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.
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. |
After much research and dithering my short list of headphone amps is: Felix’s Echo 2, Quicksilver HA, and Schiit Mjolnir 3. The headphone for now is the HD650. The streamer will be a Wiim Ultra and initially I will use its dac. Eventually I will select an R2R dac. That is my start. Any help on deciding between the three amps would be appreciated. |
@treepmeyer -I'm going to echo larsman, oddiofyl and soix about Quicksilver. It can capably drive headphones from 16 to 600 Ohms, and it's point to point wiring assures a terrific soundpath (if that's a word). I'm also going to agree with hillybilly559. JMAudio is the real deal. I have a recently purchased XTC 2.5 that competes with TOTL headphones costing much more. He's can also be a terrific resource in your headphone amp research. He's generous with his time. Good luck! David |
