Bought two mono blocks and turned my integrated tube into a pre amp. I like the new mono locks for the blue lights flashing showing signal strength (and the sound) plus I like the clicks when you turn them on.

Stereo for stereo headphones is the best. If I make an actual Atmos setup then I’d use it.

I’m single and it’s probably because I spend all my money on audio gear. But to be fair I feel you I bought the HD599’s recently just to have something different but I think them having a bad cable made it not worth it for me. My home audio setup (living at home) is probably 8k and my headphones and other speakers have put me back probably $4k. I’m also a college student but will be 28. In the last year I’ve spent more than I ever have on audio and while I love it you always want that next thing that’s better haha. A lot of folks have the focal clear and I’d sell mine to the right person since I got the Stellias. (I want the new utopias, and a tube amp.)

Bought some over ears at a trade show for $60 and gave them to my friend. Still better headphones than he owns.

Let me explain this phenomena on a larger scale with speakers. I have Martin Logan ESL’s (electrostats) and I was running them both from an integrated tube amp. The sound was great but I saw that my local audio guy had two emotiva mono blocks on sale for $750 a piece (normally $1100 each) After setting them up properly, which did require removing our sub as the adapter caused one speakers to be quiet) I found that I really didn’t even NEED a subwoofer as they were being sufficiently powered (given a full strong signal.) The highs and clarity and dynamics and even soundstage were improved. These mono blocks must weigh around fifty pounds each and boy let me tell you I do not want to move them again but they supple class A or class A/B power with a switch. Try out better amps, but you might want to get better speakers down the line too!

I had the OG professionals and they came with an extra pair luckily. Had them over three years and still don’t need to change them, but admittedly the Stellia is my daily since this Summer.

Haha yeah I’m not much of a heavy listener; most I go is usually some LP. When we moved in our new house we upgraded the home theatre to a 7.2 setup with Atmos but I wanted a 2.1 system so we stole a sub from the theatre. It basically has turned out whole upstairs living room into a listening space haha. So worth it though vs. a home theatre setup. I’m never satisfied with the sound and always wanting to improve it though haha.

Nice! My setup for just chilling in bed is an iPad using Qobuz using a Moshi USB C to USBA adapter to a Dragonfly Cobalt with a furutech rhodium 1/8 to 1/4 adapter with a black dragon 1/4 Silver ended Black Dragon unbalanced cable to Focal Stellia headphones :) But I do like attaching this setup to my upgraded 2019 MacBook Pro to watch Netflix. When I can I will always like listening on my 2.1 setup upstairs. You can really go down the rabbit hole on making sure every piece is worth it. Considering getting a Mojo or something in the near future. I wish I knew more audiophiles where I live (who like good headphone setups too.) I imagine the 1990’s have a great soundstage as I had some 770’s I loved that I gave to my Nephews when I got a focal clear. Still have the clears but just love the beryllium drivers and bass I get from the Stellias and being closed back. Kind of want to sell both and get the “Newtopias” lol but I can dream all I want. As long as you enjoy your system that’s all that matters. Just always on the search for ways to improve. If you don’t mind me asking what are some good albums to check out? I’d always recommend sleep through the Static by Jack Johnson. Puts me in a good mood every time for some reason. Probably will just listen to that instead of watching Netflix tonight. Thanks for the post, and happy listening :) Edit- Started listening but I gotta watch love is blind lol 😂 Edit 2- might try listening again with Amarra or Audirvana; to see if that makes a difference. Amara seems pretty interesting but I’m not liking that it’s $50… kind of want that “tube” energy though.