How about if my PC has an Asus Xonar DG soundcard? Still huge upgrade to the Fulla? I'll have to start with that. Can't be spending a ton on a DAC right now lol
The Xonar DG's aren't bad and are certainly a step up from most integrated soundcards. Going up to something like a Fulla or higher would get you better detail retrieval and better imaging and separation between the sounds.
I'm a proponent of giving the DAC the majority of anyone's budget after they have their headphone figured out. A good DAC can make a huge difference and because of the (sometimes) complex circuitry needed to make the best ones there really is a difference between a cheap starter unit and something like the Gungnir Multibit (Gumby). I myself use a Metrum Musette and it was a big step up from the Modi Multibit (Mimby) which was itself a HUGE step up from the Fostex integrated DAC/Amp that I started with.
If you can swing it (or save up for it) a Modi Multibit is a pretty life changing DAC for $250 in comparison to what most people start off with and are currently using.
What kind of sound signature do ZMF's typically have? This is really hard when you can't just hear something before you buy. How should I even expect them to compare to something like the LCD-3's or X's other than being lighter? Why must this be complicated. I just wanted one pair of really good open backs with solid low end that aren't Stax. I feel like the LCD-X's were going to be the pair, but now maybe I need to wait? Am disgust.
As soon as I heard my Chord 2Qute I knew there was a different level of "good" fam.
Responding to the bolded: Think of a more detail oriented, more musical TH-X00 and you would be on the right track. The Atticus, in particular, has a similar sound signature while being a lot more sophisticated. The Eikon is more balanced but still has a lot of bass presence. ZMF headphones are never bright or fatiguing and tend to favor warm sound signatures. And for what it's worth, I love my Eikon (and can wear it all day) and Zach has been fantastic to correspond with and work with.
Supposedly the Auteur is using the same driver as the Eikon but being open allows it to have more air and a wider sound stage while also increasing detail retrieval. If it is as good as early reports are indicating it could be an extremely disruptive headphone for the price.