Oppos don't require anything more than an O2 amp or a basic Fiio. They can't resolve the noise off a turntable.

For those who have heard it, how does the HP1 compare with some of the other changstar beloveds? What's a good price for one nowadays and does it play nice with a BA (every Grado I've owned did, but still didn't like any of them enough to keep)?

All you really get from better (well, maybe just different types of) amps with the Oppos is a more powerful or thicker sound. They can sound thinner than usual from other sources IME. Other than that, not a whole lot of scaling room beyond that unless you run them from something horrible. Not pointing to any specific mod method, but I do think the Oppos have some room to grow with mods...it's just a hassle when you could get something that works great right away instead.

Personally, you'd be better off with something like an HD600 or 650, since you're not trying to maximize a simple portable setup or something. And if there's something about those you don't like, usually you can tweak them with very simple damping mods to suit your tastes (very few fall into this category). I really couldn't stand the 560 I heard, but that's me. I know a lot of guys love them.

Anax,

You've heard the HP1 right? Hell, you heard everything. Are they worth the 2k price they command?

I own an HP1. In fact it's one of the most neutral measured HP-1's in stock form. Tari also has a set as his go to primary phones for daily use. Marv and LFF had HP-1's.

Price wise, it's inherently more neutral than most dynamics on the market except for perhaps a slight midbass accentuation on many units but it's not a resolution champ like the HD800 but does well enough considering. I'd put it's resolution at some better mid-fi planars. I could never justify $2K on those points alone myself, but I can and did justify it as one of the most perfectly tuned by ear phones in history with limited production and historical significance.

I don't listen to mine much as the HD800 is my primary and my rig is built around it, but I'll probably never sell my pair of HP-1's.

Oppos don't require anything more than an O2 amp or a basic Fiio. They can't resolve the noise off a turntable.

Interesting. Looks like I'll stick with the HD600.