what headphones do you own thread - i own dt150's :)

mrk · 8 Sep 2025 at 16:16

Things change I've changed said:
This seems like a little pocket rocket!

FangSound Silenos | Integrated DAC/Headphone Amp/Preamp

The FangSound Silenos is an integrated DAC, headphone amplifier, and preamp with R2R decoding, 14W true-balanced output, dual GaN power supplies, and compact CNC aluminum design. Ideal for audiophiles, desktop HiFi, and studio monitoring, it supports up to 32bit/768kHz PCM, offers rich I/O...

www.linsoul.com

14w @ 32Ω! Could be a good budget amp for very card to drive headphones.

That actually looks really interesting for that price, I am tempted to get it and try it with the LCD-5 to see if what some have said is true, that the more power you give them the more they open up.

Could be a good comparison with the K13 R2R as well actually as an R2R DAC with the same 192 array count.

Some extra details here:

FangSound Silenos

Music is Emotion. Music is Expression. At Elise, we will never compromise on quality. The satisfaction of our customers is our highest priority. Because we want you to forget about the devices you are using, immerse yourself in the music and enjoy the Emotion of Music to its fullest.

eliseaudio.com

Would need a 4.4mm to XLR/TRS splitter cable to connect up the PA7 though.

Edit * Ordered from Linsoul.

Starvald · 8 Sep 2025 at 16:50

Things change I've changed said:
This seems like a little pocket rocket!

FangSound Silenos | Integrated DAC/Headphone Amp/Preamp

The FangSound Silenos is an integrated DAC, headphone amplifier, and preamp with R2R decoding, 14W true-balanced output, dual GaN power supplies, and compact CNC aluminum design. Ideal for audiophiles, desktop HiFi, and studio monitoring, it supports up to 32bit/768kHz PCM, offers rich I/O...

www.linsoul.com

14w @ 32Ω! Could be a good budget amp for very card to drive headphones.

I had to read that 5 times, and then go and look at the specification, and read those a couple of times. That's insane. Surely they must be overstating it, as they sometimes do. Even then, that's huge.

mrk · 8 Sep 2025 at 16:52

It's got udal power supplies totalling 100 watts, so not really a surprise, I bet it generates a whole load of heat though, regardless of being GaN!

Its' also so new that there's no info about it anywhere yet.

Angst · 8 Sep 2025 at 16:57

Im sure they havent skimped on any of the protection circuitry to save cost and hit that price

mrk · 8 Sep 2025 at 17:01

It's an ugly and unusual aesthetic but if it sounds the part then hey, no sniffing here.

Starvald · 8 Sep 2025 at 17:11

mrk said:
It's an ugly and unusual aesthetic but if it sounds the part then hey, no sniffing here.

I like the aesthetic and don;t think it's ugly. it's also interesting how busy the front and the back is, with fitting all the connectors and toggles in there.

mrk · 8 Sep 2025 at 17:34

I guess I just lean toward clean aesthetics, but busy can work too, need to see it in the flesh as stock images don't give the whole view online.

If it ends up being an actually good pre-amp, and the soundstage is not too far from the X9, then I might even free up some desk space and use it as the sole DAC/pre.

Having no remote/display is not a huge deal breaker in a desktop setting really.

almostgfx · 8 Sep 2025 at 19:10

I have a corsair void elite but I recently hooverd the cable by accident and the cable works at an angle now. Any other corsair headsets people can reccomend?

mrk · 9 Sep 2025 at 02:20

Probably just get the same set if the model was working all fine otherwise?

That Fangsound amp, the THD distortion alone at 14W is 10% which is significant, it's 1% at 11W which is still quite high. For ref the X9/K13 R2R THD+N are both below 1% at max wattage in high gain respectively. The DX5 II at 6.4W is under 1% also.

I think this outlines why the price is so low and FangSound's two other models are massively higher in price as they are more powerful, yet produce sub 1% distortion.

Cancelled...

Meanwhile, the K13 R2R page is now live:

Desktop DAC and Headphone Amplifier -K13 R2R

24Bit fully balanced R2R DAC and headphone amplifier K13 R2R

www.fiio.com

Raymond Lin · 9 Sep 2025 at 09:20

£289 on Aliexpress....no great codes at the moment for £100+ value stuff. I am sure it could be bought for nearer to £250 if we wait.

It is only 2cm wider than the DX5II.

mrk · 9 Sep 2025 at 13:15

If you bought a linear PSU with a K11 R2R then the prices are basically even, meanwhile if you bought the iPower2 instead then the prices are still closer so I'd say the K13 with its internal silent PSU appears to be priced very competetively, even against the DX5 2.

