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Headphone Audiophiles - Page 14

post #391 of 917
8/8/11 at 11:00am
I am about to purchase the HD650 but I would like to do some homework first. I have a Onkyo 705 AVR and I would like to know can I use the headphone jack in the 705 alone or do I need/preferred a headphone amplifier? If I do need a headphone amp, which one would be good to use with the 650. I am looking to spend about $200 give or take a few dollars.
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post #392 of 917
8/8/11 at 3:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by neverfaithful View Post

I am about to purchase the HD650 but I would like to do some homework first. I have a Onkyo 705 AVR and I would like to know can I use the headphone jack in the 705 alone or do I need/preferred a headphone amplifier? If I do need a headphone amp, which one would be good to use with the 650. I am looking to spend about $200 give or take a few dollars.

With the HD650's and a budget of $200, I would forgo the amp and use your Onkyo.

ss
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post #393 of 917
8/8/11 at 6:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sillysally View Post
With the HD650's and a budget of $200, I would forgo the amp and use your Onkyo.

ss
If you like the sound stick with the Onkyo.. Getting into amps is a slippery slope.. I spent upwards of 800.00 on a dedicated headphone amp.

Quote:
Originally Posted by neverfaithful View Post
I am about to purchase the HD650 but I would like to do some homework first. I have a Onkyo 705 AVR and I would like to know can I use the headphone jack in the 705 alone or do I need/preferred a headphone amplifier? If I do need a headphone amp, which one would be good to use with the 650. I am looking to spend about $200 give or take a few dollars.
Stick with the receiver.

Quote:
Originally Posted by OtherSongs View Post
The thing the OPPO 95 offers is 3D.

I doubt that it offers much, if any, improved SQ over the OPPO 83 model.
The 2 channel audio will be a huge difference from the 83 to 95.. Everything else is the same.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sillysally View Post
The Stock cable for the 650's is 10 ft.

I have the Cardas cable for the 650, imo no improvement.

ss
Same. Waste of money. & I'm a 'cable believer.'

Quote:
Originally Posted by leng jai View Post
Setup: Oppo BD-93 -> Darkvoice 332 (The T1s didn't sound right with the Burson after some brief listening - I'll revisit later).

One day of listening and I am loving my first foray into Beyerdynamic audio. Guess it helps when you start at the top. The T1s easily have the best tonal balance of any headphone I've heard. To my ears its simply perfect. As others have mentioned before, these phones are genuine all rounders with no glaring deficiencies to speak of.

The bass response surprised me - these things have some serious performance in the low end. I would say they are slightly above neutral. Unlike the D7000s, the T1s seem to possess ample impact but enough control that it doesn't disrupt the midrange frequencies. The bass line at the beginning of Incubus' The Original has great impact and clarity. The T1s retain their sonic integrity on even the most bass heavy tracks. This is not a strike against the D7000s...anyone buying them knows what they're getting. If you're listening to Bloc Party you'll each for the T1s, but if you're in the mood for Daft Punk its D7000 time. In terms of pure quantity, the T1s are up around D7000 levels without the emphasis on mid-bass. The depth surpasses that of the K702/HD650/D7000 to my ears, though I'm sure many will contest that notion.

Detail is wonderful and competes with the K702 in this regard. Its painfully easy to hear which tracks are one dimensional on the T1s. Find the right recording and it'll seem like a puzzle being put together right before your ears. Angus & Julia Stone's Yellow Brick Road was so laden with detail it could have crumbled at any second. Modest Mouse's We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank sounded rejuvenated and energetic on the T1s. Compared to the K702s the detail levels are similar, but they're more upfront and apparent on the AKG offering.

Vocals are pretty smooth thanks to the slightly relaxed treble response and warmish midrange. Florence and the Machine's Lungs is a disc I've had sibilance issues with in the past but the T1s don't exhibit any here. Female vocals are quite intimate sounding, reminiscent of the HD650s (their biggest strength IMO) which is impressive. The D7000s don't even come into the conversation here. On the T1s, Leona Lewis' rendition of Run has never sounded better. Perhaps the one aspect of the T1s I'm disappointed with is the soundstage - it just doesn't appear to sound that airy especially in contrast to the AKG K702. Intstrument separation is good, if not great. Whether it be due to my amp or my inflated expectations, it has left me wanting more. Perhaps burn in will help, or not

