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Help me spend $$$$

I recently decided to put together a headphone system for my office. I usually listen to my 2-channel system but it sits in my living room and my wife's office is adjacent so I can't listen to it most of the day and sometimes in the evening if she's working. I'm not looking to spend a ton but want something that sounds nice. I started by getting a used pair of LSA HP-1 (kennerton) headphones. I like open planars that are easy to drive. I'm currently using a Bluesound Node 2i as an all-in-one streamer/dac/amp. It sounds ok but I'd like to upgrade. Space is an issue as I don't have a huge desk, so I'd prefer an all-in-one. I'm ok continuing to use the Bluesound as a streamer but would like to get a better sounding amp and dac, but if I can also find something with airplay and Roon that would be best so I can use the Bluesound elsewhere and remove 1 box from the equation. My budget is about $800. Obviously would like to spend less but also willing to spend more if there's a great deal on something (max $1500). Always prefer to buy used as well.

Current top contenders are:

Matrix Element X

Mytek Brooklyn+

Audio GD -- so many models -- R28, R29, D28.38

Aune N7D

 

Any other suggestions?

abd1
yyzsantabarbara
5,556 posts
 

I would not get a Matrix DAC for headphones maybe too bright.

I am currently listening to the RME DAC that I got for free (available used for $500-700). I am very impressed by this DAC on the phones. Now I am comparing this to a $12k DAC I had on it yesterday, but this RME is really solid and will likely be my office DAC, for headphones and 2-channel.

I got a Schiit Byggy DAC coming in next week. I have been saying that for 3 weeks now. The RME has impressed me to the point that I am feeling more confident about selling the Byggy DAC at over $3k. If the free DAC is almost as good as the $3k DAC, I would rather pocket the $3k.

If I were you, I would get a used RAAL SR1a with the special Schiit RAAL amp as a starter set. When you realize how great that thing is you can explore better amps. I am using a Schitt Aegir v1 amp that is 20-watts Class A. I got this amp used for $400 and today the RME DAC. 

The SR1a will get you closer to 2-channel speakers more than almost every headphone. The MySphere may be similar. I just sold a $7k tube amp to go with the $400 Aegir v1. I also decided to go with the SR1a over the $12k RAAL 1995 Immanis because I am a 2-channel person and the SR1a (or SR1b) is almost 2-channel.

 

sheps1200
11 posts
 

Woo does makes a non-tube option—the Topaz 11:
https://wooaudio.com/amplifiers/wa11

Get yourself a Chord Mojo DAC and you’ve got a dandy compact desktop setup (also somewhat portable) right in your budget range. 

chrisoshea
580 posts
 

With your budget and heat considerations a Schiit option would be worth looking into…Of you don’t end up liking a Schiit system you should be able to sell quickly for a small loss of $

Post removed 
abd1 OP
203 posts
 

How would you use the Aegir as a headphone amp? Is there an adaptor? Doesn't that amp run hot? I have a Coda S5.5 amp that I love. Wonder if I could use that to drive headphones?

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