Well what can I say believe what you want or trust your ears … I thought low distortion was it all and everything else didnt matter. My ears have prooven me wrong.

EQ only does so much. Also … I have 1 open back headphone and one iem that I use. One for the go one for at home. I do have some pairs that I just dont use nomore but I dont think that counts.

Yes compleatly pointless. One may argue that a higher sample rate can result in a more accurately timed reproduction of the soundwave depending on the dac ane its filter but … I doubt you cab hear a difference even with super high end electrostatic headphones.

Just to clarify: you wont hear differences in the noise flor between most dacs. Thats totaly beyond human capabilitys. Even if Rob Watts claims his noise flor modulation at -300db makes a difference. An amp that measures perfectly flat however can sound warm if it has alot of distortion in the upper frequencys.

Yes I have a theory why but I cant tell for sure and still have to test it myself. Anyways I am not willing to discuss this topic. There is no point in arguing. Neither of us can be convinced by the other persons words.

Yes amps vary alot in sound. For all nearly flat measuring headphones you will always hear the headphone ofcours but at way different technical levels. I am not even arguing with anyone who says otherwhise anymore. They clearly havent tested alot.

Yes.

I use it whenever I do nothing but listen to music but I have never realy heard a difference. Its just in case it may make a difference that I cant figure out but still makes it less enjoyable somehow. Its stupid but it dosent hurt.

Also: I would not opt for a DAP. I am using my Mojo2 with my HE1000stealth and yes its a sweet combo that sounds pleasant at all times. However I know how even this “high end but not actualy high end” headphone scales of better sources as I have tryed it. I am myself waiting for my Mjolnir 3 to arrive hopefully beginning of december (in EU they havent started shipping them yet). Lets see if ot can compete with the high end stuff I tryed at my local hifi shop … having high expectations.

If you realy want a portable source … maybe Chord Hugo 2 is an option?

Options I would concider: Chord TT2 (as dac+amp) Shiit Yggdrasil+Shiit Mjolnir 3

Also worth concidering would be a tube setup. I would look towards either WooAudio or Cayin. Should be perfect pairing with the Chord Dave for absolut holographic soundstage. If you want to go the extra mile you can spend 300 bucks on HQPlayer to get some Mscaler magic for alot less money.

The understanding that enough power is all an amp needs is as false as it gets.

Why would I blind test? If I am not biased at the beginning and the differences are obvious as can be why wouldnt I just trust my ears?

The problem with this a/b blind switching is that if you do it enough you wont hear a difference nomore because the brain corrects using its memory. Thats what it always does btw. It basically tryes to translate all input to “i have heard something alike so I can understand this”. Thats why good timbre is so important. It makes listening more easy for your brain.

So my question: have you done a single listening session were you just relaxed and listened to alot of different stuff?

Absolutly. Most people here will tell you some crap like “if it gets loud enough its perfect”. Thats just not true. Most people who say that have never given it a try. On all headphones I tryed I have noticed significant differences between all sources. Just go to your local hifi shop, let them put some amps infront of you, pick a decently transparent headphone you enjoy and then go and listen. 95% of people who claim that qudelix 5k is the best amp out there and nothing can beat it cause “dacs have reached perfection” have never done this for sure.