Build quality wise these are the best out of all the cans I've owned. Definitely sturdier the D7000s and classier than the HD650s. The T1 logo is incredibly suave. I won't say they're more comfortable than the D7000s which are like placing cushions on your ears, but the T1s do fine; easily besting the HD650/AKG 702s.
Congrats on your purchase. About the T1, I know of a few owners & those who auditioned them that feel Beyers first & original flagship headphone, the 73 yr old DT48 is better.. I can link you a DT48 T1 comparison blog. The DT48 sounds like no other headphone you will ever hear. They are extremely polarizing. You will either think they are great or the worst headphone ever. I own 9 myself, & had 14. All from the 50's to 08.. They are my favorite closed headphones. The DT48 are also the most durable headphones ever created. All steel..Nuts & bolts.. No plastic or glue anywhere. A first for any headphone.
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post #394 of 917
8/8/11 at 7:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KBI View Post
If you like the sound stick with the Onkyo.. Getting into amps is a slippery slope.. I spent upwards of 800.00 on a dedicated headphone amp.
I think you are agreeing with me, but just to be clear I don't like the sound of my Onkyo 705 using the 1/4" headphone jack when compared to my WA5LE or Liquid Fire headphone Amp. Or for that matter my WA6SE headphone amp.

Yes I have a pair of senn HD-650 and a pair of HD-800's, but my go to headphones are my very hard to amp HE6's.

That said the HD-650's are a good set of headphones and will work with most A/V's or amps, but a headphone amp for around $200 will more than likely not help and therefore is more trouble than its worth.

ss
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post #395 of 917
8/9/11 at 12:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sillysally View Post

I think you are agreeing with me, but just to be clear I don't like the sound of my Onkyo 705 using the 1/4" headphone jack when compared to my WA5LE or Liquid Fire headphone Amp. Or for that matter my WA6SE headphone amp.

Yes I have a pair of senn HD-650 and a pair of HD-800's, but my go to headphones are my very hard to amp HE6's.

That said the HD-650's are a good set of headphones and will work with most A/V's or amps, but a headphone amp for around $200 will more than likely not help and therefore is more trouble than its worth.

ss

Hi guys, thanks for your candid responses. I find it interesting that using a HP amp would not make a difference than using the 705 HP jack. I am not complaining since it will save me about $200-250 on an amp. However, I asked the same question in Head-fi and one person recommended the Fiio E7/E9 which is only USB (which I do no want) and said my 705 should drive them as well and another said the NFB-12 which has optical, coax, and USB (which I would prefer). Oh and one guy said just get the HD598s since they do not require a amp.

What is your opinion on these suggested HP amps? Not worth it and I will not see a big difference? Just curious. I respect you prior recommendations as well. I am just a noob in this hobby. The last set of headphones were in-ear Beats by Dr. which sound ok but they keep falling out for me ear which annoys me to no end. Thanks for you responses.
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post #396 of 917
8/9/11 at 2:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by neverfaithful View Post

Hi guys, thanks for your candid responses. I find it interesting that using a HP amp would not make a difference than using the 705 HP jack. I am not complaining since it will save me about $200-250 on an amp. However, I asked the same question in Head-fi and one person recommended the Fiio E7/E9 which is only USB (which I do no want) and said my 705 should drive them as well and another said the NFB-12 which has optical, coax, and USB (which I would prefer). Oh and one guy said just get the HD598s since they do not require a amp.

What is your opinion on these suggested HP amps? Not worth it and I will not see a big difference? Just curious. I respect you prior recommendations as well. I am just a noob in this hobby. The last set of headphones were in-ear Beats by Dr. which sound ok but they keep falling out for me ear which annoys me to no end. Thanks for you responses.

I have the Senn 650HD. I bought the 200 dollar Firestone Audio Cute Beyond. I also purchased the op amp upgrade for 37 bucks. So total price was less than 250. Its better than my Denon 3311 ci jack, but by 237 bucks? I'm enjoying it alot. I'm sure some of what I'm hearing is I'm using the better output of my source for the headphone amp with HDMI going to the reciever.
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post #397 of 917
8/9/11 at 4:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by neverfaithful View Post

Hi guys, thanks for your candid responses. I find it interesting that using a HP amp would not make a difference than using the 705 HP jack. I am not complaining since it will save me about $200-250 on an amp. However, I asked the same question in Head-fi and one person recommended the Fiio E7/E9 which is only USB (which I do no want) and said my 705 should drive them as well and another said the NFB-12 which has optical, coax, and USB (which I would prefer). Oh and one guy said just get the HD598s since they do not require a amp.

