Advice on upgrading my entire setup

Headphones Headphone Discussion / Help
1

Hello everyone, I’m looking for some advice or suggestions regarding my ideas for upgrading my entire audio setup. This includes my Headphones,
DAC, Headphone amp, and Speakers/ Speaker amp.

My current setup is as follows:

Headphones:
Ath M40x (brainwavez angled pads)
Hifiman HE400i
Koss KPH30i (Grado pad mod)

IEM’s:
Blon BL-03’s
7Hz Timeless

Amp/Dac combo:
Micca Origin+

Tube amp:
Loxjie P20

Speakers:
Micca RB42’s

Speaker Amp:
SMSL SA-98E

I’ve had all this gear for a number of years now and want to upgrade to some more premium options as I’m no longer a broke student and have some money for myself. Realistically my budget is about $1500 CAD +/- $250 if possible. What I have picked out so far for my upgrades are as follows:

Headphones:
Harmonicdyne Zeus
Focal Elegia
Koss ESP/95X (Not included in budget as currently unavailable)
Beyerdynamic DT 880 600ohm/ Sennheiser 6XX (interested in but no current plans to buy)

IEM:
Moondrop blessing 2 (interested in but no current plans to buy)

Amp/Dac:
Topping L50/E50 stack

For this stack I’m wondering if I can use it to power my RB42’s. I know the E50 has volume control and the L50 has a pass through. Just wonder if this would be able to power the RB42’s sufficiently.

Speakers:
iloud Micro’s or Vanatoo T0’s (would upgrade to one of these two sets if the Topping stack couldn’t power my RB42’s sufficiently)

Speaker amp:
Topping PA5/ loxjie A10/ Topping MX5 (Would consider buying one of these if I decided to keep my RB42’s for my desk setup)

Tube amp:
Darkvoice / Xduoo 604 (not included in budget as no current plans to buy)

To end this monster post I’d like to say that my music tends to fall towards electronica (Deadmau5/ Avicii/ Etc) but I listen to everything from country to death metal and everything in between, including some music in other languages.

Lastly thank you to anyone who goes through my list and helps me with any advice or suggestions. I have some questions regarding cables but I haven’t researched them yet (mostly where to find good quality short length cables).

Peace M.

1 Like
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hey MTON, is the $1500 budget +/- 25% for everything? the stack, the headphones and the speakers?

also, what kind of music do you like to listen to and do you have a preference for warm, neutral or detailed / cool sound profiles? granted, much of that will depend on what music you listen to as well. and what is the layout of your available desk space for nearfield placement? on the desk? mounted on the wall? stands on either side of the desk?

lastly, what’s more important…headphone sound quality or speaker sound quality? both, obviously are important…but it’s more likely one will edge out the other.

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Hi Marzipan.
When I had originally made this plan. Yes I would have been within budget however the American dollar has climbed again and one of the items I had picked out went up in price. I will still be within budget if I remove the speakers which would likely be what I would remove as I do love my RB42’s. I’m also okay to upgrade them at a later date but $1500 +/- 25% is what I’m okay with spending all at once.

For music my main genre is electronica, but I listen to various artists from all genres (Country, Rock, Classical, Pop, Rap, Folk, etc…). As for sound profile I’m not picky. I enjoy the warm sound typically associated with tube amps but I also enjoy neutral sound signatures and crisp/ detailed vocals.

The only room I have on my desk is approximately 2.5-3ft in front of me on my desk just below my main monitor. To either side or on the wall isn’t possible with my current setup. Biggest thing for me in choosing the ilouds or T0’s is their small form factor.

Both is important I agree. If I had to Choose currently though I’d say headphone quality is more important. When it boils down to it my Headphones and Source are what I want to change the most. Also, with my current living situation, my headphones see more use.

Thanks again for answering.
M.

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Don’t buy the Elegia for electronica. It’s a mids- and highs-focused headphone. The bass is punchy and present when called upon, but it’s not a bassy headphone that shines with electronica.

The Elegia also can get a bit congested with busy songs with multiple tracks, which also often is the case with genres like electronica and metal.

But you indicated you like classical and folk, and the Elegia shines with those genres.

The Elegia is the most genre-specific headphone in my collection, by far. It’s fantastic with mids-focused music like acoustic, strings, classical, piano jazz, vocals. But it’s not that great with rock, metal, hip-hop and EDM.

If you’re looking for an all-arounder, I never would recommend the Elegia. But if you’re looking for a great headphone for specific genres, the Elegia is a fine choice. The Elegia is like snow tires to me: You don’t drive on them every day, but they’re sure nice to have on days when the white stuff is flying and piling up.

