Simple Headphone Setup.

I traveled frequently in 2016. At least a dozen times from western NC to Hampton Roads VA. I'm forecasting that I'll probably make the same amount of trips this year. That's too much time spent away from controlled quality sound in my life. So I have decided to build a small and simple headphone rig.

I have already purchased a Schiit Fulla (the name still makes me chuckle) DAC/headphone amp. They're considered a close out item. from $79 to $59. Has any one experienced one of these guys headphone amps? If so what did you all think?
http://schiit.com/products/fulla

Another thing is headphones. There is a tight budget I'm setting for them (~$150). I have looked at several but only one keeps drawling back to them. The AKG K92. The stats to price ratio seems to be the best bang for the buck. I am interested in everyone's option. Do you all know of any headphones that not only sound great for music but would also sound natural when watching a flick on my laptop?
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-cyZUbf20Kl0/p_854K92/AKG-K92.html?XVINQ=DST&XVVER=G15&awcp=1t1&awcr=164110156055&awdv=c&awkw=_inurl:_custom_label:574&awmt=b&awnw=g&awug=9008525
2ch rig:Speakers: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress modsPreamplifier: Parasound P5Amplifier: Parasound A23CDP: Pioneer DV-563ACables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
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Comments

  • HzTweaker
    HzTweaker Posts: 721
    Today my mailbox was Fulla Schiit. >:)sbylbzijp4q5.jpg
    2ch rig:Speakers: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress modsPreamplifier: Parasound P5Amplifier: Parasound A23CDP: Pioneer DV-563ACables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,421
    Post your impressions. I've got Asgard and Vali amps. Schitt all over my house.
    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Oppo BDP-93 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,421
    I'm offended

    Rub some peppermint oil under your nose. Should help.
    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Oppo BDP-93 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
  • HzTweaker
    HzTweaker Posts: 721
    So far I have more than two hours of listening experiencing with this little amp with extremely incompetent headphones; but I have to say with proper Cans It will only further empress me. With that being said I'll continue this thread when I experience it, & I'm Still open to Suggestions as far as HPs go.
    2ch rig:Speakers: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress modsPreamplifier: Parasound P5Amplifier: Parasound A23CDP: Pioneer DV-563ACables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,042
    Philips Fidelio X1 or X2's. Trust me. Buy them on Amazon, you can return them and have not much to lose.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
  • HzTweaker
    HzTweaker Posts: 721
    [quote="Nightfall;c-2284019"C or X2's. Trust me. Buy them on Amazon, you can return them and have not much to lose. [/quote]

    The Philips X1/X2's are impressive, but a bit out of my reach $$ I'll have to continue to tolerate the Schiit headphones I have now in order to save up. Any other suggestions?
    2ch rig:Speakers: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress modsPreamplifier: Parasound P5Amplifier: Parasound A23CDP: Pioneer DV-563ACables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,042
    edited January 2017
    Audio Technica ATH-M50x

    Have you been on http://www.innerfidelity.com
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
  • HzTweaker
    HzTweaker Posts: 721
    Reviews and stats look great. Thanks for suggestion Nightfall. I'll let you all know what I think of them.
    2ch rig:Speakers: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress modsPreamplifier: Parasound P5Amplifier: Parasound A23CDP: Pioneer DV-563ACables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
  • DaveHo
    DaveHo Posts: 3,465
    The m50's are nice for an entry level can. I used them for some time.
  • HzTweaker
    HzTweaker Posts: 721
    I have ~two hours of usage on the Audio Technica ATH-M50x now, watching my new favorite show on Amazon "GT" (Grand Tour). I'd have to say these cans are great for dialog. I hardly have to use any volume and I'm amazed by how clear I can hear the host.

    This test brought up a flaw in the Fulla though. The problem is from zero volume to ~ an 1/8 of the way turned up (still very quite) sound is only emitting from the left side? This was discovered last night.

    I still need to do some critical listening to get the full experience of what these headphones are capable of.
    2ch rig:Speakers: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress modsPreamplifier: Parasound P5Amplifier: Parasound A23CDP: Pioneer DV-563ACables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,421
    HzTweaker wrote: »
    This test brought up a flaw in the Fulla though. The problem is from zero volume to ~ an 1/8 of the way turned up (still very quite) sound is only emitting from the left side? This was discovered last night.

    yes, you've found one of the common flaws in a (budget) analog volume pot. My Schiit Vali 2 amp has the same condition, as do most/all of the units. A problem only under quiet listening with very sensitive headphones.
    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Oppo BDP-93 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
  • HzTweaker
    HzTweaker Posts: 721
    agfrost wrote: »
    yes, you've found one of the common flaws in a (budget) analog volume pot. My Schiit Vali 2 amp has the same condition, as do most/all of the units. A problem only under quiet listening with very sensitive headphones.

