[dB Cooper]

Hi FULLRANGEMAN.
I am not sure about my musical standard being too high???
I don't think I am the only one that's asking for what I am asking from my headphones.

 

I don't think your standards are too high either, but your commitment to the Crack combined with your location is making your search difficult. For better or worse the requirement to continue with the Crack leaves you with a very short list of suitable Senn and Beyer models. Unfortunately all the options I am aware of aside from the HD600 have been ruled out for various reasons. In NYC for example your search would have taken two weeks, tops.

I have found this to be an interesting thread, a window into the process all of us go through trying to hit the audio "bull's eye". It's not about finding the perfect setup, it's about finding the right setup.  The odd harmonic content from an O2 is probably about 0.005%, which seems tolerable, but if you want to remain in the tube camp, a transformer coupled or hybrid amp (Millett, Torpedo et al) would open up a lot of options. I don't think the bright/dark piece of the puzzle has anywhere near as much to do with the amp (assuming compatible impedance) as with the headphones themselves. Let us know how your quest goes.

[Guy 13]

I don't think your standards are too high either, but your commitment to the Crack combined with your location is making your search difficult. For better or worse the requirement to continue with the Crack leaves you with a very short list of suitable Senn and Beyer models. Unfortunately all the options I am aware of aside from the HD600 have been ruled out for various reasons. In NYC for example your search would have taken two weeks, tops.

I have found this to be an interesting thread, a window into the process all of us go through trying to hit the audio "bull's eye". It's not about finding the perfect setup, it's about finding the right setup.  The odd harmonic content from an O2 is probably about 0.005%, which seems tolerable, but if you want to remain in the tube camp, a transformer coupled or hybrid amp (Millett, Torpedo et al) would open up a lot of options. I don't think the bright/dark piece of the puzzle has anywhere near as much to do with the amp (assuming compatible impedance) as with the headphones themselves. Let us know how your quest goes.

Hi dB Cooper.
When I first landed on planet Vietnam,
finding something like professional photographic flash equipment,
hi-end audio of any make and kind, alarm system
and even something as current as color paint ready to use was impossible
or at least difficult to find.
Now, 20 years later, it as improved a lot,
but there are still many things that you cannot find.
No wonder I want to fly back to Canada,
the consumer's paradise...
I could be wrong, but I don't think the Crack Speedball up-grade
will brighten-up my HD650.
I know that I am limiting myself by pushing aside the ss amplifier
and I have to admit that I am in love with the comfort of the HD600/650.
I should report back on one or two weeks.
I won't miss the chance to report, that you can be sure of.

Guy 13

Thanks for following my headphones adventures.
I try to make boring stuff more interesting
by using the little imagination I have.
I don't like when people say I am boring
and I sure like when people say I'm funny.
Well, I try.
 

[Bob2]

I try to make boring stuff more interesting

Guy you are doing great!
I always enjoy reading your posts.
I'm also interested in what your thoughts are with the other amps and headphones you will try out soon.
Keep'em coming
 

[Guy 13]

Guy you are doing great!
I always enjoy reading your posts.
I'm also interested in what your thoughts are with the other amps and headphones you will try out soon.
Keep'em coming
 

Hi Bob2.
Is that a picture of you on your Avatar?
My God, get an hair cut.
I guaranty that I will post all and every try that I will do.
I also expect AC members to comment and share with me what they think,
as long as it's done in a civilized matter,
which once in a while, is not always the case, well with some members.
Sorry, I had to get it/spit it out, but that's no problem anymore,
I've learned to live with that,
on this nice and friendly Audio Circle forum.
Thanks.

Guy 13.

[Guy 13]

Guy you are doing great!
I always enjoy reading your posts.
I'm also interested in what your thoughts are with the other amps and headphones you will try out soon.
Keep'em coming
 

Hi Bob2.
If that's you, I would not want to mess with you, especially that I am only 5'5'' (1.65m).
Can you translate the planet Mars language below your avatar.
(Is that Esperanto ?)

Guy 13

[FullRangeMan]

Hi Bob2.
If that's you, I would not want to mess with you, especially that I am only 5'5'' (1.65m).
Can you translate the planet Mars language below your avatar.
(Is that Esperanto ?)

Guy 13

In the language of the Caesars:
''Do not allow yourself be overwhelmed by the wicked.''

[Bob2]

Is that a picture of you on your Avatar

Sorry to say I'm not that pretty in real life.

Can you translate the planet Mars language below your avatar.
(Is that Esperanto ?)

It actually means, "Don't let the bastards wear you down"
A simpler latin-ish version ...Non Illegitimi Carborundum!

FULLRANGEMAN,
''Do not allow yourself be overwhelmed by the wicked.''


I like that very much!

Reading posts from you, Guy and many others is what keeps me here.
I have learned a lot from everyone and hope that continues as I sure could use some education even though I have been going to college every day for the last 28 years..

[FullRangeMan]

Thats right Bob. We must help people and expose the errors of the government, patriotism is dangerous for the citizens today.

[Bob2]

.

[dB Cooper]

Intergalactic Wastebin, here we come...

[Guy 13]

Intergalactic Wastebin, here we come...

Hi dB Cooper.
Not for my post, I hope.

Guy 13

[dB Cooper]

No.

By the way Guy, I loved the stax Sr009 cans I heard at CAF last weekend. Too bad they cost like ~$5200 USD 

(Hey, I just looked them up on Amazon! They're only 4 grand!!! Woohoo!!!)

