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My headphone system (too long...)

Posted by MaggiesAndCats (A) on February 13, 2025 at 18:22:20

I've been intending to give my impressions of my headphone
system for quite a while, so, here goes... I apologize in advance for the length.

I temporarily lost my listening room a few years ago and decided to try out headphones to fill the gap. I have planar speakers and wanted to keep the planar sound in headphones. I already had a Bluesound Node streamer and Schiit Bifrost 2/64 DAC. My first set of headphones was a pair of HiFiMan HE400s. I liked them, and still use them on occasion, but they left me wanting something more. I decided to try the HiFiMan HE6SE heaphones and bought a pair of the V2 version. My current setup chain, in order, is:

• BlueSound Node ($539 in 2021. I think this was refurbished.) with Teddy Pardo Special Edition power supply. ($375 on sale in 2024.)
• Digital cable (FosPower Digital Audio Coaxial Cable [24K Gold Plated Connectors] Premium S/PDIF RCA Male to RCA Male, $7.99 in 2021 from Amazon)
• Schiitt Bifrost 2/64 DAC (The current price is $829. I had a Bifrost 2 and upgraded to the 2/64 version when it became available.)
• Audio Metallurgy GA-0 balanced cable ($209 from Audiogon in 2010)
• Schiit Jotunheim 2 amplifier ($429 in 2024)
• Balanced cable (NewFantasia 4-pin XLR Balanced Cable 6N OCC Copper Single Crystal Silver Plated Cord , 4-pin XLR to Dual 3.5mm Version, $38 in 2023 from Amazon)
• HiFiMan HE6SE V2 headphones ($609 for open box in 2023)

The above prices don't include taxes and shipping. I use Amazon Music Unlimited, $109 per year with Prime membership, as my source.

The total cost for this system is $3,334, including tax and shipping, of which $1,134 is strictly related to the headphones.

Only 2 changes have been made to the system since I started down this path: I started with a stock Node, then added the Teddy Pardo power supply based on another inmates review; and changing from the HE400s to the HE6SE V2 headphones. As such, my comments are based mostly on the total system performance.

The Teddy Pardo power supply for the Node was a nice step up, and I got the Special Edition version when it was on sale for $100 off. The sound has more depth and definition than the stock Node and is a definite improvement, but compared to the price of the base Node it's a pricey upgrade. Strangely, the sound seems louder at the same volume setting with the new power supply.

I mostly listen to classic rock, blues rock, and jam bands, with acoustic blues and rock in the mix. Since those genres tend to not have a ton of dynamics, I listened to some classical to get a better feel for the dynamic response of the system. I used to listen to classical fairly regularly and had season tickets to the local symphony. Why my classical listening has faded is a mystery to me...

The overall sound from my system is well balanced tonally, with a decent soundstage with good height and depth that goes from ear to ear but isn't 360. When I first started listening to headphones I was bothered by the feeling that the sound was coming from above my head instead of in front of me like speakers. I don't notice that anymore and I'm not sure if that is because I've gotten used to it or the soundstage improved as the equipment broke in. The HE6SE V2 headphones are very comfortable with no fatigue at all. The headphones are open back, but since I listen in the basement it's not an issue.

The bass response with this system is much better than I ever expected. I attribute part of that to the headphone design and part to the Jotunheim having power to spare for these headphones. The midrange on the acoustic pieces is very realistic without being overpowering. The highs are crisp but not sterile. I find the tonal balance overall to be almost exactly what I wanted: slightly mid forward, clean highs, and well defined bass. Strangely, there are some recordings where the vocals seem to be lower in volume than the instruments. However, when I relax and "concentrate" on listening to the music I can hear the vocals quite clearly.

I have played around with some of the variables in the system, notably controlling the volume from the Node or the Jotunheim, and single ended versus 4-wire connection for the headphones. For the volume control I played a bit with setting the Node or the Jotunheim at maximum output and using the other device to do the fine control. I can't say that the differences were really noticeable, and found that my preference would change by listening session. I ended up leaving the Jotunheim volume control at 3 o'clock and using the Node to do the fine control through the BluOS app. The Jotunheim has both single ended and 4-wire headphone outputs. The volume is slightly higher using the 4-wire connection but again I can't say the sound quality differences are really noticeable to my ears. I have been using the 4-wire connection for quite a while now.

I expect to have my listening room back in a couple of months. Will I continue to listen to headphones? My system certainly sounds good enough that I would listen to them when running the speakers isn't appropriate, but I doubt I will prefer the headphones. Then again...

Regards,

Steve

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