Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio - Blogs http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/ en Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:44:00 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/images/headfi/misc/rss.jpg Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio - Blogs http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/ help in comparing these turntables http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/jesse4171/299-help-comparing-these-turntables.html Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:42:52 GMT I'm looking for feedback from hifiers about which of these systems is preferable in terms of sound, price, reliabilty, etc:

Pro-Ject 1 Xpression III Comfort with a preamp-project phonbox mark2

OR

AR XA with a Rega arm with , Bellari VP129 - Tube Phono Preamplifier

Thanks in advance, ]]> jesse4171 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/jesse4171/299-help-comparing-these-turntables.html <![CDATA[I listen to music differently now, or at least I'm trying to.]]> http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/enthusia/297-i-listen-music-differently-now-least-im-trying.html Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:35:01 GMT I've recently became addicted to head-fi, which consequently made me become addicted to headphones. Lately I have been listening to my music and movies at volumes that were really too high, I thought if I turned up the volume I could hear more detail in the sounds, but obviously there was a side effect, loss of hearing.

I now get this feeling that my hearing is impaired. The way I describe it as if you just read a series of books very fast or a night of intense gaming, of course the next day your eyes are going to be sore and that is how my ears feel constantly now.

To counter that I developed a new method for me to listen to music. I am not sure but this has probably been done before and recommended by most hearing specialists. This new method involves listening to music on the lowest volume, still audible, but very quiet and mellow. I feel as though my ears adjust to the low volume and somehow I can still hear the details in the music. I am thinking maybe if I listen to things at such a low volume I will develop some type of acute hearing, thus reversing the effects of hearing damage. Not sure how this will work out, but it is worth a try and I am currently enjoying it. The ways I can describe this treatment is like going on an eating diet or sitting further away from a television screen. It might not feel good at first, but it will be better for you in the long run. ]]> Enthusia http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/enthusia/297-i-listen-music-differently-now-least-im-trying.html Sleek Custom IEM arrives ! http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/sasaki/295-sleek-custom-iem-arrives.html Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:51:19 GMT I've got my Sleek custom.
This is very nice :)

I wrote a mini review and have posted it on the forum.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/s...s-pics-341973/

Have a look and fun ! ]]> Sasaki http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/sasaki/295-sleek-custom-iem-arrives.html HEADPHONES TO MONITOR MY GUITAR AMP http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/william-bober/293-headphones-monitor-my-guitar-amp.html Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:16:36 GMT hello,this should be simple. i play in a church band. practice goes great,i can hear myself. come show time , i am over run with all the instruments... hello,this should be simple. i play in a church band. practice goes great,i can hear myself. come show time , i am over run with all the instruments and voices, so i can barely hear myself. i have a headphone out and a line out on my amp. i want to be able to play at volume,which is miked to p.a., yet wear a set of earphones to hear myself more clearly.headphone ampilfer? i see earphones saying 32 ohms? solid state amp. help thanks ]]> william bober http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/william-bober/293-headphones-monitor-my-guitar-amp.html Dedicated speaker for Icon has released but .. http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/sasaki/291-dedicated-speaker-icon-has-released-but.html Sun, 29 Jun 2008 01:14:05 GMT I had been long awaited this dedicated speaker S-1 for my NuForce Icon. http://www.nuforce-icon.com/Product-S1.htm Recently I read a good preview... I had been long awaited this dedicated speaker S-1 for my NuForce Icon.
http://www.nuforce-icon.com/Product-S1.htm

Recently I read a good preview by Srajan and it raise my expectation very high:)
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/icon2/s1.html
S-1 is only $250 pair and I felt this could not be wrong for the Icon speaker choice. It's dedicated to Icon for the unique network cable. A synergy would be great.

Finally I found the S-1 has released this weekend, yes!
I pressed "buy" button impulsively and I proceeded the cart but ... I cried.
"Oversea shipping charge is $98!? Shipping $98 for $250 speakers??"
Oh well, I decided to wait it for domestic release ..

