Thanks for your input. I'll compare them further.

What differentiates the K9 Pro ESS to the RME ADI-2, besides app vs screen EQ?

Different species. Dynamic driver vs planar magnetic. Still a downgrade to 560s, for sure. Yet 560 don't fall apart like this. I would just repair the Sundara. Cheaper than another headphone.

Yikes. Looks repairable tho. Fit the sliding headband parts back together, glue where necessary. Than slap a ZMF leather headband wrap on it, or perhaps a cheaper neoprene wrap (velcro). I avoid pleather everything. Better than before.

I think it greatly depends on where you started your audio journey, and use case. If you're very mobile, you maybe started with so-so earbuds, and the naturally progression from there may split to wireless BT TWS or wired IEMs. Or wireless to wired. However, I started with so-so headphones (Koss and Sony circa late 80s early 90s), eventually enjoyed over ear more than on ear, soon found myself in limbo with gaming headsets, and naturally ventured out into greater over ear headphones (AKG, I'd preferred, until I got the Nighthawk which have been a blast). They're comfortable and I use them for many different things, gaming (very zeroing on audio cues, but other headphones have lower bass and greater treble), DAP, phone, etc without disturbing others. Although they're open back (Er semi open really), which I prefer. Where closed back mobile are concerned, I use ANC earbuds (Sony xm4, realizing that great AQ but weak isolation and ANC, is not ideal for my use (in a less than pristine, somewhat noisy environment), so there's some tradeoff, sure).

Ive Just gotten into speakers because, I realise that for home theater, with the occasional friends and fam over, the soundbar I'd been using is so-so. It'll always be so-so compared with speakers (but a ton better than stock tv speakers, yes). The natural progression from there is either getting a better soundbar with a sub (which I have, and I think hit ceiling), or 5.1 surround system (if not 7.1 but to achieve very good there is a significant investment I feel) or, just pool my money into great towers, and a sub, along with a very good receiver... which is what I've begun to build. I'm not a stranger to speakers, as I was a live audio tech for several years, though some years back now. You certainly, of course, don't get full body feel with headphones like you do with speakers. That's a good point some of you have made. Although I don't have huge rooms to make the most ideal case for speakers. Though, I don't need to go beyond what my situation/dimensions can handle.

And I still intend to use headphones, because I love that ear hug and semi isolation. Besides, when gaming, speakers intrude upon the mic. It's been years since someone was critical of my mic, and that's a point of pride. But I now see no reason why I shouldn't have a stereo system - as well as headphones. I would enjoy them Both.

Typically you may find usb Or optical input, sometimes both, and rca preamp output. These are basic features.

However, you may want balanced XLR input, sometimes you'll find all of the above.. XLR and RCA and coax and optical, Bluetooth (and what version matters for use case, range used, reliable connectivity, ear bud compatability, ... ie BT v4.0 to 5.2, LDAC, apt-x, etc), 3.5mm aux input, location of power and input selects for convenience sake, how easy the selects are to read and use, switches or buttons, tactility, the placement, feel and dampening on the volume knob perhaps, how easy it is to read said volume, overall build quality, remote control, digital display, HDMI input, custom EQ, 5 band, 10 band, Parametric EQ, MQA, or if you don't want MQA - none (and you may save 50-150 doing so), or ability to turn MQA on and off at will (rare), etc, etc.

The possible feature options or combinations thereof are many.

Unless you have a DAC problem you can hear and measure, you have no problem.

It's what people do when they have nothing further to do or spend their money on. A high end DAC is a solution to a virtual problem that isn't discernable to the human ear in so many cases that unless you're really intentionally looking for a bad dac below $89, you won't find one. Some people throw big money at expensive DACs because they want to be absolutely sure it's the best to match their expensive components. And then there is confirmation bias, a placebo effect that goes something like, Oh yes, now I can hear stupendous detail, and so much more width - because I paid $1400 for this DAC. Today, a $100-200 DAC is as audibly transparent, with vacuum of space-like pitch black noise floor to several zeros of fractional decimals beyond human hearing as a so-called high end DAC. THX in consumer products was a revelation for many, that you don't need to spend an arm and a leg to get perfect audio transparency - and power. Some people will say there's coloration in the 'budget' DACs. I think That's where the problem lies. Strictly because a DAC may be inexpensive and therefore available to most budgets, and because there are much more expensive DACs on the market, we call the cheaper DACs... Entry Level, as if.... there's tiers of excellence in the case of DACs. Excellence in DACs has come way down in expense. That's where we're at. It's finally amazing for everyone to enjoy at any budget. So don't go spending big money for audibly nothing in return. Or do. If you'd like to thank the R&D of top tier companies for the trickle down tech that gifted us all with "inexpensive high-end" DACs.

