My headphone system upgrade results ... so far

Posted by Feanor (A) on August 8, 2019 at 12:49:49

I've decided to focus on my headphone system for a while, given that my household environment includes other people who are bothered by my music least some of the time -- and make their own share of noise that I object to.

OLD headphone system:

= Realtek computer audio Speaker output
= Pro-Ject Head Box amp (older model)
= Sennheiser HD 555 'phones (open back)

NEW headphone system:

= Topping D50 DAC
= JDA Labs Atom amp
= Massdrop's HDXXX rebrand of Sennheiser HD 650, (open back) and
= Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 250 ohm, (closed back)

First bought the HD 650's but realized that I was often going to need closed back for isolation for household noise, so I got the DT 770 Pro's

My overall conclusion is that my new system is much better than my old, being more detail & dynamic. However the greatest single upgrade I suspect was going from the computer's Realtek DAC to the Topping D50

The HD 650's are very smooth, clean, and well resolving but perhaps a little bland. Maybe the blandness is due to lack on dynamic drive by my JDS amp -- or maybe a little break-in is needed, or maybe it's my imagination.

The DT 770 Pro's also sound well resolving but seemingly less bland and/or just dynamically perkier than the HD 650's.

The JDS Atom amp can drive both these 'phones, (300 ohm and 250 ohms respectively), to satisfactory levels even on low gain. However it I were to go for any further upgrade it would probably be to the amp.

Dmitri Shostakovich

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Topic - My headphone system upgrade results ... so far - Feanor 12:49:49 08/08/19 (23)

Money Pit - Jon L 12:31:46 08/16/19 (2)

So true, although ... - Feanor 06:07:19 08/17/19 (1)

It shouldn't be that complicated - Triode_Kingdom 20:27:49 09/01/19 (0)

I'm sticking with the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x for now - Feanor 13:53:39 08/12/19 (1)

RE: I'm sticking with the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x for now - Dawnrazor 09:35:30 08/15/19 (0)

Most convincing headphone reviews ... - Feanor 06:20:34 08/10/19 (0)

RE: My headphone system upgrade results ... so far - rrsands 04:40:59 08/09/19 (5)

At this point I'm a bit disappointed with the HD 6XX - Feanor 08:35:21 08/09/19 (4)

RE: At this point I'm a bit disappointed with the HD 6XX - rrsands 04:17:51 08/12/19 (1)

Intesting product: there's no end to tweaking, eh? -nt - Feanor 04:53:22 08/12/19 (0)

RE: At this point I'm a bit disappointed with the HD 6XX - Dawnrazor 20:43:54 08/09/19 (1)

Monolith M 1060 was on in my original list ... - Feanor 06:14:03 08/10/19 (0)

RE: My headphone system upgrade results ... so far - sisterray 14:17:16 08/08/19 (6)

Bottlehead Crack - Bill Way 07:53:36 08/09/19 (1)

RE: Bottlehead Crack - sisterray 10:31:49 08/09/19 (0)

No, I haven't - Feanor 16:45:13 08/08/19 (3)

RE: No, I haven't - sisterray 18:21:01 08/08/19 (2)

"stepped attenuator for gain control" - pbarach 09:32:30 08/11/19 (1)

RE: "stepped attenuator for gain control" - sisterray 13:54:27 08/11/19 (0)

RE: My headphone system upgrade results ... so far - FenderLover 13:58:26 08/08/19 (3)

RE: My headphone system upgrade results ... so far - PAR 16:12:33 08/08/19 (2)

Sorry, about that... - FenderLover 18:21:07 08/08/19 (1)

RE: Sorry, about that... - sbrook 04:34:56 08/10/19 (0)

My headphone system upgrade results ... so far

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