Headphone based system

[Philhorn]

Hi, I've been doing quite a lot of research into forming a headphone based system. I live outside of the UK at the moment but will be returning at some point, it would be therefore prefereable to go for sound quality while retaining the portability that this type of system would offer over a speaker system.

My listening tastes are classical in the main while listening to anything else from Stevie and Prince to Pink Floyd and Peter Gabriel. I mentioned classical first as I need something with a warm analog sound without digital 'glassy sheen'.

My decision is to go for Senn's HD650, driven by an Icon Audio HP8 Mk II with a Naim DC5si cd player. This is the idea I've come to and would be interested in knowing what people's opinions on how this would sound and how you'd improve on this.

Thanks

 

[dalethorn]

I think that's the best you can do for the price. The HD650 is possibly the most widely recommended serious headphone ever.

 

[Philhorn]

Thanks for your reply. I'm fairly clear about the HD650's so my question was really more directed towards matching then to the h/p amp and source. The 650's detractor's talk of roll-off and a 'vailed' sound so would it be wise to stear clear of a valve amp? Would, say the Audiolab M-DAC be a better bet in your opinion? Or maybe, go for something different up-front other than the Naim. I have to say the cd player is a decision made with the heart. I've loved their sound from the 80's, have never owned a Naim and have always wanted to. That was in the 80's though! The Cyrus is not on my list simply because I've never liked the look of them. Silly? Probably but if I have to live with it.......

Thanks

 

[pauln]

Thanks for your reply. I'm fairly clear about the HD650's so my question was really more directed towards matching then to the h/p amp and source. The 650's detractor's talk of roll-off and a 'vailed' sound so would it be wise to stear clear of a valve amp? Would, say the Audiolab M-DAC be a better bet in your opinion? Or maybe, go for something different up-front other than the Naim. I have to say the cd player is a decision made with the heart. I've loved their sound from the 80's, have never owned a Naim and have always wanted to. That was in the 80's though! The Cyrus is not on my list simply because I've never liked the look of them. Silly? Probably but if I have to live with it.......

Thanks

If it were me I would be looking at the Violectric HPA V200.

 

[dalethorn]

If it were me I would be looking at the Violectric HPA V200.

Headfonia had this to say about the V200, which seems to say a tube/valve type of sound, maybe not the best bet:

"Overall, in conclusion, the amplifier to my ears isn’t the most neutral sounding one on the planet, it is more on the warmer side of the spectrum and it really does sound tube like, more so as the V100 does."