I have the 560S and the he400se and chose both as my entry into hifi, so I feel really good about my choices now lol. My only difference is that I have a different Dac amp stack.
I got an original Atom stack a couple years ago and recently was able to get an HD600 for $270 on sale. Quite enjoy the combo. Before them I was using the Atom with my B&W P7 that I’ve had for about 8 years and for a more consumer-oriented headphone, they still sound great to me. I can switch between them and the HD600 and not really feel like I’m downgrading
For starters i would actually recommend a dongle dac, namely the fiio ka3. It costs around 100 and i cannot tell the difference between it and my topping d50s / a50s combo. Its also quite powerful, it can easily drive a hd800s, aeon 2 or lcd xc.
That's great advice. I'm going to add the Qudelix 5K to the mix. Very good, clean sound and app. It also has a chrome extension. It's a great way to get into EQ. For comparison, I own the BTR5, the Dragonfly Cobalt, and the THX Onyx. The Qudelix 5K is my EDC.
My picks would be DX3 Pro + simple all in one with great performance for starters. It's hard to recommend headphone. For gamer folks, Beyerdynamics always best in my opinion. X2HR is very nice when price drops to around $100. For audiophile folks it's the HE400SE for the entry.
Anything from the Audio Technica ADx line is superb for spatial and positional awareness and I can't imagine anything better. The only issue for some is they are open back, but IMHO hearing local environmental sounds adds to the immersion. Plus I can literally wear them all day long, closed backs tend to get too hot after an hour or two.
As a competitive gamer and audiophile for quite some time now, I disagree with the dt770 for gaming. I tried using these for a few days and went back to the astro a40 and realized that the a40 does perform better as a closed-back gaming headphone. The 770 is too bloated in the bass and footstep queues are harder to hear. I use the hd560s for gaming and have been using that for about 2 years now and is much better for gaming.
I use a FiiO K3 2021 or Douk Audio P1 with GE 5654W Tubes for my Headphones (Beyerdynamic DT 1770 & 1990 Pro, Monolith M1570). Both work great for them, although I mostly use the tube amp because I like the warmth of the tubes.
Glad to see you mention the DT 770. They seem to be ignored in modern reviews probably because they've been around so long and people want to hear about new stuff. I got a pair of DT 770 32 ohm and 80 ohm and haven't hardly touched my 6xx's since. I didn't think I'd like a v shaped headphone until I heard it done right by these.
On my part i have a HD600 a ATH-M50X and DT770 250 olhm, and i prefer so far my HD600, more dynamic, more spacious, more warmer, the DT770 make sibilance et the bass are muddy
JDS Atom stack and 6XX (I have the 650S). Have (or had) the 560S, TYGR, 400SE and Sundara and the 650 is the go-to. JDS stack is incredible, I now use Singxer SA-1 and can't telldifference unless A/B or want to do ear damage.
I think the best thing you can say about a 770 is that it's better than M50. Usually people want closed backs for gaming so 560s not optimal in that case.
@@hartyewh1 that's a fair point but I wish that he would have specified that 560S is better for gaming if you're willing to go for an open back. Instead, he made it appear as though the 770 is better regardless.
I'm sorry, but I don't think this is a very good setup. I'm from Europe so prices are different here (Atom Amp and DAC cost $400 by themselves), but even still, you are spending way too much on source gear and getting mediocre headphones (the 560s is good, but the other 2 aren't). I would propose a setup like this: Europe: iFi Zen Dac V2 (Dac and Amp in one device) €150 Sennheiser HD600 €300 or Meze 99 Classic €350 or HifiMan Sundara €400 That's €450-€550, but us Europeans are used to paying much higher prices, so we have to cope with it. USA: Apple Dongle (Dac, $10) Schiit Magni 3+ (Amp, $100) or JDS Atom Amp+ $100 Sennheiser HD6XX $220 or Hifiman Sundara $300 or AKG K371 $100 In this scenario, you are spending $210-$410, but you are getting much higher audio quality than if you went with the setup from the video. Each one of these headphones (6XX vs 560s, Sundara vs 400se, K371 vs DT770) is a huge upgrade step up over the one proposed in the video, and the gains you get from stepping up from the Apple Dongle to the Atom Dac are way smaller than the ones you get from just getting a better headphone. I hope this didn't come off as devaluing your work, if you have reasons why you'd invest so much into the source gear at this level, I'm happy to change my mind!
Zen Dac isn't really good. Pay little more and get DX3 pro plus. Way better. For the headphone, get the Edition XS. Straight up endgame with this setup. For the entry imo try not to spend money on dac amp. They are way too expensive compared to headphones. For music, get HE400SE incredible value.
