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Calling All "Vintage" Integrated/Receiver Owners
Jun 28, 2013 at 11:11 AM Post #7,906 of 19,142
Quote:
parbaked said:
I love Grados but I haven't had the best results using them with vintage gear which seems more suited to higher impedance headphones than the Grados.
I'm not sure if your modifications changes the headphone output impedance.
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No change to output impedance.  What HPs would you recommend?
 
Jun 28, 2013 at 12:38 PM Post #7,908 of 19,142
Quote:
matttcg said:
Got the cabinet finished for my sx-650!!
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Looking good!
 
Jun 28, 2013 at 12:51 PM Post #7,910 of 19,142
i need to do something like that on my sx-780. looks great matt
 
Jun 28, 2013 at 12:57 PM Post #7,911 of 19,142
Thanks guys. 
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 I've got to go back and apply the finishing touches. The front corner pieces of walnut are almost ready. Also, I got the replacement lights soldered (thanks Skylab). 
 
The cool thing about this particular sx-650 is that the front glass, bezel and facia was nearly pristine. The wood cabinet was the only "rough" issue with the receiver. With the cabinet rebuild, it will look and work almost as new. 
 
Very excited to start enjoying it again with the he-4. 
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Jun 28, 2013 at 1:06 PM Post #7,912 of 19,142
speakerbox said:
No change to output impedance.  What HPs would you recommend?
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In my experience, planar magnetic headphones are pretty much the only ones that are not negatively affected by high output impedance vintage amps.

Sennheisers (HD600, 650, 700, 800) are affected in the mid-bass and to a lesser extent treble, but in a way that some head-fiers enjoy (it warms them up and thickens the bass).

I also found the big Denons (AH-D2000, 5000, 7000 and Fostex TH-600, 900) to be minimally affected.
 
Jun 28, 2013 at 1:28 PM Post #7,915 of 19,142
Quote:
palmfish said:
In my experience, planar magnetic headphones are pretty much the only ones that are not negatively affected by high output impedance vintage amps.

Sennheisers (HD600, 650, 700, 800) are affected in the mid-bass and to a lesser extent treble, but in a way that some head-fiers enjoy (it warms them up and thickens the bass).

I also found the big Denons (AH-D2000, 5000, 7000 and Fostex TH-600, 900) to be minimally affected.
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Ok, will look into that.  Thanks!
 
Jun 28, 2013 at 2:56 PM Post #7,917 of 19,142
Quote:
palmfish said:
In my experience, planar magnetic headphones are pretty much the only ones that are not negatively affected by high output impedance vintage amps.

Sennheisers (HD600, 650, 700, 800) are affected in the mid-bass and to a lesser extent treble, but in a way that some head-fiers enjoy (it warms them up and thickens the bass).

I also found the big Denons (AH-D2000, 5000, 7000 and Fostex TH-600, 900) to be minimally affected.
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While I agree that the high impedance does fill out the lower frequencies, I must say that the HD800's (only Senns I've tried with vintage stuff) bass is tighter and more controlled than any hp amp I've tried. This was instantly noticeable the first time I plugged them in my Pioneer. I could really make out every finger pluck of the double bass in complex jazz pieces. No bloom, but more weight. Not sure how you could claim that that is a negative... Maybe coloured hp's that are warm or have an emphasized mid bass to begin with I could understand. Such as the HD650's.
Also the treble is much- much better than hp amps that I've tried. Better because it is just as extended but actually sounds real. No sharp edges or hardness and no less bright with it. Granted I haven't owned any high end headphone amps to compare, only mid price.  
But really puzzling my friend! 
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Jun 28, 2013 at 3:07 PM Post #7,918 of 19,142
Quote:
parbaked said:
Can't, I only have Grados. 
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I use my Pioneer SA 7100 in a vinyl speaker rig.
If I want to listen to vinyl on my Grados I hook a headphone amp to the tape out on the amp...
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So sounds like the recommendation is - don't use the sr60i with vintage receivers?  To bad -seems like a good deal price wise.
 
Jun 28, 2013 at 4:45 PM Post #7,919 of 19,142
lugbug1 said:
While I agree that the high impedance does fill out the lower frequencies, I must say that the HD800's (only Senns I've tried with vintage stuff) bass is tighter and more controlled than any hp amp I've tried. This was instantly noticeable the first time I plugged them in my Pioneer. I could really make out every finger pluck of the double bass in complex jazz pieces. No bloom, but more weight. Not sure how you could claim that that is a negative... Maybe coloured hp's that are warm or have an emphasized mid bass to begin with I could understand. Such as the HD650's.
Also the treble is much- much better than hp amps that I've tried. Better because it is just as extended but actually sounds real. No sharp edges or hardness and no less bright with it. Granted I haven't owned any high end headphone amps to compare, only mid price.  
But really puzzling my friend! 
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My HD800 sounds thick and bloomy through the vintage amps I own. Same for HD600 and 650 that I previously owned.

No doubt it comes down to music type and personal taste.
 
Jun 28, 2013 at 4:59 PM Post #7,920 of 19,142
Quote:
meewoo said:
How do you compare sx-636 to your restored NAD 3020? I got 3020 almost same time as yours and shocked by how "big" sound this little amp can produce!
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I've not done a direct comparo.  Sorry.  I should, the NAD sitting on top of the SX-636 right now.
 
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