http://www.head-fi.org/forums/ en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:30:26 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.head-fi.org/forums/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/what-component-started-slippery-slope-456432/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:05:05 GMT of hifi. For me it was either the Sony TA-E2000ESD...(if the Sony ES line is HiFi...I bought it at Harvey)and I filled in with teh DC... of hifi. For me it was either the Sony TA-E2000ESD...(if the Sony ES line is HiFi...I bought it at Harvey)and I filled in with teh DC player...amps....etc....then I upgraded my speakers to my current Sonus Fabers and that was end game. It revealed that my beloved ES components weren't going to cut it. Then the slippery slope began... ]]> High-end Audio Forum ruknd http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/what-component-started-slippery-slope-456432/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/sincere-question-not-trolling-456153/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:14:13 GMT I've read the stickie, but I still don't get it. So I will just ask for opinions. Please answer honestly. This is not about flexing my hi-fi muscle and you won't hurt my feelings. I've been to meets, so I know there are much better rigs out there. My question is really to understand where the dividing line is...

Is this a "high-end" system?

Sennheiser HD800 headphones with Moon Audio Blue Dragon cable
Woo Audio WA6SE amplifier with Sophia Princess rectifier tube
MHDT Paradisea+ DAC with 1953 WE396A tube
Grover SC RCA interconnects between DAC & amp
Zu Birth power cables on both DAC and amp
PC Audio Duet power conditioner

Source:
FLAC files ripped with EAC played via Foobar2000 using Vista WASAPI
output to DAC via optical cable from motherboard

It synergizes very well and sounds awesome to me relative to comparable, and even more expensive, systems that I have experienced at meets. But it is not balanced and it is not legendary and it is not really expensive when you consider people have spent more than I did for cables alone. ]]> High-end Audio Forum Orcin http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/sincere-question-not-trolling-456153/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/new-custom-hybrid-two-box-hp2i-456025/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:56:51 GMT Finally arrived (after 6 mounts) the custom amp for my HP2i, it is a hybrid amp, built by Silvano Sivieri (italian designer). The amp has been built... Finally arrived (after 6 mounts) the custom amp for my HP2i, it is a hybrid amp, built by Silvano Sivieri (italian designer). The amp has been built with the HP2i on the hands...

This is a two box amp with RGN1064 mesh rectifier and E80CC signal tubes.

Here Videohifi Forum (our italian forum),you can see some pics of it.

Nik ]]> High-end Audio Forum Nik http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/new-custom-hybrid-two-box-hp2i-456025/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/best-stax-headphone-other-than-o2-cheaper-456014/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:15:30 GMT is there any consensus about which stax headphone is the best one other than the O2 or even the 4070.

i'm going to have an RSA A10 on loan from Ray and want to use something with it other than my HE60 and don't want to spend O2 cash.

maybe i can get a stat headphone on loan from someone, but in case that doesn't pan out, i figured i would look into buying something, not only to use with the A10 but to keep and use with my KGSS.

thanks ]]> High-end Audio Forum vcoheda http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/best-stax-headphone-other-than-o2-cheaper-456014/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/hd800-current-amp-stax-455984/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:41:45 GMT Hi wanted to ask people opinion on where my funds should be going =) Currently have HD650 powered by WA6+PDPS+Sophia princess. Source is Asus... Hi wanted to ask people opinion on where my funds should be going =)

Currently have
HD650 powered by WA6+PDPS+Sophia princess. Source is Asus Essence STX

Recently had itch to upgrade. So here are the two options Im considering.

HD800 powered by same amp possibly upgrade to dedicated DAC.

Go for STAX SR-007 MK2 coupled with Wooaudio GES amp.

For those who have upgraded to STAX, is it still worth keeping the HD650 around?

looking forward to your input. ]]> High-end Audio Forum koruki http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/hd800-current-amp-stax-455984/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/hd800-initial-impressions-vs-he60-455978/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:03:03 GMT Hello. These are my initial impressions on the Sennheiser HD800. Most of my listening has been done with my main headphone setup sourced by the... Hello.

These are my initial impressions on the Sennheiser HD800. Most of my listening has been done with my main headphone setup sourced by the MHDT labs Havana NOS tube dac with WE396A tube, feeding either the HeadAmp GS-1 or WooAudio WA6 headphone amps. I have had these for roughly 3 months now.
The HE60 uses the same source but uses the stock Sennheiser HEV70 amp. I have had these for about a year now.