[Guy 13]

No.

By the way Guy, I loved the stax Sr009 cans I heard at CAF last weekend. Too bad they cost like ~$5200 USD 

(Hey, I just looked them up on Amazon! They're only 4 grand!!! Woohoo!!!)

Hi dB Cooper.
Yes, only 4,000 USD on Amazon,
but they won't produce any sound without a dedicated amplifier
that will make you poorer by as much
the headphones themselves.
So with such a combo, 
we are talking about the same price as a small car with a radio...
35 years ago I've owned a pair of Stax and love them, why did I sell them?
I'm still trying to figure out why and at the same time
I'm still kicking my butt fordoing something so stupid.
Well, it was not the first time and won't be the last time either.

Guy 13

At the next audio show here in September, hopefully they will demo a pair of ???
Well anything with the Stax name on them
and I will go back in time as it will bring back good memories to me.

[brooklyn]

At the next audio show here in September, hopefully they will demo a pair of ???
Well anything with the Stax name on them
and I will go back in time as it will bring back good memories to me.

Ah, an audio show, I don't seem to remember what one looks like.
In Oklahoma there are no audio shows to speak of but if you want
to go to a gun show, there's one every month, maybe even two or
three.

I've been wanting to go to the Rocky Mountain Audio Feast for many
years now but I haven't got there yet. One of these years I will make it.

[Guy 13]

Ah, an audio show, I don't seem to remember what one looks like.
In Oklahoma there are no audio shows to speak of but if you want
to go to a gun show, there's one every month, maybe even two or
three.

I've been wanting to go to the Rocky Mountain Audio Feast for many
years now but I haven't got there yet. One of these years I will make it.

Hi Brooklyn.
No gun show in a communist country like Vietnam. 
I wonder if communist China has gun shows?
Because all the illegally imported/smuggled guns in Vietnam,
come from China via the border in the north of Vietnam.

Guy 13

[Noseyears]

Pricejapan have the SR009 for 3k. Something to have in mind if you ever travel to that country 

[Rocket]

Hi Guy,

I just bought an Red Wine Audio Isabella (refurbished from manufacturer) which also has an inbuilt tube headphone amplifier.  Supposed to mate well with the Sennheiser hd 650.  I will be using this in my main rig but the source will be my iMod as I can put a heap of music on it. 

http://www.offthegridaudio.com/redwine-isabella.pdf

My credit card is maxxed out now and no purchases this year .

Cheers Rod

[Guy 13]

Hi Guy,

I just bought an Red Wine Audio Isabella (refurbished from manufacturer) which also has an inbuilt tube headphone amplifier.  Supposed to mate well with the Sennheiser hd 650.  I will be using this in my main rig but the source will be my iMod as I can put a heap of music on it. 

http://www.offthegridaudio.com/redwine-isabella.pdf

My credit card is maxxed out now and no purchases this year .

Cheers Rod

Hi Rod.
Congratulation for the purchase of your (Refurbish) Red Wine Isabella.
Nice looking unit with good specs.
I am sure that you will post your impression of your new combo,
because if you don't I will, I will....
I won't like you anymore.
But first, take care of your credit card payback,
then you can post your impressions about your new acquisition.
May I know what make you choose the Isabella over something else?

Guy 13 

[Rocket]

Hi Guy,

My current preamplifier is an ageing N.E.W. p3 preamplifier which was designed and built by Cary Audio.  I think mine was a late 1990's version.  It has been modified by War Audio here in Perth and sounds good however it is 16 years old.  i actually wanted to purchase a Spread Spectrum Technologies Ambrosia preamplifier but it is far too expensive for my budget.  The company is coming out with a new Theobe II preamplifier but from initial photos it looks a bit cheap and may not be as good as my current preamplifier.

The Red Wine Audio Isabella is about $4000 here in Australia and could be a contender one day but it is out of my budget at the moment.  I am buying the previous model but it has the balanced headphone option that is about $750US when purchasing a new Isabella Preamplifier.  I paid $1895US including shipping for this.  I already have a buyer for my N.E.W. P3 preamplifier and the handover is about $1000 so the changeover is too much.

I have previously dealt with Vinnie and he is good to deal with.  I also get new batteries and a five year warranty.  I'll cross my fingers that it sounds good.

Cheers Rod

[Guy 13]

Hi Guy,

My current preamplifier is an ageing N.E.W. p3 preamplifier which was designed and built by Cary Audio.  I think mine was a late 1990's version.  It has been modified by War Audio here in Perth and sounds good however it is 16 years old.  i actually wanted to purchase a Spread Spectrum Technologies Ambrosia preamplifier but it is far too expensive for my budget.  The company is coming out with a new Theobe II preamplifier but from initial photos it looks a bit cheap and may not be as good as my current preamplifier.

The Red Wine Audio Isabella is about $4000 here in Australia and could be a contender one day but it is out of my budget at the moment.  I am buying the previous model but it has the balanced headphone option that is about $750US when purchasing a new Isabella Preamplifier.  I paid $1895US including shipping for this.  I already have a buyer for my N.E.W. P3 preamplifier and the handover is about $1000 so the changeover is too much.

I have previously dealt with Vinnie and he is good to deal with.  I also get new batteries and a five year warranty.  I'll cross my fingers that it sounds good.

Cheers Rod

Hi Rod.
Thanks for the details on your recent purchase.
I am sure you have reached your audio purchase quota for this year.
Don't forget to post your comments on how it sound
to the ears of a trumpet player.

Guy 13