Any fellow high end headphone users here?

I had the chance to "live* with an Orpheus HE90 system for a month many years ago. It is one of those systems that leaves an impression. It has a very refined and airy sound that is quite captivating. I don't know how it would compare to current "high end" headphones.

Nowadays I use a more reasonably priced Sennheiser HD6XX with my computer, and also have a Grado GH2 (with comfortable custom ear cups) which I love listening to plugged into a tiny Bluetooth DAC/amp (Quedelix). It has a super relaxing sound, with good detail, and often use it simply listening with my phone. It's ruthless with system videos :)PXL_20250609_171327466.jpg
 
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If you look up reviews of the baby Orpheus they comment about sound being very close
I've never heard the original Orpheus tube amp though
If I compare the orphius it’s colored where the stax 009 is I think more correct.
I do use the hd800 to help me set up speakers. They have enough air and are I think very true to the source.
but we each have our opinions

.
 
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Not me yet but I am not a fan of bacch
Digital is already complex last thing I need is more knobs . A little EQ is good for me
Fiio makes some really good stuff and cheap Mostly
You can't teach an old NYNY mobster new tricks!!!!!!!
 
I was going to buy the raal truly sounds like my infinity irsv planer speakers. Ended not due to confusion of amps to use with them.
It's really not as complex as it initially might seem. They all come with some sort of adapter box which lets them work with any regular headphone amp. The box changed from one headphone generation to the next (and on the newest models it doubles as a headphone stand) but the general idea is the same.

They also made a few dedicated amplifiers which are decent but I prefer using my own high-end amp with the adapter. As long as you've got a reasonably potent amp it should work very well.

The new Immanis and Magna models are very pricey but the earlier gen stuff still sounds very compelling and can be had for crazy low prices these days.
I think I did have a closed back stat too not sure what model and make it was

The Stax SR-4070 was often described as the "only" closed back electrostatic model, though there were a few others (the ancient Koss ESP series had several models for example). I still have my 4070 and use it regularly. There's also the new Kaldas Research Inox which I am excited to try, not sure if it is actually on sale yet though.

HiFiMan, Dan Clark, Focal, Noble, T+A, Ultimate Ears, JH Audio, Etymotic, among others, fed by a wide array of transistor and tube amps and DACs.

Lately I’ve been impressed by the trajectory of the sonic gains from some of the leading Bluetooth models. And, like streaming, it’s hard to beat the wireless user experience.

Nice, big fan of most of those as well, particularly custom in ear monitors from Noble and Ultimate Ears. That market has really blown up over the past decade or so, especially in Asia where they really seem to love the portable audio category.

Totally agree about the improvement found in some of the bluetooth models out there. They've gone from practically unlistenable to halfway decent to actually pretty enjoyable in a relatively short time. They don't compete with my Stax or anything but it's hard to argue with the overall experience. Especially for the price.
 
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I don't use them too much, but I still have my Abyss and Cavalli Liquid Gold. My other 'phones are the Audeze LCD-XC, and Senn HD660

I mostly use these for vinyl transfers and editing recordings for clients.
 
I understand your thoughts.
It's really not as complex as it initially might seem. They all come with some sort of adapter box which lets them work with any regular headphone amp. The box changed from one headphone generation to the next (and on the newest models it doubles as a headphone stand) but the general idea is the same.

They also made a few dedicated amplifiers which are decent but I prefer using my own high-end amp with the adapter. As long as you've got a reasonably potent amp it should work very well.

The new Immanis and Magna models are very pricey but the earlier gen stuff still sounds very compelling and can be had for crazy low prices these days.


The Stax SR-4070 was often described as the "only" closed back electrostatic model, though there were a few others (the ancient Koss ESP series had several models for example). I still have my 4070 and use it regularly. There's also the new Kaldas Research Inox which I am excited to try, not sure if it is actually on sale yet though.



Nice, big fan of most of those as well, particularly custom in ear monitors from Noble and Ultimate Ears. That market has really blown up over the past decade or so, especially in Asia where they really seem to love the portable audio category.

Totally agree about the improvement found in some of the bluetooth models out there. They've gone from practically unlistenable to halfway decent to actually pretty enjoyable in a relatively short time. They don't compete with my Stax or anything but it's hard to argue with the overall experience. Especially for the price.
I have a pair of amora Jewel
 

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These leave I think nothing not heard
Also UM MASON FS
An amazing detail monster
Both are universal
 
I don't use them too much, but I still have my Abyss and Cavalli Liquid Gold. My other 'phones are the Audeze LCD-XC, and Senn HD660

I mostly use these for vinyl transfers and editing recordings for clients.
You know what it's supposed to sound like, so what ever you think is good
 
Keep in mind I'm older then most here and I'm sure I need boost then most too.
I bought the jh audio pearl combo too . While they can be adjusted to ones hearing it's a very complex task .
Dan Clark makes some great stuff and others too . At audio shows headphones is where I go to cleary head .
 
A forums like this shuns anything not speakers and I think that's wrong . But to each there own .
 
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