Comfort:
When ever I put these headphones on, I feel a little bit sad. I think it has something to do with the huge size of the ear pads, which make me feel droopy. I am not very thrilled with the comfort of the HD800. I would classify it as simply “acceptable”. The headband is too loose, and I find that just handling it will adjust the headband size, needing me to go back and fiddle with it. The headphones are very heavy! Whereas my Senn HE60 are light as a feather, the HD800 are one of the heaviest headphones I have ever used.

If Sennheiser changed the shape from the typical HD650 / HE60 out of necessity to get their sonic signature, then fine. But if they could have made the HD800 in the shape of the HE60 without loss of sound quality, I wish they would have.

The cable is very coiled, and so it likes to twist up. Extra care must be taken to keep the cable straight.

The HD800 move around on my head a lot! They do not make a good fit on my head. If I lean back to close my eyes and listen to the music, they pretty much fall right off. If I move my head side-to-side, they shift around a lot.

Lastly, because of the large size of the ear pads, when I get a 5 o’clock shadow, the ear pads make me quite itchy.

In summary, I am not very happy with the comfort of the HD800, whereas my HE60 are one of the most comfortable headphones I have ever used.

Build quality:
They are mostly sturdy plastic, with a shape that looks a little intimidating at first, but once I got used to it I find they look bland. No color, but similar looking to the Sony Qualia 010 in ear cup design.

Cable design and ear cup attachments are very nice.

Story:
Is the HD800 a more refined version of the HD650? Well, no, frankly. The HD800 is a complete departure. Dr. Sennheiser set out to build the most neutral and technically perfect dynamic headphone the world has ever seen. And their team did it. A German researcher comes out in a lab coat, says “it's perfect”, and goes back.

Out of every dynamic headphone I have ever heard, the HD800 is the most neutral sounding of the bunch. The way it reproduces instrumental music is so lifelike. Every instruments sounds like that instrument. Sounds have the positioning in space rivaling the top electrostatics headphones, and the level of detail is right there with the best electrostatics (O2, HE90). Most people I have talked to, myself included, feel the HD800 are better than the HE90 in several ways. The 800’s have slightly better bass (having more detail and weight, while being more in line with the rest of the frequency spectrum), more depth to the soundstage, and better micro detail. The best HE90 Rig I listened to, with components hand picked by a very respectable name in the headphone business, totaling around 25,000$ was the closest I have heard the HE90 sound to the HD800. They were both about equally neutral. They had a slightly different sonic signature, and different presentation of the music, but both were close enough to be compared in the same category of headphones. The biggest competition I can think of to the HD800 is the Stax O2 in terms of technicality.

So, right about now you would expect me to recommend these, show a few pictures, and be done.

Sadly, no. These headphones have one or two strings attached. It is true that I find these headphones to be the most neutral and lifelike sounding with instrumental music. However, when you are listening to vocals you are faced with a mildly sibilant quality emphasizing sh’s and ss’s. At times male vocals are even sibilant. Now you might argue that this is technically how the recording should sound, but I can tell you that it makes for a less relaxing musical experience. Anyone who wants to drift away in the music will be in search of equipment that disappears, leaving just the music. It is not the case with the HD800. This is one area that the old Sennheiser electrostatics (HE60 / HE90) did MUCH better. If you are searching for a headphone that can be considered warm, the HD800 wouldn’t be my first choice. I would look instead to the HE60, HE90, O2, and R10.

If I could be so crude for a moment, I would say the HD800 typifies what is typically referred to as a ‘solid state sound’, while the HE60/HE90 typifies a ‘tube sound’. The HE60/HE90 are an easier listen, but the HD800 has the technicality and neutrality.
One is no longer a clear winner. It comes down to personal preference. Each is not without their drawbacks, but each is among the best headphones in the world.


Another Story (HD800 Vs. HE60):
So, I owned the HE60 + HEV70 and decided to try the HD800 out. I wanted to try it, but had a very good feeling that I would be returning them within the 15 day return period since there was no way they could stack up to the HE60. 15 days rolled by, and I never returned the HD800. That right there is saying a lot. Now I am cursed, because I want a headphone that combines the best of both headphones! I fear that my only other option is a Stax O2, or a 25,000$ HE90 setup.

I would say that 70% of the time I am thrilled with the HD800 with instrumental music. But for the other 30% of the time, I yearn for the smoothness of the HE60. Most will still consider the HE60 a more hifi headphone, even though the HD800 is better in several ways.

