Headphone & Desktop Rig
Built around the Sennheiser HD 800 S and the Chord DAVE. The DAVE is the cornerstone — it functions as DAC, preamplifier, and headphone amplifier. I feed it via USB from a dedicated Innuos Zenith music server. This setup is used daily for serious listening and late-night sessions when the main system would wake the neighbours.
Home office, 12×14 ft. No acoustic treatment — this is a desktop rig. Room acoustics are irrelevant for headphone listening but the desk setup matters: dampened monitor arms, silicone under the DAC, and a Shunyata Venom noise filter on the power strip.
Components
Discussion (2)
The DAVE as an all-in-one solution for headphones is underappreciated. I ran exactly this configuration for 18 months before going separates. The headphone output is genuinely excellent.
How do you find the Utopia vs HD 800 S for long sessions? I've heard the Utopia can be tiring over time.