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what’s a relaxing headphone?
I have both elex & HD6XX & while I really like the elex for how engaging, transparent, balance & detail & HD6XX for the smoothness & mids.. I want something that is wide, smooth & buttery while also having a frequency range meaning top & bottom extension & detail just relaxing, what headphone is it?!?
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keyboard_arrow_downthestarbucksgrande
164
Apr 17, 2020
rastusthat honestly does look nice, I think ima go for the cayin ha-1a mkii if it doesn’t sell out
MaverickAH
747
Apr 9, 2020
Frustrating…… Isn't it?
I'm struggling with the same thing right now as I'm in the opening phase of doing an in depth analysis of the 3 best headphones I own. The Elex, the Ether CX & the Quad ERA-1. I'll probably mention cheaper alternatives like the HD 6XX in a post review paragraph.
A lot will depend on your listening preferences & how you're looking to use them. If strictly for home use, I could almost blindly recommend the Quad ERA-1 right now. It possesses just about all of what you say you're looking for. You don't say anything about what is your current setup. It might influence any recommendations. What I would put on a short list for consideration are:
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro
Beyerdynamic T1p 2nd Generation
Massdrop x Beyerdynamic DT 177X Go (have not heard)
Drop + Dan Clark Audio Aeon Open X (have not heard)
Focal Elegia
Now what you currently own are both open backs but I've put a couple of closed backs on the list. The Elegia have a very open back-like quality to their sound & I thought that their being closed back warmed up their sound a bit. A good compliment to the Elex. I have not listened to the DT 177x Go but included it based on my listens of the 1990's & T1p. I included the DCA Open X based on my listening to the DCA Aeon 2 Open. I was pleasantly surprised by them. I did not include my Ether CX because they are pretty neutral & won't give you the bass or the warmth you're looking for. Great headphone though!
thestarbucksgrande
164
Apr 9, 2020
MaverickAHthank you, I’ll look into it. f you’re the rest of my setup I have the SMSL SP200 & the SU-8
rastus
1391
Apr 9, 2020
Perhaps, what you are seeking is an R-2R, coupled with a tube amp, you have an Elex.
rastus
1391
Apr 9, 2020
Life is the term I gravitate towards, in describing what a tube brings. Couple this with the least adulterated digital to analog conversion means possible, the ladder DAC, or R-2R. Feed it the highest definition, good recordings (masters) made today in DSD or 24/192 FLAC. Now you have the basis to recreate life from a recording.
I just went and listened to my APPJ PA1502A modded with some caps and sporting some nice NOS tubes, then switched to the Cary 300B SE amp, damn the little stalwart fellow stands well against it. I move it with me along with my travel DAC, around the house, likely will never give it up. Not the same stage, but life is there. Both fed through an Ares R-2R playing Roberta Flack singing 'Killing Me Softly' in 24/192 FLAC on Amazon UHD.
If you, or someone can solder in a few caps into a PA1502A, add some nice tubes, it will get you going for not too much. https://drop.com/buy/appj-1502a-tube-headphone-amplifier/talk/2140926
The Cary 300B is pricy... but designed by a guy named Dennis Had, who in "retirement" dabbles in head amps. I have not heard this creation of his, but made by the same brain & ears: https://www.moon-audio.com/dragon-inspire-iha-1-tube-headphone-amp.html
Hope this helps, lots O' choices, populated by many amps that will not get you to the plateau you want... ask again, got time...
(Edited)
rastus
1391
Apr 10, 2020
Forgot to state, that to answer your root question of how to best hear “tubiness”, you want an SET. Single Ended Triode as well as being Transformer-coupled.
An OTL, such as a Dark Voice, is another choice for primarily high ohm headphones.
A hybrid having tubes & chips, while nice, are just that, a hybrid, such as an Aune T1.
A Push-Pull tube amp will give you more power, though you would want one with control over feedback, where life gets canceled out; these ones get more expensive.
The APPJ amp is a tiny SET, as is that Inspire by Dennis Had. The downside of an SET is distortion, your control over that is the component selection and design, where the cost comes in...
(Edited)
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