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Advice needed for upgrade path

I need some advice on how to proceed with a HP system upgrade.  It's for a second home, a condo, where a good 2-channel speaker system just isn't practical.  In 5 years or so my wife and I will downsize and the condo HP system will then be it for critical listening.  I currently have a set of HD650s.  For the interim I could simply buy a used Naim Uniti Atom HE and enjoy that with the Senn's until the dreaded downsizing.  Or I could start to put together a HP system for critical listening.  How to start, though?  Maybe get the Naim and a couple of mid-priced used cans from TMR.  Take my time listening to a few different brands like Audeze, ZMF and Meze.  I've visited the HP room at Axpona the last two years but just did not find that setting helpful.  And then there are amps, days and streamers.  My head hurts at the options.  Suggestions? Thanks.

treepmeyer
treepmeyer OP
167 posts
 

@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.

soix
11,245 posts
 

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/

treepmeyer OP
167 posts
 

@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.

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,577 posts
 

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.  

larsman's avatar
larsman
3,160 posts
 

I've had a Quicksilver headphone amp and it's tremendous value for the money; I found it went particularly good with my Focal Utopia 'phones. 

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