Is it better to buy modded HFI780s then to buy a higher tier headphone? The HFI780s stock are medium tier headphones, but with Jena mod, the price sky rockets to $600 from $250. For $600 you can buy higher tier headphones like the D5000 or AD2000. Does the ALO modding give a performance increase equal to the next tier level headphones?
Is it better to buy modded HFI780s then to buy a higher tier headphone? The HFI780s stock are medium tier headphones, but with Jena mod, the price sky rockets to $600 from $250. For $600 you can buy higher tier headphones like the D5000 or AD2000. Does the ALO modding give a performance increase equal to the next tier level headphones?
I doubt any recable can turn a middle tier headphone into a full blown hi end can.
I doubt any recable can turn a middle tier headphone into a full blown hi end can.
Not that I'm trying to argue that point... But, I wish people would stop referring to this mod as though it's a SIMPLE recable like someone is slapping a coat hanger to the transducers and calling it a day... The mod consists of more than simply just 'recabling'... which means it does transform the phones, whether or not it transforms it into something that can compete with certain "higher tier" cans, depends on what the user is looking for and what they're comparing it to.
I'm speaking from my own personal experience with the modded 780s and having used a number of cans from the low-fi to high-fi range.
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Is it better to buy modded HFI780s then to buy a higher tier headphone? The HFI780s stock are medium tier headphones, but with Jena mod, the price sky rockets to $600 from $250. For $600 you can buy higher tier headphones like the D5000 or AD2000. Does the ALO modding give a performance increase equal to the next tier level headphones?
I believe HeadphoneAddict stated that a pair of ALO HFI-780J's is about 90% of what an Edition 9 is. So I believe the answer is yes. If it's 90% of a $1k + headphone, it has moved to the next tier of cans.
I am quite satisfied with my ALO-780J headphones and I am at least one person not planning on selling theirs after making such a statement.
Me too. The ALO-780J is a keeper, despite my current collection of headphones, and the that that I have an ED9 and another ED9 on the way. One can always checked my profile to see what I have to-date.
Whether the HFI-780 is a mid-tier or higher tier headphone is something to be debated. Price wise, yes, it is mid-tier pricing. But soncially even without the modification and recabling it is worth more than the price. The fact that it is made in Taiwan, instead of Germany, may be one reason why the manufacturer can offer attractive pricing. But let's don't be fooled - it has many of the attributes of its bigger brother and the ALO modification and recabling just bring it one or two step closer to ED9.
F. Lo
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So how exactly does an MODDED Edition 9 sound? Any upgrades for the PRO 2500 aswell?
This all sounds very interesting!
I don't think the re-cabled Edition 9 sound much different from stock. The thing I noticed most was there was a slight veil lifted from the sound, but with the stock cable they are still quite detailed and impressive. I have a stock Edition 9 and the APS V3 Edition 9, so I know what they sound like.
The HFI-780 however made DRAMATIC changes with a new cable - less sibilance, tamer smoother highs, increased transparency and soundstage, and tighter more controlled bass. While I am comfortable recommending a stock Proline 2500 to someone (knowing with 400 hours they sound like a cross between the RS-1 and HD600), anyone thinking of getting the HFI-780 I caution to include the cost of re-cabling in the price of admission.
Having said that, I love my re-cabled HFI-780 and use them frequently.
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LarryHead-Fi Feedback MAIN RIG: Marantz CD5001 > Synergistic Research Coax > Apogee mini-DAC with Sigma 11 PSU > Neutrik XLR out > Jensen Transformers XLR-RCA > Anti-cables RCA > Stax SRM-1 Mk2 pro (or HEV70) > Sennheiser HE60 >>> or SRM-1 Mk2 Pro (or HEV70) RCA pass-thru > Silver plated copper IC > Woo Audio Maxxed WA6 w/ GZ34 Bugle Boy > Grado RS-1 with APS V3 cable. BEDSIDE RIG: Sony D-303 or iRiver H140 > Sysconcept.ca optical > HeadRoom Micro DAC > ALO cryo silver x mini-mini > TTVJ portable millet hybrid tube amp > Grado HF-1 with Headcoverage woodies and APS V3 cable >>> or DV336i > Edition 9 with APS V3 cable. BASEMENT RIG: iBook > USB PICO > Denon D2000 APS V2 cable. PORTABLE RIG: iMod 80gb 5.5G > barqy silver in silk LOD > ALO portable V-Cap dock > barqy silver in silk mini-mini > RSA Predator > Livewires T1. LAPTOP RIG: MacBook > USB iBasso D2 > Edition 9 with APS V3 cable. CO regional meet 7/26/08
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