Audio Audiophile and gears

All depends on your preference. I like certain Focal headphones over HD800 or 800S.
But those are also pretty expensive, but far more practical.
If I ever go truly all out, it will be Abyss Diana for sure.
IMHO Focal headphones are overshadowed by their speakers.
Focal clear is a brilliant and beautiful piece of art.
I know Utopia should be the next logical upgrade, but if you hear Diana once...it will win you over.
So Focal Clear over Arya and Diana as an end game, nice and tight recommendation.
 
Very very important topic you brought up here..I bought a pretty expensive Dali Oberon system for our drawing room, it was set up in a very wrong way, the entire house literally rattles with slightly higher volume ( very bassy and non resolving sound, movie dialogues are incomprehensible, but if there is sound of a gunfire or anything, it shakes the bedroom floor upstairs)
May be our drawing room is too small, but still...I didn't even bother to call the service guys again. Simply gave up on it.
I got rid of a lot of vibrations in my room by isolating my speakers from the table and buying some foams to be kept under them.
Not watching movies, I was using home theater in 2.1 mode just for music only but poor room acoustics made my system sound muddy, bassy and boomy. Tried everything and calibrated well but absolutely no instrument separation and imaging. & when I played cloud no.9 I was literally above cloud no 9.
@ rockfella in my case I managed to tighten everything to control the vibrations no issues but only trouble is my room lacks depth and I can't place my desk on adjacent wall side because of window and don't wanna switch to other room so I also gave up, else I was planning to buy Yamaha studio monitors.
Now just like you looking for Sundara but still skeptical to buy because of summer season ahead, so also considering iems like Fiio FD5 it's looking impressive to me.
looks like some semi-open kind of earphones though it may be nowhere close to an open back headphone.
 
Not watching movies, I was using home theater in 2.1 mode just for music only but poor room acoustics made my system sound muddy, bassy and boomy. Tried everything and calibrated well but absolutely no instrument separation and imaging. & when I played cloud no.9 I was literally above cloud no 9.
@ rockfella in my case I managed to tighten everything to control the vibrations no issues but only trouble is my room lacks depth and I can't place my desk on adjacent wall side because of window and don't wanna switch to other room so I also gave up, else I was planning to buy Yamaha studio monitors.
Now just like you looking for Sundara but still skeptical to buy because of summer season ahead, so also considering iems like Fiio FD5 it's looking impressive to me.
looks like some semi-open kind of earphones though it may be nowhere close to an open back headphone.
Hmm reminds me my current 2.0 is not really great for movies .. it is just hard to beat a true 5.1 + HT system with DTS/Dolby decoders for movies... but for now I am happy with 2.0 as it saves a lot of space. Maybe someday I will have a bigger house/space for both 2.0 and 5.1 in the same room. I won't get 5.1 over a 2.0. Just pouring my thoughts.
 
So Focal Clear over Arya and Diana as an end game, nice and tight recommendation.
No..no!! Already bought Clear ( a used pair from a fellow headfier) but didn't have much time to listen to it ( we're living in a hotel for 2 months now...left them at home)
Focal Utopia was the plan, but it costs a BOMB new and couldn't find a used pair anywhere ( somebody from US put one up for sale/ trade, but he wasn't ready to ship to Europe)
But I met a very nice gentleman in Vienna ( with HUGE collection of headphones) and he was generous enough to invite us over dinner and I listened to the entire Dire Straits Brothers in arms with the Diana( not the V2, but the older one) in his system ( which is an absolutely insane setup) and it just blew me away.
I'm not new to planars or pretty high end DAC amps, but his setup was something different ( you can buy a house easily with that amount of money, but less expensive than the Orpheus)
I've attended 2018 canjam in Munich, but never knew people do actually own these kind of setups at home.
I'm aware of the diminishing returns etc etc, but some setups do blow your mind.
But in reality I will probably never be able to have similar set up...in fact I'm already missing the convenience of BTNC cans ( the PXC 550 is in the service center, the replacement will take 5-7 days to come, and I'm missing it already..it sounds nothing compared to wired cans, but got used to wireless life lately)
 
No..no!! Already bought Clear ( a used pair from a fellow headfier) but didn't have much time to listen to it ( we're living in a hotel for 2 months now...left them at home)
Focal Utopia was the plan, but it costs a BOMB new and couldn't find a used pair anywhere ( somebody from US put one up for sale/ trade, but he wasn't ready to ship to Europe)
But I met a very nice gentleman in Vienna ( with HUGE collection of headphones) and he was generous enough to invite us over dinner and I listened to the entire Dire Straits Brothers in arms with the Diana( not the V2, but the older one) in his system ( which is an absolutely insane setup) and it just blew me away.
I'm not new to planars or pretty high end DAC amps, but his setup was something different ( you can buy a house easily with that amount of money, but less expensive than the Orpheus)
I've attended 2018 canjam in Munich, but never knew people do actually own these kind of setups at home.
I'm aware of the diminishing returns etc etc, but some setups do blow your mind.
But in reality I will probably never be able to have similar set up...in fact I'm already missing the convenience of BTNC cans ( the PXC 550 is in the service center, the replacement will take 5-7 days to come, and I'm missing it already..it sounds nothing compared to wired cans, but got used to wireless life lately)
Actually I was thinking of attending CanJam Singapore 2 years back but was not really sure if that was good or bad idea. In audio world the lesser exposure you get to more expensive things the better it is for your satisfaction with your current gear and your wallet.
 
