Advice needed for upgrade path

@treepmeyer Amp/dac is Peachtree Gan1 modded by Ric Schultz.

I also had the GAN1 modded by Ric and wrote about it on A’gon.  I was at one time using the GAN1 amp to drive one of the best replacements for a 2-channel music system, the RAAL SR1a or SR1b.

The reason I describe SR1a as a replacement is because it is an open baffle design with 2 flaps hanging over your ears, like mini speakers. The only issue with this phone is that it is bright, so you need some warm-ish gear in front of it. 

Raal SR1a ribbon headphones and Schiit Jotunheim R direct drive headphone amp For Sale - US Audio Mart

The GAN1 is not warm but it is not bright either and worked well with the SR1a. Now the best amp for the SR1a is my RAAL VM-1a. It is no longer available for sale, but I did recently see one on USAM. I also have a Schitt Yggi+ OG DAC | Schitt Kara F preamp | Schitt Aegir v1 amp to drive my SR1a, but it is not as good as the VM-1a.

Now if you got a bit of funds and want the very best, but it sounds more like headphones and not 2-channel, is the $10k RAAL Immanis. It competes with things like the $80k Sennheiser HE-1.

Look at all the WANTED ads on USAM for the Immanis. The Immanis is much easier to drive than the SR1a and the GAN1 WILL NOT work with the Immanis because it may damage it with all the power.

Send me a DM on A’gon if your want more info on the RAAL line. I must have spent about $30k over the past 5 years 2-channel amp ’rolling’ for the SR1a. Along with a multitude of DACs for the phone. I love the SR1a. Of course, I made some money back when I sold the gear.

@hillbilly559 Thanks for all the info, especially about JM Audio.  I was not familiar with them.  Reasonable prices for what looks like great products and service.

@yyzsantabarbara I bought the Gan1 and had it modded partly on the basis of what you posted on Agon.  I have not been disappointed.  Thanks for that.  The Raals look fantastic but are more than I want to spend, at least for now.  I am setting my headphone budget at $2k for now.  I think that will get me a significant upgrade from the HD650s.  I'm afraid if I spend more I simply won't appreciate it.  My ears need some training.

To support whatever new cans I get, I'm leaning toward a tube amp, say from Woo or Feliks.  Upscale has a couple of Feliks Echo MKII amps for under $1k.  I'd pair that with an appropriate streamer/dac.  Perhaps the Fiio S15. In any event I think of my goal now to assemble an entry-level high end headphone system costing maybe $4-5k and then see where that takes me.

You might also add the QuickSilver headphone amp to your list as it’s highly regarded and at $1200 is attractively priced, but one potential downside is it’s not balanced if that’s a requirement.  Just another option FWIW. 

https://quicksilveraudio.com/products/headphone-amplifier/

@soix Yes, I've heard good things about the Quicksilver.  For some reason neither the Quicksilver nor Felix Echo amps are balanced.  I would prefer balanced, but at this point it's not necessary.  Thanks.

The Quicksilver is a great amp.  The added cost and complexity is why Mike of Quicksilver prefers not to offer balanced on most of his amps.  He will do it on some products but at a significant upcharge. 

Conrad Johnson, single ended since day one.  I'm pretty sure they have never had XLR on anything.    

Call John at Audio Connection in NJ.   He sold me mine, at the time he said if I didn't like it I could return it.   Having owned other Quicksilver gear I was confident it would be great and it is.