I found the S-1s are extremely heavy for that tiny speakers. It means the cabinets are well build and it reduce unnecessary resonance. Hence the weight is heavy and shipping cost become high. (not sure about US inside shipping)
Anyway the S-1 must be good and I will enjoy reviews by others while I am waiting for the release in Japan :) ]]> Sasaki http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/sasaki/291-dedicated-speaker-icon-has-released-but.html the 2nd headphones-girl book has published http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/sasaki/289-2nd-headphones-girl-book-has-published.html Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:10:00 GMT I've mentioned about headphone-musume illustration book before, the headphone-musume means a-cute-girl-wearing-headphones illustrations. (musume means a girl)

The first issue was sold within the private community but this time the new issue will sell on the public. Needless to say this is entirely written in Japanese but you can enjoy illustrations anyway.
It would sell from June 25th at 1890 yen (include tax). That contains headphone-musume illustration with respective headphones review. 15 new headphones will be covered from AKG,audio-technica, BOSE, GRADO, KENWOOD, SENNHEISER, SHURE, SONY, STAX, ULTIMATEEARS, ULTRASONE, VICTOR and so on.
Here is a link to the homepage.
http://www.moe-hp.org/

You can buy it via Japanese amazon, I am not sure they will sell it to over the sea, so find a good deputy service if you want one :) ]]> Sasaki http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/sasaki/289-2nd-headphones-girl-book-has-published.html Vinyl Transfers FAQ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/lff/287-vinyl-transfers-faq.html Sat, 21 Jun 2008 17:55:31 GMT I get a lot of requests for transfer or remastering jobs. Along with the requests comes a multitude of questions. In an effort to help the... I get a lot of requests for transfer or remastering jobs. Along with the requests comes a multitude of questions.

In an effort to help the curious, here are some of the most FAQ I get and the responses:

- Is this safe?
Absolutely. I have received hundreds of recordings from as far away as Japan and India and not one has been damaged by a transfer.

- Is this legal?
Absolutely. The RIAA "fair use act" states that you can make copies of any recording that you own.

- How long does it take?
The quick answer: It depends. With vinyl, the transfer takes as long as it does to play the record plus anywhere from 2 – 20 hours or more for the post-processing and remastering.

- How can I learn?
You can start by using Google. Do a search for “vinyl transfer” or “vinyl rip” and your bound to get a ton of results. Read as much as you can. There are dozens of books available on how to master. Most are very good and provide you with tricks of the trade to help you understand how things are done a certain way.

Most importantly, PRACTICE! As in most cases, practice makes perfect. Don’t expect to learn this overnight. Transferring and post-processing takes a lot of time and effort to get right but it sure is FUN! Most importantly, use your ears!

- I don’t have expensive gear. What should I get?
Believe it or not – you don’t need expensive gear to do this. I have heard transfers done on $18,000.00 turntables and a $35.00 used Technics table and the sound quality is ALMOST THE SAME!

The sound you get will mainly depend on the quality of the vinyl and the cartridge you are using. This need not be an expensive (well….at least not that much) hobby.

- Can you tell me what tricks you use to get the best sound?
Sure. Not too many engineers or hobbyists will tell you their secrets but I will. The things I use the most to get the best sound is…….my ears. There are other tricks here and there but they only work if you listen carefully. You can pull off a decent remaster using a cheap 5 band graphic EQ if you listen carefully. Obviously it will pale in comparison to a GML parametric but you’d be surprised what you do with cheap gear and a little of know how.

- What’s the most important advice you can give me?
HAVE FUN! There is no use doing a transfer if your going to be fretting over every single detail. Sometimes you can get perfection but other times you’ll get very good or decent. The results can vary but as long as you enjoyed getting the result, then all else shouldn’t matter because you can always try again. :D ]]> LFF http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/lff/287-vinyl-transfers-faq.html <![CDATA[Don't miss albums!]]> http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/manaox2/285-dont-miss-albums.html Sat, 21 Jun 2008 02:21:01 GMT First off,

I suggest a visit www.illegalart.net and pay what you want (nothing if you'd like) to listen to the new Girl Talk "Feed the Animals" album. This album is guaranteeing nostalgia and shock at what comes out of this mix mash of rock, rap, and dance dating back to even 60s classics. This is a stunning mash-up for when your running or just being an ADD music geek like myself.