I was expecting it to be around £350 tbh.

arc@css · 9 Sep 2025 at 23:08

Unfortunately, my Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro headphones are falling to bits, and now the sound only comes through one side,
so I'm looking to replace them with another set of closed back cans.

I don't have a set budget but was thinking about something like the Shure SHR440A or SHR840A (probably best if they are closed back).
Any suggestions?

Raymond Lin · 9 Sep 2025 at 23:15

arc@css said:
Unfortunately, my Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro headphones are falling to bits, and now the sound only comes through one side,
so I'm looking to replace them with another set of closed back cans.

I don't have a set budget but was thinking about something like the Shure SHR440A or SHR840A (probably best if they are closed back).
Any suggestions?

Have a read online about the Fiio FT! Pro.

arc@css · 10 Sep 2025 at 00:06

Thanks for the suggestion.

However, I think I may be better off sticking with closed back ones to minimize the chance of the mic picking up anything.

Timber · 10 Sep 2025 at 08:32

arc@css said:
Thanks for the suggestion.

However, I think I may be better off sticking with closed back ones to minimize the chance of the mic picking up anything.

I think Raymond meant the Fiio FT1 (not the Pro). The FT1 is the review darling and basically regarded as the best closed-back under £300/400. The FT1 Pro is a also well regarded open-back planar. Fiio's slightly silly naming convention.

You also have Beyerdynamic's new DT 770 Pro X (not the the Limited Edition) which adds the foam discs from the TYGR and some of its newer models with the extra dampening which helps reduce treble. And adds a removable cable. You could also stick with the classic DT 770 if you liked it. And you also have the Sony MDR-M1 which reviewed well too.

I think those three are probably the main closed-backs that spring to mind in the £200, or below range.

Raymond Lin · 10 Sep 2025 at 09:05

sorry, yes, the FT1, not Pro

Rroff · 10 Sep 2025 at 09:16

Though contrary to the reviews and I've not tried them myself I've seen some comments about the FT1s (not pro) of them being feeling heavier on the head than the weight would suggest.

Timber · 10 Sep 2025 at 10:13

Unfortunately I haven't tried either model. These things are obviously massively subjective. I personally don't like headphones over 300g, but I've long since realised that all headphones irritate me and that weight can be a major contributor to that. But I can also wear headphones over that weight so it just depends. It might be the weight distribution, or balance. Maybe with the metal, wood and dual cable design the weight is mostly on the side pulling at the headband.

That's one of the things about the Beyers classic DT design I tend to like. Under 300g, very comfortable to wear for long time periods. So although I always want to try the FT1, if I wanted a closed-back, the appeal of the 770 Pro X would be strong. Also they have a good soundstage and imaging that suits gaming. But again very subjective.

arc@css · 10 Sep 2025 at 11:27

Timber said:
I think Raymond meant the Fiio FT1 (not the Pro). The FT1 is the review darling and basically regarded as the best closed-back under £300/400. The FT1 Pro is a also well regarded open-back planar. Fiio's slightly silly naming convention.

You also have Beyerdynamic's new DT 770 Pro X (not the the Limited Edition) which adds the foam discs from the TYGR and some of its newer models with the extra dampening which helps reduce treble. And adds a removable cable. You could also stick with the classic DT 770 if you liked it. And you also have the Sony MDR-M1 which reviewed well too.

I think those three are probably the main closed-backs that spring to mind in the £200, or below range.

Cheers for the info, I will be sure to check the FT1's and other ones out.

I may also pick up a second cheaper pair to wear in bed, as unfortunately, I seem to usually require some background noise in order to drift off.
Whereas the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x's were clearly very durable for such a use case (must have had them for ~ 7 years or more), the DT 770's weren't, although they are the most comfortable cans I've ever used.

Timber · 10 Sep 2025 at 11:35

arc@css said:
Cheers for the info, I will be sure to check the FT1's and other ones out.

I may also pick up a second cheaper pair to wear in bed, as unfortunately, I seem to usually require some background noise in order to drift off.
Whereas the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x's were clearly very durable for such a use case (must have had them for ~ 7 years or more), the DT 770's weren't, although they were the most comfortable cans I've ever used.

No worries and good luck.

From a comfort pov I'm a huge fan of the classic Beyer's. I don't have my DT 770, or DT 990 anymore, but I do have a pair of TYGR 300R which Ive re-bought for gaming. Can wear them for hours.

In terms of a cheaper pair, I've not tried the M40x's, but it might be you're best with Audio Technica's again. Although you can get Takstar Pro82s (£60). Fantastic comfort, cheap Chi-fi OEM Sony/AT clones. But they were great back in the day. I had the Coolermaster MH-751 variant, but its still the most comfortable headphone I ever wore.