I listen to my relatively new home balanced max (w/ DAC) via K701s, Senn 650s, and (as of today) beyerdynamic DT880s. The AKGs have HR's Cardas balanced cables, the others Fat Pipe balanced. I usually listen w/ crossfeed on; brightness at filter 1 or off (always off w/ K701s) but I must say that the effect of having crossfeed enabled is mostly illusory to me so far. I also sometimes plug in Grado GS1K SE cans, e.g., when running unbalanced phono input, and always turn off crossfeed and brightness when I do. I feed the amp with unbalanced analog from a bel canto phono stage and balanced analog from a NAD M5 CDP, and take a balanced output to a NAD M3 integrated amp, per Jorge's guidance. This way the headphone rig can run alongside the main speaker gear with a minimum of interconnect swappage. Fits perfectly in the niche required in my overall rig. Will eventually settle on two sets of cans for it with the loser (probably the Senn 650s) relegated to bedside use in SE with a Decco (excellent hybrid tube amp, btw). Eventually I will probably dedicate the Grados to the Zana Deux but will probably recable w/ Black or Silver Dragon - don't know how to decide between the two. I will need to fold Stax M303s into the picture. My present thought is that the Stax and Grados will sort themselves out as to favorite sources. And even if they don't, it should be fun in the trying. Suggestions welcome. I now see I've strayed way off-topic. Apologies; what do you expect from a noob?
|