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An Audiophile’s Journal: Introduction - Page 2

post #16 of 105
1/2/06 at 7:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jbloudg20
Although sonically, there will be differences, there is something special about a nice headphone rig. It lets you be one with your music. It is a much more intimate and satisying experience.
QFT
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post #17 of 105
1/2/06 at 7:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sxr71
I know, but I can't explain why the bass is so much more prounounced coming from my home CD player.
oooo I misinterpreted your sentence! sorry

Maybe your home CDP is more resolving? maybe it's the way the music was meant to be heard? thoughts...
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post #18 of 105
1/2/06 at 1:37pm
Thread Starter 
So does the 50-year-old (former virgin) “beam” the morning after his first head-fi experience?

I’ll start by saying that it sounds very good – especially considering the price. At a total investment for the Aria and Etys + P->S cable running $631.90 (including shipping), I think it not possible to even approach this level of sound quality via a receiver/amp and speakers. In fact, I would think it tough to do even with used gear.

But there are distinct limitations... primarily errors of omission. The bass rolloff is similar to a high quality monitor – like my AE-1s w/o the sub. Some of the detail, sense of space and ambience present on my main rig is also gone. So my impression so far is that what this combo does it does well. It just doesn’t do it all (nor should it be expected to given the price).

Here’s a question for you... How much improvement would I hear through upgraded headphones? And how much would I need to spend to get them?

I also plan to experiment with the Ety ear plugs a bit to see if that might make a difference in SQ.

Thanks for tuning in.
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post #19 of 105
1/2/06 at 1:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alwayswantmore

1) Here’s a question for you... How much improvement would I hear through upgraded headphones? And how much would I need to spend to get them?

2) I also plan to experiment with the Ety ear plugs a bit to see if that might make a difference in SQ.

Thanks for tuning in.
Hello,

1) Dont ask this kind of question right after the spending that probably went on during your Holliday Season.....
One of many answers: an excellent used HD-650 with an upgrade cable goes normaly around 350/425$.

2) Yes you are in the first part of your «fitting» research period. It will improve the most in the bass region.

Have fun.

Amicalement
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post #20 of 105
1/2/06 at 3:15pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Genetic
Hello,

1) Dont ask this kind of question right after the spending that probably went on during your Holliday Season.....
One of many answers: an excellent used HD-650 with an upgrade cable goes normaly around 350/425$.
Significant SQ improvement? How much for new??? Thanks, Kent

[Edit: Removed sig.]
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post #21 of 105
1/2/06 at 3:32pm
Quote:
But there are distinct limitations... primarily errors of omission. The bass rolloff is similar to a high quality monitor – like my AE-1s w/o the sub. Some of the detail, sense of space and ambience present on my main rig is also gone. So my impression so far is that what this combo does it does well. It just doesn’t do it all (nor should it be expected to given the price).

Here’s a question for you... How much improvement would I hear through upgraded headphones? And how much would I need to spend to get them?
No headphone can do bass like a floor-standing speaker or satellites with a sub. You need air being moved so you can feel it, and that requires big drivers. With IEMs like the Etys, sounds are made by teeny-tiny little drivers, so bass is "seen" and not felt. Standard circumaural headphones have larger drivers and can produce *some* more sensation of bass, but it's always going to be muted, this is one of the inherent limitations of headphones vs. speakers.
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post #22 of 105
1/2/06 at 4:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by markl
No headphone can do bass like a floor-standing speaker or satellites with a sub. You need air being moved so you can feel it, and that requires big drivers. With IEMs like the Etys, sounds are made by teeny-tiny little drivers, so bass is "seen" and not felt. Standard circumaural headphones have larger drivers and can produce *some* more sensation of bass, but it's always going to be muted, this is one of the inherent limitations of headphones vs. speakers.
Given a choice between tight but not extended bass, over deep but bloated bass, my decision would be easy. So I can live without the bass. But how about depth, detail, space (air) -- how much can be gained by stepping up from Etys? In other words, am I hearing most of that is there, or would better headphones coupled to a moderate price amp like the Aria be big step up? Your opinions are appreciated.
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post #23 of 105
1/2/06 at 4:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alwayswantmore
Given a choice between tight but not extended bass, over deep but bloated bass, my decision would be easy. So I can live without the bass. But how about depth, detail, space (air) -- how much can be gained by stepping up from Etys?
IMO, a lot can be gained by going from IEMs to full size circumaural open headphones. It's a very different presentation, and one which could be called more speaker-like (unless you get Grados, which may not improve on IEMs much in the headstage department).
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post #24 of 105
1/2/06 at 5:18pm
I have both the ETy4p with the Xin-S plug and to compare the sound with my ATH-A900LTDs that are closed is almost night and day. My A900LTS has the clarity my of Etys while having a base line that the Etys can only dream of....I still am looking around at times thinking someone is walking across my floor when I have them on, the base is so deep. I also check them out with the "Surround Sound CD" at the 20-25 Hz sinewave and they have the sound right there at listening level.

