Sennheiser HD650 Appreciation Thread!! - Page 731

+1...hoping for some Crack!! 

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBull 

I am wondering what headphone amp used back then for those vintage receivers, opamp? discreet?

No opamps in the 70's. Just a resistor stepping down the power of that glorious main amp.

IMO, that's why most vintage receivers sound so good thru headphones.

I know this is off topic.  I got the magni about a week ago and it is awesome with my 650.  Very happy about my purchase.

Quote:

Originally Posted by foolsgold1986 

I know this is off topic.  I got the magni about a week ago and it is awesome with my 650.  Very happy about my purchase.

I like this combination too. Now you can also go buy an ODAC or Modi if you haven't yet! I love the ODAC with everything I have.

EDIT: I think i'm going to go nuts and buy a used or new Cardas cable for my HD-650. Even when using my $35 Cardas cable as an interconnect I can hear some slight improvements. I think the Cardas is not low or high capacitance, so it's what I'd prefer. Somewhere right in the middle. I have a Double Helix cable now and it's OK, but I still somehow prefer to use the stock cable despite it not being technically as good.

I wonder what is is that makes Cardas such a good match for the HD-650?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdockweiler 

I wonder what is is that makes Cardas such a good match for the HD-650?

placebo effect

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunshineReggae 

 

placebo effect

A sensitive topic indeed. I'm not sure what to believe. Just something you have to try for yourself I guess. I am a believer in headphone "burn in" because I did hear a difference in my momentums after several hours of use (but perhaps it was just me getting used to the sound?), but now I read about cable burn in, amp burn in, DAC burn in, tube burn in, etc…I'm not too convinced on those right now though...

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattTCG 

+1...hoping for some Crack!! 

And hopefully some Speedball to go along with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikenike 

 

I'm hoping the Crack shows up in ATL. I'm really curious how it pairs with the HD650 (after reading so much about this pairing).

It may make your life more complicated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunshineReggae 

 

placebo effect

No, I think it's rather like a combination of the capacitance, gear used, shielding and even the copper itself (quality and thickness etc). I don't believe in measurements for cables, but believe cables alter the tone of a headphone very slightly. However I don't believe in $2000 snake oil. Or $300 IPOD LOD cables..ugh..I've had some "fancy" aftermarket cables actually hurt the sound. For example, I no longer like silver plated copper for the Q701. Yuck.

After trying many things, to me it's sort of like the difference between amps that measure ruler flat and sound very different. I don't mean just due to distortion etc. Everything matters really. Then look at the difference between the Q701 and K701, yet those measure the same. That's all placebo too right!!

I don't mind paying for a higher quality cable on my favorite headphone. Squeezing out the last bit of sound quality for a few hundred is no big deal to me. $200 is my limit though.

When I did ask about the Cardas, it was a serious question and I wasn't looking for a troll-like response or a cable debate. There's probably a technical reason it most commonly suggested for the HD-650. My guess is that it just improves what's already there and doesn't suck out all it's warmth like an ultra low capacitance cable would.

BTW I know this makes little difference, but have you ever seen how ultra thin store bought cables are? Inside the copper is almost microscopic to my eyes. I guess I'd much rather spend an extra $5 on making my own with Mogami etc. Even those ridiculously thick Monoprice cables  have such a small amount of copper inside. Right now I love Cardas wire and Mogami. Too bad Cardas is so expensive. I think 75% of what you spend on one is going to labor and markup. No big deal..nothing new.

^^ I love cables mostly for softness, flexibility and custom length. I honestly don't look for much in terms of SQ improvement. I did really enjoy the Silver Dragon with the 650. I bought one used here and thought the it truly offered a nice marriage with the 650. Ultimately I could not live with the lack of flexibility and near garden hose thickness. With a little help, thanks Barry, I now have a nicely modded stock cable with 1/4 Viablu jack and shortened to 7.5 ft, just perfect for me!! Looks and sounds great. 

Yea... what's the story with solid state DAC/amp burn-in? I can understand how things with moving parts can break-in (certainly my expensive keyboard has, since it has moving parts, and I can kind of believe how headphone drivers do (but can't say conclusively) because the drivers move), but I have to admit I am a little skeptical about solid state amps/DACs burning in. 

For you guys asking for some Crack/Speedball, I'll be bringing Crack to the ATL meet (I'll try my best to get the Speedball upgrade done by then as well)

I posted about it in the Canlanta thread too.

Really looking forward to hearing the HD650 with the Lyr/Bifrost also and hell even MattTCG's vintage setup. It will be fun to try out different flavors of HD 650!

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxanex 

For you guys asking for some Crack/Speedball, I'll be bringing Crack to the ATL meet (I'll try my best to get the Speedball upgrade done by then as well)

 

I posted about it in the Canlanta thread too.

 

Really looking forward to hearing the HD650 with the Lyr/Bifrost also and hell even MattTCG's vintage setup. It will be fun to try out different flavors of HD 650!

I remember reading it but apparently didn't remember XD

Can't wait to try the Crack and the Denon! Gonna be a great first (for me) meet!

On a slightly different note. After reading in a different thread, I threw the HD650 earpads into the dryer (after soaking in soapy and fabric softener water). I used permanent press, and it held very well. Didn't shrink, and smells nice.