Nice video! I’d love to see your top IEMs and DAC/Amps for gaming. I currently play OW & Apex off of a Jtech hdmi optical extractor from my Xbox Series X into a Loxjie A30 then Dunu falcon pro (per fresh reviews recommendation). I think I’m left wanting because the audio extractor is only so good. Plus, the Dunu is good but it’s not fantastic. Forward sound is minimal and rear sound feels almost non-existent. (Side note, I use IEMs because headphone clamping force is often too much for me.)
TA-26, 250€ DT880 600 ohm, 150€ Whatever DAC you have built-in on your computer. Beats any 800€ headphones + 400€ amp combos I've tried thus far. It was also a weird way to end my search for high end quality, by finding it in my lowest priced headphones. 🤷
Does anyone know what the ""best"" iem's (money doesn't mater) are for very fast electronic music (Hardcore,uptempo) ? (I have the elysian annihilator in mind)
I'm currently driving a focal eligia as my main headphone plugged into a qudelix-5k, switching between dt 770 pro 80 ohms and the dt 177x go, but I'm not sure if Im missing something the Qudelix-5k can't do or need to upgrade my dac? I'm mostly using the qudelix on Mac and ps5, any advise?
I thought the Atom amp was terrible I would buy anything else, its extremely dull, unless you have a uber exiting headphone that you want to tame id stay away, maybe it pair better with its own dac but ive tried several higher price dacs with it and it cant resolve those
Agreed, I have that and I'm really glad I could even buy them. I live in Poland where there's mostly high or no-fi, and American bang for buck brands like Schiit or Geschelli Labs are mostly out of reach or white crows on 2nd hand marketplaces. I have Zen dac v2 with same Hifiman's and this combo slaps hard enough for an average Joe like me.
@@jeffcarrozzi5918 It does sound great, definitely beats the Magni. The Xbass is tuned well too, if your headphones need it. But the Atom beats it again. Plus the Xbass and 3D modes have noise floor + fuzz issues. And the volume knob buzzes when touched. It's just behind the Atom really, but either one is good. Atom sounds more realistic, punchy and organic. The only "bad" one here is the Magni; it doesn't compare to the Atom or Zen Can.
If your PC motherboard is anything besides a cheapo garbage unit, you don't need a DAC at all. All this money spent on DACs is silly. They've been digitally perfect for over a decade.
the bar for hifi is 24bit 96k. and you can get a cheaper better setup than the one you're touting. dac amp and headphones. schiit hel + mdr1am2, when on sale.
I have the 560S and the he400se and chose both as my entry into hifi, so I feel really good about my choices now lol. My only difference is that I have a different Dac amp stack.
I got an original Atom stack a couple years ago and recently was able to get an HD600 for $270 on sale. Quite enjoy the combo. Before them I was using the Atom with my B&W P7 that I’ve had for about 8 years and for a more consumer-oriented headphone, they still sound great to me. I can switch between them and the HD600 and not really feel like I’m downgrading
For starters i would actually recommend a dongle dac, namely the fiio ka3. It costs around 100 and i cannot tell the difference between it and my topping d50s / a50s combo. Its also quite powerful, it can easily drive a hd800s, aeon 2 or lcd xc.
I can give a similar recommendation for iBasso DC-05 for half the price. Runs most things and sounds perfectly good.
Can also recommend Shanling UA1 pro, great form factor, great sound and can easily power my hifiman ananda
That's great advice. I'm going to add the Qudelix 5K to the mix. Very good, clean sound and app. It also has a chrome extension. It's a great way to get into EQ. For comparison, I own the BTR5, the Dragonfly Cobalt, and the THX Onyx. The Qudelix 5K is my EDC.
Most amps and dac all sound the same if neutral and transparent
@@nicktan4530 Depends on how deep you go on "sounding the same". Because sometime it's very small things that makes some more enjoyable
My picks would be DX3 Pro + simple all in one with great performance for starters. It's hard to recommend headphone. For gamer folks, Beyerdynamics always best in my opinion. X2HR is very nice when price drops to around $100. For audiophile folks it's the HE400SE for the entry.
Anything from the Audio Technica ADx line is superb for spatial and positional awareness and I can't imagine anything better. The only issue for some is they are open back, but IMHO hearing local environmental sounds adds to the immersion. Plus I can literally wear them all day long, closed backs tend to get too hot after an hour or two.
As a competitive gamer and audiophile for quite some time now, I disagree with the dt770 for gaming. I tried using these for a few days and went back to the astro a40 and realized that the a40 does perform better as a closed-back gaming headphone. The 770 is too bloated in the bass and footstep queues are harder to hear. I use the hd560s for gaming and have been using that for about 2 years now and is much better for gaming.