If the ATH-A series, such as the AT-A2000 has more air, then they are very good in the "air" area...and one is available now on the forums for sale. If an open phone is for you then this may be your ticket.

Quote:
Originally Posted by fewtch
IMO, a lot can be gained by going from IEMs to full size circumaural open headphones. It's a very different presentation, and one which could be called more speaker-like (unless you get Grados, which may not improve on IEMs much in the headstage department).
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post #25 of 105
1/2/06 at 5:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alwayswantmore
But there are distinct limitations... primarily errors of omission. The bass rolloff is similar to a high quality monitor – like my AE-1s w/o the sub. Some of the detail, sense of space and ambience present on my main rig is also gone. So my impression so far is that what this combo does it does well. It just doesn’t do it all (nor should it be expected to given the price).

Here’s a question for you... How much improvement would I hear through upgraded headphones? And how much would I need to spend to get them?
An headphone like the Sennheiser HD-650 can be as good or even better than your AE-1 and without the bass roll-off, but it's the headphone amp that gonna cost you the most to get there.

The question is: How much are you ready to spend for the amp alone?

I'm sure you know that, but headphones or speakers; upstream gear have the same importance. Now you can invest in a nice preamp/headphone amp an get a win-win situation.
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post #26 of 105
1/2/06 at 7:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alwayswantmore
Significant SQ improvement? How much for new??? Thanks, Kent

[Edit: Removed sig.]
Not sure about the lowest price for a new HD-650 (probably around 300$) but where the «madness» start is when considering the upgrade cable. I spent almost as much for my Zu cable (long, very long story) and to be honest even with this obvious gain in SQ, the investment is not that wise for the vast majority of HD-650 users.

Unless the big boys influence you in buying a «demential» amp along with your already more than sufficient source.... (Dont even think about it and please enjoy your Aria!!!!)

Bottom line I use my Etys for a specific purpose (isolation from the outside noise from my fans computer) and as many have already wrote the regular cans are able to do some tricks that no Etys will duplicate.

Amicalement,

Dany
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post #27 of 105
1/2/06 at 8:18pm
I suggest that for indoor listening, a good pair of Circumnaural (sp?) Headphones are better than IEM's...

I much prefer listening to my Beyer DT531's than the UE's when at home.

I find that my IEM's don't benefit much from being amped anyway.

I'd think about auditioning a pair of Beyerdynamic DT880's and a pair of Sennheiser HD650's with your Aria and source if I were you.
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post #28 of 105
1/3/06 at 3:23am
Thread Starter 
I lucked out at work and got off early, giving me a chance to spend a couple hours listening. I must say that today everything sounded even better than yesterday. I attribute the change primarily to getting a better fit with the Etys, and to a lesser degree, adding a few DBs to my listening level.

While I still miss that bottom octave, everything else was improved. Driven by the Wadia, the Etys have an extremely good midrange. The SQ is well beyond what anyone should expect for the price (bassheads would likely not agree).

Thoughts on the Aria:

1.) The external build quality is more impressive in person than depicted in the photos. Most impressive is the extensive use of brushed aluminum panels.

2.) The switches are small -- and I use them with a very delicate touch in that they do not appear to be very rugged (this is perception, not fact).

3.) Overall I like the appearance of the amp. It looks and feels like a product that sells for more than its actual price.

4.) I HATE THE BLUE LIGHT! I have nicknamed my amp "the nightlight". It is so fricking bright that I had to put a corner of a sticky note over the light to make it tolerable in a dark room. Red or even green would have longer wavelengths and be less obnoxious. If possible, I would even consider disconnecting the light ???

Thanks for all of your comments on headphones. Hopefully over time I will have a chance to audition other headphones and add a pair of more conventional phones.

Bye for now. Kent
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post #29 of 105
1/5/06 at 2:50pm
Thread Starter 
I had a major breakthrough last night. As much as I thought I was getting a good fit with the Etys, I was wrong. In another thread, a headfier provided a link to an old thread on proper insertion. Look at the picture below (borrowed from this thread)...



Properly inserted the cables run close to the ear and pretty much in a vertical position. After experimenting in front of a mirror, I was able to get another 1/8" or so in depth, and a better angle. The sound has improved in all areas. I now see why people love their Etys!

Click here to read the thread.
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post #30 of 105
1/5/06 at 6:19pm
Damn straight!
Get them puppies inserted properly and you'll be well rewarded by deep, though light bass. Seal and position is all important with Ety's and as you've been finding, they can indeed sound awesome. A little bass EQ at the <40Hz range and they fill out nicely.
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