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I haven’t heard the rb42 in person but I’m almost sure the vanatoo and the ilouds would be more of a sidegrade, same for most of the headphones you listed compared to what you have, I’d just get a good headphone amp and a good pair of planar headphones, maybe throw one of the 6xx line sennheisers so you have a neutral reference too…

But yeah I wouldn’t touch the speakers unless you’re willing to spend a bunch more on just that.

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I really like your analogy pk. I had heard that the elegia were more genre specific but your insight is appreciated. I’m not really looking for something bassy. I plan on keeping my M40x as they’re special to me (First audiophile headphone I ever baught myself). In terms of bass that are more than enough, especially with the brainwavz pads. I’m looking for a more neutral or warm headphone. I also just really like the look of focals. But perhaps the elx would be a better pick later down the line. Do you have any experience with the Aeon Closed X? Comfort is a big thing for me and I’ve heard they are really comfortable as well as a great buy for the price.

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I don’t 100% agree with the elegia and Zeus being a side grade to what I currently have but I haven’t heard either of them so all I can go off is what I’ve read about them and what others say. With that in mind what would you recommend as an upgrade Rage? I did mention being interested in the 6xx or something from that line. You’ve peaked my interest in them so I’m going to consider them more now and do some more research. You also mentioned a planar which I 100% agree with. I do already have an open back planar though, so as I mentioned to pk. What would you say to the Aeon Closed X? I’ve heard great things about them.

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Let’s see neutral or warm I think you would be pleased with the Aeon x or RT they can be 6xx like but just more. I would shy away from the Elex as it has a lot of dynamic energy which does not always convey a neutral or warm sound, but it is a heck of a headphone for the price. Hopefully this helps a little

1 Like
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The Elegia is not warm. Not at all. :slight_smile:

If you’re looking for something warm, I strongly recommend the Sennheiser-Drop HD 6XX. Comfortable, non-fatiguing, great mids, rolled-off treble. $240. There’s a reason why it stays in many people’s collection for a long time, even after the rest of their collection has moved way north of that price point. It’s an effing fantastic all-arounder.

I have no experience with DCA Aeon Closed X but have heard/read nothing but good things about them. Many people rave about the comfort, and most call it a non-fatiguing listen, with the compromise of a bit less detail and slightly blunted highs. I’ve heard some people call the Aeon Closed X a 6XX on steroids even though it’s closed-back, and it’s a headphone that’s on my try list.

Good luck!

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Nope it helps a lot Etroze thanks. For right now I’m looking for more neutral/warm but I’m not picky when it comes to sound signatures. I like hearing the same songs differently through different signatures so I think I’ll save up and keep an eye for a sale on the elex and give them a try when I can. For now I’m going to focus on the 6xx and Aeon closed X. Even if they are similar sounding. Having one open and one closed is what I want for in the long run anyways. When I’m not listening to music I’m watching streams/ podcasts or gaming (Though not really competively). So if the 6xx and Closed X will do well with those criteria than I have my picks. Though my main focus is upgrading my source.

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Thanks again pk. Same as I said to Etroze, I’m liking what I’m hearing regarding the 6xx and Aeon Closed X. Even if they do sound similar there’s enough difference to make them worth it. Closed VS open and dynamic vs planar. My main focus though is on upgrading my source. Really liking the looks of the L50/E50 stack for numerous reasons. Not sure how much experience you have with Topping stuff.

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None. Have never owned or tried a piece of Topping gear.

I have used amps and DACs from iFi and JDS Labs. Rocking an Atom+ DAC/amp stack now. Tough to top for clean power and uncolored sound at the price.

Glad you’re considering an amp because both the 6XX and DCA Aeon Closed X are power-hungry cans. You’re not going to run them with much volume or fidelity off a phone or most laptops.

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Have you considered an Asgard 3 or something like the lake people G111 that’s in the for sale thread? This will push you into that neutral warm area even more while maintaining the resolution you get from the topping stack.

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Yeah I’ve heard great things about Atom stuff. I just really like the aesthetic and features of the E/L50 stack. From what I’ve read. Once you get yourself a good clean Dac you basically don’t need to change it as it hits a point of diminishing returns. This gives you freedom and money to experiment with amps though. Right now I do have my Micca Origin+ but it feel it may struggle with the 6xx and or Closed X. I also plan on gifting it to my parents to use as a speaker dac/amp.

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Honestly Etroze I didn’t even know there was a for sale thread :sweat_smile:. I’m still new to using the forum and don’t have much free time during the weekdays to explore. If you have the link handy I’ll definitely take a look. I do have limited desk space left and personally love the aesthetic of the Blue E/L 50 stack. But I’m definitely open to alternatives.

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https://forum.hifiguides.com/t/buy-sell-and-looking-for-thread/6305/2984

I don’t think the topping stack is bad at all. There is just some good options out there for you.

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Nope I understand, appreciate it all the same. Thank you.