Headphones & Audiophile

• HHeadphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org2026-10-14✓ Read

  Geshelli Torc DAC - modular flagship dac

  This dac went on sale tonight for black friday, it appears to be the spiritual successor to their Dayzee dac, but is super modular with replaceable DAC CHIP cards, opamps and even Input Socket cards. I'm super excited for the possibility of a geshelli R2R dac card or perhaps dac cards with super high end sc-cut oxco chips in the future It's available in black, red or silver with a choice of button LED ring colors.. I wish they had a photo of the red case. I went with the "safe" choice of... Read more

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• HHeadphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org2026-10-14✓ Read

  All new LAiV Crescendo VERSE: DAC + Pre + Amp all-in-one!

  LAiV has just launched the VERSE, debutting the first in the Crescendo series that seeks to create more affordable and compact audio solutions. VERSE is a compact all-in-one solution combining a high-performance LAiV R-2R DAC, a discrete output buffered preamplifier, and a fully discrete headphone amplifier. This news came unexpected as they kept VERSE in the dark only until 2 weeks ago! The VERSE is certainly welcome in a world of... Read more

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• HHeadphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org2026-10-13✓ Read

  Fir Audio Radon 6 vs Elysian Annihilator

  Hello, I was potentially looking at these two IEM’s. I’ve tried the Xenon 6 and it was a bit too dark for me. I looking for something with great treble and forward detailed vocals. I’d still like to have some good bass presence, particularly in the mid and upper bass. For those who have you who have tried these, which one do you prefer? Both seem to be spoken of very positively from the water cooler thread.

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• HHeadphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org2026-10-13✓ Read

  Help me decide on DAC's

  Hello guys! I have been researching about R2R DAC's and my interest slowly increased in time. I have just found a very nice local deal for a Gustard R26 way under 50% off and based on my research it seems like a good candidate for me. My problem is: I am currently using the DAC from my mac mini M4 and also an iFi zen dac v1 - I have done some attempts at blindly making a difference between them (volume matching as well as I could then asking someone to switch them for me) and, as the... Read more

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• HHeadphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org2026-10-13✓ Read

  Looking for some new gear, specifically: headphones, desktop dac/amp device

  Hey y'all, I wanted some help/opinions on some new gear I am looking into getting eventually. I have a desktop pc setup and would like a dac/amp or even separate items that would work well together, but not break the bank. As a college student I need to keep pricing reasonable, but am unsure where to start. Additionally, I also am interested in getting an okay-decent pair of headphones for my ps setup as well. I welcome all advice/opinions/help as my knowledge is sort of only in IEMs so... Read more

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• HHeadphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org2026-10-13✓ Read

  JM Audio Editions XTC Headphones

  Hello Everyone: I wanted to start a thread on some great headphones new to the market designed and built by John Massaria of JM Audio Editions. JMAE, jmaudioeditions.com, is a startup headphone company dedicated to improving and modifying standard headphones and is now developing and building their own models. John is a well-known figure on the Kennerton Headphone threads as he provided effective modifications of several of their models including their Gjallarhorn GH50 which later became... Read more

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• HHeadphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org2026-10-13✓ Read

  IEM setup for travel

  I'm taking a long haul flight soon and am looking into a portable IEM setup so I can leave the Sony XM3s at home. My primary audio source would be Tidal via an Android phone. Located in the US, budget is a flexible $500. My home setup is ZMF Verite Open / Matrix Element X / Icon Audio HP8 Mk II. For the DAC/amp, I was looking at the Qudelix 5K but am not set on a Bluetooth DAC necessarily, assuming I could output audio _and_ keep my device charged with a split USB C cable or similar. For... Read more

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• HHeadphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org2026-10-13✓ Read

  Looking for my first pair of closed-back headphones ($60–70 budget)

  I'm looking for some advice on my first pair of closed-back headphones. My budget is $60–70 USD maximum, preferably less. The reason for the relatively low budget is that I live in an area where I have to be fairly cautious about carrying expensive electronics around, especially while commuting. I'm basically trying to put together a low-cost commuting setup, so I'd rather not spend too much on something I'll regularly take outdoors. I currently use a NICEHCK NK1 Max as my DAC, and I... Read more

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• HHeadphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org2026-10-13✓ Read