What is your opinion on these suggested HP amps? Not worth it and I will not see a big difference? Just curious. I respect you prior recommendations as well. I am just a noob in this hobby. The last set of headphones were in-ear Beats by Dr. which sound ok but they keep falling out for me ear which annoys me to no end. Thanks for you responses.

Well the NFB-12 is a great bang for your buck, but that amp is also a DAC/Amp combo. Might be a good way to go as long as your Onkyo will convert the different codes to PCM/stereo and send them via Toslink (digital) to your DAC/Amp.

The Cute Amp I have heard some pretty good things about for the price if you upgrade the op-amp. The one downside is the volume control (pot), some folks have problems with it. But in this case you may have to use the stereo RCA jacks for analog to whatever Amp you are using, unless the Amp also has a DAC.

Anyway the only way you can be sure if its better than what you have now is to try it and compare.

My first amp was a LD IV-SE tube amp and a pair of HD650's and yes it is better than my Onkyo. My son know has that combo.

DAC= Digital to Analog Conversion.

ss
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post #398 of 917
8/9/11 at 4:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by neverfaithful View Post

Hi guys, thanks for your candid responses. I find it interesting that using a HP amp would not make a difference than using the 705 HP jack. I am not complaining since it will save me about $200-250 on an amp. However, I asked the same question in Head-fi and one person recommended the Fiio E7/E9 which is only USB (which I do no want) and said my 705 should drive them as well and another said the NFB-12 which has optical, coax, and USB (which I would prefer). Oh and one guy said just get the HD598s since they do not require a amp.

What is your opinion on these suggested HP amps? Not worth it and I will not see a big difference? Just curious. I respect you prior recommendations as well. I am just a noob in this hobby. The last set of headphones were in-ear Beats by Dr. which sound ok but they keep falling out for me ear which annoys me to no end. Thanks for you responses.

For the Fiio set up you can also get by with just the E9 if you want to use a line out from your source as the E9 portion does have an input jack... I just got my 650s this last week along with the FiioE9 and i'm quite happy with the combo so far... haven't had much time on the headphone rig this weekend though b/c one of my ears clogged up (wax build up, usually have to go to an ENT once a year to clean out, sorry for the TMI) so i've got to get that fixed today before resuming headphone listening.
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post #399 of 917
8/9/11 at 5:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sillysally View Post

The Cute Amp I have heard some pretty good things about for the price if you upgrade the op-amp. The one downside is the volume control (pot), some folks have problems with it. But in this case you may have to use the stereo RCA jacks for analog to whatever Amp you are using, unless the Amp also has a DAC.

ss

Yes, I have to use the stereo RCA jacks from the bdp-83 dedicated stereo outs to the cute beyond. It has no dac. In that type set up it works well.

I've never noticed any problem with the volume control pot. The problems I've heard of where imbalance at low volumes. I leave the gain switch on low as I can achieve adequate to loud volume with the 650s at that setting. It may be that I'm using the pot past the range of problem with the low gain setting.
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post #400 of 917
8/9/11 at 6:05am
I don't know about anybody else but I'm very happy with my Sen HD555 going straight to my HTPc's Creative x-fi sound card with crystalizer activated.
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post #401 of 917
8/9/11 at 8:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by neverfaithful View Post

Hi guys, thanks for your candid responses. I find it interesting that using a HP amp would not make a difference than using the 705 HP jack. I am not complaining since it will save me about $200-250 on an amp. However, I asked the same question in Head-fi and one person recommended the Fiio E7/E9 which is only USB (which I do no want) and said my 705 should drive them as well and another said the NFB-12 which has optical, coax, and USB (which I would prefer). Oh and one guy said just get the HD598s since they do not require a amp.

What is your opinion on these suggested HP amps? Not worth it and I will not see a big difference? Just curious. I respect you prior recommendations as well. I am just a noob in this hobby. The last set of headphones were in-ear Beats by Dr. which sound ok but they keep falling out for me ear which annoys me to no end. Thanks for you responses.

Don't get me a wrong. a good dedicated amp would be better then using your okyo.. Just for your price range it's not worth it.. I'd try to find a used bada12 hybrid SS/tube amp for 225-300. Great amp for the price, & really tightens up the 650's bass & goes very deep.. & doesn't have the syrupy tubey sound.. It won't make your 650's sound extra rich or warm, & you can tube toll for a different sound.. IIMO source is the most important. I feel going balanced really transforms the 650 into another beast.. But that's another thing entirely.
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post #402 of 917
8/9/11 at 12:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by swifty7 View Post

I don't know about anybody else but I'm very happy with my Sen HD555 going straight to my HTPc's Creative x-fi sound card with crystalizer activated.