It's best to look for a dac with the Features you want. Maybe you want versatility, or maybe you want it to do just one thing. Maybe you want balanced connections, power button and selects on the face, Bluetooth, preamps, optical, USB, coax, subwoofer output, phono preamp with ground, a good feel, build, looks (constantly cleaning off really noticeable fingerprints on finishes piss me off lol), etc.

Lacquer the cardboard box several coats, and line it with black velvet. Maybe add a strap.

Strongly agree. Prices have come way down on great kit for a number of years. How they measure, power and hold up is very impressive. And that's the thing, it's so economical, so easy to put a great rig together it makes some people think they must be missing something. Na. With today's gear, we arrive at greatness from the start. It's wonderful. Where we may push beyond this setup may be towards a particular house sound, nuances, tubes, beyond zero inky black noise floor, or a particular amp for iems or super difficult to drive HPs. Or a plethora of other features, Bluetooth capable, displays, remotes, inputs/outputs, etc. If you're happy with this... Be happy. You're not behind the curve at all.

All beat up makes a statement. If these headphones could talk. I'd buy them for the right price.

The thought that counts, as they say.

My dad's not the healthiest and getting on up there, and I worry about him a lot. We do wish lists in my fam for Christmas and bdays, so generally you receive something you asked for. I'm pretty specific lol Title, features, UPC, where to find it, and maybe even price.

Maybe they're as awful as they look lol, but some day, if not already, you'll be thinking about this headset going, My dad gave good gifts!

You know it's also hard to sit and demo a headphone for a moments use you're not familiar with, coming from a gaming headset especially, but all headphones. It may strike you as oddly off or hollow, particularly when coming from a HP with bass boost, or a more forward mid, or virtual surround. Takes time for your hearing to adjust to the new sound character. Also I don't think the dt770 80 ohm is all that impressive. Not to knock it at all. It's good as far as closed backs are concerned for quiet/less bleed use cases, but an open back gains you more natural detail and soundstage. Also, try the higher ohm version with a dac and amp. Or the dt 990.

I found gaming headphones I've had... typically also utilized virtual surround software, which did bolster TV shows where otherwise the audio was extremely flat, and some movie cinematics benefit. But turning virtual surround off on say Astro A50s, it sounded cheap and hollow too. It couldn't produce natural sounding audio without surround effects turned on, and is tuned explicitly for that purpose. A warmer headphone, like the X2HR, I think sounds very good in stereo while gaming, and if I like, I can add Dolby Atmos or Windows Sonic surround effects. I rarely do.

It really depends on the headphones. A studio reference headphone for gaming isn't ideal for me. That said, many gamers I know turn on treble boost in game setup for FPS, and that makes the whole audio flat and hollow except for the top end for footsteps and such. They care more for the edge in hearing nearby movements than overall immersion in the game. I can't stand that personally. But in say warzone, as usual, I often can't hear people running straight at me until they're like 10 feet away and blasting me. lol But that's not the headphones (does this with all the headphone I've tried over the years, boosted or not), it's the game. They just can't seem to get audio cues correct. Other games do that far better, and I think they need to pirate what their competitors do. So I might as well enjoy the whole game's audio and not just Auto EQ it for a specific purpose.

The cans I use for solo gaming are the Audioquest nighthawk, which are a sort of semi open back, and warm. I think they're exceptional for music, gaming and movies. Without virtual surround.

I got the sense that it'll quit after a couple years or so in, seeing them frequently for sale online for Parts. The original, non-Drop THX amp (forget the model number? with the digital display, I rarely see for sale used, and people still pay a good amount for it - little doubt that it's built better.

But there are other amps in the similar price range that have a noise floor nearly as low, and inaudible in any case, you might check out. Topping, SMSL?

My reasonable human ears cannot hear beyond $1000.