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Best Headphone system under $1000???

Hi all,
I've been a 2 channel audiophile for 30+ years, and I'm ready to liquidate the big system and simplify.
I'm interested in finding a really nice set of headphones and a headphone amp, to pair with my DAC and MacBook based Tidal streaming source.

Interested in staying within the $1000 range (or under) for headphones and a dedicated headphone amp/preamp.
As far as tastes go, I prefer a "musical sound" to the more hyper detailed hifi/neutral sound. I enjoy jazz, funk and R&B, classic rock, and some classical, so I'm hoping for a headphone system that is slightly warm and has good soundstaging.

For reference, my big system has Vandersteen 2CE Sig 2s, Odyssey Kismet amp, and a nice 6SN7 tube preamp from JE Labs. I like the full, colorful, dynamic sound of this rig and hope I can replicate it in a headphone set up. 

Any recommendations would be very much appreciated!
Thanks!
Lincoln
lincnabby

Showing 6 responses by bstatmeister

bstatmeister
534 posts
 
Get the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pros, with a  Monolith by Monoprice Desktop Headphone Amplifier and DAC with THX AAA Technology (Dual AKM 4493 DACs & Dual AAA-788 Modules)

These 2 come in at $1100 total, but you CANNOT do better than this combo at that price
bstatmeister
534 posts
 
+1 for the JDS Labs Atom for $99
bstatmeister
534 posts
 
I hear the Bottlehead’s are awesome, but you are talking about much more $$ and you’ll have to build it from the kit.
For $99 nothing is better than JDS Labs Atom (well, the monoprice Liquid Spark is nearly identical to the Atom sound quality wise, so they say) so you can’t go wrong either way. I know the Schiit Magni for $99 is also a tremendous deal, but I hear the sound quality may not quite be up to par with the Atom or the liquid spark. I love Schiit Audio overall though, great products.
bstatmeister
534 posts
 
I would get the JDS labs first and call it good unless you can think of a reason to get something different. It should drive both headphones fantastically.
bstatmeister
534 posts
 
If you want dac built in to amp (all in one), likely nothing better for the money than the massdrop THX AAA 789. I think it's right around 500 bucks, but from what I understand it is a lightning quick amp that makes for superb Dynamics.

Otherwise, I would probably get a Schiit modi (DAC) 99 bucks, to go with the JDS Atom (amp) also 99 bucks. No preamp needed since we are talking about headphones not normal 2 channel stereo.
bstatmeister
534 posts
 
Would recommend braided (kind of following Kimber cable's philosophy) and look for OCC copper (ohno cast single crystal copper) possibly sliver clad, as well. Enjoy the crazy train! We now grant you an official audiophile carrying card... 
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