As to the question on the Modi / Magni combination, I really hate when threads get interjected with recommendations from people who tend to usually push the suggestion of what they have out there because it is something they like and the person asking the question may not like the sound at all.
 
Thus, despite my normal reluctance to do so, I thought I'd just toss out a suggestion based on the fact that I've tested quite a few combinations for my Grados (PS-500, RS1i and Magnum X build) at the current moment, plus several pair on the past.
 
At the moment, my FOTM (Flavor of the Millenium) is as follows:  Little Dot I+ amplifier with a great set of 5654 tubes installed.  For the DAC component, I'm using the HeadAmp Pico upsampling DAC.  This sweet little DAC is built around the Wolfson chipset, number WM8740.
 
This combination just seems to do everything right for what I need to drive my Grado collection.  Great bass, excellent mids and a top end that doesn't have too much sizzle.
 
Again, though, I'm just tossing this out there as a suggestion based on my person experienced with these devices vs. many others in the past.  Enjoy!
 
 

That is a heck of a lot less than I expected.  I was figuring around 1k-1500 for both to drive my new PA500's.

There's just something about Wolfson DACs...I never was a believer that DACs sound different, but it just seems as though my ears really like Wolfsons. 
 
 
 
 
Quote:

wje said:

   This sweet little DAC is built around the Wolfson chipset, number WM8740.
 
 
 

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i hope i didn't appear to be pushing schiit gear, drmark asked if his schiit gear was ok , or good enough for the ps500's
i just related my experience with schiit gear, drmark didn't mention m/m that i recall anyway

I bought the Schiit combo Modi?Magni 2 days ago.  It sounds good and figured it would be a good started set.

drmark said:

  I bought the Schiit combo Modi?Magni 2 days ago.  It sounds good and figured it would be a good started set.

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its a good starting point for sure

JAYWILLIN How are you liking your RS1's?

joseph69 said:

  JAYWILLIN How are you liking your RS1's?

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really like them, they don't call attention to themselves
they just do their job, and do it well !
they seem so well balanced to me

Received my TTVJ flat pads to try with the RS1's yesterday, must say they make the overall bass a very big difference, but I found they also muffled the mid-range and made it very hard to hear the details  and high frequencies. I decided to try them on my SR80i's and they had given them some serious overall bass also, but unfortunately muffled the mid-range and made it hard to hear the details and the high frequencies (IMO) as well. So all in all I'm not thrilled with these pads for my tastes...at all. I very much prefer the (L) cushions on my 80' and RS1's, I didn't even bother putting them on my 325's. I've heard good things about them and I know a lot of people like them, so I'm not knocking them, they're just not for me. So if anyone finds their Grados to lack bass or to be shrill in the high frequencies you may like them. 
I've decided to see if anyone is interested in purchasing them for $25.00 + shipping. I paid $35.00  + $1.35 shipping from MT to NY. I have the original shipping box for them and TTVJ's business card that also came with them, so they will be sent just the way I received them.    
If anyone is interested PM me. 

jaywillin said:

  really like them, they don't call attention to themselves
they just do their job, and do it well !
they seem so well balanced to me

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Good way to describe them, I agree. I probably have 20+ hrs on my at this point and I must say I'm really enjoying them and so glad that I got them after all of the debating I did with myself because of their price. I still feel they could have been a little less expensive in reality, but to me they are definitely worth it regardless. Plus what are you going to do, thats how much they cost!

joseph69 said:

   
Good way to describe them, I agree. I probably have 20+ hrs on my at this point and I must say I'm really enjoying them and so glad that I got them after all of the debating I did with myself because of their price. I still feel they could have been a little less expensive in reality, but to me they are definitely worth it regardless. Plus what are you going to do, thats how much they cost!

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well i bought mine used, so that helped me out regarding "perceived value"

I know, its just that I bought mine from B&H Photo and told the salesman that I was buying them to try and may possible return them, and they were ok with that as long as it was within 30 days. If I bought them used and didm't like them I would have to resell them, and probably for less than I would have paid, so I really don't mind paying the extra money being that I think they are worth it to me. They're really nice sounding, as you know!

joseph69 said:

  Received my TTVJ flat pads to try with the RS1's yesterday, must say they make the overall bass a very big difference, but I found they also muffled the mid-range and made it very hard to hear the details  and high frequencies. I decided to try them on my SR80i's and they had given them some serious overall bass also, but unfortunately muffled the mid-range and made it hard to hear the details and the high frequencies (IMO) as well. So all in all I'm not thrilled with these pads for my tastes...at all. I very much prefer the (L) cushions on my 80' and RS1's, I didn't even bother putting them on my 325's. I've heard good things about them and I know a lot of people like them, so I'm not knocking them, they're just not for me. So if anyone finds their Grados to lack bass or to be shrill in the high frequencies you may like them. 
I've decided to see if anyone is interested in purchasing them for $25.00 + shipping. I paid $35.00  + $1.35 shipping from MT to NY. I have the original shipping box for them and TTVJ's business card that also came with them, so they will be sent just the way I received them.    
If anyone is interested PM me. 

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Did you only pay $1.35 for the TTVJ flats?  Might have missed a digit.  
 
But, you are correct.  It can be either a love or hate relationship with the pads.  As a lesser cost alternative option to try, consider the Sennheiser HD-414 pads and perform the reverse-quarter mod.  They are a softer pad, and could potentially have somewhat of an effect on the frequency (good or bad) depending on how you perceive it.  But at less than $5.00 a pair at B&H, it's a pretty good price ... even if you don't like them, or the funky yellow color.

Yes, they do !!
I think , that the combo of ps500, and the rs1i is particularly good, they compliment each very nicely

jaywillin said:

Yes, they do !!
I think , that the combo of ps500, and the rs1i is particularly good, they compliment each very nicely

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I'm strictly using  the PS-500 headphones with the G-Cush pads.  Normally, the G-Cush might perform with a bit less bass.  But since the PS-500 has a bit to spare, things kind of balance out quite nicely.  Plus, with this configuration, I think I'm able to push a bit further to the Grado flagship arena.  Granted, not in the arena, but a bit closer.  The GS-1000 that I had was just heavenly to listen to.  A bit lighter on bass, but the jazz would sound like heaven.