You said it yourself that 2.5 bends too easily, and xlr is massive, 4.4 is a decent middle ground, and if dap manufactures put even 3 or 4 jacks on a dap, I don’t think it’s a tremendous issue

XLR works better than 4.4. Any form of TRS connectors will momentarily short one or more contacts when (dis)connect. Not a problem for XLR.

2.5 prone to bending - I baby my gear and this has never happened.

I imagine DAP designers secretly hating 4.4mm. To me, the bigger socket takes up valuable space in the DAP chassis / PCB.

Thank you again. The thing is I'm coming from "gamer grade" with the Syba Sonic leaping into REAL HiFi territory with the DX3 Pro+. Only time will tell. I'll let you know once I get it (soon).

I commented on that thread and as others said probably not being driven well enough , as what you were hearing was definitely not what I’m hearing from my Diana TC’s.
I’m glad you didn’t give up on them as I listen to them much more than the other headphones I have and with the new bass ported pads gives them some added bass punch and also widens the soundstage a bit. I have not heard the Omega Lupi and 250 mW does seem a bit low but my Amps and Sound Kenzie only does 350 mW @ 32 ohms and the TC’s do sound fantastic with it as well. A lot of my listening is done thru my iFi iDSD Diablo as I like to sit out on the back patio with a brew or a bourbon or two when the weather is not too inhospitable.

Thank you! I love sharing stories with my gear, I can't lie :D

The HD6X0 Series are just fantastic, I had a HD600 for a while before I traded to my beloved Grado RS2e and part of me to this day wonders if I made the right call there because as much as I love the Grado, the HD600 was something speical. I will say, personally, I think DAC / Amps are all snake oil past a certain point. So, look into it a little more before you pull the trigger.

I currently use a BTR5 for mobile use and a $30 Behringer UMC22 for my digital desktop side. I had a Topping A30 II / L30 II DAC / Amp stack and I honestly... after dB matching, I couldn't hear a difference between that and my UMC22 with my HD800S which people claim is a very source dependant headphone. I gave it all the benefit of the doubt too, ran it side by side through Roon. It was all the same. The most expensive amp I've tested is the Naim Uniti Atom and, again, it sounds exactly the same, but it does have a cool screen and dial on the top.

Something to consider, having a good source is good of course, but anything audiophile grade will all just sound the same.

Hires sticker? U added ur self?

Speaking from experience, you’ll spend a lot of money real quick if you let this hobby do so. I went from the hd58x, the ananda, then the Arya. After nearly a year, I then got the hd800s. For the price, the ananda gets like 90% of the way there, if not more, compared to the Arya.

Like some have already said, going from the 6xx to the sundara isn’t exactly a jump, more like a sidegrade. To really get an actual upgrade, you’d probably need to go for the ananda instead. That could easily be your endgame and you’d be done

Great advice / story, thank you. Currently have the hd660s & looking for a good dac/amp. I know they dont NEED a dac amp to run but I just want cleaner/crispier sound. Currently running it off a a Syba Sonic gaming dac/amp & it has plenty of power to run the HD660S. Right now looking into the Topping DX3 Pro+ as my end game.

Have you met Orpheus ? have you been to a Can Jam or other type of audio show where you can at least experience what is out there, You experience the its wonderful but I wouldn't pay that feeling (50k insane hifiman valve amp + headphone setup ...), but it gives you perspective. I have a bunch of cans, I dont think I met the end game but yes I stopped buying, I do have an HD-800S and Audeze and Dan Clark but I'm good. It's a sickness a hobby and an addiction. But there are probably worse things. I have a number of hobbies as bad. As long as you can listen to your stuff and be happy , it doesn't have artifacts that irritate you and prevent you from enjoying the music. At some point its a diminishing of the veil adding detail and different sound signatures. And synergy its often about the synergy.

I don't know that exact model, but it should, unless it is complete garbage. That's why I suggested that you might just like the way that tube amps sound. The main point is that you don't have to spend that much to achieve that sound.

Being real with you, if you buy a nice wire that's custom, it can bring some good vibes with headphones...I know it doesn't change the sound but I do like how it looks and feels

Yeah... it really does come down to expectations. I've got a small horde of headphones that all sound amazing and I love them to death, but there's just... something, not there. Horns could sound even better, bass could be punchier, guitars could... I don't even know. Something? I've spent thousands chasing it and there are times where it got close. HD800S with my turntable playing my original copy of Aftermath / 2011 press of Plastic Beach is one of the most natural and balanced experiences with audio I've had to date. But what if it could be better?

I've created a dragon in my head and I'm chasing something that doesn't exist. I don't regret any of my purchases, I've had a great journey and I'm content with where I am at before I spend sillier money. Which I won't do unless I win the lottery.

Basically, don't get your expectations so high that it becomes a dragon. It's not helpful in any way and it just leaves you feeling disappointed with frankly, fantastic gear.

How would you compare the Bathys to the Z1R?

Its not endgame if you arem't happy 😂

Is the Ergo AMP1 in that class?

It is a disease. I hate to break it to you, but you won’t see significant improvements until you break out of mid fi range (below $500). I tried all the usual suspects in that price range 4xx, 6xx, Sundara, Meze 99, DT 990. All have good aspects and quality headphones.

However, for my birthday last year I got the LCD-X and finally understand what a solid all around headphone should sound like. I’m not saying it’s the best out there, but it’s quality and doesn’t lack in areas like the other headphones do.

I periodically go back and listen to my older headphones and think these are good. Then I plug in the LCD-X (balanced to my Zen DAC v2) and wonder why I wasted listening time with my other headphones. I’m honestly afraid for my wallet as I’m lusting after a set of ZMF headphones.

Maybe get something that goes a little wider to complement these like the K712 or hell even the SHP-9500. I love those things.

not happy? oh well, it's time to buy some new stuffs....

I have tried using USB and a power brick (from my Zen Can) on my Zen Dac V2. A/B testing, 1 week on, 1 week off... I absolutely hear no difference. 🤷

mo money mo problems

Yet another “I’ve tried 3 headphones and this is my endgame!!!” post

Hope it will be a lot of fun! I also should get a balanced cable, most dongles are made to sound better over balanced, guess they managed to convice us to join the new standard

It looks cool if that matters at all.

I personally think that unless you like how a tube amp makes them sound, any cheaper class A amp, could drive them better than your original Marantz. Don't NEED to spend that much, unless you WANT to spend that much, in that case...

I also find it hard to upgrade from the zen Dac v2. It’s so good. Tip is, they do sound better with a 5V 2amp brick. 😇