AudioCircle
Audio/Video Gear and Systems => Headphone Mania => Topic started by: mcgsxr on 8 Dec 2015, 09:40 pm
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Earlier this year I put the final touches on my main setup and feel very satisfied that it works well for me.
So, since I cannot sit still for long, time to refocus on a 2nd system to use when the kids take over the basement where the Maggies live.
In years past I ran some very modded Grados, a Logitech Touch and a hybrid tube headamp.
This time I am setting up the same Touch but with a CIA power supply, a set of Senn Momentum and a Matrix Mini i DAC/amp.
Should be good fun for up to 24/192 files.
Now the saving for a different set of phones can begin!
Like the Senns as they are closed and provide isolation. May consider planar headphones in the future for a 2nd set.
Good fun!
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Dale, have you revisited the HD650 since moving back to "the dark side"? I love mine; on those recordings where they do sound "dark", I find that just a smudge of treble boost makes that vanish while preserving the smoothness they're noted for. I find myself doing the exact opposite sometimes on my Ety IEMs. A lot of program material sounds too "hot" to me on the highs otherwise. But tipped up highs and boom car bass seem to be becoming "the new normal" with many new products- a good example being the B&O H8. The H6 has a nice, neutral, clean signature; the H8 has some of the most obnoxious rubbery, one-note bass I've ever heard.Maybe that's why they call it the "H8"?
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I have not owned a ton of headphones, but have heard a few different types.
Owned or own now:
Westone iems (own now)
Sennheiser Momentums (own now)
Grado SR80i - stock and then very modded
Alessandro MS1
Beyerdynamic DT880
Panasonic noise cancelling
Shure se215 iems
Koss Portapro
Have heard:
Shure SRH-1440
Sennheiser HD600
Hifiman HE400
I will be following the used market with interest in the coming months. The Matrix will drive headphones up to 300ohm, so it leaves a lot of choices.
I enjoy the Momentums just fine for times I want/need a closed back phone.
With a dedicated headphone setup being put in place in the living room (gear will be out of sight) I will likely want to also have a set of open back phones for certain days too.
Won't want to spend more than USD$250.
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If you're lucky, you could probably snag a brand new HD600 within your budget when all the Xmas/boxing day sales kick in.
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I don't recall the H6 as being strongly colored, but once you've listened to Beats, practically everything else sounds neutral. I saw today at work a B&O H7 which was new to me, but I didn't have time to look into it. I suspect it might be a replacement for the H6, perhaps with the same rubbery sounding one-note-bass tuning. Follow up: The H7 appears to be a downgraded H8, still with Bluetooth but with the active noise cancelling feature removed.
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I have not owned a ton of headphones, but have heard a few different types.
Owned or own now:
Westone iems (own now)
Sennheiser Momentums (own now)
Grado SR80i - stock and then very modded
Alessandro MS1
Beyerdynamic DT880
Panasonic noise cancelling
Shure se215 iems
Koss Portapro
Have heard:
Shure SRH-1440
Sennheiser HD600
Hifiman HE400
I will be following the used market with interest in the coming months. The Matrix will drive headphones up to 300ohm, so it leaves a lot of choices.
I enjoy the Momentums just fine for times I want/need a closed back phone.
With a dedicated headphone setup being put in place in the living room (gear will be out of sight) I will likely want to also have a set of open back phones for certain days too.
Won't want to spend more than USD$250.
At that price, the Beyer Custom One might deserve a spot on the shortlist, although I can hardly argue with your choice of the Momentum.
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At that price, the Beyer Custom One might deserve a spot on the shortlist, although I can hardly argue with your choice of the Momentum.
The Beyer COP loses utterly to the DT770. Sure it has those bass vents to play with, but the technical chops are weak and the driver is really the weak link. I have literally transplanted drivers from each into the other, and the COP drivers are a floppy mess compared to the DT770 drivers.
The COP Studio might show some promise with the new drivers, but I have not heard it yet.
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The custom studio is supposed to have different drivers... I think 70 ohm? There's a fella over at headfi who put some T1 drivers in there.
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Bringing in a set of the Senn HD598 Special Editions.