Actually I was thinking of attending CanJam Singapore 2 years back but was not really sure if that was good or bad idea. In audio world the lesser exposure you get to more expensive things the better it is for your satisfaction with your current gear and your wallet.
Can't agree more. Unwatching this thread now. :tearsofjoy:
 
Actually I was thinking of attending CanJam Singapore 2 years back but was not really sure if that was good or bad idea. In audio world the lesser exposure you get to more expensive things the better it is for your satisfaction with your current gear and your wallet.
Good decision!! Most of us already have enough decent gear to last a lifetime. Let's enjoy music...gears can wait.
 
I'm also a Grado signature fan..love the lean and fast bass response. Have you tried their bluetooth GW100? It's amazing ( specially the DSP correction)
Are they ? Sounds awesome, I just stopped doing 'this' 2-3 years ago as its such an expensive hobby, but would love to try them . Maybe if some friend comes from US.

Sennheiser just launched their flagship HD8XX on Drop for $1100.

HD8XX
Btw , about massdrop they didnt ship to India right ? or do they now ?
 
Yes, Drop does ship to India. My brother had purchased his HE-4xx from them. Of course, as red dragon pointed out, you are at the mercy of Indian customs which these days, means at least 42% duty, if not more for something like this.
 
Indians are rich people :grinning:, anywhere between 37-42% is normal.
For most of the audio gears Headphonezone pricing also suggests about 37-38% duty and taxes.
for instance Topping A90 US$499 sells for Rs.49999.
to put it simple 1USD = Rs.100 , Petrol soared above Rs,100 per litre. That's a double century.
Jai Ho!
 
Just another noob question for the audiophiles

Let's assume, we 've a balanced headphone amplifier like Topping A90 & headphones like sundara.
specifications for the amplifier are same in balanced mode either XLR or 4.4mm port.
now we're to buy a new balanced cable for these headphones,
which cable should be purchased one terminating with XLR port or 4.4 mm ? & why ?
considering the fact, cable length is 3 meter or 10 feet and all other specifications for the cable are identical.
and what if cable length is more than 3 meter?

for e.g. cable with XLR port is Rs.8000 & with 4.4 mm it's Rs.7000
so is it worth paying extra 1000.
 
Just another noob question for the audiophiles

Let's assume, we 've a balanced headphone amplifier like Topping A90 & headphones like sundara.
specifications for the amplifier are same in balanced mode either XLR or 4.4mm port.
now we're to buy a new balanced cable for these headphones,
which cable should be purchased one terminating with XLR port or 4.4 mm ? & why ?
considering the fact, cable length is 3 meter or 10 feet and all other specifications for the cable are identical.
and what if cable length is more than 3 meter?

for e.g. cable with XLR port is Rs.8000 & with 4.4 mm it's Rs.7000
so is it worth paying extra 1000.
Are there no cheaper cables available or are you trying to buy premium cables only. I got balanced cable from Aliexpress for my HD650 for around $20.
As for choice between XLR and 4.4mm I think most balanced AMPs/DACs would have support for both usually. 4.4mm would be a bit more portable, if that matters. Just base your choice on which plug has more acceptance, in case you want to upgrade the DAC/AMP in the future.
 
not exactly premium but some good quality cables. surely I'll look for some cables at Aliexpress, as these HPzone cables are expensive.
just waiting for Topping A90 to be in stock again.
HPzone India is selling this 500$ amp for 50k, I can understand its including all taxes and duty but why only 1yr warranty ?.
Shenzhenaudio is providing 2 yr warranty but I'm still skeptical to buy from Shenzhenaudio.
 
not exactly premium but some good quality cables. surely I'll look for some cables at Aliexpress, as these HPzone cables are expensive.
just waiting for Topping A90 to be in stock again.
HPzone India is selling this 500$ amp for 50k, I can understand its including all taxes and duty but why only 1yr warranty ?.
Shenzhenaudio is providing 2 yr warranty but I'm still skeptical to buy from Shenzhenaudio.
Shenzenaudio is really good, I bought my FLC8S from them.

Just tell them to use Singapore Post instead of FedEx, there are chances that you don't have to pay customs at all.
 
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