you’e got the Schiit Magni 3, Modi 3 and Loki EQ and you’ve been told you have to buy a pair of dynamic headphones, planar headphones and electrostatic headphones. budget is approximately $1000 per headphone.
what would you buy and why?
I would not buy an electrostatic, buy an LCD-2 Classic which is around $800, take the $2200~ I have remaining and buy some ZMF Aeolus. Simple as that!
I already have my electrostatics…the SR-207 and 232. 
I know this doesn’t answer the question directly, but my opinion is that value for money starts dramatically decreasing as the the price increases. Depending on what you do already have, if I just had $3k to blow on audio gear I would probably get a bunch of different headphones in the $200 to $300 range (I consider that the sweet spot - so much value for money in that price range) and explore the differences. That way you can enjoy sound and culture yourself on headphone brands and sound signatures, all while killing time to accumulate more money to spend. Just think, you could get 10 pairs of $300 headphones for that money.
I would instead sell the magni and modiand get a better amp and dac. i would get a dt 1990 , a pair of ether c flows. and not get an electrotat
sheesh guys…none of you are answering on topic. get with the program! <_<
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I’ll give you my personal suggestions for the dynamic and planar.
Planar closedback… Drop + MrSpeakers Ether CX Closed Headphones | Audiophile | Headphones | Closed Back Headphones
Dynamic open back… Massdrop x Focal Elex Headphones | Open-Back Headphone | Drop
Dynamic open back… Heritage HP-3 Headphones | Klipsch
Dynamic open back… https://www.zmfheadphones.com/zmf-originals/aeolus
Dynamic closed back… https://www.focal.com/headphones/elegia/
And why… UGH. OK, I’ll begin with the Sendy Aiva. It’s an amazing headphone for the pricepoint with this quality, a tad bit bright in the upper frequencies. You’re getting one hell of a planar headphone only $600 bucks. The Ether CX is another fantastic planar headphone after its break in period, right under your price point of $1000.
All the dynamics I’ve listed are fantastic headphones, you can’t go wrong with any of them. The ZMF Aeolus is slightly above your $1000 price point but it’s worth it. The Elex is a detail monster, a tad bright for some but in my opinion, what I could consider just about the perfect headphone. If you need closed back, the Elegia is my personal choice. It’s more laid back compared to the Elex, still very detailed and the most open sounding closed back I’ve heard personally.
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thank you PE!
I’m going to guess that there is a lack of love for the electrostatic’s due to a lack of general experience with them. they have a very high entry point compared to the dynamic and planar options. I hope that changes sooner rather than later, they truly are exceptional and an endgame headphone (ear speaker).
We are we are giving you what we would do if given the situation and presented with $3000 to blow on headphones
Welcome. I updated my post with additional comments. These are just my personal recommendations from headphones that I’ve personally heard or own.
I’m not at liberty to discuss electrostatics. I don’t have enough experience with them.
Last comment… If you’re completely going for listening enjoyment and not necessarily a clinical listening experience, I can’t recommend ZMF enough.
but that’s not what you were given. you were told you have to buy three headphones with a $1000 budget per headphone. one has to use a dynamic driver, another a magnetic planar and the third an electrostatic.
I have the SR-2170 kit (207’s and 232 energizer)…they were my first hifi audio experience, actually. so I know just how impressive they are.
Think i would buy these.
- Sennheiser HD800 S
- Audeze LCD2
- STAX SRS-3100
Think they would be more than enough for my endgame headphones.
No particular reasons why these.
the actual LCD2’s or the Classic?
actual, would have typed classic on the end otherwise.
just making sure…there are four variants of the LCD2…original w/o fazor, original w/fazor, the closed back and now the new classic. 
fine , dt 1990 , koss x massdrop electrostats. and LCD 2C . and with the money I save I spend on on a better dac amp.
LoL. can’t…you already have the Schiit Stack. you’re stuck in purgatory wit hit
Is the Shiit Stack even powerful enough to power $1000 headphones? And also how do you plan on powering electrostatics with a Shiit stack?
well, different headphones require different power to drive them. just because they’re $1000 phones doesn’t mean they need a crazy amp to work them. of course, that doesn’t mean you may not need a powerful amp either…but it’s dependent on the headphone more than the price level of the headphone.
if you want a very good amp/DAC, look at the Monoprice THX AAA gear. or, for just an amp, the Emotiva A100.