If you can swing the Asgard 3 purchase, I can confirm that it is one of the better all rounders that you will find at its price point. I have tried it with with hard to drive planar headphones, and it preformed well (including Starry Night v1). If you go with some of the other options that are balanced amps, then you will need a balanced cable in order to get the full power from said amp. Just something to consider when making your decision.
Another option, if you are willing to hunt for one on the used market, would be the Cayin iHA-6.
I doubt 2nd hand still wouldnāt leave any budget for a dac 
The Asgard 3, I saw you can order it with a dac module. So it becomes a combo unit right? Now the Asgard 3 with that module is slightly over budget, but something Iād be ok with.
It does exist. Once upon a time it was known that the DAC module had a lower output level than a normal DAC and thus lowered the overall power output the A3 could deliver when using said module. I donāt know if thatās still true or not. But Iāll circle back to the fact that you already have a serviceable DAC in the DX3. Unless you specifically need an AIO for space/convenience reasons Iād recommend the path of getting a good amp now and then start saving again for a DAC upgrade down the road.
No, I returned the DX3 Pro+ actually and got my money back. So I now use my old Creative G6 dac/amp. I do not require an all in one perse, hence why I mentioned the Magni+ / Modi+ stack earlier as an option.
As for the Asgard, Iāve read the test results on the old AKM module, which was bad. They now run the Sabre es9028 as optional module.
Oh, gotcha. I missed that little nugget somewhere.
If it fits in your budget then I think Iād steer you toward Asgard 3 w/o module & Modi+. For now much extra money you get a couple more inputs which can become very handy as you explore this money pit of a hobby.
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Well, there is an Asgard 3 used for sale near me. However, Asgard and Modi, that would trigger some OCD wouldnāt itā¦ 
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Having both the Modi 3+ and the Asgard 3, I can agree with @WaveTheory that they pair pretty well together. I donāt usually use them together (the Modi is permanently hooked up to an Atom) but I have done multiple times with no complaints.
As for OCDā¦ I donāt think I have 2 units that match in my house lol
(also, the Modi will sit on top of the Asgard to one side and not block the ventilation)
If itās available in your country Iād try a jds labs EL stack or element AIO. These will definitely provide enough current as well as being a very linear but smooth sounding setup.
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Unfortunately JDS Labs isnāt available in Europe. Schiit has a European distribution point. As a matter of fact, I just pulled the trigger on a Schiit Stack with the Modi+ and the Heretic, the Magni+ was out of stock. Both in black.
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Should be a good stack. When you decide you want an upgrade take a look at the questyle CMA12, youāll be able to find it used under $1K.
So Iāve received a Schiit Magni+ and Heretic today. This stack certainly delivers to my Edition XS. On middle gain, the lowest is for IEMs I guess, for daily use 11 to 12 oclock is enough and thereās plenty of room left. However, when I turn on high gain and adjust to a similar volume it feels as if the imaging / details sound better than on the middle gain. Maybe itās just placebo, I donāt know.
So far, really happy!
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So I just agreed to a trade for a pair of Edition XS for my Aeon Open X and I have a few questions for you XS veterans out there.
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What kind(s) of amp do these prefer? Do they do best on super clean solid state? Do they take well to hybrid tube amps like the Schiit Lyr for example? Do they scale well with more power and or with higher quality amps/power? Examples of your favorite amps or signal chains appreciated.
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For DACs do they tend to pair better with R2R/Multibit or do they prefer DS chip based DACs? Examples of your favorite DACs or signal chains appreciated.
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Are there any common mods people do to the XS to increase performance? I know many of the Hifiman headphones have well known mods that people swear by, but Iāve never come across that for the XS so I figured I would ask.
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Does anyone have a travel case that fits the XS they can rec? Links would be nice.
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Lastly, are there aftermarket pads I should be considering or are the stock pads generally considered the best for the XS? If you have pad recs that would be great.
Thanks for any opinions/answers and any other tips you can think of.
I primarily used the singxer SA1 when I had the xs. Iād definitely lean towards a warm chain as there is, for lack of a better term, some grit in the treble region. Tubes always tubes lol. I didnāt enjoy them on a topping D90 as much as an R2R but at the time I was using an atrium as well so it didnāt have the natural sound I was accustom too. Cheap fitment mod is grabbing some dekoni nuggets as the older style headband created a hotspot for me and I also recommend dekoni pads as they had a very positive effect on my HE1K stealth.
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Interestingly for me, I do not enjoy them as much on the SA-1 as I do my tube hybrid amps. I agree with @Etroze86 that the XS responds well to the R2R/Multibit topology. I prefer it to the Delta Sigma DACs.
I donāt have a large head, so the fit on these things is terrible. In this case, the nuggets/headband mod might be something to look into. YMWV as no two heads are the same!
I havenāt played with pad rolling yet as the stock pads have been good for me but am looking at the Dekoni Audio Elite Fenestrated Sheepskin Replacement Ear Pads and will probably give them a try at some point.
Finally, I feel like these phones play well with OCC copper as the cable. The multi-core silver plated copper cable I tried was a little too bright for me. Good luck and enjoy those!
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Thanks for the replies @Raptor168 and @Etroze86 ! Iām basically planning on these guys being a travel planar and an addition to my secondary listening station so it would most likely run through the Schiit Lyr or Headlamp GS-X Mini with the Gustard R26 as DAC at home and the Modi Multibit 2 as the DAC on the road. From what you guys are saying it sounds like it should play nice with some combo of that gear, but I also have some other stuff I can try if the results are unsatisfactory.
Stupid question, but they have 3.5mm sockets on the cups right?
dual 3.5mm yes
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Oh youāre right I forgot that I had to bend the hell out of the headband to get it to clamp.
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Thanks for the prompt answer. Thankfully I have dual 3.5mm cables all over the place so I wonāt have to use whatever BS Hifiman threw in the box with them.
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