Some ways the HD800 are surprisingly better: First off, the high frequencies. You would think the one thing electrostatics are suited for is that high frequency speed and detail. Well the HE60 have the speed, but I kid you not the HD800 have a better detailed high frequency. Instruments sound more lifelike with the HD800. The HD800 also have a slightly more pronounced bass region with roughly equal amounts of tightness and slightly more detail. Neither is a major departure from the other though, just the HD800’s being slightly more in line with the rest of the frequency spectrum. For those in need of more bass weight, you’ll need to look elsewhere (O2, R10, PS1). The mids are also comparable, with the exception that the HD800 is a little more detailed and sibilant. In terms of soundstage, the HD800 presents sounds more in front of you whereas the HE60 presents a more encapsulating sound experience (much more typical of headphones). I can instantly switch to the HE60, but each time I go back to the HD800 it takes my ears a minute or two to get used to the presentation again. Once this happens though, both headphones have very nice positioning of instruments, with the biggest difference being that the HD800 presents more depth to the sound stage (sounds can sound farther away). It's still close to a headphone sound, but a tiny bit closer to the presentation of a 2 channel stereo setup.
Smoothness easily goes to the HE60.

I could live with either and be very happy. The HD800 have opened up a new window into the way my music sounds, but I still feel VERY uncomfortable parting with my HE60. I think solely in terms of sound quality, I would rather live with the HE60 simply because of the sibilant vocals on the HD800. Curses, I’m so debated (just like I was when it came time to return the HD800)!!!

When you talk about the price, I think Sennheiser did a good job picking the 1400$us price point.

Pics:
I’ll post pictures at a later date.

Hope this helps, and as always feel free to post your comments!
~Drew ]]> High-end Audio Forum Towert7 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/hd800-initial-impressions-vs-he60-455978/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/ue-11-versus-jh-13-a-455386/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:18:59 GMT Has anyone done a comparison of the UE 11 versus the JH 13 headphones. I am interested in hearing people's opinions regarding the two. I have the UE 11 but am contemplating the JH13. Is it worth the money or not.

Thanks in advance.

Chris. ]]> High-end Audio Forum ChicagoNB http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/ue-11-versus-jh-13-a-455386/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/emm-labs-xds1-available-455374/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:53:21 GMT :spiral eyes: uhhhggg... *clunk*

(that's me getting the vapors and passing out) :wink:

EMM Labs - XDS1 Reference CD and SACD Player

Now where to scrape up $25K? :normal_smile : ]]> High-end Audio Forum omigawsh_lollercoaster http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/emm-labs-xds1-available-455374/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/bhse-o2-vs-b52-hd800-bal-455359/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:49:33 GMT Votes and comments based on similar comparisons also welcome. :o2smile: :tongue_smile: :confused_face_2: Votes and comments based on similar comparisons also welcome.

:o2smile: :tongue_smile:

:confused_face_2: ]]> High-end Audio Forum omigawsh_lollercoaster http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/bhse-o2-vs-b52-hd800-bal-455359/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/i-found-orpheus-but-its-broken-454579/ Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:30:31 GMT Hey Guys, I found an orpheus at one of my local hifi stores, but both the amp and phones seem to be caput! The shop keeper would like 10k for the... Hey Guys,
I found an orpheus at one of my local hifi stores, but both the amp and phones seem to be caput! The shop keeper would like 10k for the set (about 9usd)...Do you guys have any clues as to how much Senn would charge for a complete overhaul?

Thanks a million! ]]> High-end Audio Forum juzmister http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/i-found-orpheus-but-its-broken-454579/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/what-gives-most-bang-buck-007-system-superamp-better-dac-453830/ Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:26:23 GMT There is much discussion among the Stax afficionados, about super amps such as the BHSE as the way to get the most from top phones such as the 007.... There is much discussion among the Stax afficionados, about super amps such as the BHSE as the way to get the most from top phones such as the 007. Like most who have heard it, I was much impressed by the BHSE I heard at the last Canjam. I was able to hear what it sounded like both with my 007A and Sigma/404 and immediately developed an itch to get one. Alas with the wife factor, not to mention 2 kids soon going to college, a $5,000 amp is not coming my way soon unless climate change causes it to rain money in my neighborhood.

However I was able to scratch together the money for a new (well actually used) Musical Fidelity XDAC V3 and was very surprised at just how much it improved my 717/007A set-up. I had not expected this level of improvement and am beginning to wonder whether what I liked so much about the BHSE may possibly have been a better DAC/CD player in the BHSE system.

My original plan was to use the XDAC with my second best system, a Sigma/404 with a SRM1Mk2 amp and a modestly priced and aging Sherwood Newcastle CD player. However when I inserted the XDAC into this set-up I realized this would not work because the set-up left my 717/007 set-up sounding inferior. That system used a CEC belt drive transport and an earlier Musical Fidelity A3-24 DAC. So now the XDAC sits with the 717/007A and the A3-24 with the SRM1Mk2/Sigma/404 to allow the 007 system keep its performance edge.

