[chip]

I have an older sennheiser headphone(HD 280 pro) that I use with a HiFimeDIY UAE23 USB DAC (ESS Sabre ES9023+Savitech SA9023)  and running Foobar with a bunch of tweaks on it.

So I am thinking of upgrading the headphones and maybe looking at a different headphone dac as well.

Pricing say start with $200 on headphones and same with Dac. I haven't looked for a while but I  know there are lots of options even in this price range. Lots of reading to do but if anyone can give me some input that would be great. Even  links on places to start reading.

Some sites I am already looking at -
https://soundnews.net/
http://store.hifiman.com
https://drop.com

Thanks

Chad

[charmerci]

I really like my 400i (bought open box). It's much better than my decades old Grado and the Meze Classic 99 that people here love so much.


https://store.hifiman.com/index.php/open-box.html

[Freo-1]

IMHO, the Sennheiser HD 580 hits the sweet spot regarding price/performance.   

[chip]

Some I'm reading up on massdrop -
HIFIMAN HE4XX Planar Magnetic Headphones - $145 -

Sennheiser HD 6XX Headphones - $195 - open-back headphone

Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee Headphones - $150 - open-back design

AKG K7XX Audiophile Headphones - $200 - Open-back

Beyerdynamic DT880 Pro Limited-Edition Black - $150 - semi-open design

[dflee]

If your thinking HiFiMan I'd go the extra bucks (299) for the Sundara. I've had the 400S and the 400I and liked the I better but the Sundara bettered both significantly.

[JohnR]

If it all possible, listen before buying. Second best is checking for reliable measurements and associated commentary (assuming you are looking for a neutral headphone). Here are some resources:

https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/
https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews

https://www.innerfidelity.com/headphone-measurements can also be useful but hasn't been updated in a couple of years since Tyll left. Some of the later reviews he did had measurements in his review article but not in that list so sometimes searching is needed.

[dB Cooper]

If you can stretch the budget a bit on the DAC, consider Schiit Modi Multibit.

Headphones, try Massdrop (now 'Drop') offering of Meze 99 (closed) or Sen HD6xx (open).

Ypu don't mention amp; are you actually looking for a DAC/amp combo unit?

[chip]

Thinking of both but might just start with the headphones first.

So right now my setup is:
Laptop running tweaked Foobar with Flac files ---> Hifime S2 USB Dac ---> sennheiser headphone(HD 280 pro).

What setups do people like between the laptop and headphones? I am open to suggestions.

[Tyson]

Thinking of both but might just start with the headphones first.

So right now my setup is:
Laptop running tweaked Foobar with Flac files ---> Hifime S2 USB Dac ---> sennheiser headphone(HD 280 pro).

What setups do people like between the laptop and headphones? I am open to suggestions.

IME, the best USB DAC out there right now is the iFi Zen DAC, a unit that was co-designed between Thorsten Loesch (digital) and John Curl (analog).  No plastic, it's all brushed aluminum.  Sound is excellent.  For $129 it's freaking incredible. 

[chip]

I will add it to my list and do some research on it.

[Tyson]

I will add it to my list and do some research on it.

I had the HD280 pro for a long time, really liked it actually.  It's a headphone that would especially benefit from the fully balanced analog circuit in the Zen DAC.