    ^^Makes sense. This wasn't noticed when using my less capable headphones.
    2ch rig:Speakers: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress modsPreamplifier: Parasound P5Amplifier: Parasound A23CDP: Pioneer DV-563ACables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
  • HzTweaker
    HzTweaker Posts: 721
    ^ Right on. How often do you use them? How effective is there noise cancelling? @RamZet
    2ch rig:Speakers: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress modsPreamplifier: Parasound P5Amplifier: Parasound A23CDP: Pioneer DV-563ACables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
  • RamZet
    RamZet Posts: 792
    HzTweaker wrote: »
    ^ Right on. How often do you use them? How effective is there noise cancelling? @RamZet

    I use them at my office on lunch breaks.
    The noise cancelling kills the lows, not even close to a set of Bose QC.
    B&W CM9Classé Sigma
  • Still working on this setup. I Just got this cable today. I have to say, so far the low end is more present then before and the separation in the stereo imagining has greatly improved. Not to mention the headroom. For the money this cable from WW is pretty impressive.
    k2q9b695s5x5.jpg
    2ch rig:Speakers: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress modsPreamplifier: Parasound P5Amplifier: Parasound A23CDP: Pioneer DV-563ACables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
  • codycatalist
    codycatalist Posts: 2,662
    I just got a new pair of cans (Grado SR80E) and was curious about buying a headphone amp or tubed dac/amp. I can do my listening plugged into the headphone out on my vintage marantz, does that actually amplify the sound as well or act as a more precise pre amplifier?
    Just a dude doing dude-ly things

    "Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
    " I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
    "Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
    "Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
    "Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member
  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    I swear I'm not chasing you around Cody... just bored before the work day starts LOL! I run mine at home off a piece of Schitt... (sorry, had to go there) - a Schitt Valhalla and it's great. I'd say it depends on the headphone out on that Marantz and I can't say how good or not that is.

    My Audible Illusions pre has a great headphone out, as does frankly my Eastern Electric MiniMax CDP. So I think this is a your mileage may vary question.

    I feel like the Schitt gives me a bit more control and precision, but the difference on the two high quality options I have, is probably not that great. OTOH it is light years better than the old phones out on my old Harman Kardon receiver.
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






  • codycatalist
    codycatalist Posts: 2,662
    MrBuhl wrote: »
    I swear I'm not chasing you around Cody... just bored before the work day starts LOL! I run mine at home off a piece of Schitt... (sorry, had to go there) - a Schitt Valhalla and it's great. I'd say it depends on the headphone out on that Marantz and I can't say how good or not that is.

    My Audible Illusions pre has a great headphone out, as does frankly my Eastern Electric MiniMax CDP. So I think this is a your mileage may vary question.

    I feel like the Schitt gives me a bit more control and precision, but the difference on the two high quality options I have, is probably not that great. OTOH it is light years better than the old phones out on my old Harman Kardon receiver.

    Stalker... I figured there would be more variables in play than a simple yes or no could answer.

    I have been thinking about a nice little tube pre for my headphones but i'm not sure I want to start dealing with tubes just yet. I would hate to buy something then turn around and spend more money getting it up to snuff (get better tubes).
    Just a dude doing dude-ly things

    "Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
    " I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
    "Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
    "Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
    "Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member
  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    Here's a thought, picked up one of these for a buddy a while back and he seems to enjoy. It's a simple but pretty well reviewed headphone amp that will run about a Benny or less depending.
    Only uses one 12au7 (which are plentiful and as tubes go, cheap as dirt to try) so you can do plenty of experimenting. Just an idea - you can dip your toes without getting your pants wet!

    https://www.head-fi.org/f/showcase/bravo-audio-ocean.13734/reviews#review-12882
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






  • codycatalist
    codycatalist Posts: 2,662
    I was looking at their v2 ($59) but might just drop the extra cash on the ocean ($115) just to see what happens. Thanks for the link to the article it was very helpful!
    Just a dude doing dude-ly things

    "Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
    " I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
    "Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
    "Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
    "Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member
  • msg
    msg Posts: 9,270
    Cody, curious, what kind of music do you like?

    I'm just starting headphones, too. Been playing with a little AudioEngine D1 I picked up from a member. I use this at work. It's not bad. Home setup I just plug in to the AVR 507, but I don't think it's as nice as the D1. I'd be using the tone controls on the 507 if it made some difference to bump the bass, but it doesn't seem to do much. With the D1, and another DAC/Headphone Amp combo, I don't feel the need. The 507 seems to sound a bit thin in the bottom end, whereas the headphone amps seem a little fuller. Mids and upper range seems good on both, maybe a touch sweeter on the headphone amps.

    MistaB - on that Bravo Audio Ocean, does your friend use a separate DAC with it, or simply 3.5mm Line In? I used to want to check one of these out, but put all my HP curiosity aside for a while.

    I'd say try to resist the urge to jump into headphone amps right away and try to take some time to research a bit to get a sense of what's out there, and spend some ore time with your headphones to see what you want to improve. If you manage this, let me know how you did it :)

    As goes without saying, HPs and HP Amps are a separate leg of the rabbit hole I never even realized was there. Until I did.
    I disabled signatures.
  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    msg wrote: »
    Cody, curious, what kind of music do you like?

