Headphone Audiophiles - Page 15

Originally Posted by OtherSongs

There is no perfect solution. A pre or AVR or integrated amp that has tone controls may work; more often it further screws up the sound. But I'm told that there are a few units out there that don't, good luck finding one.

One thing to try (for a CD that you like) is buy a different pressing of it. Since you live in USA, that'd be an "import"

Maybe. The most meaningful learning experience is to spend big bucks, plug it in and listen, and be disappointed. Go slow.

I use my headphones (Senn 650 and 595) with my desktop PC's (.flac files) via a Nuforce Icon HDP dac/amp. Small footprint on my desktop and easy to use.

Even if you aren't demanding, there is no perfect headphone nor any other piece of home hifi gear.

Originally Posted by palmfish

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?

Originally Posted by OtherSongs

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?

Originally Posted by Nosferatu

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.

Originally Posted by glangford

If you do a google on custom headphone extension, you'll get to this. From there you can go to his ebay store and see all his cables..

http://cgi.ebay.com/Custom-Canare-He...#ht_720wt_1165

From the description:

"You're looking at a 10' Headphone extension cable using Canare L-4E6S star quad cable and Neutrik Male & Female 1/4" Gold contact connectors. The Connector boots are also color matching. I can make these in any of the following colors: Black, Brown, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, or Purple. Pictured is a cable made with Red CONNECTORS. The 1/4" Connectors are Neutrik NJ3FC6-B & NP3X-B. I make these cables myself in the USA."

Originally Posted by palmfish

I have done this for several of my favorite albums (Dark Side of the Moon, Turn of a Friendly Card, Tubular Bells, and a few others). Many of my albums sound fine with loudspeakers. It's a headphone thing for me - they are too revealing. Are there albums that you own but don't listen too because they don't sound good?

Originally Posted by palmfish

Hmmm, I may have to revisit the Icon HDP. I actually tried the Icon HD once and remember liking it, but I didn't buy it because it doesn't have analog inputs.

Originally Posted by OtherSongs



As you likely know, the HDP has a front input knob for RCA/analog or digital/S/PDIF(either coax or Toslink but only one at the same time) or USB. So it turns out that I'm already set for using RCA from a standalone player for SACD discs, and don't need a Cute Beyond for that.

Originally Posted by sillysally

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.

Originally Posted by swifty7

Good God!! do you own that setup or you're just auditioning them

Originally Posted by palmfish

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.

Originally Posted by coolsax

be aware I believe both the HE-6 and LCD-2 need some pretty hefty head amps to be driven well.. heck you can even hook the HE 6 up to a speaker amp that doesn't have too many watts. the LCD i think is a little easier to drive. both are only 50ohm impedance but they have fair low sensitivity ratings.

Originally Posted by Nosferatu

while the LCD-2 is not too hard to drive (at least not with my amp) I did have issues with the HE-6. It played to an acceptable volume but if I wanted to go louder it just wasn't there lol.

They definitely need some juice to run. I have about 1.8 watts of power at 50ohm which is what they rate the HE6 at and I had issues.

Originally Posted by palmfish

What amp are you using that's sufficient?

I looked into the Cavalli Liquid Fire and, , I won't be spending that kind of money on a headamp any time soon!

Originally Posted by palmfish

I loved the LCD-2 and HD800. But while listening to them, I couldn't help but think about how much they remind me of the HD600 (a little leaner and brighter than the 650).

I fell in love with the Peachtree Audio Nova. The Marantz was surprisingly very close sound-wise, but I just love the sound, design, build quality, and features (inputs, DAC, tube, etc.) of the Nova. I spoke with David Solomon today about maybe ordering a factory refurbished Nova for $999. He was very helpful and answered all of my questions about quality control (they are fully inspected and tested) and warranty support (yes, they're fully warranted).

So today, I shipped the HD650's back to the store and decided to keep the HD600's.

Originally Posted by palmfish

Then I ordered the Peachtree Nova. Since I live in WA, sales tax brings the price of a refurb within $100 of a new one, and since I want Rosewood (which isn't available in refurb), I ordered a new one from Amazon.com instead. I also picked up a Musical Fidelity v-lps phono preamp to keep my vinyl spinning.

Originally Posted by SID3W8Z

I've been looking at these as well. What made you decide to go with the Nova over the iDecco? I'm swinging toward the iDecco myself.

Originally Posted by SID3W8Z

Very valid points. I have an iPod full of ALAC files (as well as a laptop full), though... Since I use an Airport Express, I could probably forgo the dock too.

Originally Posted by SID3W8Z

I don't know much about the squeezebox, but I stream from my Mac to the Express and use my iPad as a remote...works great! So, I'll probably stick to that for now...though I will take a harder look at the Nova over the iDecco now.

Originally Posted by SID3W8Z


Sweet! What are you running as a DAC?