You can use it to compare headphones, usually is used so 2 people can listen but also helps when comparing headphones, useful specially if both phones work at similar volume level, makes it easy to compare, my Chord Mojo has same feature, I recently bought an LCD-i3 and it was fun to compare against my “old” Audeze isine 20, quick way to switch phones.
Likely rock if I had to pick between the two, I’d rather have a bf2 for orchestral. I think the coloration and more exaggerated liveliness of the ares ii would upset the balance and nuance you get in classical. But it would make some of the rougher recordings you can get from some rock more pleasing and lively where the bf2 would feel more dull if it’s given a lesser recording
Don’t worry about it lol
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Thanks for the clarification! I think I will try getting the BF2 to go with the G111 then. I guess I will pick up a Sys to pair with it then. Should stack nicely together.
Thank you so much for helping me navigate through the audio world.
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Great choice!
Enjoy!
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Thank you and thank you for your help!
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RNHP PRICE JUMPED TO $700… Wow.
At least at Sweetwater and Perfect Circuit. If anybody is on the fence, you better grab it now at a retailer that is unaware how much it’s going to cost them to restock before they notice and up the price.
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I have been reading this topic now for days, finished the last post Friday night!!! And immediately ordered my RNHP from a local supplier are in the UK… at £429 which seemed to be a good price in Europe 
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So after many nights glued to this topic, as I said above my RNHP is now on it’s way! I feel like I know all you guys personally - and what a great bunch… I don’t know what it is about groups that use this kind of community software but they all seem pretty nice folk - (shame you haven’t offered the black on white scheme option though, these old eyes don’t do white on black very well!).
Anyways, just saying hello and wondering what the assembled gathering think might be next (it’s Xmas soon!) on my shopping list now the RNHP will be my main amp? I started in headfi a short while ago with Senn HD600’s and a Mojo, then side graded to a RME ADI and eventually moved that to the main speaker system where it lived for a while - I always thought it was a much better DAC than a headphone amp.
Anyways after some serious upgrading across the main system this year I found myself with no hole to plug my headphones into at all! So as a stop gap I bought a Topping E30/L30 stack… what a little wonder that is, totally amazed at how they can now get so much into such a small box and for so little!
But I’ve been lurking here and around for a while and eventually decided on the RNHP as my next move. I am amazed at how clear and flat modern delta sigma DACs and THX type amps are now, but in my main system I’ve gone R2R and tube… so I wanted something with a little more character from my headphone amp as well. Judging form the posts in here I think I should be getting that and more from the Rupert Neve - it looks a lot of fun!
So, I’ll be using the E30 for a while as my DAC and still keeping the HD600’s but obviously the upgrade bug is biting and I was wondering where to invest next? I listen almost exclusively to classical on my headfi gear, I find I need that up close and personal as on my speaker system I can’t make out the quiet notes and if I turn it up then the crescendos make my speakers shout way too much… you just can’t get an orchestra into the typical Brit apartment living room!! 
I chose the HD600’s originally because they were advised for classical, but they sometimes feel a little ‘light’ on impact, the bass is there but it don’t rumble. Maybe it shouldn’t? I feel the RNHP might provide me with more choices in the headset department, but I don’t really want to spend huge amounts yet, maybe up to £500 or so but hey, who knows if the right cans call me?
Next would be the DAC and I have a sneaky feeling, after reading lots on here, that this will take me back into RME type price band (not that I want that one again)… I had a Denafrips Ares II for the main system but recently upgraded and sold it, but then I hear some folks think that might be over egging the pudding with the RNHP?
Anyway, hello, and all thoughts gratefully received - I need some new reading matter now I have finished this epic topic…!
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LOL! That is a joke. I didn’t want to do it at 500… this is a definite no-go now.
Im surprised it hasn’t jumped before now… electronics stocks are totally fucked at the moment and everything will go up.
Saying that, I’ve seen tons of RNHP’s go for the $350-400 mark on the 2nd hand market, definitely something to pickup. It does need a spacious DAC to get the most out of it though, as many have said before… BF2
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Ouch this is a big jump!