    MistaB - on that Bravo Audio Ocean, does your friend use a separate DAC with it, or simply 3.5mm Line In? I used to want to check one of these out, but put all my HP curiosity aside for a while.

    As goes without saying, HPs and HP Amps are a separate leg of the rabbit hole I never even realized was there. Until I did.

    My friend is just running straight - no DAC. When I "auditioned" it for him... ahem... prior to giving it to him... I ran it through a simple Flio and my phone - maybe a better DAC/source would have made more difference but i thought they were about the same unless you used some of the processing/EQ services of the Flio.

    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






  • codycatalist
    codycatalist Posts: 2,662
    msg wrote: »
    Cody, curious, what kind of music do you like?

    I'm just starting headphones, too. Been playing with a little AudioEngine D1 I picked up from a member. I use this at work. It's not bad. Home setup I just plug in to the AVR 507, but I don't think it's as nice as the D1. I'd be using the tone controls on the 507 if it made some difference to bump the bass, but it doesn't seem to do much. With the D1, and another DAC/Headphone Amp combo, I don't feel the need. The 507 seems to sound a bit thin in the bottom end, whereas the headphone amps seem a little fuller. Mids and upper range seems good on both, maybe a touch sweeter on the headphone amps.

    MistaB - on that Bravo Audio Ocean, does your friend use a separate DAC with it, or simply 3.5mm Line In? I used to want to check one of these out, but put all my HP curiosity aside for a while.

    I'd say try to resist the urge to jump into headphone amps right away and try to take some time to research a bit to get a sense of what's out there, and spend some ore time with your headphones to see what you want to improve. If you manage this, let me know how you did it :)

    As goes without saying, HPs and HP Amps are a separate leg of the rabbit hole I never even realized was there. Until I did.

    I listen to EVERYTHING. For EDM, Hip hop/rap or general bass heavy stuff I break out my sealed Harman Kardon CLs (Bass down to 18 hz) but when I go with jazz, rock, classical, folk etc I have been loving the Grados.
    Just a dude doing dude-ly things

    "Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
    " I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
    "Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
    "Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
    "Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member
  • HzTweaker
    HzTweaker Posts: 721
    Sorry Friends for my absences.. I'm still recovering from the Texas trip. >:)

    Cody The Bravo Audio Ocean Headphone Amplifier looks intriguing. That's all I have to say about ^ considering I'm still pretty new to headphone rigs myself. I can say the Schiit's Fulla 2 appears a great upgrade to the slandered Fulla (still available for $59); and for $99 (for amp with a built in DAC) seems like it can't be beat. I'd like to mention that I was listing to my setup on the plane today (until my laptop died!) at a volume that wouldn't bother the person sitting next to me and considering that my phones are open back everything else seemed to melt away and I was completely involved in the listening experience. I was listening to (on JRiver) Garbage's Garbage album in 96khz/24b & Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road 40th anniversary in 96 KHz/24b. The DAC feature is worth it for sure!
    2ch rig:Speakers: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress modsPreamplifier: Parasound P5Amplifier: Parasound A23CDP: Pioneer DV-563ACables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
  • msg
    msg Posts: 9,270
    Man, you guys really like that Schitty stuff.
    Seems like some pretty good stuff.

    I've been enjoying a little AudioEngine D1 for work listening still evaluating some Senn HD 598cs headphones. They're not bad, though seem just a touch thin in the lows to me, but that's most likely a notion I've not yet gotten over due to listening to Bose TP-1As for the better part of 10 years.

    I've been warned that headphones and headphone amps are another obsession, and to exercise caution, but between the stuff I'm reading about the Schitt, and some stuff I'm hearing about FiiO stuff... slippery slopes...

    Where do you get 24/96 media?
    I disabled signatures.
  • HzTweaker
    HzTweaker Posts: 721
    msg wrote: »

    I've been warned that headphones and headphone amps are another obsession, and to exercise caution, but between the stuff I'm reading about the Schitt, and some stuff I'm hearing about FiiO stuff... slippery slopes...

    Very slippery!
    msg wrote: »
    ...

    Where do you get 24/96 media?

    HDTracks.
    2ch rig:Speakers: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress modsPreamplifier: Parasound P5Amplifier: Parasound A23CDP: Pioneer DV-563ACables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
  • HzTweaker
    HzTweaker Posts: 721
    No worries Skip, after this weekend in Texas I have more of an interest in cables now. I have to say though I was talking to some really cool Cats about em' and mite sway in another directions. Talking about the mane rig of course. There's always room for improvement with the headphone set up though.. . o:)
    2ch rig:Speakers: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress modsPreamplifier: Parasound P5Amplifier: Parasound A23CDP: Pioneer DV-563ACables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
  • codycatalist
    codycatalist Posts: 2,662
    Ended up getting the Bravo v2 instead of the ocean. I don't like the open design but the blue on the ocean killed me.

    Should arrive today for me to get some first listening sessions in, more than likely will upgrade the stock tube in the near future.
    Just a dude doing dude-ly things

    "Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
    " I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
    "Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
    "Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
    "Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member