  Signal loss on long OTG UBS-C cables

  My setup is a custom 4 ft USB-C OTG-capable (audio-capable) cable (plugged into a phone), a DAC, and a custom 3.5 mm headphone jack cable. A USB-C cable corroded and died within a few weeks. I thought it was a fluke, so I replaced it. The second cable had signal loss issues from the get-go. It shows up as high-pitched static bursts I hear in my headphones every now and then. I contacted the manufacturer, and he ran some tests on his end. He also... Read more

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• HHeadphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org2026-10-13✓ Read

  Long-Time Audiophile and Music Lover, New to Head-Fi

  Hi all. I'm a longtime music lover and audiophile who fell down the headphone rabbit hole a little later in life and have been happily exploring it ever since. I listen to everything from jazz and classic rock to electronic music, and I'm especially interested in how different gear presents the emotional character of a performance. I'm here to learn, share impressions, discover new music, and enjoy the company of fellow enthusiasts. Glad to be here.

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• HHeadphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org2026-10-13✓ Read

  I'm addicted to hi-fi -- send help 🤣

  Greetings all! Long-time lurker, first-time poster. I'm actually looking to sell my newish Burson Soloist GT4 headphone amp (will post soon), but also just looking to listen and learn and connect. Thank you for all you have contributed to this community all these years! AP

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• HHeadphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org2026-10-13✓ Read

  Upgrade from Philips Fidelio X2HR, with similar sound profile and comfort, what to get ?

  Hi everyone ! I'm new here and a beginner in audio looking for what will be his first real headphones. For context, 5-6 years ago I had the opportunity to try a Philips Fidelio X2HR for a few days, I really loved its sound and comfort (I don't know if that makes a lot of sense, but I remember really liking its soundstage, the way its bass resonated in me, and the way the violins stood out in music that had a lot of them, and I could wear it for over 6 hours straight without even feeling it... Read more

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• HHeadphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org2026-10-13✓ Read

  Am I on the Right Track?

  Hi everyone, I'm new to the site and also new to the audiophile world. I've always loved music, but I'm becoming increasingly interested in hearing high quality recordings reproduced as naturally and accurately as possible. Because of my current living situation, a dedicated two channel system with larger speakers isn't practical, so I've decided to start with a quality headphone setup. My current plan is: **Home WiFi - TIDAL - Bluesound NODE ICON - HiFiMAN HE1000 Stealth** My music... Read more

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• HHeadphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org2026-10-13✓ Read

  HDB 630 - Audiophile sound, cut loose

  Hello Head-Fi! We’re here to introduce the new HDB 630 — a do-it-all headphone designed for the listener who wants function and fidelity from their hi-res music listening on the move. Your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you—this new headphone supercharges the versatile design of our best-selling MOMENTUM 4 with a new high-resolution sound engine, Head-Fi-first tuning and new acoustic treatments to deliver balanced audio with impressive clarity. What’s more, a new toolkit of audio goodies... Read more

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• HHeadphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org2026-10-13✓ Read

  Amp for hedd d1

  Hi everyone, I own the hedd d1 and I'm currently using them with a WiiM Ultra, a Topping DX3 Pro+, and a FiiO K13 R2R. I really love these headphones, but they sound a bit too bright with the Topping, especially at moderately high volumes. On the other hand, the FiiO feels like a better pairing tonally, but the headphones seem to lose dynamics and detail. For now, I would like to use the WiiM Ultra as a dac and add a dedicated amp that can deliver detail and precision while smoothing out the... Read more

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• AAudio Science Review (ASR) Forum2026-10-13✓ Read

  Is the "audiophile measurement mafia" to blame for the hi-fi market being flooded with systems that lack audiophile dynamic range?

  Actual reproduced dynamics is an underrated variable among audiophiles. Among audiophiles knowledgeable in the psychology of sound perception, there is a consensus that an audiophile-system should be able to handle brief peaks exceeding 120 dB without audible distortion. Such peaks do not cause hearing damage, provided they are very short and do not significantly exceed the 120 dB level. Older cinema sound systems were often capable of reaching 120 dB, except in the lowest bass frequencies... Read more

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• AAudio Science Review (ASR) Forum2026-10-13✓ Read

  SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC & Headphone Amp Review

  Audio reviews, science and engineering discussions.

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• HHeadphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org2026-10-13✓ Read

  Lotoo Gungnir and LPX-01 – Desktop DAC/Amplifier with USB-PD Power Supply

  Lotoo has released "Gungnir" at the Hong Kong High End Audio this week-end.

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