Last.fm description:
Pittsburgh’s Gregg Gillis is arguably the nation’s hottest mash-up DJ; at least, he’s the best-reviewed one. His albums are more like party mixes and are crammed with enough samples (both left-field and top-forty) to keep music nerds at rapt attention. It’s more than just geekery, though; this guy drops serious bangers.


In other news, some new album recommendations:

Deep Forest self-titled (especially if you like Enigma). The organic beats make a great chill yet exciting atmosphere to the environment.

MCChris (is dead) for the geeks who like to dance and laugh, he has truly stepped his old underground game up a notch and even seems to be going a bit to the serious side with tracks like "older crowd".

Sigur Rós's Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust is the most high spirited album of the collection yet and very likely my favorite yet. From their reputation here on head-fi, need I say more?

I'm also still in the middle of the new Viva La Vida from Coldplay, It sounds better then expected from the Violet Hill promo, I expect it to do very very well.

Closing out, I wanted to mention that the new REAX featuring metalocalypse has a really great vintage blues, soul and R&B selections album listed. An involving playlist whether your only having a beer away from the summer heat or spending time in the evening with the love.

Here is the track list:

1. Sharon Jones & the DAP Kings: "100 Days & 100 Nights"
2. Curtis Mayfield: "Give me your love"
3. Booker T. & the MG's: "Hip-Hug Her"
4. Otis Redding: "Loving by the Pound"
5. John Coltraine: "Theme for Ernie"
6. John Lee Hooker: "Boom Boom"
7. Them: "Baby Please Don't Go"
8. Wilson Pickett: "It's Too Late"
9. Ray Charles: "I Got A Woman"
10. Marvin Gaye: "Let's Get It On"


Also, as a personal update, very sorry to those who noticed the final post leading to headphoneus supremus remaining and who didn't get a reply. It has been a tempting week, hence the blog. I'm saving that for a day coming soon thats special to me. Feel free to leave a comment and enjoy the music. ]]> manaox2 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/manaox2/285-dont-miss-albums.html Headphone Recommendation http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/bassspace/283-headphone-recommendation.html Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:14:27 GMT Hi. I'm new to Head-fi, and I'm looking to buy a good pair of cans. I don't have good experience with buying headphones, I currently own a Sony Walkman MP3 player and a JVC HA-NC100. I hate the JVC's. I heard people talking about audiophile experiences and I want to experience that feeling.

I'm going to get about $600 during the summer, so if my parents let me, I can get a pair for around $150. From your experiences, are there any headphones in this price range with the following criterias?

- detachable cord
- one-sided cord (preferably short cord)
- closed/sealed
- pretty small (and I'm not talking about the street style or the in-ear headphones)
- good sound quality (with emphasis on bass)
- low sensitivity (to protect my hearing like n the 90-110 range)
- metallic, or at least good durability]

If you guys had any good experiences with headphones that match all or most of these, then can you leave me recommendations? ]]> bassspace http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/bassspace/283-headphone-recommendation.html 5.1 adapter/systems for stereo headphones guide. http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/kool-bubba-ice/281-5-1-adapter-systems-stereo-headphones-guide.html Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:44:04 GMT What do I need?
Headphones & a 5.1 adapter. See below for some recommendations.

1. JVC SUDH1
Pros: Can be had below retail. Portable & small. Nice build quality. Supports DTS. the Japanese version has an AC input.

Cons: Eats batteries like crazy.
Not made for hard to drive headphones.

audiocubes.com jvc.com

2. Astro mix amp

Pros: Used DH next gen chip set. Nice selections of inputs including USB. Not as power hungry as the JVC. Mute function. • Balance control allows optimization of game/voice balance (from astrogaming website.

Cons: Must buy a retail. Sellers are limited. No DTS support.

astrogaming.com

Digital 5.1 receivers

Pros: Can be used as a hub. Ample power to drive high OHM headphones. Lots of connections. No recharging.

Cons: Big & bulky. Only entry level receivers to have DH are from harman kardon & Maranazt. Expensive.
harmankardon.com marantz.com
Pioneer 5.1 headphones (no particular model.)

