What's Going On Up There- The Headphone Thread

Thanks for your comments . Does the Zen Can come with a power source ? online they only show a short cable to connect with a usb port and no independent power transformer . I need this as its going into my existing old school system . For this reason i am leaning towards the ATOM AMP 2
The crutchfield listing for the zen can shows a dc input and says it comes with a dc adapter

 
Thanks for your comments . Does the Zen Can come with a power source ? online they only show a short cable to connect with a usb port and no independent power transformer . I need this as its going into my existing old school system . For this reason i am leaning towards the ATOM AMP 2
The Zen CAN comes with a power supply. The Zen DAC does not. It can be powered via USB. You have to bring your own 5V adapter for the Zen DAC.

The Atom is a solid option. It provides good clean power.

That said, I’m partial to the Zen CAN. My headphone collection has grown over the years. I like the tweaks you can do with the gain settings and the X-Space/3D (crossfeed) and X-Bass features.

This is a good review of the Zen CAN.

Really no bad choices between the 2 options.
 
I've had the Hifiman 4xx (via drop.com) for several years now. Really enjoy them, and it would take more money than I'm comfortable spending to replace them.
Well well, look who’s coming out of the woodwork to eat his own words. It’s a few years later, I’m a few years older, and I have a few more dollars.

I’ve had the HE-4XX since they were recently announced, so maybe 2017? And I think it’s finally time to upgrade.

I want to go to the Hifiman line, but curious if anyone has compared the Arya Stealth and the Ananda Nano. I wish I could listen to both, but I think this is going to require going in blind.

I may also upgrade DAC/Amp, but I can save that for another day.

***edit*** Dac/Amp came up first. Struck a deal I couldn't turn down. Hifiman EF600 inbound!
 
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Well well, look who’s coming out of the woodwork to eat his own words. It’s a few years later, I’m a few years older, and I have a few more dollars.

I’ve had the HE-4XX since they were recently announced, so maybe 2017? And I think it’s finally time to upgrade.

I want to go to the Hifiman line, but curious if anyone has compared the Arya Stealth and the Ananda Nano. I wish I could listen to both, but I think this is going to require going in blind.

I may also upgrade DAC/Amp, but I can save that for another day.

***edit*** Dac/Amp came up first. Struck a deal I couldn't turn down. Hifiman EF600 inbound!
Check out headphones.com . They have a great return policy. Also, looks like the Arya Stealth are on sale.
 
Check out headphones.com . They have a great return policy. Also, looks like the Arya Stealth are on sale.
Both are on sale. From what I’ve read, it seems like a somewhat split crowd between the Amanda Nano and the Arya Stealth.

Granted the Arya is a little more expensive (+180). But the new nano drivers are getting rave reviews but their speed, but the tone seems like a love/hate situation.

It does seem consistent that the Arya is more comfortable though.
 
Both are on sale. From what I’ve read, it seems like a somewhat split crowd between the Amanda Nano and the Arya Stealth.

Granted the Arya is a little more expensive (+180). But the new nano drivers are getting rave reviews but their speed, but the tone seems like a love/hate situation.

It does seem consistent that the Arya is more comfortable though.
I have the 4XX since about 2018. I hade to put a new headband on them because the original fell apart. That was my second time with a headband failure on a Hifiman headphone previous was in a 400i. Needless to say, I’ve never purchased another Hifiman product.

All that said, I rarely listen to the 4XX anymore. They were a good gateway into the planar sound, but now just don’t sound good to me. They have a dry hollow sound to them. Good detail, but lacking in bass heft and midrange. My go to headphones at the moment are the Meze 109 Pro and Audeze LCD-X. If either are in your budget range I recommend giving them a try.
 
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I have the 4XX since about 2018. I hade to put a new headband on them because the original fell apart. That was my second time with a headband failure on a Hifiman headphone previous was in a 400i. Needless to say, I’ve never purchased another Hifiman product.

All that said, I rarely listen to the 4XX anymore. They were a good gateway into the planar sound, but now just don’t sound good to me. They have a dry hollow sound to them. Good detail, but lacking in bass heft and midrange. My go to headphones at the moment are the Meze 109 Pro and Audeze LCD-X. If either are in your budget range I recommend giving them a try.
That’s unfortunate about the 4xx. I looked back at my account and I also got mine in 2018 as well. But mine are still in excellent condition which is why hifiman is still high on my list.

The LCD series is one I’ve demoed before. LCD-2 specifically. Loved the sound. I could probably push to that price point with a little patience. Or MM-100 would be more easily in reach.

The 109 Pros are beautiful. Never seen a Meze in person, but I could certainly do some research on that one as well.

Appreciate all the input. Great additions to consider.
 
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