I use a FiiO K3 2021 or Douk Audio P1 with GE 5654W Tubes for my Headphones (Beyerdynamic DT 1770 & 1990 Pro, Monolith M1570). Both work great for them, although I mostly use the tube amp because I like the warmth of the tubes.
Glad to see you mention the DT 770. They seem to be ignored in modern reviews probably because they've been around so long and people want to hear about new stuff. I got a pair of DT 770 32 ohm and 80 ohm and haven't hardly touched my 6xx's since. I didn't think I'd like a v shaped headphone until I heard it done right by these.
32 ohms sounded horrible. Don't bother. Get 80 and 250 ohms
On my part i have a HD600 a ATH-M50X and DT770 250 olhm, and i prefer so far my HD600, more dynamic, more spacious, more warmer, the DT770 make sibilance et the bass are muddy
@@highdrifter4844 Then that is something more with your setup or Dt 770. HD600 is suppose to be neutral.
Great video and great picks. Good job, Chrono!
Amazing video and concept
Thank you so much for your entry-level headphone assistance. Very helpful.
I'd probably go with the Schiit Modi & Magni for a little more power that can drive most HP's. Good for gaming and music
JDS Atom stack and 6XX (I have the 650S). Have (or had) the 560S, TYGR, 400SE and Sundara and the 650 is the go-to. JDS stack is incredible, I now use Singxer SA-1 and can't telldifference unless A/B or want to do ear damage.
I have the atom+ stack and HD6xx. It may not be the sexiest set up but it works great for me as it's my first.
Just got my first headphone rig.
560s with Schiit fulla e, being fed with Qobuz from my S10 using USB Audio Player Pro
JDS Labs + DT770 Pro, what is this, 2012?! 😜
K371 over dt 770 any day
K 371 over most things tbh.
I had the K712 PRO and they were great gaming HP's. I can't stand the Beyer HP's treble. AKG > Beyer All Day
@@JTB-- DT880 and Amiron are very nice. The rest a bit trickier tonally.
How does it compare to just getting a zendac v2
Would like to see a review from you on the latest Beyer Pro X line
770 is pretty bad imo. For gaming you should have just reccomended the HD560S. Nothing images better at the price.
560S is good choice, if you need open back.
I think the best thing you can say about a 770 is that it's better than M50. Usually people want closed backs for gaming so 560s not optimal in that case.
@@hartyewh1 that's a fair point but I wish that he would have specified that 560S is better for gaming if you're willing to go for an open back. Instead, he made it appear as though the 770 is better regardless.
Hello Chronos, love this video, could you please make a same one but for the HD800S. Thank you
Budget tube amps would be a nice video
HD6XX + jds atom amp + dac = $400 endgame setup for most people.
I'm sorry, but I don't think this is a very good setup.
I'm from Europe so prices are different here (Atom Amp and DAC cost $400 by themselves), but even still, you are spending way too much on source gear and getting mediocre headphones (the 560s is good, but the other 2 aren't).
I would propose a setup like this:
Europe:
iFi Zen Dac V2 (Dac and Amp in one device) €150
Sennheiser HD600 €300
or Meze 99 Classic €350
or HifiMan Sundara €400
That's €450-€550, but us Europeans are used to paying much higher prices, so we have to cope with it.
USA:
Apple Dongle (Dac, $10)
Schiit Magni 3+ (Amp, $100)
or JDS Atom Amp+ $100
Sennheiser HD6XX $220
or Hifiman Sundara $300
or AKG K371 $100
In this scenario, you are spending $210-$410, but you are getting much higher audio quality than if you went with the setup from the video. Each one of these headphones (6XX vs 560s, Sundara vs 400se, K371 vs DT770) is a huge upgrade step up over the one proposed in the video, and the gains you get from stepping up from the Apple Dongle to the Atom Dac are way smaller than the ones you get from just getting a better headphone.
I hope this didn't come off as devaluing your work, if you have reasons why you'd invest so much into the source gear at this level, I'm happy to change my mind!
I guess if you EQ I can see your options being ok, but without EQ the ones I suggested sound way better.
Meze 99 are bloated garbage. K371 ftw
Zen Dac isn't really good. Pay little more and get DX3 pro plus. Way better. For the headphone, get the Edition XS. Straight up endgame with this setup. For the entry imo try not to spend money on dac amp. They are way too expensive compared to headphones. For music, get HE400SE incredible value.
Hifiman Edition xs with atom stack or dx3+ pro? Which is best
Nice video!
