if you want to work your way up, the 6xx is where most start. and the thing most will keep forever. depending on ur source u will likely not need a dac. any solid state amp will work if it measures well and has enough power. I hear the magni has plenty of power.
I see some used 6xx for like 90 if you want that, on eBay. I don’t use headphones made for gaming, so I can’t recommend them.
I hate the fact that people think that a headphone with improper volume reproduction on certain frequencies that makes things sound quieter, aka farther away, is a good thing. big soundstage is not a good thing to go after imo. it takes sound that is intimate and engaging and completely removes some of that all-important intimacy and honesty of the sound. this should not be a preference thing, I do not know how people have been THIS brainwashed by the big headphone reviewers and other influences that convince them that a “wide soundstage” is a good thing. I have had headphones that have this aspect to them, or at least more so than 6xx, such as 560s, ananda stealth, and focal elex, to name a few. elex is most similar but still a little quieter in the vocals while somehow having a sibilance issue. ananda is the worst headphone I have ever owned in regards to sibilance, very technically capable, but with terrible tuning. 560s made some things sound weirdly quieter than they are supposed to sound. so overall i can’t understand why people go for gear with these attributes.
I went into this hobby to get a better sound than what consumer brands offered. so I got 6xx because of all of the popularity and recommendations. did not, and still have not regretted it. I have tried to “upgrade” from it but it seems i just cant because any marginal improvement like with the elex bass and detail advantage comes with its own downsides, such as sibilance or that all important “soundstage”. 6xx is recommended for a reason. and people who hate on it just because of its popularity do not deserve respect from others in the community.
I also don’t like headphones and entire brands that tune their products to be unenjoyable to just listen to, just to get that last ounce of perceived detail, cough*(hifiman). if you have to eq a headphone for it to even remotely sound good, then imo its not worth the investment.
timbre and high resolve are not important for gaming. it will be fine on anything as long as ur getting left and right.
most people probably can’t tell the difference between aac or ldac. some people can’t tell the difference between aac and wired. if it sounds good to you then you shouldn’t worry about it.
well since there are no electrical components in the head band I’d say just soap and water if you are carefully not to get any anywhere near the earcups