Is that because you do not need an amp to drive the 555?
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post #403 of 917
8/9/11 at 12:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by glangford View Post

I have the Senn 650HD. I bought the 200 dollar Firestone Audio Cute Beyond. I also purchased the op amp upgrade for 37 bucks. So total price was less than 250. Its better than my Denon 3311 ci jack, but by 237 bucks? I'm enjoying it alot. I'm sure some of what I'm hearing is I'm using the better output of my source for the headphone amp with HDMI going to the reciever.

Hi, where did you purchase this Firestone amp?
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post #404 of 917
8/9/11 at 12:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by neverfaithful View Post

Hi, where did you purchase this Firestone amp?

http://www.audiophileproducts.com/headphone-amp

You'll find it at an amazon seller and audio advisor as well but without the op amp upgrade. You can find the op amp upgrade on ebay as well.

I choose to just buy it direct from the NA distributor. May have taken a little longer that way, but they went ahead and installed the upgraded op amp. They have a selection of different op amps so instead of tube rolling, you can op amp roll! ONe guy even fit a burson audio fully discrete op amp in one.
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post #405 of 917
8/9/11 at 5:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by glangford View Post

Yes, I have to use the stereo RCA jacks from the bdp-83 dedicated stereo outs to the cute beyond. It has no dac. In that type set up it works well.

I've never noticed any problem with the volume control pot. The problems I've heard of where imbalance at low volumes. I leave the gain switch on low as I can achieve adequate to loud volume with the 650s at that setting. It may be that I'm using the pot past the range of problem with the low gain setting.

Nice setup for the price. Your BDP-83 and its dedicated 2Ch stereo rca jacks as the source to your Cute, should make for good AQ with your HD650's.

Yes the low end volume is were the problem is, at-least from what I have read.

ss
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post #406 of 917
8/9/11 at 6:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by glangford View Post

http://www.audiophileproducts.com/headphone-amp

You'll find it at an amazon seller and audio advisor as well but without the op amp upgrade. You can find the op amp upgrade on ebay as well.

I choose to just buy it direct from the NA distributor. May have taken a little longer that way, but they went ahead and installed the upgraded op amp. They have a selection of different op amps so instead of tube rolling, you can op amp roll! ONe guy even fit a burson audio fully discrete op amp in one.

Ok thank you for the info., Now I have to see if a HP amp in my price range of $200-$250 will be worth it? EBI said it will not be with getting an amp in this price range. What you think about that opinion?
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post #407 of 917
8/9/11 at 6:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by neverfaithful View Post

Is that because you do not need an amp to drive the 555?

yes, the 555 are very efficient cans and my sound card can run it beautifully.
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post #408 of 917
8/9/11 at 8:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by swifty7 View Post

I don't know about anybody else but I'm very happy with my Sen HD555 going straight to my HTPc's Creative x-fi sound card with crystalizer activated.

do your self a HUGE favor and don't listen to anything else. I "loved" my Grado SR-80 plugged into an Auzentech X-Meridian. That didn't last too long.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sillysally View Post

Yes I have a pair of senn HD-650 and a pair of HD-800's, but my go to headphones are my very hard to amp HE6's.

The HifiMan HE-6 I presume? Those are probably the only expensive can I really enjoy with the exception of a prototype Stax SR-009 I heard at a recent meetup. They are the silver ones below and no way would I spend over $5000 on them. As for those HD800 I find they are very picky in terms of what powers them and because of that I don't like really care for them. Plus they really lack bass.

Since this thread has gotten kind of active I'll post up some photos of some of the sickest headphones I've had the pleasure of listening to.

You guys can play a guessing game as to what some of them are...hint there's an Orpheus hidden in one of these photos.











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post #409 of 917
8/9/11 at 11:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nosferatu View Post

do your self a HUGE favor and don't listen to anything else. I "loved" my Grado SR-80 plugged into an Auzentech X-Meridian. That didn't last too long.



The HifiMan HE-6 I presume? Those are probably the only expensive can I really enjoy with the exception of a prototype Stax SR-009 I heard at a recent meetup. They are the silver ones below and no way would I spend over $5000 on them. As for those HD800 I find they are very picky in terms of what powers them and because of that I don't like really care for them. Plus they really lack bass.

