Comments on Profile Post by Stuff Jones

.... 2,000k? That's diamond-studded Utopia cash, friend :P

Sonic preferences? Balance is subjective imo, as is timbre (I like biocell). Dynamics is pretty self explanatory though

I would choose a system between Auteur and 6XX because the Clears (and Utopia) do have a metallic timbre that makes music sound unnatural. Maybe start with the Auteur + modest system from schiit and build your way up?

By balance I mean not U or inverted U etc. FQR. Good mids are a must though. Timbre IMO = instruments sound like they do IRL i.e. wood sounds like wood, brass like brass.

Am I missing any HPs that should be considered?

@tommytakis Any chance you've heard the Auteur with the MCTH+SDAC? That would be just shy of 2k. Of course all for not if the pairing is so meh that upgraditis strikes immediately...

@Stuff Jones I used to own the mCTH + SDAC but never tried with the Auteur. mCTH is a great amp for the price. I quite enjoyed it with my Verite. Regarding synergy with the Auteur you might be better off asking an actual owner of Auteur. I've only briefly auditioned them at my local audio store.

@Stuff Jones and are you sure you don't want to buy them used? I've seen Auteurs go for 1100-1300 used in good condition. It'll also give you more options for your DAC/amp.

I see 2 used Auteurs FS here:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/zmf-auteur-ambrosia-shipped-and-paypal-inc.913997/

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/f-s-3-month-old-zmf-cocobollo-auteurs-mag-chassis-extra-pads-and-atmos-c-cables.912796/

@Stuff Jones are you starting from nothing? Do you have any references to what you like?

Usual recommendation from me is the 6XX. While it has bloated and distorted mid-bass, it has fantastic mids and highs and will teach you what a good headphone should sound like.

Auteur is my favorite headphone, but it's quite amp-picky and has sonic characteristics that make it hard for me to universally recommend without audition: about 70% open, cup reverberation, and ZMF timbre, all of which is not for everyone.

If you have questions feel free to PM me as well.

Oh and to add on to @ChaChaRealSmooth regarding HD6XX, you can do the KISS mod which lessens the mid bass bloat and brings up the treble presence a bit making it sound like a super-600 without the shouty vocals. I was a bit skeptical of the mod at first but it's the real deal.

@ChaChaRealSmooth

Yeah, starting from scratch HP wise. I've been an IEM man in the past using powered Vanatoo monitors on my desk. I got on the Andro + ZX2 bandwagon. I wasn't in love with the BA timbre and thinish mids. My favorite sound so far has been the modded JVC FD01 + the GO V2A. Very balanced, good body, good dynamics, good timbre.

Isn't it best to build around your endgame hp rather than build around a great amp that drives the 6xx to its potential?

There really isn't a "correct" way, but you are correct in implying the transducer makes the single largest difference. If you audition the Auteur and like them, great! It's just too hard for me to recommend someone buy them blind, especially since $1k+ is NOT cheap. $220 for great sound is more reasonable.

There's also the argument that the Auteur isn't necessarily a super HD650, which I can somewhat agree with.

Not sure if you saw this: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/how-to-allocate-budget-among-headphones-amps-and-dac-source.57/

^I found this extremely helpful when starting out and still peruse this.

For jazz and classical why are you looking at a 650? Get the 600 or a 580 and a good tube amp and something multi bit/R2R for your DAC.

What was that mass drop discrete R2R one that a lot of people here were raving about? That might be a good option for a DAC.

@Merrick Airist R2R DAC

Yes! That’s the one. Or maybe the Bifrost 2. Although the Airist leaves you more funds to buy a serious tube amp.

For those waiting for an update with baited breath: Ended up going with the HD6xx + HeadAmp Gilmore Lite Mk2. I'm hoping I love the sound of it's class A as much as I love the GO class A sound. There's a certain rich, clear muscularity that I love and from what I read is distinctive of class A. Equivocating on a DAC - go cheap or jump on the Bitfrost 2 hype train and be done with it.

At this point if the Bifrost 2 is within your budget, go for it. Or buy a cheapie one and send me a Bifrost 2.

And pull a reverse Purr1n with the cost of an initial setup going DAC > amp > HPs?!

Doesn't seem like a bad idea to me. Think of it as investing in a source that won't shame downstream components while saving up for headphones that better suits your fancy and, later, an amp to do it justice.

But only if you think/know it'll be something you'll work on down the line.

I have a Modi 3 and Bitfrost 2 on the way. Lets see which I keep. I do like the idea of having one component of a system that gets me ~90% of the way to TOTL - and that can work for HPs and a two channel system both.

Speaking of that, any reason why the Gilmore wouldn't make a decent preamp?