!
So glad you're loving them. Congratulations!
When you have a fixed budget, the question is always whether it's worth investing more money in headphones or the DAC/AMP combination. In my experience, the improvement in sound is greater with headphones in the price range up to 500 dollars/euro than with a headphone amplifier. There are quite clear jumps here, whether you pay 100/300/500, whereas good amplifiers are available for around 200-300. To get a clearly noticeable difference here, you'd have to spend around 2000. I'm therefore more willing to spend more on headphones.
I partly agree with this in the sense that the gains from a better headphone are greater, but only to a point. There's also a significant difference between a $200-300 amp and something like a Geshelli Labs A3 Pro or Aune S17 Pro. $200 Topping/SMSL to $500 Topping/SMSL, not so much.
This is awesome, Lachlan, but you probably have opened a can of worms! EVERYONE is going to have a different opinion on what's better at each tier LOL! In my case, I do like your choices even if I could come up with other alternatives. What surprises me is how fast we leave behind gear that was once a darling for many. I still have the original SU-9 and I still think it's a great DAC; and it hurts that although you have Schiit products in mind, you didn't look back at the Yotunheim amp and for headphones, looking at Hifiman, the Edition XS was once a favorite. Thank you for this, a great guide for both beginners and those looking for a change in flavors.
My pleasure and I agree with you about the older gear. I've actually already produced the 5k to 15k version of this and it includes a now out-of-state product that's still brilliant just as you're suggesting.
Thank you very much
To the system under 500 and under 1000 i would put at least as a honorable mention the Fiio K7 ampdac, its powerful, has a balanced output, amp+dac in 1 and has a great sound quality.
I just got a set of ISN Audio EST50s, and when driven by my Hidizs AP80-X + DH80S, I'm limited to no more than 7 on the digital volume on recent digital tracks with lots of bass and around 11 on older tracks -- track age is shaky as the determining factor, but that's what my experience has suggested so far). That's up to a third of what it takes to drive my Hidizs MP145 planar IEMs (18-22), and half what it took for my UM UDM3 Terminators (13-16).
The K7 drives them more smoothly, though: I have a lot of fine adjustability. Bass is actually reduced on the K7 (this is mostly a good thing) compared to the Hidizs portable, and I think that's bizarre.
@@Queequeg71 Do you used the K7 on the balanced output? As it is a full balanced amplifier, the balanced output is a much better quality on this than the single ended. I running the Arya Stealth from my K7 now as my latest upgrade, and this is a very good combo, the Arya never harsh or peaky on the highs, very smooth signature overall, with plenty of "subwoofer like" bass when the resource song calls for it. (not using stock cable but a tripowin granvia balanced one)
Thanks a lot
Hmm. Schiit 2/64 or GS Labs J2S? I do like the opamp rolling option. I currently have the 2/64 so its a matter of being able to customize the output stage I'd think.
Yeah, that's a tough call! With the Sparkos Pro or Burson V7s, the J2S can maybe catch the BF264, but I'd maybe stick to the BF264 if that's what you already have
Schiit and Geshelli nned to come to the UK. Topping etc are easy to find.
Yes, I agree! It can be harder to get both brands affordably outside of the US
What do you think about Bifrost 2 OG + Bottlehead Crack + HD6X0 used for under 1k?
That's a wonderful setup!
I probably won't be able to afford it , but I am interested to know what you would pick for pretty much money no object. This was a great video, thanks.
Glad you liked this one. I've got the 5k to 15k version coming soon...
Hifiman xs is currently being sold for $350 on Amazon so maybe try that over the sivga to save money
I'm not personally a fan of the XS' very flat soundstage. I also think it's significantly less comfortable, but I know many people like it.
Edition XS is an amazing headphone combined with lambskin ear pads which improve the sound in all aspects.
With the first setup, what do you think of pairing the amp/dac with the beyerdynamic dt 1990 pros?
That would be a great setup if you enjoy the 1990s
I am quite happy with my Hifiman EF400 and Arya Organic.
I thought the Arya Organic was amazing!
That would be a great setup!
The least of my systems is Topping E50/L50, with either a HD6XX or occasionally my Hifiman Edition XS. If it were my only system for some reason I'd still not be complaining about it. We're so spoiled (mostly in a good way).
We really are! There's so much good gear at every price level.
