HiFi Audio Setup for a Mid-HiFi person

[Qudek]

Hey guys, I don't have a  lot of experience with expensive headphones and HiFi equipment so I would like to hear from you guys what is worth the extra money?

 

I would like to purchase a turntable, phono preamp, headphone amp, headphone dac and of course headphones.

 

Would I be able to connect the phono preamp and the dac at the same time to the headphone amplifier? ( I know the models are different, I'm just wondering if that is possible without a switch of some sorts)

 

Just for refference I compiled a few setups in different price points to discuss differences and the "is it worth it" factor. I'm not sure where to draw the line since there is no retailer in Croatia that has all these products for me to try out. I tried the 1) option at my friend's house and the experience though very precise and clean was somewhat underwhelming. It lacked the lower end response and overall punch to the tracks. The soundstage also didn't really feel very wide. I would like to hear is it worth it to drop 3-4K euros on an expensive setup, or is for instance 2) option more than enough for a low-mid-hifi knowledgeable person...

 

1) Sennheiser 660S with Schiit Magni/Modi stack = 745 euro

 

2) HIFIMAN Ananda with Schiit Magnius/Modius stack = 1460 euro

 

3) HIFIMAN Arya with Gungnir/Mjolnir 2 stack = 3859 euro

(Or LCD-X / HEDDPhone / 800S / Focal Clear or something of that caliber)

 

As far as the turntable goes, Rega Planar 3/Elys 2 + Schiit Mani seems like a solid choice for around = 1000 euro. Correct me if there is something better.

(I'm also aware that Schiit products have basically zero availability so something like a Topping A90+D90  or any other combo is more than welcome)

 

Thanks for the help.

[Dedayog]

Honestly I wouldn't ask here.  I'd go somewhere like  http://forums.audioreview.com/forum.php

 

While we may have a few audiophiles here, they have a broader depth of knowledge there.  Oh, and bring your boots, lots of bullshit there too between those "experts".

 

Wade through it all, and there is a wealth of information there.  

[Qudek]

3 minutes ago, Dedayog said:

Honestly I wouldn't ask here.  I'd go somewhere like  http://forums.audioreview.com/forum.php

 

While we may have a few audiophiles here, they have a broader depth of knowledge there.  Oh, and bring your boots, lots of bullshit there too between those "experts".

 

Wade through it all, and there is a wealth of information there.  

Well thanks for the tip. I'll prepare myself for bullshit

[AnotherGlenn]

15 minutes ago, Qudek said:

I would like to purchase a turntable, phono preamp, headphone amp, headphone dac and of course headphones.

There are phono preamps that have headphone amps/dacs built in. I know it's not the same, but it's a whole lot easier. 

If you can fit it into your budget, go for the Meze Empyrean. You will NOT regret it.

[LIGISTX]

21 minutes ago, Qudek said:

Hey guys, I don't have a  lot of experience with expensive headphones and HiFi equipment so I would like to hear from you guys what is worth the extra money?

 

I would like to purchase a turntable, phono preamp, headphone amp, headphone dac and of course headphones.

 

Would I be able to connect the phono preamp and the dac at the same time to the headphone amplifier? ( I know the models are different, I'm just wondering if that is possible without a switch of some sorts)

 

Just for refference I compiled a few setups in different price points to discuss differences and the "is it worth it" factor. I'm not sure where to draw the line since there is no retailer in Croatia that has all these products for me to try out. I tried the 1) option at my friend's house and the experience though very precise and clean was somewhat underwhelming. It lacked the lower end response and overall punch to the tracks. The soundstage also didn't really feel very wide. I would like to hear is it worth it to drop 3-4K euros on an expensive setup, or is for instance 2) option more than enough for a low-mid-hifi knowledgeable person...

 

1) Sennheiser 660S with Schiit Magni/Modi stack = 745 euro

 

2) HIFIMAN Ananda with Schiit Magnius/Modius stack = 1460 euro

 

3) HIFIMAN Arya with Gungnir/Mjolnir 2 stack = 3859 euro

(Or LCD-X / HEDDPhone / 800S / Focal Clear or something of that caliber)

 

As far as the turntable goes, Rega Planar 3/Elys 2 + Schiit Mani seems like a solid choice for around = 1000 euro. Correct me if there is something better.

(I'm also aware that Schiit products have basically zero availability so something like a Topping A90+D90  or any other combo is more than welcome)

 

Thanks for the help.

I can say the schiit stack is incredible. I run their Lyr 3 tube amp with multibit dac, 6xx’s and fostex’s, and I had my brother get 6xx’s and the schiit stack. It’s an incredible sound for not a lot of money. I seriously can’t give that amp/dac setup enough praise.

 

Also.... 6xx’s are hard not to get. At the price point, god they are incredible. Properly driven, they are totally viable end game headphones.  

[HenrySalayne]

58 minutes ago, Qudek said:

I would like to purchase a turntable, phono preamp, headphone amp, headphone dac and of course headphones.

The important parts are:

- the turntable and its cartridge (and settings)

- the headphones

 

Stuff that is almost perfect at a reasonable entry level:

- phono preamp

- headphone amp

- headphone DAC

Invest you budget into the important parts, don't waste your money on electronics.

[rice guru]

1 hour ago, Dedayog said:

Honestly I wouldn't ask here.  I'd go somewhere like  http://forums.audioreview.com/forum.php

 

While we may have a few audiophiles here, they have a broader depth of knowledge there.  Oh, and bring your boots, lots of bullshit there too between those "experts".

 

Wade through it all, and there is a wealth of information there.  

Aggree with this the folk here including myself's knowledge hangs out in gaming gear and entry level audio gear for the most part. 

[CTR640]

3-4K euros is peasantry level. Save more to buy Sennheiser HE-1.

 

Spoiler

Welp, there you go, the first bullshit you received lol