I do have the liquid platinum and enjoy the 6xx on that, but eventually want to go full tube and we what they can do. Plus tube amps just seen like fun!
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They’re the best. Rolling tubes finding that perfect sound it’s truly some audiophile stuff
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To further this speakers and tubes is mind blowing
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Some little part of me is still hoping I won’t ever get bitten by the upgrade bug after this. It is kinda the goal to take this system to the point where diminishing returns becomes a real concern - where I would have to really start spending a lot more money for incrementally much smaller improvements.
My first introduction to ‘better’ audio was with a $75 turtle beach gaming headset the guy at gamestop sold me in like 2005. After that, I began to insist that the powered speakers I bought for my PC included a subwoofer. I stepped into my Fiio E-10 and AT-M40X when I could spare about $150 about 3-4 ish years ago (I got the 'phones “factory refreshed” for about $80 on Amazon), and have been pretty happy overall. Some months ago, my brother in law bought a Logitech gaming headset, and when I tried it out, I was very pleased that I went with “real” headphones for sound quality, but man I couldn’t get past how COMFORTABLE his headset was to wear!
That got my noggin joggin… If I was going to spend even more money on even better headphones, I wanted comfort like that, but I also wanted a step up in sound quality that was similar in magnitude to the step up in sound quality I get from that old turtle beach headset to my current setup. That was a really big step in sound - much better imaging, coupled with a radically superior music experience. Transformational is the only word I can think of to describe the difference.
I figured, if I could get a REALLY comfortable hp, with a similarly transformational improvement in sound, I can safely say I fell far enough down this hole, and go about the rest of my life quite satisfied with the decisions I made.
We’re not normal, you know. People like us, who feel the need to take things this far. I’ve done deep dives like this (and even much MUCH deeper) on several topics over the years. Most people who know me refer to it as “Dan jumped off another cliff”. Most folks are just happy they can listen to their favorite tunes on demand, and wouldn’t know a FLAC from a DAC if you explained it. Cans go on head. Music hits ears. Happy listener.
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You’re not alone, my friend 
I too go from hobby to hobby. My mind take a subject, and I make it my main hobby for some time, learning as much as I can about it. For me, it often is stuff that can get technical. This pattern began with 3d modeling, then it was sim-flying, then photos, then cars, then sim-driving, and now this. Each “focus” lasts a few years, 'till I feel I can’t improve more without sacrificing too much effort/time/money to it.
And at the end of each era I end up with more knowledge and some good stuff that may never be used again (joysticks, lenses, driving wheel,…) 
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I really need more space 
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Yes you do. A whole room dedicated just to speakers with a tube amp. Bringing them out half way into the room.
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I did until about 2 years ago when the 3rd room started being transformed into a room for a baby. Love that little fucker, but damn you kid for taking my space 
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I think you are on the right track for that transformational feeling. After to get close to that feeling you start looking at TOTL equipment and headphones but what you are going to pick up gives you a solid foundation of trying different flavors of sound.
I’m with you I dive into a subject till I can’t reasonably make it work anymore, usually due to moving around the world.
Even though you don’t want to go down the rabbit hole to much, please come back and share your experience with us.
Yeah kids come first
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LOL!
Your journey is not over!!
Enjoy!
Alex
My recommendation would be:
Headphones: Focal Elegia, Aeon Closed RT, Beyerdynamic DT177X Go
Headphone amp: Flux Labs FA-12S, Topping A30 Pro, S.M.S.L SH-9
S.M.S.L SH-9 is a better alternative to the THX AAA 789 imo. Screw the Topping A90! I find the A30 Pro to be alot better while also being cheaper. Only reason you would pick the A90 over the A30 Pro is if you need pre outs.
No worries on that front. I do -try- to give back to the communities surrounding my latest obsessions. Often, sharing what experiences I gather in my time with them is the only real way I can do that.
I will be making actual purchases in an October timeframe, if all goes according to plan. Thus far, I’ve settled on Elegia, J2, and G111. However, I also think I want to try and scrape some extra scratch together, because if I can spring for those Focal Radiance 'phones, they really REALLY seem to be ringing my bell right now - they’re just well outside what I ever considered paying for headphones.
They are beautiful headphones and I’ve contemplated buying them just for that.
OK - Just for Schiits and grins…
Lets say I did step up to Focal Radiance.
Lets say I got me a Denafrips Ares 2 DAC
Amp recommendations? is the Lake People G111 still a solid choice here? I’m not into tubes if I can avoid it.
G111 probably wouldn’t be a bad choice but I don’t have any experience with that DAC or amp.
Shoot a message to @WaveTheory I’m Shure he had all this gear, but can’t say if he had it all at the same time
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