I am confused. I thought you got the best results when using a valve amp with higher impedance headphones (like the 300ohm HD6XX), not with very low impedance planars (like the 14ohm Ananda Nano).
For an OTL amp like an xDuoo TA-26S, that's true, but hybrid tube amps use a tube at the input and solid state at the output so they'll work with every headphone.
Why not use the Magni unity ? Its cheaper than the stack and its a dac/amp
Only because I haven't tried it
@@PassionforSound fair enough
The POT on Magni Unity is imbalanced on the low end. I use IEM and Ether2. The issue is the same on both. Schiit says this is normal for small POTS. I found the same imbalance on Jot2 and Nitsch Pietus Maximus. I'm leaving Schiit for Burson.
I'm rockin the entry Schiit stack (modi + magni) and I cannot see why anyone would want more than this. IEM's I can hardly go beyond 50% volume. The Schiit stack takes care of the Edition XS at volume levels which will make you go deaf and be in pain at full clarity so to me ... this is end game :)
PS Supermix 4 on order, yes we're all sick...
Love this type of content with an entire chain. Anyone with a budget of $3k check out the Warwick bravura used. It’s a fantastic estat aio setup
That's a great idea to get those used at that price!
Where do you get one used for 3k?
@@Tssukiiithere’s one on headfi for $3250 right now in black for a combo of bravura headphone and matching Sonoma Dac/amp. I’d offer $3k even and see how it goes. You just need to watch for them
@@aceofspades6667 Good luck! I’d instantly buy it at that price but I need one shipped to Germany sadly
Headphones and me don't go together very well.
I do have phones and a couple of amps.
But i have a bit of tinnitus in right ear that comes and goes. But phones are guaranteed to set it off.
Sorry to hear that! Tinnitus can be a real hassle
Right now my end games:
Hifiman Arya se
Hifiman Ef400
Ibasso Dx220 max
Cayin n6ii
Final a8000
Letshuoer s15
Moondrop kato
Ef400, s12 and ru6 are the thing in this hobby.
Hifiman 400 SE can be had for $99 (109 minus 10%)
Got the Ifi Neo idsd 2 and Hifiman Arya Stealth brand new for 1500$ on sales :) Considering upgrading to HE1000SE via Hifimans upgrade program. Would it be worth it you think? 1350$ Investment.
I think it is. I had an Arya Stealth for 2 years before the HEK Stealth released.
a major upgrade considering it was a $3000 headphone. Definitely check it out.
Yep, I'd agree. Definitely worth the update!
Stupid question probably, but is there a way to stream Bluetooth to the Magni/Modi? Thanks!
Not a stupid question because many DACs include Bluetooth, but the Modi doesn't. You'd need to find a different solution on this occasion.
@@PassionforSound ok, thank you. I mean, I realized this one doesn’t have bt, I was just wondering if there was a way to stream TO this stack. I figured it out though. Cheers :)
What did you come up with?
@@PassionforSound I’ll have to add some kind of streamer. Looking at Wiim, but not convinced yet. I like that it works with Alexa, though.
The WiiM Pro would be a great addition with the Modi.
There're now the 189$ magni unity, and it sounded just as good if not better than the l50/e50 stack imo(and the topping stack aren't even measured that better).
When did schiit become budget and topping become kinda over price?
With that money save, you can get a hd6xx or a sundara, moondrop para, fostex t60rp instead, which are all better than he400se imo.
what an odd take.. love or hate the topping gear but pretty much nothing measures in the same ballpark as it does and with something like an L30 you pretty much have all the headphone amp you'll ever need for peanuts...
Generally, the Schiit gear tends to consistently sound as good or better. The Topping gear swings from great to mediocre.
@@ianwilliams7740 I have an a90d here, just because I got that brand new for 280$ on a flash sale and I wouldn't pay more. That being said, schiit stuff does get real close in measurement to l30, like 118 vs 121 in sinad. Not to mention the l30 got like 1w@32ohm in asr testing, vs 2.5w on magni, who's better now? Furthermore there're a shit ton of l30 failure, my friend got his headphone fry thanks to that l30, many more you can look up on forums, and it's still more expensive than a currently discounted to 59$ magni heretic on schiit website. Topping, especially the cheaper stuff not overpriced how, please convince me.