I’d love to see your top IEMs and DAC/Amps for gaming. I currently play OW & Apex off of a Jtech hdmi optical extractor from my Xbox Series X into a Loxjie A30 then Dunu falcon pro (per fresh reviews recommendation). I think I’m left wanting because the audio extractor is only so good. Plus, the Dunu is good but it’s not fantastic. Forward sound is minimal and rear sound feels almost non-existent. (Side note, I use IEMs because headphone clamping force is often too much for me.)
Audio-GD R2R11 MK2.
TA-26, 250€
DT880 600 ohm, 150€
Whatever DAC you have built-in on your computer.
Beats any 800€ headphones + 400€ amp combos I've tried thus far. It was also a weird way to end my search for high end quality, by finding it in my lowest priced headphones. 🤷
(for the record, I have a DAC too. But I wouldn't buy a DAC if at a budget, I would buy it later for a new separate budget)
My Orpheus HE1 doesn’t have a Hi Res sticker, should I throw it away?
; )
Does anyone know what the ""best"" iem's (money doesn't mater) are for very fast electronic music (Hardcore,uptempo) ? (I have the elysian annihilator in mind)
Sorry to nitpick but I think you're getting the terms high resolution and hi-fi confused. The term hi-fi has been around long before CDs came along.
THX one linear, He-5xx, HD 6xx
I currently have the DT 770 pro 80ohm running on a qudelix 5k, do you think it would benefit more running it on the atom dac / amp combo?
It wouldn't.
Topping L30+E30 or the Atom stack you mentioned?
Atom
@@jasonbhatnagar7134 why
@@rene837 Because there is no sound coloration. Your headphones will sound as they are supposed to
@@jasonbhatnagar7134 Same as every modern Solid State AMPs and DACs that measure well.
I'm currently driving a focal eligia as my main headphone plugged into a qudelix-5k, switching between dt 770 pro 80 ohms and the dt 177x go, but I'm not sure if Im missing something the Qudelix-5k can't do or need to upgrade my dac? I'm mostly using the qudelix on Mac and ps5, any advise?
I don’t your missing anything from you using your Qudelix.
i love this guy lol
The enticing value of JDS Labs or Schiit is not there for Asians who have to import from US and have to ship back to US in case of claiming warranty.
I thought the Atom amp was terrible I would buy anything else, its extremely dull, unless you have a uber exiting headphone that you want to tame id stay away, maybe it pair better with its own dac but ive tried several higher price dacs with it and it cant resolve those
A Zen DAC and a 400se and EQ is all you really need.
Agreed, I have that and I'm really glad I could even buy them. I live in Poland where there's mostly high or no-fi, and American bang for buck brands like Schiit or Geschelli Labs are mostly out of reach or white crows on 2nd hand marketplaces. I have Zen dac v2 with same Hifiman's and this combo slaps hard enough for an average Joe like me.
No offense at all to Chrono, you sound a little like Tommy Wisseu
The JDS Atom is the best value amp ever. I own a Schiit Magni 3+, and iFi Zen Can... The Atom beats them by a mile. It's organic, punchy and natural
What DAC do you recommend ? Ive heard the JDS Atom DAC is not as strong in the sound department as the amp.
@@HansProbs Not really sure, I either use a Topping BC3 (for LDAC streaming), or my SSL 2 interface from my PC
I dunno man I love the zen can, that xbass completly fixes the sundaras lack of, and the amp sounds great I feel.
@@jeffcarrozzi5918 It does sound great, definitely beats the Magni. The Xbass is tuned well too, if your headphones need it. But the Atom beats it again. Plus the Xbass and 3D modes have noise floor + fuzz issues. And the volume knob buzzes when touched. It's just behind the Atom really, but either one is good. Atom sounds more realistic, punchy and organic.
The only "bad" one here is the Magni; it doesn't compare to the Atom or Zen Can.
Zen dac and 4xx, baby steps....let's not scare the next future audiophile off from this hobby with monthly wage spending..
BUY USED! the best value u can get.
For gaming all you need is KSC75. No amp necessary.
Wrong. I like the KSC75 but an external amp will give better detail retrieval and accurate imaging.
@@Jack-oc2fc do you really need that bit extra detail for gaming?
@@kyron42 if you're that guy who thinks his audio is the reason he's not good at games, yes you'll want it.
If your PC motherboard is anything besides a cheapo garbage unit, you don't need a DAC at all. All this money spent on DACs is silly. They've been digitally perfect for over a decade.
the bar for hifi is 24bit 96k. and you can get a cheaper better setup than the one you're touting. dac amp and headphones. schiit hel + mdr1am2, when on sale.