The Matrix Mini I is doing well driving the Momentums and a set of borrowed HD558's.
But a local Cayin HA-1A has me wondering about tubes...
I used to use a Millet Max hybrid with some Grados and liked that.
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Let us know how you like the 598's, I've always thought they looked awesome......Enjoy!!!!!! :thumb:
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Generally tube amps are more suited for higher impedance headphones, unless we're talking hybrid amps, which are usually good for a wide variety of impedances.
On a more general note, I was listening to some Hifiman HE 560's and thought they were really nice and much better than my 400i's, but weren't in the budget right now. The shop owner asked what I was listening to now and I proudly listed my collection. He said they were a very nice group of headphones, but that I could sell two of them and use the proceeds to buy a much nicer headphone. Made me think about allocating resources for a collection of very good headphones vs one really great one.
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http://www.amazon.com/Spark-Cayin-HA-1A-Integrated-Headphone/dp/B00JSNM328 (http://www.amazon.com/Spark-Cayin-HA-1A-Integrated-Headphone/dp/B00JSNM328)
This is the Cayin available locally. It is way under "retail" and a short drive so I may go for it - likely more from a future proofing perspective than thinking it ideal for the 598's. It has an impedance matching capability that intrigues me, and I did enjoy the tube flavor of the Millet years ago.
The 598's are meant to do a couple of things for me. They are not meant to be an all out assault on head-fi. They are not meant to be the best I can afford.
They (and their 518 and 558 siblings) are by far the most comfortable things I have ever put on my head. My old Grado's were a vice by comparison, and the velour earpads combined with light clamping make for comfort with my glasses (a requirement for doing any work). They are light, open, and sound good to me.
They are meant to represent a realistic mid fi listening point.
We have recently brought home 2 rescue kittens, and I am a little worried about my Maggie 1.6's when they are eventually released into the basement. My 4 year old cat sniffed them once, and never went near them again. These little 12 week old monsters are climbing all over everything, and I can almost predict their reaction to 5'4 giant "scratching posts"!
So, headphones will factor more in my listening. I hope not to have to sell the Maggies, but I will if I have to.
So I may find myself going deeper and deeper into headphones. And if I don't, then I bought something I know I will like (and in this sport that feels priceless!).
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Generally tube amps are more suited for higher impedance headphones, unless we're talking hybrid amps, which are usually good for a wide variety of impedances.
Made me think about allocating resources for a collection of very good headphones vs one really great one.
Depends where you are in relation to the law of diminishing returns is how I look at it. If that one headphone is truly great, and sounds truly great on almost all the source material you will be putting through it, that's one thing, but in most cases, a (let's say) $1.5K headphone is not ""twice as good" as a (let's say) $750 headphone (obviously there are many variables here). I kind of like the flexibility of choice that headphones make easy compared to speakers.... Pick something off the "rack"... Would you want to go to the same restaurant every night, even if it was a four star restaurant?
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Go to your local pet store and pick up a can of cat repellant and spray it around your speakers.
I sprayed a light coating on black Magnepan socks with no discoloration and it seemed to work with my grey Persian.
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I will see about that.
My older cat could care less. I trust kittens a lot less!
I may just store them in the garage until they calm down.
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Totally non-audio-related, but I hope Cat #1 is handling the additions well.
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Depends where you are in relation to the law of diminishing returns is how I look at it. If that one headphone is truly great, and sounds truly great on almost all the source material you will be putting through it, that's one thing, but in most cases, a (let's say) $1.5K headphone is not ""twice as good" as a (let's say) $750 headphone (obviously there are many variables here). I kind of like the flexibility of choice that headphones make easy compared to speakers.... Pick something off the "rack"... Would you want to go to the same restaurant every night, even if it was a four star restaurant?
Oh I agree, that's why there's five or six headphones around here, just wondering whether that viewpoint should change for me or for others. OTH as soon as I sell two to buy one, will I just buy another anyway? Headphone Mania is....
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Give some thought to an variable loudness control. You know, to compensate for the fact that as the volume of audio decreases... They are nice for adding a reasonable amount of bass & treble for those of us who don't have perfect hearing. Despite what the purists think., its your hearing that matters.