The XDAC V3 is a fairly small item, much smaller than the A3-24 and runs off a 500 ma walwart. Still it is a big improvement over the A3-24, more sweet sounding and punchy and with a well defined stereo image. Supposedly it runs better with an upgraded (XPSUV3) power supply, but the walwart was not obiously deficient. It helps to plug the walwart in the right way, the plug is not polarized and one direction works better than the other. You can also get this right with an electric field sensor such as the Elkind I use which buzzes when it detects a field. The best result will be obtained with the plug orientation which gives the least buzzing.

I have gone through several generations of DAC's. There appears to be a continuing upgrade of the better DAC's such that you will probably notice a difference of units more than about 5 years old. I am running one or more generations behnd even now. Musical Fidelity itself has several other more recent and more expensive units.

At any rate my experience is that there is good bang for the buck in upgrading these digital processing units and my itch to get the BHSE is subsiding. ]]> High-end Audio Forum edstrelow http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/what-gives-most-bang-buck-007-system-superamp-better-dac-453830/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/eddie-current-balancing-act-tube-rolling-452468/ Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:44:20 GMT I've very much enjoyed the impressions of fellow Zana Deux owners on the ZD tube-rolling thread. I've tried many tubes I wouldn't've otherwise, as a result. So it seems natural that Craig's next iteration, the Balancing Act, should have its own tube-rolling thread. In Craig's own words, "Just like the 6SL7 makes a difference in the ZD, the 6SN7 can change the character of the BA. The NOS 6F8G's are all really good and worth the pain of using an adapter."

I like a Brimar in the ZD but I'm hearing that the 6SN7 Brimar can sound thin in the BA. Presently, I am listening to a NOS Russian 6H8C, and enjoying it immensely. A Brimar, a couple Tung-Sols, and an RCA or two are on the way.

Please post your impressions freely, as we are all very interested in trying out new ideas to optimize the BA.

Best to all,

-Tim ]]> High-end Audio Forum twestby http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/eddie-current-balancing-act-tube-rolling-452468/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/bass-mia-hd800s-may-contentious-post-451775/ Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:47:26 GMT Hiya , first let me qualify myself ..I'm no stranger to headphones or high end systems and don't have a hearing problem barring some loss above 15khz.
Prior to getting my 800's I have used the H600's and the HD650s running thru a variety of headphone amps , X-cansV2, V3 , Graham slee solo , Custom SET amp , and a custom class A discrete component solid state amp and have enjoyed sound from all of them with some good sources , Jolida CDP , Theta transport and DAC etc and lately my Slim devices Transporter.
At any rate , I got Woo WA2 and was enjoying it and soon after decided to get the Hd800's...I had heard them extremely briefly (5 mins)with a Wa2 and was blown away by their imaging and openess of the sound
I had read comments and reviews on em ...and took note of the proviso that they were slightly bass shy ....hmm!
I ran the phones in for at least 100 hours and settled back for some serious listening....only to find that , to put it bluntly , these phones sound really treble hot and have no real drive , yes there is low bass but its limited , lower midbass seems extremely lacking.
To cut a long story short , after swapping amps , sources , cables , valves , dacs and so forth I determined my Class A SS state drove em with the best bass and the cleanest output ...I realise these phones measure flat - but they really started sounding fatuiging long term , giving me no real pleasure compared to my 600/650's which sounded grainy and veiled by comparison to the 800's in all other respects apart from bass.

Flat in any systems sounds like doo doo mostly - I have a TACT time and freq room correction system I have used in my main rig and doing time and freq EQ without overlaying a preference curve results in clean but horrible sound , TACT themselves provide preference curves to ameliorate the sound of perfectly flat.

I decided to insert my Z-sys RDP-1 digital parametric between my transporters digital output and it's DAC (I reviewed the unit here Z-Systems RDP-1 - Digital preamp ) and added some judicial eq in the Vlf and low bass and the Hd800's "woke up" and started sounding wonderful .. at any rate , I now use the 800's with a Behringer DEQ2496 using its PEQ function rather than the Z-sys which I use in one of my main systems...It's a $350 unit and sounds almost as good as the Z-sys. (google it)
I have a pal that also has the 800's and he too has been going mad trying to get these phones sounding good , he was blown away by the change the Parametric EQ makes - takes these phones into a different class.
I now have deep and tight and quite visceral bass and my music sounds like it should. No cable , dac , or amp change can possible do what these units can ...
Im wondering if the fact that these phones are so open (physically) and the drivers are not close to the ear and tilted away makes them lose some of the pressure wave the bass should provide and this is why they sound so bass shy? ]]> High-end Audio Forum Rodney_Gold http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/bass-mia-hd800s-may-contentious-post-451775/