The Echo (which is indeed OTL) gets away with planar far more than OTL amps such as the Darkvoice. I've used one with an Aeon Noire as well. If you get high enough on the volume pot you will eventually hear heavy distortion, especially in the bass. But I found that to often be above my normal...

Not really an upgrade to sound. Just a different flavour. The upgrade comes in the functionality (balances connections etc.). Cayin works better with planar as it's not OTL. Both amps have great stock tubes. You could easily have an HA-2A and an OTL amp next to each other. My ZMF headphones...

Appreciate it's an old post but I just had to carry out a repair and tried this technique. Worked a treat.

I found Oratorys to be very good. I had a Cayin HA-2A delivered yesterday and I'm not using any EQ now. Fantastic pairing.

Just a quick addition to earlier... Meze 109 is blooming gorgeous on this. I really liked it before but felt it wasn't quite there on solid state. Now I can't take it off.

I've just joined the HA-2A club. Had a brand new one delivered today. I was going to buy the HA-1A mk2 as I've had it before and it paired nicely with my OG Auteur. But the store I placed the order with in the UK (shout out to Hifonix) gave me a call and suggested either the Feliks Echo or...

Again it's on a par with them. The problem with headphones mid tier and above, they're all similar in quality. It's more about personal preference at that point. No headphones has everything. Is your preference perceived detail, soundstage, imaging, dynamics, bass extension, tuning, comfort...

One headphone I thought I'd mention for you. If you're looking for a headphone that has an excellent tuning, and doesn't need an amp or DAC to sound great. Consider the Focal Bathys. It sounds good over Bluetooth, but when used with the USB cable and run in DAC mode (has to be over USB), it's...

The T5 is a sideways move. I prefer it out of the two, but many others would no doubt say the opposite. If you can find it for a good price then it's worth trying.

Verite Closed by far. Fantastic headphone. I haven't heard any other ZMF closed backs, I've owned several of their open backs. I'm very tempted to try the ZMF Bokeh. I'm fairly confident they're a step above the ones we've discussed. ZMF headphones have a really full sound and wonderful timbre.

I'd say they're pretty even overall. The Denon are good. Probably the slightly more organic. But they're both full and detailed. They feel like they're in the same bracket. The T5 is more spacious to my ears, not much in it though.

I have. Naytte nailed it when it comes to comfort. T5 headband extremely comfortable. Denon not at all. As for sound, the T5 is better balanced. The Denon has very recessed vocals. My one complaint for all the T5 models, I've got small ears. But the earpads hit the bottom of my earlobes...

Hey all, I've just picked up a pair of 109s. Overall, great headphone. At 44 my hearing drops off at around 14200. So just before the treble peak. As a result these are actually are warmer sounding headphone for me. They remind me of the ZMF Aeolus as a result. Sit back on a comfy leather...

Nice plan. I was looking at these before wondering if they could be used... https://customcans.co.uk/shop/product/hifiman-edition-xs-comfort-headband-strap-diy-mod/

2nd gen is the brightest of the bunch but not too bright. 3rd gen is quite a bit warmer, but it lacks the clarity of the 2nd gen. AH-D7200 is very recessed in the vocals. I think the Beyers are both better then the Denon. 3rd gen is the best balance overall (most mass market tuning). 2nd...