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I used to chase the best headphones on the planet and had a taste with my HE5's and once they became my headphones for awhile I realized to me they sounded perfect but at the same time something was missing. I knew to get anything better for me was just going to be redundant and sort of if not just plain stupid considering being disabled and limited as far as income goes so I thought about the next thing to get and it was always sort of silly.....follow me?
I remembered the first headphones I tried that really amazed me and looked at them for my answer and it was musicality, toe tapping, awesome mood provoking music playback. For me it was Grado's so I got zepp's ear and asked him to buy his PS500's if he ever chose to sell them. He found some cans down the road that ticked all the boxes for him and let me buy the PS500's which to me are the best Grado's I could realistically get my hands on......now music is fun again and always a joy to listen too instead of becoming an experiment in "let me see if this music brings out any flaws in my current #1 headphones".
That worked for me it might not work for everybody but I know since they (the PS500's) have shown up I really found where my fun in this hobby lies and its in the source components and I started with my favorite DAC chip and have been working the hobby that way.
I saved and got a source player with my DAC of choice (Sabre chips in my iBasso DX90 digital audio player).
I use it on my walks and in my main rig to playback the digital files I have collected, and it works for now.....LOL....famous last words!!!!
Thats why I'm sort of quiet on here these days........I'm a reader of posts and less of a purveyor of a point of view if that makes sense.
Mark you and I have been here for years and its still fun isn't it my friend?????
Try some cool portables if want to branch out.......I have a Fiio X1 (Gen1) and my iBasso and couldn't be happier unless I won the lottery.......hahahahahahah...... :duh: :lol: :roll: :dance:
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Picked up the NIB HD598's this afternoon. Have them running in now, will let them run for a few days in the basement when I am not using them.
Initial impressions is that they are similar to the 558's I had borrowed (which is a good thing to me), with a little more head clamp (likely as they brand new, vs the 2 year old 558's).
Immediately I like them, so that's a good thing.
I have decided to buy the Cayin HA-1A. I could not resist it. For US$165 it is too good an option to pass on. Even if it does not improve the HD598's much, it will suit many different choices in the future.
Agree that the fun for me (and some of us I see) is trying stuff. Some guys are into wine, or beer, or cigars. I buy and sell audio gear.
Headphones offer an amazing insight into music, and a different take on listening for me.
The 598's to me are a good peak in a mid fi headphone. They do a lot right, fit well (including when I want to wear glasses), are comfortable to wear and should last.
eclein - I hear you on the Grado's. I have not heard the ones you reference, but had a chance to hear much of the lineup at a local Head Fi gathering in Toronto. I liked the SR60i's that I modded the heck out of, but still found the pads hard to use with glasses on for prolonged listening.
Once the obsession sets in for something else, they will offer a good value for money benchmark for future considerations.
More once I mature the setup this weekend!
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The PS500 (original 2011 version) was one of the best headphones I've had for long-term listening.
Mine are the originals and like you say I never get tired of listening to them. I use IEMs a bit more than full size headphones but the Grados just make me smile every time I put them on.
Mark those modded Grados we all were into for awhile were better than we thought, I compared my 125's to my PS500's and was shocked how close they sounded.....I'll never sell mine.....that was the most fun I've had in this hobby .....time flies!
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I picked up the 598's and ran them 24/7 for 3 days in the basement - playing "Flight of the Cosmic Hippo" on repeat. Figured that would help bring them around. To help with the clamp (out of the box they were more firmly grabbing me than my buddy's 2 year old 558's) I stretched them across my subwoofer (about 7 inches).
Picked up the Cayin HA-1A yesterday. Switched the Matrix Mini i into DAC mode (so the volume control is out of the circuit), plugged in the Cayin and the 598's. Switched the Cayin into triode mode (vs ultralinear), cued up some songs on iPeng and sat down last night around 7pm.
At 11pm I realized that is the first time I have ever worn headphones for that long without a break.
The velour pads will soften up in time, and this combo will be a great source of musical enjoyment no doubt. I imagine there are N many ways to secure better detail, or more bass, or whatever more expensive stuff bring to the table.
