Thinking of moving to a Headphone system, thoughts

That was kind of what I was thinking...I mean I own some Grado 125's now, but I think I would want to go a little nicer than those...

Mapman do you have any experience with Stax? I have owned some of the less expensive Senns and at one time I had the Grado RS-2's to give them a listen. I thought they were nice, but I never went as far as to hook them up to any adequate amplification...just the output on my HT receiver (when I still had one of THOSE things)!

I was just looking about and saw some information about the Stax srm-t1w amplifier and lamda nova signature headphone combo. The Stereophile article on these looked promising. I wish I would have been on this page when the last pair came across here...

I couldn't hang with a headphone only system. Even in urban areas there are the suburbs where you can listen to music in the privacy of your own home.

That said, I'd propose a compromise: down size to a 2.0 or 2.1 system with a quality integrated. There are many, but Musical Fidelity makes quality integrateds at good values.

So I'd go with a thinning out verses throwing out. Less to move, easier to setup, but you can still enjoy the sound of music in your house/apt. And you may even end up cash positive :)

You know, I have thought about that too...I think that one of my problems is that I am a 90db guy...and probably going to be living in an apartment again. I hate neighbors, but sometimes there's nothing you can do...

Bear,

I have a pair of Stax sr-80 pro headphones. They are far from the best Stax phones out there though. They are not the ultimate in low end extension,, but are very enjoyable and non-fatiguing otherwise

I like electrostatic headphone designs like the Stax myself for the low fatigue factor.

There are many really good phones out there though I am sure. Frankly, I am not very up to date on this topic so I would hesitate to offer other suggestions. I've owned good Sennheisers in the past and liked those. Ive heard very good things about certain AKG models as well. Goldring sells headphones these days as well...haven't heard them, but I have high respect for that brand from their phono cartridges, FWIW.

A few years ago, I went through times too, I couldn't afford a very good system. So I went with a HP set up and used it for over a year or so and found it very satisfying! But for the real viseral attack of a pair of speakers I found the HPs to sound fantastic and unless I was comparing A to B, I never felt I was missing out on anything...

I had a pair of Senns 500s, a tube Ear Max amp, Cardas HP cables and, over the years, various CDPs..

I have to say that with headphones I learned more then I ever did about critical listening and understanding the "sound", HPs are intimate and offer a great learn vehicle.

Go for it and when you are in a position to get a main rig again, you will.

Enjoy, JOHN