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Balanced cables for HD-650

post #1 of 27
10/31/05 at 12:27am
Thread Starter 
I'm moving to a balanced system and am wondering about the recabling options for my HD-650. I used the single ended Cardas upgrade cable for a while, but was a bit bothered by the midrange 'glare' that some others have heard with this cable.

So I'm wondering where else to head. I'm not someone who really feels that this can is 'velied', and quite enjoy the stock sound. It looks like a Blue Dragon cable may be the best option. What do you think?
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post #2 of 27
10/31/05 at 12:36am
I use the standard 1/4 inch connector on my Stefan Audioart Equinox cable, which was a great improvement over the stock cable, and has received great reviews in many places, despite its lack of a solid reputation here at Headfi. I would suggest you take a strong look at it; the build time may be long, but results are truly worth the wait and the money.
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post #3 of 27
10/31/05 at 12:49am
I second the Equinox cable recommendation, but based on my Single-ended use, and not balanced. I tried the Zu Mobius, but prefered the Eq. due to (IMO) a more neutral and transparent effect on the Senns.

Like IL said, the wait time could be long, but you should contact them directly to see what the case may be.
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post #4 of 27
10/31/05 at 12:54am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the suggestion, but along with the long wait, the cost would be around $400 (I need 10' or possibly longer) which is just too high for me at this point.

Where does one get the Zu cable from? I looked at the headphile cables, but they are only up to 2m long.

As a further point, why are the Cardas balanced cables nearly twice the price of their single ended counterparts, considering the difference is basically the connector on the end?
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post #5 of 27
10/31/05 at 1:01am
I have Blue Dragon balanced cable for my HD650's, and find it shreds the veil to bits. Don't know what you plan on for source or amp, but imho, if they are adequate, the BD will be up to the task, and you will be happy.
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post #6 of 27
10/31/05 at 1:35am
Thread Starter 
Yep, I'm strongly leaning towards the Blue Dragon, but moon audio list it as out of stock...
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post #7 of 27
10/31/05 at 2:14am
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Just email or PM Drew, and he should fix you right up. He's a great guy, and has always treated Head-Fi'ers very well.
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post #8 of 27
10/31/05 at 4:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheSloth
Where does one get the Zu cable from?
http://www.zucable.com/mobiussenn/index.html
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post #9 of 27
10/31/05 at 1:54pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks everyone. The blue dragons are coming in this week or next week, so I ordered a 15' balanced length of that. FYI, Drew said that the silver dragon is a while off, as it is undergoing a redesign. So yet another new cable for Senns. on it's way...
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post #10 of 27
10/31/05 at 2:06pm
congrats! of course, be sure to post impressions and pics once you get the BD
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post #11 of 27
10/31/05 at 2:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheSloth
I used the single ended Cardas upgrade cable for a while, but was a bit bothered by the midrange 'glare' that some others have heard with this cable.
I see this everytime you mention the Cardas and everytime I think, never heard such a thing. I've used my Cardas on 4 amps, 3 sources and always with the Senn 650 and never had glare. Especially not in the midrange which is Cardas forte.

That said, other than Cardas, Zu or Equinox are good options. Moon has had troubles with connectors that may or may not be fixed in the new version of Blue and Silver. Many also like the HeadPhile options paired to transparent and high energy sources.

Me, I'm sticking with Cardas.
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post #12 of 27
11/1/05 at 8:13pm
I didn't really care for the Cardas cable, it was nice and an improvement over the stock cable but somehow just didn't quite strike a chord with me. The Zu was a great cable, it had nice upper and lower end extension. The Silver Dragon had better soundstage than any of them to me but lacked the extension of the Zu. None were perfect, I liked the Zu and the Silver Dragon about equally but went with the Silver Dragon because of it's wider soundstage. Now give me something that performs like a cross between a Zu and the Silver Dragon and I'd be in heaven...
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post #13 of 27
11/1/05 at 8:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gpalmer
I didn't really care for the Cardas cable, it was nice and an improvement over the stock cable but somehow just didn't quite strike a chord with me. The Zu was a great cable, it had nice upper and lower end extension. The Silver Dragon had better soundstage than any of them to me but lacked the extension of the Zu. None were perfect, I liked the Zu and the Silver Dragon about equally but went with the Silver Dragon because of it's wider soundstage. Now give me something that performs like a cross between a Zu and the Silver Dragon and I'd be in heaven...
something along the lines of 18awg silver should do it ... im pretty sure that would be super practical for a headphone cable too
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post #14 of 27
11/1/05 at 8:50pm
I highly recommend the Equinox if you like the stock cable. The Zu makes the HD650 sound thinner. However, the Equinox has a long lead time and the balanced version is overpriced.
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post #15 of 27
11/1/05 at 9:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by grandenigma1
something along the lines of 18awg silver should do it ... im pretty sure that would be super practical for a headphone cable too
LOL, durable would be the word! NOT!!!!
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