Stock GS1000 vs Moon Audio recabled with 10' Black Dragon Headphone cable

I seem to remember reading a comparative review a while back. Can't remember where I saw it, except that it mentioned deeper, more authoritive bass from the balanced BD and a better soundstage.

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It was I whom crafted the comprehensive thread comparing the stock to Black Dragoned GS1000. I had both the stock and Black Dragon recabled pair in hand for some time and conducted some really nice A/B'g tests. The thread, however, was lost in the great head-fi outage of 2007.

Increased MR, better tone and control of lower marks in the FR. Overall a fuller sound and a bit better texture. I kept the Black Dragon pair (actually I have two pairs, one brand new never used in box, and one which is my personal pair that I listen to)

The Black Dragon recable improves overall the sound but certainly does not shield any weak links in your source/amp/IC's nor fix any inherent qualities to the phone. The GS repsonds considerably to tubes and to vinyl reproduction. The highs and lows, as the GS has in terms of a slight emphasis are bettered by the recable by a fair margin, being clearer overall - but are not completely changed nor ironed out with respect to the Magical MR that Grado phones (John phones) are known for. It does make a big difference, and is why I decided to have actually two pairs, with low s/n's at the time. Simply a magical phone for certain genres, including acoustic music, live material, classical, or larger orchestra pieces. The GS is not a lush sounding phone, the Black Dragon Recable makes it no more lush in terms of texture, but really opens them up at the same time.

Hope this helps, I would hear both first if you can. Also, unless building a rig around the GS, or having a superlative source and amp, you may consider the RS or other. If amp'd properly, the distant MR is not an issue, although still will bear placement of vocals about 5-9 rows back VS on the stage with RS. Plus, the imaging really shines with a bit more exactness in origin of sound..(which imaging is already for GS is a strength along with throwing a large stereo image) There is still the Grado "emotion" with the GS, with its slightly "romanticized" presentation which makes for coloration, but also what gives this phone the allure and increased sense of realism with instruments and vocals. The PRaT also is affected by this effect, and which is improved with the recabled GS. I found the driver configuration or sound to be rather similar to the PS ( The GS ), which is not the case with any other Grado phone I can think of.

The note decay I find almost legend on the GS, and which improves with the recable. More air and seperation in the FR along with instrumentation, I will shut up now

I really don't want to sell them, but I have unusual shaped ears and the GS pads pinch them. Worst luck ever >_<

While I haven't compared the two, I agree wholeheartedly with Audiofilers impressions about the recabled GS1000. It may be expensive as hell but I think it was a worthwhile investment as I have yet to find any of the bad points with these headphones.

gs recable

What I can say about my BD GS1000's , I have never heard anything this good . I have always used an eq , now , for the first time ever , I have no need for it . This has allowed me to enjoy the music so much more . Maybe not shy but having found IT , I visit less often .

resurrecting this thread for more impressions of the Moon Audio Black Dragon recabled Grado GS1000s as I've recently acquired one from the FS forum and could not resist...it was very reasonbly priced and I had to have another go at them. I never did get to try my first GS1000s w/stock cable on a tube setup and I just miss the unique presentation of these headphones and when one gets a chance to get a recabled Grado, I become weak and powerless to resist.