PTS

I wrote HiFiMan customer service to ask if they plan on releasing a high-end amplifier that's less expensive than the rarely seen EF1000 ($12k). I told them I have planar and dynamic headphones, and they recommended the Jade II. "Isn't that exclusively for electrostatic headphones?" I asked, to which they replied "It will work great, you just need an adapter".

Lol, it's possible but it would be madness to do it that way in your case. It's basically a transformer to convert the voltage up and down, works for Stax headphones as well.

But as default option for planar and dynamic... they've got to be joking.

I suspected HiFiMan were giving me bad advice. We shouldn't be THAT surprised, huh?

I've never had a high-end Schiit DAC at home for direct comparison in my own system, though I've heard all of them multiple times on separate occasions and at meets and at the Schiitr and whatnot. I borrowed @Clemmaster 's Gen V for a couple months though, and I miss it frequently.

Not confident enough to make any sweeping statements in terms of comparison w/ Schiit DACs until I can do direct comparison, but the Gen V immediately stands out as being a slamming, ballsy, slightly warm DAC, and I've never heard bass with a better texture or dynamic rendering.

All I know is that queueing up the Gen V after a few days of warm-up was one of my most memorable moments in the hobby.

I will have to keep an eye out for one on the used market. I had always assumed it was just an earlier/lesser Yggdrasil.

Audio Technica earphones are pretty flat and comfortable. I've layed on a pillow with my LS200 without issue.

By far the flattest and easiest to sleep in for me are the Shures. Have a look at the SE215 if you want a relatively inexpensive place to start, they're not the most ultra-hifi sound ever- very warm, but are comfy and robust as hell. I've drifted off accidentally with those in a few times now, with no ill effects.

I listen to ASMR to sleep. I assume you tried these:

https://www.innerfidelity.com/content/does-music-help-you-get-sleep-bedphones-will-work-just-fine

With higher wattage (for better driver grip) I'm still exploring, but the 150W Odyssey Stratos does an admirable job. If you're in SoCal, you're welcome to come listen.

Whenever I see someone start a conversation with “friend” I expect them to be a hair’s breathe away from pulling out a 6-shooter and putting a few holes in their new acquaintance.

I met Steven in a context unrelated to audio, and found him to be smart, sincere, curious, and grounded, Fwiw. Can't speak to his products as I have no experience with them, but he is someone I would not hesitate to do business with in any context. Again, fwiw.