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 detailed 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 detailed but many be less smooth and/or just dynamically perkier.
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.
I love the music of Dmitri Shostakovich ...