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Yea RME do great DACs for the price but the amps are a bit clinical - great for studio work, not especially for listening
Yep, fantastic amp, personally I prefer it more for studio work and serious analytical listening.
Lake People G111 is my go to for pleasure. Bigger, wider and smoother than the RNHP but with the same amount of detail.
If you haven’t read it yet, this is a good read.
E30 & RNHP is fine, but a tad crispy and lean for the RNHP imo. I currently have both my RNHP and G111 paired with a Geshelli Jnog which is a good step up from the E30 in my opinion. However with the RNHP a Schiit Bifrost 2 seems to be the magic pairing and I plan on getting that myself.
If you are solely listening to classical, the RNHP will be great for imaging and tone, however I feel you’d be missing out a little bit on stage width. A Jnog/J2 or BF2 would improve this though. That is if you like big soundstage? If your into intimate stuff then the RNHP is perfect along with the HD600’s
Headphones make the biggest difference in a chain though.
I personally haven’t listened to HD600’s as I know there won’t be enough bass there for me. I have Focal Elegia’s which are close as a closed back, very enjoyable if a bit loose in the treble… more than enough bass but no rumble.
If you want more impact and bass, chase it and see if you prefer it. Honestly, just trying things and experimenting is a great part of the process and learning what you prefer.
I feel Focal Clears would be a perfect match, (a favourite with the RNHP here) for classical IF you like an intimate soundstage with great imaging. Obviously that’s a fair bit over your £500 mark so you could try the Focal Elex, seems to be considered a budget Clear and 95% there in terms of sound.
I’ve been listening to alot of classical today on Hifiman Arya’s with the G111 and it’s the best I’ve heard alot of it, absolutely huge. Korngold is pretty damn great on this.
The RNHP will not power Arya’s properly though, despite whatever anyone else says, they just seem a bit lean and “off” on the RNHP.
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Nice. Try the AT r70x (470 ohms); that’s what I use with the RNHP and it kicks ass.
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Yeah I know, but these aren’t stupid people… if they think they can get $700, they can get $700.
That being said, the point of my post was that you can still get it at 5 new, for now, and even less second hand.
Personally I’m pissed off that their Portico 5017 also jumped in price. I wanted to get a second one to record in stereo 
.
Those greedy bastards make great shit though. No doubt about that.
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Thanks @darylc loads of info there! Im afraid Schiit gear is a no go over here at the moment, quite rightly I think they are servicing their local market before exporting just at the moment! I’m looking forward to trying various amps over the coming months, had noticed good things about the Lake People and also SPL and Singxer - I really enjoy the journey so no rush for an ‘endgame’
Yeah I know. But if they are gonna get predatory they can keep it. They aren’t getting it from me. This is not an essential item! If everyone just said no and let the shit rot on the shelves they would have to bring the price back down. But I don’t see that happening either, so…
Oh well. It is what it is. No Neve for me I guess! 
Yea, im in the same boat here in Ireland regarding Schiit gear. It actually works out the same price if you order it direct though, with the slight arseache of customs, most have a good setup with online customs payments.
Completely forgot about these, “extended HD600s” they have been called. Totally worth it at the price.
Cool, it’s a good experience.
Well the RNHP arrived this morning, had it warming up for a while being fed by the Topping E30, in turn fed by Rp4 USB… first listen… schiit ( ) this thing is frightening! The dynamics are amazing, listening to Part’s Symphony No. 1 first movement: Canons and I am actually frightened… incredible slam and attack… crazy!! Micro detail is very good (I can hear right into the many strands of the orchestral mix) and the bass is strongly and menacingly underpinning everything. Flutes and brass are strident… a little too strident actually. Seems to me I need to up my DAC game to get the most from this amp! Oh… and I’m well pleased at how the HD600’s have scaled, seems there’s lots more in these old cans than I thought! 
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I’d say its a bit too colored for my personal liking but it can still be enjoyable, still think the bifrost 2 is a pretty awesome pairing for it if you can get one, another solid pairing was a holo cyan as well
Yeah the neve just isn’t up to the task for the arya, amazing with the clear though
Pretty great pairing as well for sure
Niceee glad you are enjoying it, and yeah the 600 can give you much more than you’d expect given their age lol
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