The All Purpose Advice Thread

Sorry for the confusion... use on the go.

 

used Polaris, didn't I just see one for $175?

 

In that case, Geek Out V2+ or Chord Mojo for your portable DAC/amp. Best bang for your portable buck will be IEMs, check out the Andromeda thread on this site. If you can't or won't do IEMs, probably the best portable cans out there at the moment are the Audeze Sine. If you're using your iPhone as a source on the go, just get the Sine with the Cypher cable for listening in public, and get a Geek Out V2 Infinity for listening from your computer, maybe with a balanced used HD6x0. Either of those configurations should come in under your $2K budget.

Alternatively if you are okay with IEMs, get the Andromeda, run it from your phone for portable use, and get a Geek Out V2 Infinity for home use. Easy, simple, good sound.

 

Yup, I have had both my HD800 Super Dupont modded and my HD650 coin and rear foam modded cans running off my GO v2 balanced. The GO v2 works very, very well with both. Right now my set up at work is the GO v2 --> Pete Millet "Butte" single ended --> HD800 modded. Vey nice nice sound out this modest chain.

 

I should get around to mod my old hd800 haha (or borrow HD800S to see if it works well too)

 

Considering picking up a used LCD-2.1 or 2.2 (pre-fazor). Is there a big difference between the revisions?

 

Everyone around here loves Z-Reviews so let's just see what he has to say.

 

Opinions on violectric V281?

 

There's currently a thread in this subforum about the starving student Slants vs the custom type in which I addressed the slants:
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...starving-student-and-the-regular-slants.2084/

The 2 most important things: to contact Luis, I contatced him and ordered my slants (delivered a few months ago) at: [email protected]

Also, my criteria were identical to yours (except while I wanted TOTL, I could only afford ~900 tops), as I like to produce/record music, have been taking college classes for it, etc. and after trying most of the Audeze line, the HD650/600/800, DT880 Pro, UERM (and the rest of the UE CIEMS- but with universal tips at a demo station), PSB M4U2, etc., I am extremely pleased with my Paradox slants, and prefer them greatly over all of the above. The HD800s and UERM were probably more resolving, but they have their own issues in the context of my situation. (I just don't like IEMS, I can't afford equipment worthy of the HD800s and I would have to mod them) The paradox slants, on the other hand, sounds more natural than all of the above, and while they sound a bit dark compared to the stereotypical "audio engineer" sound (which the DT880 Pro, UERM, and kind of the HD800 all have), they are (to my ears at least) by far the closest to the reference I hold in my head: live mic feeds in a studio. So IMO, the Slants are quite likely the headphones you are looking for. I really wish I had tried a pair of Hifiman cans (I didn't realize there was a pair at the one Head-Fi meet I managed to make it to), but I haven't- so it's possible you might want to try your hand at modifying a pair of HE-6 (they are basically the only headphones left on my radar aside from Luis' Code X- though I would like to hear some ZMF cans and Kennerton Odin's, and maybe Ethers), but othewise my experiences tell me that Paradox Slants are quite likely exactly what you are looking for.

 

Heard it has tube like holographic imaging, more so than other high end SS amps.
Slight warmth to it.

 

Thank you so much for replying. I contacted Luis a couple weeks ago and ordered a pair of custom slants. I'm just waiting for them to be made and sent. Now I'm saving up for a good dac and amp combo as before I was just using my vali 2 with my LG V10 built in dac. Looking at buying an amplifier/dac combo from audio gd and am wondering which would pair nicely with the slants(and whether going balanced is worth it). And, if you don't mind, can you please go more in-depth about the sound of the slants. As in, what should I expect. Again thanks for your reply, it's greatly appreciated.

 

I'm buying my sister a pair of headphones as a birthday gift. She hasn't used 30 dollar plus headphones before so this would be a big upgrade.

So far my list comprises of
1. Phillips SPH9500
2. Grado sr80e
3. NVX Perfect10
4. ATH-M40x

Any suggestions and recommendations are greatly appreciated.

 

The M50x regularly drop to below $100 and are fantastic at that price for a wide audience.

 

Thanks. I'll keep an eye on their price.

 

Didn't know I was supposed to post there. I'll check it out.

 

I was thinking of something closer to ~100 dollars.

 

I would definitely consider the Creative Aurvana Live! Drives easy, top o' the line sound for the price, < $60 on Amazon. Do NOT get the version 2, it is worse.

Also for a stylish, more portable, and still great sounding HP, consider the Noontec Zoro HD2, $99. It's on ear sealed, not over ear, but that makes it smaller. It's on Tyll's Wall 'o Fame at innerfidelity. I think it might appeal if she doesn't want to look like an audiophile dweeb, as it has sort of a beats-like styling.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll check them out.