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Originally Posted by
SemiAudiophile 
I am tempted to take on the balanced route once again. Have you ever listened to them SE? I'm assuming the biggest difference would be headstage?
Assuming similar gear, yes, considering the supra-aural design of Grados, the width of the headstage with them is remarkable to me when used with the Phoenix. It doesn't go quite as wide with the SE amps I've tried, such as the Luxman P-1, but that was the same with HD-800s as well. I imagine top-end SE amps would give a similar result as the balanced Phoenix though, going by my experience with Audiovalve RKV.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sydneyaudio Great impressions CW, thanks for taking the time.
An interesting point about value for money - I used the SR60 as a base with the "lite" version of Rhydon's mods. Obviously miss out on the gymbals and other nicer bits of the higher end grados.... but it adds up to about $300 all up.
Rhydon told me he could hear no difference between the lite and full versions. And now you find the sound experience comparable to some much more expensive phones.
If they pair well with lower end amplification, could make for a low cost "higher end" sound.
Have you tried your magnums with amps lower down the price chain?
That's interesting. I haven't said it, but I suspect that the main benefits beyond the driver is the custom aluminium housing that holds it. I suspect that (unlike Denons for example) the plastic on Grados isn't seriously susceptible to vibration in a way that would be detrimental to sound quality, unless possibly one listens at high volumes. If the SR-60-based Lite is essentially as good as the full mod at $300, then they I'd say they are the best value dynamic headphone I can think of.