Pros: Can use a second headphone (wired) to get 5.1/DH. Some models support coax. Quality stereo headphone. Portable. Can be had for less then retail.

Cons: Wireless. Have to be within a certain distance for headphones to work.
Audiocubes.com

Hi end 5.1 adapters:

Beyerdynamic Gamezone: 2,000. Retail.
beyerdynamic.com
AKG Hearo 999 Audiospere II: 1,099. Retail. (450.00)
headphone.com
Audio Technica ATH DWL5000 Digital wireless headphone system: 1,149.99. Retail.
audiocubes.com

Other category:
Most, if not all 5.1 digital receivers support simulated SS through headphones. The quality varies from good to bad. Many companies use their own DSP to save money instead of going with the proven DH.
Yamaha's Silent Cinema seems to be the best out of the 'home made' DSP..But I haven't tried JVC/Sony/Denon DSP to compare. I used a Yamaha receiver for 5.1 SS with my 595's.. This was 2 yrs ago. My comparison with the DH might be a bit muddy. From what I remember Yamaha's DSP had great seperation, but lacked DH 3D & up close presentation. DH is also more spacious & is speaker like.
jvc.com sony.com. yamaha.com denon.com.
dolbyheadphone.com ]]> kool bubba ice http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/kool-bubba-ice/281-5-1-adapter-systems-stereo-headphones-guide.html Seeking advice to improve MS-2 + Voyager combo http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/worldsendwombat/279-seeking-advice-improve-ms-2-voyager-combo.html Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:36:34 GMT I'm a newbie.
I've been keeping my Alessandro MS-2 for almost half year and plugged it into a Denon receiver at the beginning.

After lurking around and and reading people's recommendations, I got my voyager in eBay for hefty GBP179 about a month ago, and wow, it does improves the sound quality a lot from my old chubby Denon!

However after two to three weeks burning in, I'm not totally satisfied with the performance of the combo, to name a few - treble sounds a bit harsh for me, it occasionally "tsss tsss" on some recordings, when playing classical styled music, the sound is flat - this is very obvious when I play "Blood" from This Mortal Coil: the bass is compact and punchy, human voices are very vivid, however when come to the section of orchestral arrangements, the touchy 3 dimension soon dies away and sound stage becomes narrow.
My analysis is
  • my source is too weak, definitely need to upgrade to a matching desktop CDP. I'm using my portal iRiver iMP-400 to play CDs now, because it has a direct line-out so i can avoid double amping. Though a good portable, I know iMP-400 lacks a lot of air.
  • Voyager has not fully burnt in? I heard both Solo and Voyager need relatively long time to show their real strength
  • MS-2 and Voyager not matching each other? oh boy, i hope this is not the answer. I know MS-2 is a bright can, and should be good at my music styles. But I heard voyager is good at virtually any type of cans. BTW I'm listening to Post Rock, Dark Ambient, Neo Classical, Euro Jazz, IDM, Techno, Experimental Dub, World fusion, etc

Any gurus can point out what's wrong with my settings?
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]]> WorldsEndWombat http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/worldsendwombat/279-seeking-advice-improve-ms-2-voyager-combo.html The Black Keys - The Moan http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/malldian/277-black-keys-moan.html Thu, 29 May 2008 23:44:37 GMT Kenwood KR5080> STAX SR44 Track...]]>
Equipment: Dell Latitude D820> Kenwood KR5080> STAX SR44

Track listing:
  1. "Moan" - 3:45
  2. "Heavy Soul" - 2:36
  3. "No Fun" - 2:32
  4. "Have Love, Will Travel" - 2:34
This is an EP released by the Black Keys in 2004. The first three were, at that point, unreleased, the fourth track was on Thickfreakness. The Moan is actually one of my favorite Black Keys song. The drums are outstanding and the sound is the typical Black Keys - low quality modern blues. It makes me miss the sound they departed from with their most recent album, Attack and Release. The solo in this song is incredible -

Heavy Soul is seen on the album The Big Come Up and is just as good hear - a bit harder with different lyrics. No fun is (I believe a Ramone's cover) which was pretty good and Have Love, Will Travel is another great song. While not the best Black Keys release, this is certainly a winner and worth it for The Moan.

