Oh, one other comment. Since getting my Sennheiser HD495s in a trade with gloco, they have become my favorite headphone for use directly out of the D-25S headphone jack. They're far easier to drive from any portable, given their 32 Ohm load (compared with the HD580s 300 Ohm load), and they do sound better from the D-25S as a result. However, from the CHA 47 and Integra 606, I still prefer the HD580s.

The Sony player has a bright headphone jack, which adds a metallic color to everything. Vocals, with the “S sounds” sound harsh. A good example of this in this one CD, there a part of the song in which the drummer hits his drum sticks together, before he begins his drumming. On the Sony the drum sticks sound as if they were made of metal, and have a metallic whack, on the P/M the drum sticks sound like two wooden drum sticks hitting each other. The drums on the Sony almost sound like small steel drums, while on the P/M they sound like how they are suppose to. Of course the P/M portable still doesn’t sound any near as good as my full size player, but it sure sounds better than the Sony. You really need to hear a high quality headphone amp to understand how those Senns are supposed to sound like. Headroom posted at Headwize that the Little wasn’t very good compared to other amp with the same price, this is the old little, not the new one.

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Well, once again, all I can say is this: mine doesn't sound like that, with any headphones I've tried so far -- not even the HD580s. When Neil Peart hits the woodblocks in "The Rhythm Method" on A Show of Hands, they sound exactly like woodblocks being hit with a wooden stick. The cowbells sound like cowbells. And the drums sound like, well, drums -- not a metallic imitation thereof. Quote:



I don't mind that we disagree about the sound of the D-25S. I do mind that you're implying that my disagreement must be because I don't know how the HD580s are supposed to sound. I've got many different headphones to use with the D-25S, and none of them, including those considered easy to drive, give a metallic, shrill, or overly-bright sound driven by the D-25S headphone jack. Check my profile for the list -- I've tried them all with the D-25S now, plus a pair of Grado SR-80s that I've since gotten rid of. I know this: the HD495s sound significantly better than the KSC-35s, driven by all of the amplification I have to try. And the HD580s sound significantly better than all others when driven by the Integra 606 or CHA-47.

It's also presumtuous of you to assume that none of my amplification is adequate for the HD580s, when it's obvious that you haven't tried the headphone jack of an Integra 606. Do you think my CHA 47 or Integra 606 is adequate for the HD495s? How about the V6 or KSC-35s? MX-400s? Do I need a Max just to hear what the Sportapros should sound like?

I think you should consider the possibility that the D-25S you have is damaged or malfunctioning if it really does sound so bad, rather than assuming everyone else who's tried one and reported here how good they sound is imagining it.

Or maybe his cans are bloated???

I never listen through headphone jack (line out only), but I am waiting for the Sony D-25S to arrive (that thing looks kewl!, I wanted the black one though). I will post my results ASAP...

If it sounds like crap, I'll never trust you head-fiers! And if it sounds magnificient, I'll love you guys forever!
HEHE, j/k!!!

Hey KR, you sure you dont have the Megabass turned on with the P/M?

HAHA, ok joking...i really like the 25S, but i can't say anything negative about the P/M, i must admit i am curious to hear your P/M now.

Anyway, i think the 25S is a fine unit for $40, dont you? It has a very strong jack to drive most low impedance phones to about 4 out of 10 on the volume scale. I usually listen with my 7506's and 501's. Now, of course the 501's sound a little thin, i didn't expect the 25S to bring out their best, thats for a dedicated amp (they do sound very nice out of my Yamaha Receiver). However i really do like the 25S, its a gorgeous model and i just rec'd my second one. Metallic sound? Hmmm...i think i'm gonna pay more attention to detail now. Also, i haven't noticed any over brightness with the 25S, everything sounds smooth, especially with the 7506's, the bass is more controlled and much tighter. Just my .02

George

Have to agree with you, Russ. If drum sticks being hit together sound metallic on the sony kr reviewed, I think there has to be something wrong with it. Seriously. This metallic midrange I keep reading is so far from what I hear that it does surprise me. I'm listening to some old Steve Earle right now and I hear very little added coloration, and, wait a minute, sticks being hit together as I type this and that's exactly what they sound like. On big and low timpani blasts I have listened to with this they sound very realistic and I can tell what pitch they are. The very low bass that is on much of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones is tuneful and not muddy at all. And Lynne Ariale's Melody cd has a lot of gorgeous trap work with many sizes of cymbals and yes they have air around them and sound wonderful. Like I stated above, I want one of the p/m units. For $40, it sounds like an incredible bargain. I have an MG Head DT that I listen to at home and a great home stereo with tube amplification and the world class spendor s100 loudspeakers. I am familiar with good sound.

I'd have to say that I prefer D25s to even SL-CT570, both H/P jack and lineout. I bought the unit just to try if it could drive K501. The result was amazing. It could drive K501 with even the H/P jack (my TA can't). Moreover, when I used it with Cmoy (run on 30VDC, 1000ma PS) to drive K501, this thing really made K501 sing! It sounded so powerful, added more juice to midrange and treble and more importantly, I heard "bass" that many people claimed "lacking" in K501 (still not as much as my 580 though). I have to admit that the unit has really strong and high quality signal to drive most headphones by both H/P jack or lineout. I found perfect match for my K501. I'm happy now
One thing I noticed though when I used it with my Etys. When the unit start playing or changing track, I could hear some laser head noise through my Etys (maybe it's too closed), but it's only minor flaw coz I listen to music, not mechanic.

I have since tried the line out on the Sony with the RA-1. Using audiophile CDs, and the 600's w/ the Red Chou cable. The sound was a huge improvement, this shows that a line out is a must have feature on a portable. You still don't get as much details as with the full size players, but for a portable, it's not have bad if you don't have anything else to listen to.

Gloco, it seems we have similar equipment. I am hearing the same things. There must be some sinergy between the D-25s and the7506s.


Kajohndet, quote:

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It could drive K501 with even the H/P jack (my TA can't). Moreover, when I used it with Cmoy (run on 30VDC, 1000ma PS) to drive K501, this thing really made K501 sing! It sounded so powerful, added more juice to midrange and treble and more importantly, I heard "bass" that many people claimed "lacking" in K501 (still not as much as my 580 though).
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I don't have a dedicate headphone amp, only a Yamaha receiver. But with the Yamaha, the 501s sound MUCH better than with the D-25s. You will be blown away when you try the 501s on a powerful amp.

KR... - what's an audiophile CD? Never heard of that before.

Yes, line out is one of most important features for a portable, which sadly so many lack.

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Absolutely, the 501's sound much better with my Yamaha Receiver than the 25S, everything sounds very full and rich, good bass (bass meter set at 6/10)...i wish i could lug around my Receiver...lol.

George

Ok,

I have been listening to this player some more. The Sony Battery sucks! It drains too fast and it really distorts the sound while it's dying!

When I was listening to the player with the wallmart only, the sound of the headphone jack improved, it was no longer bright and the bass was deeper! It sounds nice with Grados and Sony headphones, it's still not powerful (has nothing to do about how loud it goes) enough to drive Sennheisers the way they are capable of sounding.

Not bad for a portable, but it still can't hang with full size players, but then again no portable can.

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It's one where green magic marker ink has been applied around the hub of the CD.

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LOL~!

Do these Sony's have coaxial digi out like the oldschool Denon portables?

In any case, Silicon Salvage is kinda local to me, so I might just go there and see what they got. The thing I'm hesitant about is like the old Denon, these players can be pretty sensitive with tracking and such. Also I can probably minimize bumps and grinds to the laser mechanism if I picked it up locally anyhow.