Show us your headphones

ND555 to Violectric V281 (Chord Sarum T). V281 to Focal Utopias (Nordost Heimdall headphone cable).

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I find that Naim streamers make very good digital transports, in my case now NDX2 into a Chord Dave for both speakers and headphones. The V1 is great from the few occasions I’ve heard one, but I would be tempted to demo some alternatives if you can.
Of course, personal preference plays a big part here, as it does with all HiFi.
I think the main question is whether you need a DAC/headphone amp, or whether an analogue one running via the very capable DAC in your streamer would be a better option. If you only intend to use headphones connected to your main HiFi system perhaps the latter option would make more sense?

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Relatively modest offering compared to the rather impressive offerings but sharing in the spirit of the forum. Relatively low usage but certainly one of the most enjoyable headphones I have owned. Audeze LCD-1 selected as meeting my QPR needs and they are very musical - a quite forward sound stage with excellent separation - and portable with the folding structure and useful carry box. Initially driven by headphone output from the 272 but decided to try something external and really enjoyed a huge improvement. The iFi Audio ZEN CAN packs a lot of punch and drives the LCD-1 effortlessly. One very happy customer.

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The opticalRendu is a streamer, ethernet in, USB out. You already have a very good streamer I gather. :slight_smile:

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Hi Chris, can you help me here!! Why do you have the Chord Dave in your system when you have the NDX2? How does it connect within your system? I’ve had a look and they get incredible reviews although they are more than I had in mind for my headphones.

Thank you Charles. Yes, the ND555 is none too shabby!!!

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With a amp of this caliber, anything sounds great. :fire::muscle:

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Hi Dusty
I started out with NDX/282, and like many others, tried a Chord Hugo between them as a DAC upgrade, as an alternative to a more expensive PSU upgrade.
I then upgraded the NDX to an NDX2. The sensible choice would probably have been to just get the cheaper ND5XS2 as I was only intending to use it as a digital transport into a separate DAC, but my dealer had a great deal on an NDX2, so I went for it.
I then upgraded the Hugo to Dave. I had it on a months demo, and during that time I discovered that I could use the Dave volume control, and therefore didn’t need a preamp, so somewhat controversially sold my 282, which helped to justify the rather expensive DAC purchase.

In your system, if you only intend to use the (Chord) DAC as a headphone amp, it’s obviously harder to justify the high price. Thus my previous suggestion that if you’re interested in trying a Chord DAC as a headphone amp, the Hugo TT2 might be a good option. It’s considerably cheaper, but I’m told that it has a particularly capable headphone amp which may suit your needs well. I haven’t heard a TT2 myself though, @Simon-in-Suffolk might be the man to ask for some hands-on experience.

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For what it worth in my experience, the Dave and TT2 are both capable DACs, but the DAVE is quite a step up in terms of performance, not least through its increased size FIR reconstruction filter and more advanced higher spec noise shapers… comparing the two side by side gives an extra impression of resolution and clarity in the resultant audio… it is far from subtle… and with high end headphones the differences are more intensely defined than with many speakers.

Now the TT2 has a higher power output stage than the Dave, and so can drive speakers directly… this is not possible with Dave unless ultra efficient speakers are used, which in most senses will be unlikely.

With respect to headphone amps they are both very capable, however some of the uber inefficient esoteric planar design headphones may struggle with Dave such as the Hifiman Susvara , where they really need to be driven by a higher power speaker amp, the TT2 is more suited here… but may also struggle with these headphones.
But for 99% of headphones I’d say the Dave is perfect with its high quality inbuilt dedicated class A headphone amplifier… to me the Dave comes into its own as DAC headphone amp, and doubles up as a DAC preamp to drive amps… or separate analogue stage preamps if required. The Dave preamp has no analogue inputs.

A common feature with Dave and TT2, when you insert a headphone, the internal preamp / signal output stage is disabled and the device switches to headphone mode… here previous headphone settings like cross feed settings and headphone volume are restored from memory.

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I have for the past while been trying to determine the headphone that is best for me. I think I have finally found it after a rather exhaustive search. Incredibly resolving and true to the music. Likes to remind me that all music is not created (recorded) equally. Love the Diana Phi.

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Just received these 40 minutes ago and done some initial listening.

Couldn’t audition them but very pleased so far. My wife thinks they are good as well.

The procrastination about getting them has ended.

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Love my Classic 99’s when I need to do some closed back listening.
Enjoy!

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They are great. I just sold mine however as I am planning an upgrade.

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I was put off buying the Classic 99’s after reading a lot of reviews on other sites, panning the new ear pads supplied with them now. They apparently are nowhere near as good as the old ones. Recommendations were that if you buy the 99’s, you should buy replacement pads, like the Brainwavz.

Does anyone have experience of the old v. new pads ? Or swapping pads on this model ?

Not sure what ones I have but overall I did prefer the Brainwavz to the stock ones although not much in it. Helped round of the bass a bit but stocks were better for hf. Swings and roundabouts I would not dismiss them over it and the pads don’t coast much to try them out. Some swear by Dekoni ones.

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Gents, thank you for your insight and thoughts, greatly appreciated. Seems I have much eh…listening to do :wink::headphones::joy:

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New pads for my LCD 3 - Dekoni Elite Hybrid.
Very impressed with these sheepskin with velour face pads. Much nicer fit than the recent Audeze pads, they’re thicker and softer but nicely firm; headstage is wider, bass is enhanced… these are fab on initial listen. Can’t wait to try some orchestral with these in place.

I’ll definitely get another set for my LCD XC in time
( the XC pads are older and much more comfortable than the 3 ones were ).

If you have LCDs, I reckon the Dekoni Elites are well worth a try.

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Agree with these pads. Bought a pair for my Focal Clear Pros. Much nicer than the stock ones. And able to be kept clean. And, when you wanted to replace them much cheaper.

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Hi @InTune . What amplifier(s) do you use with the Diana Phi? Any headphones you can compare it to? I have the Beyer Home Amiron and the Grado RS1e, if this helps. I’ve been considering the Diana V2, but have no place to demo it.

thanks,
pat

I use my TT2 (SE connection) to power my Diana Phi’s in my main setup and use a violectric 280 for my desktop (balanced connection)

Both work equally as well. IMO

As for comparisons they are very unique. The are super resolving, without being as forward as say some of the Hifiman (He1000, v2’s and se’s). They are also fast and punchy. Nothing like the Empyreans that so many enjoy here (which have a warm, lush sound) I find the Abyss very natural and neutral. In the end it is going for the sound that works best for you.

I have only heard/read/watched that the V2’s are a little warmer, but I haven’t heard them myself. I took a chance on the Phi’s and haven’t looked back. They present like my 2 channel system does, so it was easy to fall in love with them.

I am looking at the 1266 TC’s , but that is another story…

I can’t say enough about the Diana Phi’s . They are an amazing headphone . I can only imagine (based on what I’ve read) how good the V2’s are

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