[dflee]

Not quite sure where to go since circle is no longer. The equipment is and will remain solid state.
I've been messin around with headphones and dac amps since it's the only way I can listen right now.
In the headphone circle I posted my progression and would like to continue.
Was told to spend as much as I could on the phones cause that as most important. After spending an afternoon at a B&M, I found
the phones I have aren't that bad (still not great) when played through a $2500 da (dac amp). This had me thinking to go with a
better da. I decided on the Mytek Liberty and got one. I have to say it outperformed the da I heard at the B&M. The headphones
(Sundara) are decent but in order to hear what they can do they have to be turned to a volume that I don't usually listen. The Liberty
also changed my thoughts on the headphones. I have a Sennheiser 598SR that I first got when starting this trip and haven't cared a whole
lot about them. Got them out and plugged into the Liberty and was floored. The sound was massively improved. I really liked the presentation
but after a while found them to still be lacking of detail. The Sundara are still way more detailed.
This is where I am right now with now thinking about going back to a dynamic phone but a better one. Right now I'm thinking about ZMF AEOLUS
or possibly AUTAUR. I didn't think I'd have to go to this extent to hear rich detailed sound at lower volume listening but have found out it's kinda
the holy grail when using headphones. Anybody got any advice on the ZMF or similar that you've heard and like?
Maybe we can get a subcircle going here with SS head amps and phones.

[mresseguie]

Don,

I think your posting in this circle is fine. Perhaps, I can create a sub-circle within this circle specific to headphone amps and related gear. I'll look into it today or tomorrow as I have time.

I must buy a new DAC  for my TCA HPA-1 anyway, so I'll be chiming in with which DACs have caught my fancy.

Post away....more impressions of the Mytek Liberty are welcomed here.

Michael

[charmerci]

Well , there is always the Headphone Mania circle.

[dflee]

Thought Headphone Mania is archived.
Can you still post there?

[Letitroll98]

Thought Headphone Mania is archived.
Can you still post there?

Yup, archived.  I suppose because they couldn't get a facilitator?

[Wind Chaser]

I’m still hoping someone will rise to the occasion and get Headphone Mania up and running again. I volunteered on a temporary interim basis, but JohnR really wants someone who is in for the long haul. I’m too much of a HP newbie to accept that responsibility since I have no idea as to what I’m doing or where I’m going with this new approach to listening.

In the meantime I recently bought the Hifiman HE 1000se and I’m just using a Schiit Magni 3 for now.

Don, the Liberty looks intriguing, what other amps did you consider?

[charmerci]

Yup, archived.  I suppose because they couldn't get a facilitator?

Now that almost everyone is stuck inside?

[dflee]

Want to get more time in on the Liberty but for now it is pretty good.
It is a big improvement over the previous D/As I've been using.
Hard to believe I started off with a FIOO EK-10. It had a pleasant sound.
Next came the IFI IDSD-LE. Improvement in sibilant sound and had decent
clarity but was a little 2D.
Got talked into the Chord Mojo and while it did a decent job sound stage wise
it just seemed to lack clarity.
That's when after doing some reading decided to go with the Liberty. It's still in the trial
period and breaking in but as stated before, I liked it better than a unit costing 2.5 times more.
FIOO was used w/ Senns 598SR and HFM 400S
IFI was same with added 400I
Mojo was w/ Senns 598SR, 400I and Sundara
Liberty was w/ same as Mojo

[DVass13]

Another potential option would be the Matrix Audio Element i. It seems like it would suit all your needs and actually have a few added features compared to the Liberty. I can't say how the Element i would compare to the Liberty, but I currently own the Element i's big brother (Element X) and it does a great job with my Focal Utopia headphones.

[dflee]

Wow DVass13!
Like the Holly Grail of equipment.
Bet you do enjoy yourself. The I looks interesting and I have a week to decide
if I want to keep the Liberty. The Liberty has broken in to what I would say is exceptional sound.
I will probably keep it and try to upgrade my headphone.
Would love to hear your rig.
Thanks for sharing

Don

[DVass13]

I'm sure the Liberty will be a great match for you. Just wanted to share another option that you might not have been aware of. As for the headphones - it's been a while since I've heard a pair of ZMFs, but I don't think I ever tried one that I didn't like. I've met Zach a few times in previous years when i was more involved in the headphone world and he's a great guy. I'm sure one of his headphones would be a great next step. The only trouble is trying to decide which one would be best.