@@PassionforSound gotta say, schiit stuff is getting real cheap especially when compared to topping, you can't convinced me getting anything from topping less than a l70(which is an a90 with relay volume that can be a preamp with a remote, which make it a good deal) that isn't replaceable with a 59$ magni heretic(it's currently on sale at that price on schiit website), even the newest 220$ a50 iii, which is a upgrade from l50, doesn't justify it price compared to the magni ngl, and if you want balanced preamp function, there's the midgard at that price, measure just as good but with more power(and halo feature).
I think generalising any brand is dangerous and each product should be evaluated on its own merits. Schiit, Topping, Geshelli, Burson, SMSL, etc. are all capable of outputting a mediocre next product even if the ones before were brilliant.
11:21 No Limit ..DCS LINA FULL HOUSE STACK ..or BRAVARA 😎
I really appreciate a video like this. My ONLY complaint (and this is probably more personal preference than anything else) is that I try to steer clear of Chinese hifi products as they're usually clones / stolen designs from other companies. So things like ths SMSL SU-9, Topping E50...even the Edition XS... though great they may sound, may have came at the cost of scalping someone else's engineering, and are priced to undercut. Does anyone else feel weird buying these brands?
These are basically my reasons for going Schiit Audio for my electronics.
The idea that the Chinese products are all clones is based on some old examples and is an over generalisation. There are brilliant and original products, and there are less brilliant/mediocre products from both China and the US, UK, and every other country. It's all about choosing the products on their individual merits, IMO.
Of course, everyone is 100% entitled to buy what they feel good about. I'm just sharing this for some broader context. 🙂
@@LordWaterBottle Geshelli Labs is also US. Burson is Australia (love them).
Affordable Schiit products got vile qc
Please do another video like this, but in the range of 5k to 10k USD. Peace.
5k to 15k is coming soon! 🙂🙂
Technology is so good these days, audiophiles today have no idea how far head-fi has come, it's just astounding what has happened in 15 years. Anything before that is dinosaurs, honestly I can't image head-fi without planar magnetics.
Schiit Modius -> Schiit Jotunheim -> Sennheiser HD6XX and call it a day under $1k
I’m not sure this is how I’d split the 2k budget.
Let’s see that money is no object video
Speakers + acoustics.
Senheisser HE1. US$60k. Makes grown headphone reviewers weep.
@@TheRealPotoroo its not good at shows, i assume you really need atleast a solid source for it.
I've got 5k to 15k systems coming soon...
@@PassionforSound Looking forward to seeing you cry! XD
Audio is not expensive. In face, i canont think of any other gear hobby where you can start for 500 USD. Try racing cars, horses or yachts.
The background music was not needed and honestly made this video very hard to listen to. It's way too jarring when you stop speaking and the volume increases.
If I want to hear music, I would choose my own, thank you. I have no idea why & where any reviewers ever have the need to include music in the background
The jump in volume did seem disproportionate. I get the impression Lachlan boosted the overall gain and perhaps didn't tweak a setting on the background audio rendering to compensate. I'm guessing, but you're right it was a bit irritating.
Totally agree
What? Grow up
Audio perverts man
The headphones are $109.
Even better! Price drop!
so, in "private" you are announcing that you quit. but, we have to pay to find out why, and in the meantime you publish more vidéo's, well i hope you don't quit, but i see this as a way to seek attention.
The members only videos are early access. You'll see that one soon and it will all make sense. 🙂
@@PassionforSound ok good thx, but it was pushed by the notifications, so it's allready in my "watch later" list
Thanks for queuing it up! I hope you enjoy it once it goes public 🙂
@@PassionforSound no, it just causes anxiety, because i had just criticized you
Haha. Wait till you see the video then...
I really dislike this new editing style, there was something less anxiety-inducing about the older more calm minimal editing. But maybe that's just me...
I'm sorry to hear that. Unfortunately, there's a balance to find between the older approach and the one that keeps people engaged. This approach is performing way better. I'm still adjusting a bit to the new approach and will be experimenting a bit so I'll see what I can do...
A face only a mother or a blind wife could love. Love you.......bye!
Are you saying you're blind? Xx
... or you could build a Crack and go deep down the rabbit hole.
💯🎧
Good afternoon from Toronto ☕️
I sent your video to some of my friends who are thinking of getting the HeadFi hobby.
I’m good as I’ve reached a level that for me is comfortable and give me a performance 🎭 that I love.
Great video 👍
Thanks for sharing! I'm glad.ypu liked the video and that you're enjoying your system as it is! ♥️🎧🎶