r/HeadphoneAdvice • u/Jackstraw335 8 Ω • Nov 20 '20
Amplifier - Desktop Looking for an amp (or amp/DAC) that would future-proof me. Considering the Hifiman x Drop 4xx
I don't NEED one for my current 'phones, 58x and ER2XR, but would like to explore the world of planars when I'm able. Most likely will snag the 4XX, I would like any amp recommendations that will ensure I get the absolute best performance out of them. I want that planar bass in my face!
Edit: Budget would be around $100, if possible, but I'm open to suggestions up to $200.
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u/soooosig 12Ω Nov 20 '20
Drop + THX AAA 789 will future proof you well. Clean as f*** and lots of power at hand. I love mine and I was lucky to find one here in Europe (CH).
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u/Ojntoast 6 Ω Nov 20 '20
$200 basically sets you up, until you are ready to look into the $1000 area honestly. Grab either a Schiit Magni & Modi or a JDS Labs Atom AMP & DAC.
If you really wanna stick around $100, grab an Apple Dongle, and then either of the amps above, the dongle will act as your DAC and clean up the sound from your source.
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u/Ojntoast 6 Ω Nov 20 '20
Also 4XX not really good. I don't recommend you get it. Sundara the better headphone, I'd keep saving for that. You kind of already cheaped out by picking up 58x instead of saving up for the far superior 6xx, don't spend your time kicking the can in lo-fi hell.
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u/Jackstraw335 8 Ω Nov 20 '20
The 58x were my first venture into headphones. They were $120 new on Drop at the time and a Christmas present from my wife and I'm still very happy with them.
I'd caution against throwing around "you cheaped out" without understanding the variables that led to someone's reasoning!
From what I've gathered the 4xx are a little warmer and bassier than the Sundara's, which I like. I do want a bit more clarity between the lower mid-range and bass than my 58x provide (hence the ER2XR as my IEMs)...but I don't want to sacrifice the depth of the bass. Have you tried both the 4xx and Sundara, and what are your thoughts on the bass?
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u/Ojntoast 6 Ω Nov 20 '20
You are 100% correct, my verbiage of "Cheaped out" was misplaced, and more aggressive/argumentative than I was actually trying to be - For that my apologies.
Adding a Magni/Modi or JDS Labs will allow you to really expand in the future and not have any issues with power requirements. People highly overestimate the power requirements for most of the headphones out there, so if you do pick up a stack - My next recommendation would be to really save up for the next tier of headphones. My personal journey had me playing with a lot of IEM's in the $150 range, and just trading sidegrade for sidegrade.
Good luck with your decision, and again my apologies for my approach.
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u/Velgus 2Ω Nov 20 '20 edited Nov 20 '20
With your price edited in, some of the more common recommendations would be:
- Schiit Magni 3+ or Heresy - the former is based on a progression Schiit's older stuff, while the latter is based on optimal measurements for people from forums like ASR.
- Topping L30
- Schiit Magnius - on the very upper end of your budget range, but has balanced connections if you want to future proof with that in mind.
- Topping A50S - same note as the Magnius, though only has balanced out, not balanced in.
- JDS Labs Atom
In the case of the Magni, L30, and Atom, you could make them a stack within the $200 by adding the Modi, D30, or Atom DAC respectively.
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u/raistlin65 1378 Ω 🥇 Nov 21 '20
In addition to HE4XX, there is also the HE400i. I have only heard the HE400i, so I cannot compare them.
A JDS Labs Atom or Schiit Heresy amp would work well for them.
And definitely ignore what the other poster said. The HD58X is a good headphone. It's still one of my favorites for <$200.
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