Upgrade Path from Senn 598?

[d3vi0uz]

I posted this on another forum, but the crowd on that site seems to be in a completely different league, so I decided to sign up here...

Upgrade is a bit of misnomer, but what would be the next set of headphones to get after enjoying Sennheiser HD 598 SR?

I'm a big Sennheiser fan, starting with the HD 280 Pros (I loved the clamping force because of the excellent sound attenuation), then 380 Pro, and now the 598 SR. And when I travel I never leave home without my Sennheiser PXC 550.

What I like: Accurate sound reproduction; if any coloration I prefer it in the highs and upper mids

What I listen to: Everything. Right now, I'm listening to Animals - House of the Rising Sun and the next track is Dr. Dre - Forgot About Dre. And the track I just finished is Chopin - Ballad No. 1, Opus 23, in G Minor

I don't have an amp nor DAC (playing straight from my computer line out). I was a DJ for about 10 years and produced music as well as played alto sax, so I've been exposed to pro audio gear ($8,000 worth of studio monitors, processors, and live sound sold long ago...) Also, I appreciate the ability to isolate/separate the different instruments and visualize them in my head, so sound stage is important to me.

Objective: I want better clarity across the entire frequency range and a larger sound stage. As an example, when I listen to Norah Jones - Don't Know Why on the 598 SR I feel like I'm listening to her in the mixing room with monitors and I can see the band and distinguish different instruments; there's no "distractions" in the signal chain or with the imaging.

But, with my next set of headphones, I want to feel like I'm at the airport, sipping an Old Fashioned and watching the pianist and bassist play away. All while Norah Jones is right there with me in a swanky lonesome bar, serenading me before my flight... making me reminisce and reflect on my youth and life's choices...

Maybe I'm asking too much from my little budget...



What say ye?

 

[tyhjaarpa]

HD598 are great headphones for the price. We would need to know your budget and expectations to suggest headphones for you.

 

[d3vi0uz]

HD598 are great headphones for the price. We would need to know your budget and expectations to suggest headphones for you.

Updated original post...

My Budget: $500 for headphones, amp, DAC

Objective: I want better clarity across the entire frequency range and a larger sound stage. As an example, when I listen to Norah Jones - Don't Know Why on the 598 SR I feel like I'm listening to her in the mixing room with monitors and I can see the band and distinguish different instruments; there's no "distractions" in the signal chain or with the imaging.

But, with my next set of headphones, I want to feel like I'm at the airport, sipping an Old Fashioned and watching the pianist and bassist play away. All while Norah Jones is right there with me in a swanky lonesome bar, serenading me before my flight... making me reminisce and reflect on my youth and life's choices...

Maybe I'm asking too much for my little budget.

 

[tyhjaarpa]

If you want to get dac/amp then this is all you will ever need: https://www.jdslabs.com/products/48/objective2-odac-combo-revb/

I don't own HD598 but based on my memory Sennheiser HD600 should be nice upgrade over them. Would be best if you can audition them before purchase and see if it is worth the price for the upgrade they give.

Massdrop has HD6XX time to time for ~200$ as well if you are not in hurry, this model is supposed to be pretty close to HD600 and HD650: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-sennheiser-hd6xx?referer=4568TG&mode=guest_open

Massdrop also has Fostex TH-X00 open right now if you are not in hurry as it takes some time to ship them. I personally have liked these headphones quite a lot but haven't had time to do direct comparison with HD600: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/fostex-x-massdrop-th-x00-purpleheart-headphones?referer=4568TG&mode=guest_open

 

[d3vi0uz]

If you want to get dac/amp then this is all you will ever need: https://www.jdslabs.com/products/48/objective2-odac-combo-revb/

I don't own HD598 but based on my memory Sennheiser HD600 should be nice upgrade over them. Would be best if you can audition them before purchase and see if it is worth the price for the upgrade they give.

Massdrop has HD6XX time to time for ~200$ as well if you are not in hurry, this model is supposed to be pretty close to HD600 and HD650: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-sennheiser-hd6xx?referer=4568TG&mode=guest_open

Massdrop also has Fostex TH-X00 open right now if you are not in hurry as it takes some time to ship them. I personally have liked these headphones quite a lot but haven't had time to do direct comparison with HD600: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/fostex-x-massdrop-th-x00-purpleheart-headphones?referer=4568TG&mode=guest_open

Is the Objective2 ODAC Rev B really worth the extra $80 over the Schiit Magni 3 + Modi 2 combo?

I prefer 1/4" (6.35mm) jacks, and JDS Labs charges an extra $30, plus another $17 for RCA outs! That puts it at a total of $127 over the Schiit stack.

Is it really worth it?

 

[tyhjaarpa]

Is the Objective2 ODAC Rev B really worth the extra $80 over the Schiit Magni 3 + Modi 2 combo?

I prefer 1/4" (6.35mm) jacks, and JDS Labs charges an extra $30, plus another $17 for RCA outs! That puts it at a total of $127 over the Schiit stack.

Is it really worth it?

For quite long time O2DAC combo has been the benchmark. I havent really looked much on Schiit stuff but quite many have liked them so I guess they will do good job as well.