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Denon D5000 or Grado PS-500?

post #1 of 37
3/24/12 at 6:57am
Thread Starter 

:) Recently i decided to upgrade to a new pair of cans, and i came to the conclusion of the following two, D5000 / PS-500. I intend on upgrading my amps later on after i get the headphones themselves, how ever the types of music i listen to include vocals, acoustics and a tiny bit of everything else. 
Can i get recommendations as to which would be more preferable ?
Thanks!

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post #2 of 37
3/24/12 at 7:04am

I can only speaker to the Denon...get it!! Runs great on very little amping. Fiio e10 is plenty. 

 

d5k=$399 from electronic expo open box

 

fiio e10=$75

 

You are now set...

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post #3 of 37
3/24/12 at 8:51am

The Grados are open; the Denons are closed.  Completely different animals.  Depends on what your needs are.

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post #4 of 37
3/24/12 at 11:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by WhatNoItsMe View Post

The Grados are open; the Denons are closed.  Completely different animals.  Depends on what your needs are.



The Denons might be the only exception to this rule, as they sound quite open and leak and isolate sound like an open headphone tongue.gif

 

If you listen to maily vocals and acoustics, I would recommend Grados. The way they present the vocals is just stunning. And instruments just sound more "real".

 


Edited by Aizura - 3/24/12 at 11:15am
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post #5 of 37
3/24/12 at 8:45pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aizura View Post



The Denons might be the only exception to this rule, as they sound quite open and leak and isolate sound like an open headphone tongue.gif

 

If you listen to maily vocals and acoustics, I would recommend Grados. The way they present the vocals is just stunning. And instruments just sound more "real".

 


Hmm! Do they PS-500 ever get muddled up in music with more 'layers' ?

 

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post #6 of 37
4/6/12 at 9:09am

I've got the MD5000's, and I just heard the PS500's yesterday, compared to the HD800's and RS2i's.  This was out of the Grado HA-1 AC, and the Dac Magic Plus, which may not have been the best amps with the HD800's.  

 

To me... the PS500's are superior to the rest... without going into all the details.  They just seem to do everything better than the others... with the possible exception of the soundstage of the HD800's - though the soundstage of the PS500's is great.  

 

Now... the SN of the HD800's was around 2050... and... from what I've read... the current version is somewhat better than the earlier versions (better bass and highs).  I just found the PS500's had a richer, fuller, more weighty sound... yet... still had just as much detail, resolution and refinement as the HD800's... and... a great soundstage, though not quite as expansive as the HD800.  

 

I found the PS500's were superior to most of the other phones I've had, or heard - including, the O2's, SR507's, RS-1's, MD5000's, "new version" HD580/600/650's, HD800's, etc.  The only phones, which I may think are equal, or better than the PS500's are the ATH AD2000's.  Though, I should note, I've never heard the O2's and SR507's with an amp that really mates with them well (BHSE, KGSS, 717, or 727, etc.).  

 

I was so impressed with the PS500's... compared to all the others... I may just pick up a pair... or... perhaps the PS1000's!

 

UPDATE:  Though, I have to admit... having a well matched amp... makes all the difference in how any set of phones sound.  Right now... I'd have to say... the AD2000's and MD5000's driven by the Red Wine Audio Isabellina HPA may sound every bit as good as the PS500's - but, then I don't have the PS500's to compare.


Edited by Gradofan2 - 5/11/12 at 10:32pm
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post #7 of 37
5/11/12 at 8:14pm

I own both the D-7000's and received the PS500's about 6 months ago. I have literally reached for my Denon's 2 times since then, and they were short-lived listening sessions. The PS500's do not get enough credit on Head-Fi. They are marvelous and well rounded with all genres. Can't get enough of them. To anyone that owns them, listen to Violin Concerto, No. 3: "Strassburg" K. 216, 3rd Movement, from the Master and Commander soundtrack, and tell me it doesn't sound like you ARE there LIVE.

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post #8 of 37
5/11/12 at 8:24pm

I am with you on the PS500, having so much fun with it.

 

Might be the honeymoon phase but whatever  it is, I am enjoying it.

 

Looking to try it with the G-cush pads this weekend

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post #9 of 37
5/11/12 at 9:10pm

I have the D5000, D7000 and the RS2, SR 325.  Based on U.S. street prices, the PS-500 is more the price peer of the D7000 than the D5000.  The PS-500 is a click above my RS2 on the Grado price list.

 

Although they are different, I slightly prefer my RS2 (sound stage & clarity) over the D5000.  Without hearing the PS-500, I would hazard a guess that they are at least as good as my less expensive (but different series) RS2.  Thus the PS-500 is highly likely to be the superior headphone.

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post #10 of 37
5/11/12 at 9:16pm

I can't speak for the Denon,but having had the chance to live with the PS-500 for two weeks,i can tell you that they're my second favorite Grados,guess what my favorite is...

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post #11 of 37
5/11/12 at 9:27pm

PS1000?

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post #12 of 37
5/11/12 at 9:32pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the recommendations, but i got the LCD-2's in the end.. tongue_smile.gif

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post #13 of 37
5/11/12 at 9:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by stacker45 View Post

I can't speak for the Denon,but having had the chance to live with the PS-500 for two weeks,i can tell you that they're my second favorite Grados,guess what my favorite is...


igrado?

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post #14 of 37
5/11/12 at 10:23pm

I think it is the hp2

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post #15 of 37
5/12/12 at 6:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by feigeibomber View Post

Thanks for the recommendations, but i got the LCD-2's in the end.. tongue_smile.gif

41120-great_manager_good_choice.jpg

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