Factor I have spent about US$450 for the Matrix, the Senns and the Cayin (all used, but the Senns which were NIB) and I am quite happy. I could see another $100 being spent on some great tubes, and then sitting back and enjoying.
I will write up a more thorough review in time.
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I picked up the 598's and ran them 24/7 for 3 days in the basement - playing "Flight of the Cosmic Hippo" on repeat. Figured that would help bring them around. To help with the clamp (out of the box they were more firmly grabbing me than my buddy's 2 year old 558's) I stretched them across my subwoofer (about 7 inches).
Try backing out the earpieces a click or two? In my observation from my very similar 558's, people seem to put them on so they feel the headband pressing firmly on the head. Just barely touching the top of the head, with the earpieces adjusted accordingly, works fine and lowers the 'clamp' force.
Cosmic Hippo, I have that album. THAT will get those drivers moving :icon_twisted:
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Agree that leaving the headband loose helps a lot.
It is the "stiffness" of the new velour pads vs the well worn in ones that I am noticing most. I will assume that they will break in quite quickly.
I have decided that I actually prefer ultralinear over triode for the HD598's and the Cayin. Most of what I read told me I should prefer triode. I don't.
Ordered some Mullards (el84 and 12au7) and a Tung Sol 5751 (12ax7 replacement with lower gain as I understand it - should be good to give me a little more volume control movement to play with) to try out.
Dropped the Matrix Mini i into the basement setup and brought my modded Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-11 and some Bolder cables up to the headphone setup.
Delicious!
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Interestingly with the Mullards and Tung Sol in place I do now prefer triode mode.
Public admission of being wrong! :lol:
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Agree that leaving the headband loose helps a lot.
It is the "stiffness" of the new velour pads vs the well worn in ones that I am noticing most. I will assume that they will break in quite quickly.
I have decided that I actually prefer ultralinear over triode for the HD598's and the Cayin. Most of what I read told me I should prefer triode. I don't.
Ordered some Mullards (el84 and 12au7) and a Tung Sol 5751 (12ax7 replacement with lower gain as I understand it - should be good to give me a little more volume control movement to play with) to try out.
Dropped the Matrix Mini i into the basement setup and brought my modded Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-11 and some Bolder cables up to the headphone setup.
Delicious!
Hi mcgsxr,
may I know from whom you bought your tubes.
Unless it's a military secret and the information is in a top secret file. :lol:
Guy 13
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No secret. Parts Connexion is in my hometown of Burlington and are a 5 minute drive from my house.
Their current 25% off sale drew me in.
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I still have my Grant DAC and will use it immediately as a backup if I need to.....My AUNE and the Virtue Amp are SS so I'm trying it that way for awhile.
Grant was a special cat I'll miss shouting the shit with him........Your hooked again Mark we go from clamp pressure to new tubes ain't it fun!!!!!! :thumb:
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You bet I am hooked again!
Must be break in - either the phones or me! :duh:
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I think you made some great choices while sticking within your budget, enjoy. I've always liked the look of the 598, and they have a nice sound to boot.
However I must warn you, it gets addictive. I predict that sooner than later you'll be getting the upgrade bug. To that end note that in July there's the Capital Audio Fest in DC, which will have Canmania where you can hear the latest and greatest headphones and amps as well as a good selection of lower priced gear. Of course a bit of a trip for you, but if you get that bug around then...
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Letitroll, are you planning to attend CAF?
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Oh yeah, I'll be booking my room as soon as they open the group rate.
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I have no doubt that the "need" to upgrade will eventually be felt.
Having reflected on the suggestions in this thread, I expect since the HD598 represents very strong mid fi value that I will be looking for something representing a big improvement. Saving begins!
There are Head Fi meets in Toronto roughly 2 times a year (there was one in January) so I expect I will be able to listen to some of the stuff in the $400-$500 used range later in the year.
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"I have decided to buy the Cayin HA-1A"... The Chinese thank you for your support.........
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Thanks, I am enjoying the excellent sound it produces, and it was available used locally for a song.
Kindly take your agenda elsewhere.