[whytejon]

Hey guys,

Bad news, i moved into my new place in london, set up my lovely hi-fi system, and 5 mins after popping in the first CD, my downstairs neighbour came up to complain!!   

Im absolutely gutted about it, fortunately ive only signed as 12 month lease!! 

So in an attempt to keep the peace, ive decided to put together a headphone system. 

I bought a set of AKG k701s and got a Sugden Maserclass headphone amp on home demo, but i have to say im not impressed by what i hear so far.

Lots of people say those two are amazing products, but it really depends on where your datum point is, and what your used to!

I LOVE my system, and i know im going to find it quite difficult getting a headphone system to compare.

Any VS owners out there that can point me in the right direction?

Jon

PS - ive also ordered a Woo Audio WA6 headphone amp, based on reviews.   

[JackD201]

The closest thing I've heard in the highs and mids to VR-5SEs and 5 Anniversaries are all from Stax.

[whytejon]

Interesting, yeah i recall hearing a set of Stax once, wasnt too impressed, but i think they were a entry level pair.

Im keen to try something higher up the range. 

[blownrx7]

Try the Sennheisers. I suspect from your preferences, that their sound may be more to your liking. I have the HD-600's and like them very much. Athough I seldom use them, when I do, I find them very enjoyable (and comfortable).
You can try out the HD-600's relatively cheaply and if it is to your liking, by all means, try some of theuir more expensive stuff - HD-650 and HD-800.
hth

[saisunil]

701 sound quite dull and lifeless unless they are burnt in for ~300 hours.
Also, It is a must to re-cable them ... they are one of very few neutral phones that are very open sounding and very little coloration ...

Highly recommended after recabling ... I would not mind loaning you my pair - if you pay for shipping ...

Another one I would recommend is Senn 800 ... even more spacious sounding that AKG701 but are more difficult to match in terms of an amp ...

Cheers
Sunil

I bought a set of AKG k701s and got a Sugden Maserclass headphone amp on home demo, but i have to say im not impressed by what i hear so far.

Lots of people say those two are amazing products, but it really depends on where your datum point is, and what your used to!

Jon

PS - ive also ordered a Woo Audio WA6 headphone amp, based on reviews.   

[richidoo]

I have 701s, they sound a little plasticish on different amps. But they may not have those kind of hours on them yet. I don't know because I bought them used on AC. How do I get it re-cabled? Is Moon Audio a good resource for that? I live in same town as Drew. Thanks for the tip.
Rich

[saisunil]

I have two 701s - one with Moon audio and one with RAL cable ... both excellent ... recabling requires further burn-in ...

[mcgsxr]

I was at a headphone gathering in Toronto over the weekend, and heard some Stax's, and the Hifiman HE5 and HE6.  All 3 powered by very nice kit, and were very good.

I also heard Senn 650's, Grado HF1, HF2, SR325, Alessandro MS1i.

My current setup is highly modded Grado SR60i's.

Are you looking for better soundstage?  Clearer mids? 

[es347]

Try the Sennheisers. I suspect from your preferences, that their sound may be more to your liking. I have the HD-600's and like them very much. Athough I seldom use them, when I do, I find them very enjoyable (and comfortable).
You can try out the HD-600's relatively cheaply and if it is to your liking, by all means, try some of theuir more expensive stuff - HD-650 and HD-800.
hth

I've got the 600s also and can't imagine the need to upgrade