HD650 upgraded cable...which one? - Page 4 - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

gooky · 06-02-2008, 06:52 AM

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict

I did a review of the APS V3 on my HD600 if that helps:

Thanks for the link, your review is very informative. Would I be too forward to say that you think the APS also suites the character of the HD-650 very well too? The review is very well detailed, but I guess I'm not clear on what you mean when you say it sounds natural. I'm no expert, but what I like about the HD-650 versus the Grado SR-225 that I own, is that the HD-650 is smooth with slower music genres like country music. A song that I like to compare the HD-650 and the SR-225 with is "Carried Away," by George Strait. With the Grado, everything sounds sharper, but you lose that sensation of flowing along, if that makes any sense. Do you think instruments like the steel guitar will sound good with the APS V3? I find it all very complicated. In any case, I appreciate the help trying to get a feel for the APS V3, maybe I won't know for sure unless I purchase it.

Jerrycan · 06-02-2008, 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by tubaman

For HD650, I still like the Equinox best, it doesn't change the character of HD650 but embellish it, making everything better/bloom, preserving the beautiful smoothness of HD650. It's like changing from a Target black suit to a Georgia Armani black suit. Still a black suit, but much better. The Equinox is my favorite and basis for comparison.

I second that.
After a 100 hours break-in period (it really needs that time), everthing falls into place. It's still the HD650 but more open en detailed to all sides. Very pleasant listening without getting tired.

HeadphoneAddict · 06-02-2008, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by gooky

Thanks for the link, your review is very informative. Would I be too forward to say that you think the APS also suites the character of the HD-650 very well too? The review is very well detailed, but I guess I'm not clear on what you mean when you say it sounds natural. I'm no expert, but what I like about the HD-650 versus the Grado SR-225 that I own, is that the HD-650 is smooth with slower music genres like country music. A song that I like to compare the HD-650 and the SR-225 with is "Carried Away," by George Strait. With the Grado, everything sounds sharper, but you lose that sensation of flowing along, if that makes any sense. Do you think instruments like the steel guitar will sound good with the APS V3? I find it all very complicated. In any case, I appreciate the help trying to get a feel for the APS V3, maybe I won't know for sure unless I purchase it.

When I say "natural" I mean transparent and lifelike.

I think the APS cable is suitable for just about every headphone I have. Specifically it brings out the best of what the headphone has to offer without taking anything away. I have APS cable on my RS-1, RS-2, HF-1, HD600, Edition 9, Denon D2000 - a total of 8 if you consider that I have three for the HD600 (a 4 foot with 1/8" plug, a 6 foot with Furutech 1/4" and super nylon sleeve, and a 8 foot balanced cable).

I like the HD600 better than the HD650, so I sold the HD650 that I picked up from Blutarsky and kept my HD600 - but I can say that I liked the 650 with the APS V3 cable more than I did with their stock cable. Using the 650 balanced out of my Apogee mini-DAC with the APS V3 XLR plug cable almost convinced me to keep them, until I used the HD600 with the same setup and cable and liked it more. I just felt the HD600 were more neutral and balanced, and mine have over a 1,000 hours on them and have settled down nicely.

Remember that there are many good cables out there to choose from, and nobody can say that one is the BEST of all - however, a person can say I liked this one better than that one.

pataburd · 06-02-2008, 01:55 PM

The APS V2 added a bit of warmth to the K501. If the V3 is similar, I personally would not prefer it for the HD600 or--especially not--the HD650, which have inherent warmth with their stock cables.

Getting back to the K501, though, I think the APS V3 might be the best option. (I am in the process of ordering the V3 for my K501.)

The RAL cable (v. Cardas, v. Headphile BlackMax and v. stock) was by-far-and-away my favorite after market cable for the HD6X0.

HeadphoneAddict · 06-02-2008, 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by pataburd

The APS V2 added a bit of warmth to the K501. If the V3 is similar, I personally would not prefer it for the HD600 or--especially not--the HD650, which have inherent warmth with their stock cables.

Getting back to the K501, though, I think the APS V3 might be the best option. (I am in the process of ordering the V3 for my K501.)

The RAL cable (v. Cardas, v. Headphile BlackMax and v. stock) was by-far-and-away my favorite after market cable for the HD6X0.

Trust me, your experience with V2 cable on K501 does not translate to the HD600/650 and the V3 cable.

penger · 06-02-2008, 06:12 PM

I have both the SAA and Moon-Audio Black Dragon, and I'm liking the SAA more.

pataburd · 06-02-2008, 06:22 PM

HPA,

The analogy was not meant to be translatable in the sense that, obviously, the K501 and HD6X0 have clearly different stock sounds. My point was merely that the V2's effect on the K501 IMHE (and which I thought was a sonic boon for the AKG), was apparently "additive" in a manner I would not want it to be--speculatively--on the HD6X0.

What I take away from your comment is that the V3 is very different from the V2, in that were I to a/b the APS V2/K501 and the APS V3/K501, then the latter APS cable would not impart a perceptible "warmth" to the K501 as does, apparently, the former (IMHE).

: )

PAB

DarkAngel · 06-02-2008, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by riceboy

I've owned the Cardas, Silver Dragon V2, Blue Dragon and now the Zu Mobius.

Hands down from the 4 the Zu Mobius cable is incredible. I've been hearing detail and texture in my 10 albums I use all the time with any new amp, source, or can I get in to test them out. Let me tell you that it was like a night and day difference in sound. I didn't think a cable would make such a difference. I didn't even have to close my eyes and concentrate on the music to pick out the improvements or detail. I was working on my computer and heard multiple things in the track that I never heard before. Also, the low end became really tight and had some punch to it. I've been so very happy with it. With my Dragon amp from Singlepower it is really driving my HD650s properly and with the cable upgrade it is phenomenal. Of course with everything YMMV, but for me I couldn't be happier.

RB
Do you have the newest version of Zu Mobius?
Zu has quietly done an upgrade to original Mobius, not even mentioned on thier website which still shows photo of original Mobius. The new Mobius is thinner, lighter and more flexible than original Mobius much more comfortable to wear.

I traded in my old Mobius for the new one just 1 month ago so can't do a direct comparo, but I am very pleased with new version and have no 2nd thoughts about whether new version is better, has a more refined and natural presentation while significantly removing the Senn 650 "veil" I love it!

This will give you some idea of what Zu has been up to with new model:
New Zu Mobius

Not sure why thier website makes no mention of these great changes?

nghows · 06-09-2008, 11:58 PM

just got my RAL cable. Straight out of the bag it sounds great. Veils removed blah blah blah. Staging improved. Brighter without being bright if that makes sense. Stock cable dull, dark and closed in by comparison.
Looking forward to hearing it once it settles down.

pataburd · 06-10-2008, 12:45 AM

Originally Posted by nghows

just got my RAL cable. Straight out of the bag it sounds great. Veils removed blah blah blah. Staging improved. Brighter without being bright if that makes sense. Stock cable dull, dark and closed in by comparison.
Looking forward to hearing it once it settles down.

Congratulations! The RAL is a great re-cable for the HD650, IMHE. Keep us posted! : )