PS: Sorry for the brevity and scarcity of posting, laptop keep overheating - once I get the replacement all will be well again.
 ]]> malldian http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/malldian/277-black-keys-moan.html Panasonic announced a unique material IEM http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/sasaki/275-panasonic-announced-unique-material-iem.html Mon, 26 May 2008 18:00:19 GMT Today, Panasonic announced RP-HJE900 IEM which employs unusual material "ZIRCONIA" metal for housing.
ZIRCONIA (ZrO2) is ultra hard material and it eliminates unwanted resonance, it recreates a pure sound.

It will sell around 20000 yen and it will be launched around June 15th.

Home page:
http://panasonic.jp/headphone/hje900/index.html

News page (Japanese)
http://www.phileweb.com/news/d-av/200805/26/21106.html ]]> Sasaki http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/sasaki/275-panasonic-announced-unique-material-iem.html Beirut - Pompeii http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/malldian/273-beirut-pompeii.html Mon, 26 May 2008 06:07:44 GMT ...]]>
Equipment: Dell Latitude D820> Octvart O1 Amp/DAC> AKG Sextettmp

Track Listing:
  1. "Fountains and Tramways" - 4:01
  2. "Napoleon on the Bellerophon" - 3:31
Just a quick one tonight, got to get to bed. This stuff was released before Beirut's first album, Gulag Orkestar and it certainly shows. This sounds nothing like any of his other music. The first song gives off a very different feel than anything else heard by him, minus Zach's very defined voice. Both tracks are electronic-orientated - Fountains and Tramways is a very interesting combination of Zach's very mellow laid back voice with a much more active and aggressive beat.

Napoleon... returns to the Beirut that we know from previous releases in some sense - you get the strings and horns back a bit. This song, as well as the other is very minimal compared to the normal 10 instrument Beirut seen in his first two albums. The background on this song sounds very much like Scenic World. If you are a fan of Beirut pick it up, if not either get his first album or wait for an upcoming review!
]]> malldian http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/malldian/273-beirut-pompeii.html Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/malldian/271-bon-iver-emma-forever-ago.html Sat, 24 May 2008 06:49:02 GMT Octvart O1 Amp/DAC> Denon...]]>


Equipment: Dell Latitude D820> Octvart O1 Amp/DAC> Denon 2000

Track Listing:
  1. "Flume" - 3:39
  2. "Lump Sum" - 3:21
  3. "Skinny Love" - 3:59
  4. "The Wolves (Act I and II)" - 5:22
  5. "Blindsided" - 5:29
  6. "Creature Fear" - 3:06
  7. "Team" - 1:57
  8. "For Emma " - 3:41
  9. "Re: Stacks" - 6:41
Independently released in 2007 and later picked up by Jagjaguwar in 2008, For Emma, Forever Ago has become a great hit scoring high in almost every review around. Justin Vernon, under the name Bon Iver, recorded this album during a three month "hibernation" in a Wisconsin cabin after the dissolution of his previous band.

The content is great but it would have been nice to see what this would have turned out to be in a proper studio album. The first time I listened to the album I found myself constantly looking up lyrics. The style is acoustic folky with great vocals and harmony. The whole album has a very mellow and warm feel to it.

The first track is absolutely beautiful and a reasonable representation of the whole CD. Deep lyrics, steady acoustic guitar and almost haunting vocals by Vernon. The beginning of track two gives off a real Animal Collective feeling - the lyrics in this one are really vague but reference some kind of return home away from some type of depression. "Skinny Love" is by far my favorite song on this track. The lyrics are incredible and the vocals make you want to embarrass yourself trying to sing along. I thought that this was the most emotional song on the album and really catchy as well. This one makes the mix CD for my car every time. Each song is certainly worth a listen and the recording makes it real easy to enjoy.

I have heard this guy is really good live, if his performances are half as emotional as his studio work, it would really be something to see.

 ]]> malldian http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/malldian/271-bon-iver-emma-forever-ago.html