DT990 Upgrades

[touzeen]

Source:Flacs from foobar.
DAC: Fiio E10k
Amp: Bravo Audio V3
Budget: 50,000.

 

[Oyster]

HD650 + Schiit Vali2 + Modi Multibit. You should be all set for few years at least.

 

[dissel]

I think next upgrade will be at planar magnetic category.

 

[Oyster]

Planars are not necessarily an upgrade over dynamics. Yes, planars are generally smoother and have less bass distortion compared to dynamics, i think HD650 despite being a decade old still beats Hifiman HE6/HE400i/HE400s and Audeze LCD2/x when it comes to macrodynamicd, microdynamics and midrange detail. 650's bass on the other hand is no contest to the planars.

 

[touzeen]

I am considering the HE400 or Fostex X00, I know they are open vs closed but can anyone tell me exact differentiating points?

 

[Oyster]

Whatever you do, don't buy the HE400. Those were my worst audio purchases. Distorted mids , peaky/grainy treble. Bass was good but otherwise overall just bad sounding.

 

[touzeen]

Maybe bad piece considering the rave reviews all around?
Worth it to save up for LCD2?

 

[Oyster]

Nopes, the measurements seem to confirm my views. The mid range is beyond terrible on the HE400. LCD2 is in a different class all together.
Recently heard the HE400i and HE400s as well. Better than HE400 but still not worth the money.
If you plan to go for LCD2, look for the old version (non-fazer). IMO, Fazers do not sound as clean overall.
Why don't you go for the HD650? I find it better than any audeze. Although you'll need serious upgrades to your DAC/Amp or else it'll end up sounding just bad.

 

[touzeen]

650 seems too mainstream, and I find that boring.

 

[abhi_jollyguy]

HE400i is any day better than HD650, if you are coming from DT990 so you will not like HD650 at all. HD650 for you would be boring, veiled.

 

[Oyster]

HE400i is any day better than HD650.

Thats because 99% of them are paired with crapola like the hugo/mojo or the chi-fi stuff.
If you care for midrange even one bit, hifimans are just bad at it.

 

[touzeen]

How about AKG K7XX?

 

[touzeen]

HiFiMan HE-400I @ $250 now...good price?

 

[Oyster]

If you can handle an overall bright tone, $250 is a good price. Ak7XX - I haven't heard it but the measurements suggest it to be decent headphone.

 

[touzeen]

Ordered the 400i. Going to the US next month, will pick it up then.

 

[booo]

Ordered schiit fulla 2. should receive it today. will update

 

[touzeen]

Ordered schiit fulla 2. should receive it today. will update

Cool...are you using the HE-400i too?

I was thinking if getting the Vali 2 as an upgrade fro my Bravo Audio V3.

 

[booo]

^ Nope, I have Massdrop Sennheiser HD 6xx which is basically HD650

 

[Oyster]

Cool...are you using the HE-400i too?

I was thinking if getting the Vali 2 as an upgrade fro my Bravo Audio V3.

Go with solid state with the Hifimans instead of tube. Planars sound kinda soft on tubes unless the OI is low.

 

[touzeen]

@boo oh, OK. Was wondering Why the sudden confession.

@Oyster Vali2 is hybrid.