this is true and I agree with it…but for a counter argument; only the rich can afford to upgrade.
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Not completely true…I save hard and sacrifice many things along w/being extremely Frugal on small things that add up over time. It doesn’t happen overnight and i’ve been working hard for 35 years since i was a teenager for the things i desire in life. There have been many many hard lean years and along the way hard life changing decisions were made along a road complicated by risks and hard learned painful lessons. I wish many times i could go back in time and worker wiser in my youth, not sacrificing my health and having more patience but that is how life works often. Riches and success are earned by many who did not grow up w/silver spoons…Good luck amd happy listening always, work smarter not harder and you too will get there someday👍
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Both responses true. Goes to show more than one way to get “there”.
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True say that mate and reflected in what Steve says here…
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That question by the way, I am experiencing it right now and I am quite scared to be honest xD. Ever since getting my own pair of KSC75s, I have been using it mostly often now compared to the other ones that I have, hell even the M40x which are my very first headphones that I often use back then is like, only there being used as a display. Have I reached endgame? I mean I think that is that state when other headphones that you have and IEMs that you have, don’t matter anymore by not using any of them, when you are like only using one particular headphone/iems that you have. I hate myself for buying the KSC75s 
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Did y’all have like an “endgame” in mind when you did get into hifi audio?
For me, when I first started the journey, I had in mind that my “endgame” or what I really wanted was bass cannons. I just wanted more and more bass. Darth beyers and t50rp mods were heavy on my want list. I thought I’d just save up and get them and I’d be satisfied.
But at the same time I was also very happy with living with my ksc75 as well for daily drivers. But I got a cat and my cat also loved them for the wires so something had to be done for durability.
My leap into higher fidelity landed me on Beyerdynamic dt770 600 ohms followed by the dt880 right after with a warm tubey sounding amp to power them. I was in bliss. I was melting in my chair listening to vinyl and it just felt right. Even though I had my own modded t50rp, I knew I arrived with the Beyer sound. It satisfied my wants and needs. Stopped looking at bass cannons.
I think I’ve arrived. But obviously still curious of what’s available out there which is why I got nighthawks coming in and also why I’m on the forums. Everything else I buy is just an add on for me since I know the sound sig I like and I have it available when I want it.
Did y’all preferences change or did y’all have a preference on this journey for an endgame?
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I think very early on I embedded RAAL’s SR1a as an endgame, hasn’t changed since. Never heard it, but would still consider it the best of the best.
Of course, it strays so far away from headphones that idk if you can even consider it a headphone, but that is the exact reason why I do consider it an endgame.
Wait… what? How? For myself, I have some ideas of “endgame” headphones, but I wouldn’t know which one I would identify the best until I’ve heard it first.
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Absolutely, I meant for what it is, just a crazy innovation in the headphone space.
Mostly just by reading the RAAL thread over at headphones.com forum… but that is an endgame in my head, not to my ears (until I listen to it in person).
Usually you have an idea for an endgame, but you haven’t listened to it, this is in a similar way
I consider it the best because it has the closest performance to a speaker (due to its open design), that’s why I think it does its job the best. Some people want a speaker quality from headphones, others are just looking to please their ears
For me, an endgame pair is simply something that will satisfy my sonic cravings for “quality”, a pair of headphones that make me think, “I don’t need to pursue diminishing returns any further.”
Porta Pro is my endgame for “fun.” I don’t really need a $200+ pair to simply enjoy music. Idk why I like them so much, but I’m happy and my wallet is too.
ESP/95X is so technically capable that I think the limit is really my own ears and the recording. It has it’s faults, but I lost a lot of interest in pursuing more expensive headphones. Even if $1k+ STAX or Focal can do better, I wonder if I can fully appreciate that improvement in terms of price.
Still think headphones of all kinds regardless of price are cool. If money was not the issue, I’d be happy to collect them all simply for variation. Really, endgame is only that in which budget is a limitation, I think.
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I haven’t been in this hobby for long and have only ever had audio technical m50x’s and now have the HD 660s.
The 660s is honestly my endgame sound except I’d like it to do better in the bass department. Honestly can’t get enough of these headphone’s beautiful tonality. Hopefully using the right terminology there.
So, yes I’d love to just have my endgame and go. Fortunately I may have nearly hit my endgame without much looking around.
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there’s an itch, how long can you resist before you scratch it? lol
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@db_Cooper I have a feeling if I go for something with more bass then I’d be giving up some of the characteristics I love about these headphones and just can’t justify losing that.
But am attempting to get an IEM that basically compliments the headphones in that regard because I mostly care to have more bassy music when being active and on the go. When at home just love listening to acoustic and vocal music. The only word that can describe the feeling of these headphone’s sound for me is ‘beautiful’. Sorry everyone, listening to them now, so describing it emotively
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What are your dac/amps? A different dac or amp for your 660s could give you this.
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Oh what amp/dac combo would you recommend for the 660s? I’m using an onkyo 5.1 receiver. The HT-R398. I would think its not a really good headphone amp. Not sure if it combines as a dac too.
Hah, coincidences. I used my AVR too for a while, just bought a SMSL Sankrit 10th dac, and even just connected to the AVR RCA inputs, for my speakers or headphones, the bass is just not “hidden” anymore “under” the music. Great dynamics, and bass/drum slams with authority.
The Sankrit “saved” my speakers (I thought the tweeter was doing too much compared to the woofer, and the bass was lacking at low or moderate volume… not anymore).
It’s actually my first desktop dac, so I can’t compare. People say there’s basically “no” difference in 100$ DACs… but the jump from your smartphone or AVR output to this, is a big one.
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Wow that’s exactly the issue I have with my system, have to turn it up to get that feeling of the bass in the music. Thought I had to upgrade my speakers to improve it.
So you rate the sankrit and it also improves the headphone experience linked up to the AVR?
That’s great to hear!
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Yes. 
Sanskrit outputting to the analog inputs of your AVR will bypass the Onkyos integrated dac, and should give you more bass, and the famous AKM “warmth”.
Fun fact, my 10-year old AVR also had an AKM chipset in it. I thought I knew what the AKM “warmth” was… nope 
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Jst looked it up now, looks like it will be a grwat addition to my system. Thanks for the help!
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