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4K headphone + headphone amp/dac system recommendations please

I have 4K to spend on a better headphone system and have no expertise in the headphone zone. 

Currently using old Grado SR 225 cans with Schiit Jotunheim 2 amp (single ended connection). Source is Jay's CDT2 transport and I'm using the internal DAC in my Hegel H390.  

While the Hegel's onboard DAC is pretty good, it is a bit thin in the mids. I'd prefer something a bit more fleshed out in that frequency range. 

I'm not finding many headphone amp/DAC combos. I am not interested in Chord or import brands that cannot be serviced in US. 

The Teac UD 507 looks like a possibility. Moon Audio sells it and recommends HiFiMan HE100 V4 Stealth Magnet currently on sale for $949 to pair with the Teac.

Please Note: This budget will also need to accomodate a power cable and an AES/EBU cable to connect to transport. 

In terms of sonics, I favor musicality over detail. I'm very sensitive to fatiguing highs. At the same time, I prize tight bass. 

I listen to 3 types of music: acoustic Jazz, non-classical acoustic (NewGrass, Singer-Songwriter, Folk, etc) and some Classic Rock. 

 

stuartk
snookhaus
23 posts
 

Well, I had a response with links and comments that disappeared into thin air. So, this will be shorter. 

Are you willing to consider used or just new? Are you set on dac/amp combo or would you consider separates?

In regards to headphones,  I second the Sennheiser HD6 family. I would also look at ZMF, specifically the Atrium Open. They also have a new planar model being released that is supposed to combine the warmth/lushness of the Atrium and the detail of the Caldera. It's called the Tessidera. You might look at the Focal Clear OG as well. 

When it  comes to amp/dac combos made in the USA there's not a lot of options. I think Schiit, which yyzsantabarbara mentioned and you own is a good option. I nearly purchased the TEAC UD-701N which is a precursor to the UD 507 you're considering. Here are a few others to consider:

  1. Black Ice Audio Aries
  2. Violectric DHA V226
  3. Mytek Liberty DAC II
  4.  ifi Pro iDSD Signature  Made in UK, but 2 offices in US
  5. Rupert Neve Precision DAC
johannm
50 posts
 

Someone on this forum (early 2025) recommended John Masseria (JM Audio Editions) as a headphone savant. Handmade and sepcifically tuned headphones based on YOUR request. And good to look at with choice of woods and finishes.

https://www.jmaudioeditions.com/closed-back-headphones

Also very well priced. Worth a chat with him to match with headphone amps / DACs.

Good luck.

 

 

johannm
50 posts
 

Just a follow up on JM Editions

I requested cans with similar level of detail as my electrostatic speakers with tight bass. By providing him with the spec details of my headphone amp and DAC, he recommended:

XTC2 openback with 50 mm beryllium driver, 64 ohm at 101 dB efficiency, extended blissfull tuning. All of these parameters are customisable. With 3 sets of ear pads

The results were spot on.

wharfy's avatar
wharfy
562 posts
 

@stuartk -I’m going to second the recommendations made by @johannm 

I have a pair of JM Editions XTC21 with extended blissful tuning (say that 3x fast) and at one time, before getting a Quicksilver headphone amp, was driving them with a Violectric HPA. The combo provided the sound/tuning you are looking for, and as they say, "Punches above their weight class." This will give you ample funds to get a decent set of connects, also.

David

 

johannm
50 posts
 

And to follow up from @wharfy , the Vioelctric he mentioned is also available from JM Editions  (btw I am not affiliated to any vendor)

https://www.jmaudioeditions.com/product-page/violectric-hpa-v324-reference-headphone-amplifier

https://www.jmaudioeditions.com/product-page/violectric-hpa-v281-reissue-headphone-amp

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