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Trying headphones again… ZMF or Abyss?

Hi all. More than 6 years ago, I had a modest headphone rig (Schiit Mjolnir 2 tube amp and Gungnir Multibit DAC) that I used with Sennheiser HD800 and DCA Ether 2 headphones. I never completely clicked with my headphones and would end up listening mostly to my main speaker-based setup. I really love the imaging and space filling soundstage provided by speakers. Eventually, I ended up selling all of my headphone stuff. 
 

Nevertheless, headphones would be nice to have for when I can’t turn my music up, so I am looking to try them again. Luckily, my current stereo setup has a great digital front end connected to an LTA microzotl level 3 preamp with a 1/4 inch single ended headphone jack. I think all I would need to have a good setup is a nice pair of headphones. 
 

I am looking for headphones that will provide excellent detail, resolution, stereo imaging and speaker like sound staging if possible. I have read good things about Abyss and ZMF headphones and they seem like they could provide the sound I am looking for. Another member here even stated that there is excellent synergy between the microzotl and ZMF Verite Open. The Abyss Diana TC or DZ also get good reviews. 
 

Given my system setup and preferences are there any thoughts on which of these two options would work best? Any other suggestions or advice I should think about? Budget is around $3000 max and I can buy new or used. Also, I would ideally like a lighter weight and comfortable headphone. 

sfpeloton
ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,466 posts
 

I highly recommend investing in a better headphone amp. I have at least five different pair of flagship headphones. Including Sennheiser HD800. All the different headphones sounded different with different strengths and weaknesses. Then I got a truly great headphone amp the Woo WE5 and then put Takatsuki 300B tubes in it. OMG. For the first time ever (after a dozen amps... over decades) the sound quality improved by and order of magnitude... then suddenly the Sennhieser HD800 quickly found there way to the very top of my play list. The Focal Utopia, and Denon, Ultrasound, Beyerdynamic... just fell into disuse. The difference was incredible. I only use the HD800’s now, often for an hour or more a day.

Very often preamp headphone output is a second thought and even on incredibly expensive preamps is not very good. 

You can see my system under my USRID in Virtual System. But for decades I tried to make my headphone system as satisfying as possible... I imported a high current amp from Germany... etc, constantly tried new top of the line headphones. It was the head amp from Woo that finally made my headphone system as satisfying as my main system I can listen for hours... the physicality of the bass... the delicacy of the violins or voices. The Sennheisers are world class. 

Over time I found a headphone system is like a main system. The headphones probably will cost less than your main system speakers. The electronics cost should be about 80% of your headphone system. 

calieng
203 posts
 

First of all the answer is Focal Utopia.

Secondly ZMF are very comfortable and pleasant to listen to but are not accurate in sound.

Thirdly Abyss are the worst headphones I have ever owned. I hated them. Terrible fit.

sfpeloton OP
57 posts
 

Hi all. Thank you for the replies. Lots of helpful comments, but I am still undecided which direction to go. Maybe I need to find a way to demo some of these or just take the plunge. My thoughts/questions on those discussed:

HD800 - one pair that I previously owned. They were okay, but I don't think they had good synergy with my previous gear and I would like to try something different.

Hifiman - yes, these seem to get a lot of positive reviews and I will look into the differences between the different models. Would these pair well with tubes?

AKG - not sure if these would be easy to find since they are discontinued.

Meze - this brand intrigues me and they do look light and comfortable. The Empyrean 2 and Elite could be good options although they get pricey new. I thought the Poet might be too warm, but if the speed and soundstage are there...

Abyss - this brand seem to be really polarizing for some reason. Not sure what to think without trying for myself.

@ghdprentice Good to hear your headphone journey and I like your beautiful setup. I am sure there are better headphone amps out there; however, I wouldn't characterize the LTA microzotl headphone section as an afterthought. It is the same circuit as the preamp section and I have some nice tubes installed as well. The idea is to find some headphones that pair well with it and can help me decide if I want to go further on a headphone journey. It should give me a taste of what's possible.

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