Ultrasone HFI780 ALO Mod - Page 13 - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

HeadphoneAddict · #**181** (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 03:36 AM

Interestingly the ATH-W11R sound better right now with my 133 hour iBasso D2 than my 1000+ hours HeadFive. The 780 seems like both equally now. Warming up the DarkVoice 336i on the other rig now...

HeadphoneAddict · #**182** (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 08:37 AM

Well,

So far I like the ALO Vampire 780 better than the ATH-W11R, out of any amp.

slwiser · #**183** (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict

Well,

So far I like the ALO Vampire 780 better than the ATH-W11R, out of any amp.

We must like very similar sound profiles because from your note this does not surprise me at all.

silverrain · #**184** (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 11:52 AM

I withdraw the redundant question.

slwiser · #**185** (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 12:57 PM

I have not heard the Vampire cable so I can't make a definitive statement for an opinion. Headphoneaddict maybe the only person that has.

silverrain · #**186** (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slwiser

I have not heard the Vampire cable so I can't make a definitive statement for an opinion. Headphoneaddict maybe the only that has.

Headphoneaddict has already given me extensive advice on the cans -- I just thought there may be someone else that has heard both types, but I guess not.
So, I withdrew the question.
Thanks.

HeadphoneAddict · #**187** (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 06:36 PM

I missed your question silverrain. But I will expand on my Vampire vs Jenna Labs comments.

As you know, I have a good comparison between the two cables earlier in the thread. I think they are both great, but the edge goes to the JL cable. But the improvement over stock with Ken's mods and Vampire wire cable is fairly dramatic, and it is hard to not enjoy them with the "lesser" Vampire wire cable. The improvement from Vampire wire to Jenna Labs is less dramatic, but I trained my ears and could hear the difference.

So, if you had me A/B the Vampire vs Jenna Labs I would know which is which blindfolded. However, if you had me A/B the stock vs only the Vampire or only the JL, I would know which is modded and which is stock, but I would find it MUCH harder to say whether the modded was Vampire or Jenna Labs (without hearing all three).

If you are spending $250 more over stock 780's from a headphone discounter for Vampire Wire, I think you get your money's worth. If you spend the extra $150 for the JL cable over Vampire, I think you get your money's worth. (assuming decent source and amp, to take advantage of better cables).

The Vampire wire is very close to the JL, but the difference in transparency is more apparent when listening with something like an HD600 rather than ALO780. The HD600 has a reputation for resolving music with a good cable, so it is easier to hear the differences in cable quality if the headphone is a higher quality to start with. For instance, I would never put a Vampire wire instead of a Jenna Labs cable on my Edition 9, even if it is better than stock, unless the JL cable had never existed. (assuming I can afford it after the tax refund was spent on 5 tickets to Hawaii and a couple of amps and phones).

Morph201 · #**188** (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 07:05 PM

Ok, the anticipation is killing me! Hopefully I'll have the phones by Saturday, with a long burn in to follow!

From what I read earlier it seems these cans are not really "amp-sensistive"?? I currently have a, more or less, neutral leaning amp.

wfranklin · #**189** (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 08:43 PM

I now have about 60 hours on my JL ALO780's, and am thoroughly enjoying them through a WA6 max'd.

silverrain · #**190** (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict

I missed your question silverrain. But I will expand on my Vampire vs Jenna Labs comments.

You must have read my mind -- thanks! (again).

Now, my decision is narrowed down to whether I want the ALO-780, or just spring for the Edition 9's.

pfillion · #**191** (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 09:38 PM

My ALO-780s have only around 50 hrs of burn in and I'm already planning to purchase the Jenna Labs in the near future..

I'll probably keep the Vampire version at my job and the Jenna Labs will be exclusivelly dedicated for home

My poor wallet

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict

I missed your question silverrain. But I will expand on my Vampire vs Jenna Labs comments.

As you know, I have a good comparison between the two cables earlier in the thread. I think they are both great, but the edge goes to the JL cable. But the improvement over stock with Ken's mods and Vampire wire cable is fairly dramatic, and it is hard to not enjoy them with the "lesser" Vampire wire cable. The improvement from Vampire wire to Jenna Labs is less dramatic, but I trained my ears and could hear the difference.

So, if you had me A/B the Vampire vs Jenna Labs I would know which is which blindfolded. However, if you had me A/B the stock vs only the Vampire or only the JL, I would know which is modded and which is stock, but I would find it MUCH harder to say whether the modded was Vampire or Jenna Labs (without hearing all three).

If you are spending $250 more over stock 780's from a headphone discounter for Vampire Wire, I think you get your money's worth. If you spend the extra $150 for the JL cable over Vampire, I think you get your money's worth. (assuming decent source and amp, to take advantage of better cables).

The Vampire wire is very close to the JL, but the difference in transparency is more apparent when listening with something like an HD600 rather than ALO780. The HD600 has a reputation for resolving music with a good cable, so it is easier to hear the differences in cable quality if the headphone is a higher quality to start with. For instance, I would never put a Vampire wire instead of a Jenna Labs cable on my Edition 9, even if it is better than stock, unless the JL cable had never existed. (assuming I can afford it after the tax refund was spent on 5 tickets to Hawaii and a couple of amps and phones).

silverrain · #**192** (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 09:41 PM

You guys are making my wallet cry!

slwiser · #**193** (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverrain

You must have read my mind -- thanks! (again).

Now, my decision is narrowed down to whether I want the ALO-780, or just spring for the Edition 9's.

Life is hard isn't it when these are our questions.

Rickio · #**194** (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 10:04 PM

I was comparing my vampire alo 780's with my stock hfi 780 and I can hardly stand to listen to stock anymore. It's really much more then a subtle difference. You can hear more texture and details and smoother sound, as I mentioned before the shrillness is gone or tamed.

I was going to keep my stock but I can hardly stand it now hehehe. I might get it modded as well sometime. Probably go for the Jenna cable...what the heck hehehe since I got the stock already anyway hehehe...

charlie1 · #**195** (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 11:26 PM

You guys are making me want to get the 780 mod with jena cable and here i sit with KENS Cryo cabled Edition 9s. Talked him out of them about three weeks ago. (POOR ME) They are great though. But, should i get the 780s also? I think he is EVIL making all these great toys. MO-MONEY Just kidding about the EVIL part KEN.