Since this thread has gotten kind of active I'll post up some photos of some of the sickest headphones I've had the pleasure of listening to.

You guys can play a guessing game as to what some of them are...hint there's an Orpheus hidden in one of these photos.




WOW...............OMFG..............

Someone here is an audiophile, hardcore.......
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post #410 of 917
8/10/11 at 4:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by neverfaithful View Post

Ok thank you for the info., Now I have to see if a HP amp in my price range of $200-$250 will be worth it? EBI said it will not be with getting an amp in this price range. What you think about that opinion?

In my set up, I think it is definitely worth it. I don't use the dedicated Oppo stereo outs to my denon. I only use HDMI there to take advanage of audyssey room correction. With the stereo out source I can forgo a dac and the Cute Beyond suffices nicely. Op amp rolling gives me the fun of tailoring my set up to my liking. its also a set up that allows me to do everything without powering up the denon.

I had started to go to a low end tube set up, but as low as I was willing to go was a woo audio 3 with tube upgrade. Given I'm new to the headphone community I thought the tubeless option best as I step into this. If I really get into headphones more and more, I'll upgrade. For now, its a great set up.
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post #411 of 917
8/10/11 at 5:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sillysally View Post

Nice setup for the price. Your BDP-83 and its dedicated 2Ch stereo rca jacks as the source to your Cute, should make for good AQ with your HD650's.

Yes the low end volume is were the problem is, at-least from what I have read.

ss

Thanks. Yes, I'm enjoying it alot. SACD from the oppo is heaven!!

I did buy a 10 ft extension cable for the 650s. I found a guy on ebay who makes Canare cable extensions with Neutrix connectors. Price was cheaper than the standard Grado extension many buy. Now I can sit out on the screen porch in the evenings with my phones. As far as I can tell the cable is very transparent. When its time for a new cable for the 650s I may just buy one from him of the proper length.
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post #412 of 917
8/10/11 at 5:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by coolsax View Post

haven't had much time on the headphone rig this weekend though b/c one of my ears clogged up (wax build up, usually have to go to an ENT once a year to clean out, sorry for the TMI) so i've got to get that fixed today before resuming headphone listening.

Yes probably too much info, but I have that problem in one ear. In my right ear I've had a severe infection that caused minor damage and then a baro-trauma incident in flight. Headphones or any loud sound source will tend to push down and plug a wax build up if you are prone to that. I'd recommend the over the counter wax removers with the little bulb to rinse out your ear. They work well if you let the solution soak enough. Rinse with warm water. It may take a few applications. I do my right ear every couple of months. The left stays pretty clean. Allergies compound the problem so I'm on a prescription of a nasal allergy spray.

A little off topic, but very pertinent to headphone users, if you have that problem.
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post #413 of 917
8/10/11 at 11:42pm
I decided to just go with the Sennheisers HD598 over the HD650. It is more user friendly for my needs and do not require much amperage.

Anyone here have the HD598s?
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post #414 of 917
8/11/11 at 6:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by neverfaithful View Post

I decided to just go with the Sennheisers HD598 over the HD650. It is more user friendly for my needs and do not require much amperage.

Anyone here have the HD598s?

That is what I started to buy. I read good things about them. I opted for the 650s. You can probably get more info about them from head-fi. This slow turnover thread is mainly used by hi end headphone users. I tend to feel out of place here myself.

Whatever you buy. Check electronics expo on line. Use the make an offer feature and offer 20-25% less. They'll generally take it.
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post #415 of 917
8/11/11 at 5:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nosferatu View Post


The HifiMan HE-6 I presume? Those are probably the only expensive can I really enjoy with the exception of a prototype Stax SR-009 I heard at a recent meetup. They are the silver ones below and no way would I spend over $5000 on them. As for those HD800 I find they are very picky in terms of what powers them and because of that I don't like really care for them. Plus they really lack bass.

Since this thread has gotten kind of active I'll post up some photos of some of the sickest headphones I've had the pleasure of listening to.

You guys can play a guessing game as to what some of them are...hint there's an Orpheus hidden in one of these photos.

Yes you presume right, but I am sure you already know this .

I did get a Liquid Fire amp and a W4S DAC1 with the upgraded caps last Friday to pair with my HE-6's, I am still braking-in this combo but so far this combo sounds very promising.

Here's a list of some of your current headphones taken from your profile on Head-Fi.

Edition 9 (APS V3 balanced), Denon D2000 (Amboyna Burl cups, JMoney ear pads, Markl moded and recabled with APS V3 balanced), JVC/Victor DX1000 Zeus cable balanced, Denon D7000 balanced with JMoney ear pads, ATH-ESW10JPN, T1 Zeus balanced, HD800 with DHC Complement balanced cable, HE-6 with balanced Zeus cable.

Very impressive gear, but I still like my 300B's better than yours.

ss
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post #416 of 917
8/11/11 at 5:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sillysally View Post

Here's a list of some of your current headphones taken from your profile on Head-Fi.

Edition 9 (APS V3 balanced), Denon D2000 (Amboyna Burl cups, JMoney ear pads, Markl moded and recabled with APS V3 balanced), JVC/Victor DX1000 Zeus cable balanced, Denon D7000 balanced with JMoney ear pads, ATH-ESW10JPN, T1 Zeus balanced, HD800 with DHC Complement balanced cable, HE-6 with balanced Zeus cable.

Very impressive gear, but I still like my 300B's better than yours.

Wish that was my gear lol. I recognize that list you pulled it's probably musicman59 over there. He's a local buddy of mine. I just have the HD600, Denon AH-D7000, and an old Grado SR-80.
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post #417 of 917
8/11/11 at 7:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nosferatu View Post

Wish that was my gear lol. I recognize that list you pulled it's probably musicman59 over there. He's a local buddy of mine. I just have the HD600, Denon AH-D7000, and an old Grado SR-80.

Yes I did get that list from Jose.

Your pictures have some of Jose gears in them, like the WA5LE.

Here is a picture of my newest amp.
LL
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post #418 of 917
8/12/11 at 8:27am
Some nice pictures with Audeze LCD 2.

http://soundnews.ro/2011/08/08/audez...um-headphones/
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post #419 of 917
8/12/11 at 5:20pm
I just finished reading through this entire thread. Very helpful! I've enjoyed following "glangford's" progress especially. Also, nice to see you here "neverfaithful!"

I decided to get a pair of headphones and ordered the HD598 last month. I was going to use them with my Oppo BDP-83 and Carver Receiver (80's vintage integrated) headphone jack. Unfortunately, the bass was horribly bloated. Then I tried them out with the headphone jack of my Pioneer Elite AVR (SC-25) and they sounded good (if a little bright for my tastes).

So I ordered the HD650. Carver bass problem mostly solved - but still a little loose. They sound good with many of my discs but with some recordings, they sound muddy and dark (Diana Krall albums for example I can't hear the wire brush strokes, rim shots, and high hat taps).

I decided to try out an amp to see if that would clear them up. I ordered a Schiit Audio Asgard. The amp did tighten up the bass a little but it did nothing for the high freqs.

I haven't seen this talked about anywhere (here or head-fi), but it seems to me that there is a wide variation in the frequency response of different recordings. Some albums sound bloomy and muffled on the 650 and other albums sound lean and bright (have you ever listened to Dire Straits, "Brothers in Arms" SACD? I can't imagine any amp/headphone taming that shrill beast!). What I'm thinking about is finding a nice integrated receiver or amp that has a good headphone stage and tone controls (Heresy, I know!). Does this even exist? What do you do when you listen to an album and the mastering just doesn't sound right?

I figure that if I basically like the sound of the 598s driven from my Pioneer AVR, shouldn't a higher-end stereo receiver from NAD or Yamaha provide even better analog sound? That and the flexibility of being able to trim the frequency response from album to album if needed should be a great "mid-fi solution, right? And If I choose the 650 (or another higher-end headphone), it can grow with me as I upgrade.

Believe me, I really want to like the HD650 and I'd love to buy a sweet Burson or Woo amp and make them sing. But I'm afraid that even if I do, they will still only sound great with 1/3 of my music collection.

I listen to CDs, SACDs, and DVD-A discs mostly. I'm not into FLAC or computer audio yet, but I'm open to broadening my horizons.
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post #420 of 917
8/12/11 at 6:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by glangford View Post
Thanks. Yes, I'm enjoying it alot. SACD from the oppo is heaven!!

I did buy a 10 ft extension cable for the 650s. I found a guy on ebay who makes Canare cable extensions with Neutrix connectors. Price was cheaper than the standard Grado extension many buy. Now I can sit out on the screen porch in the evenings with my phones. As far as I can tell the cable is very transparent. When its time for a new cable for the 650s I may just buy one from him of the proper length.
Got a link for the guy on ebay?

Also what is the Canare wire number? Is it a simple zip (2 parallel wires) type wire or something more complex?
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