[merkil]

Hang in there man, I just got mine Today (yesterday at this point) and have been waiting since the 26th. It's a little painful but the wait is worth it. I'm driving mine right out of my Fiio E11 right now and I couldn't be happier, they sound truly incredible. You'll be extremely pleased with the stack and headphone combo. I'm looking to get that stack as well, just have to wait for the paycheck to come in

I'm just curious as I will be driving my he400s from an E11 till my asgard arrives, what settings (gain/bass) are you using while listening?

 

[ninjames]

Wake up, pull the HE-400 down from the stand, stretch, flip on the tube amp, make coffee, brush teeth, turn on the DAC, toast biscuit, connect cables, get dressed, listen to music.

 

[beaver316]

Quote:

Wake up, pull the HE-400 down from the stand, stretch, flip on the tube amp, make coffee, brush teeth, turn on the DAC, toast biscuit, connect cables, get dressed, listen to music.

 
Sounds like a good day to me.

 

[ninjames]

I'm really not crazy about the stock cables. Putting them in is awkward sometimes, requiring me to turn the whole thing (is this normal?) and the cable itself is rather stiff and rigid, I constantly have to lift it up and turn it manually so it's not fighting me.
 
Is there another cable that somebody might recommend? I'm not a big believer in cable-fi, but if there is something that will actually change the sound much, I don't want it. I also don't want to drop 1/4 of the cost of the headphones themselves into a new cable.
 
Just wondering if there's a go-to third party cable or something along those lines. Just plug and play, by the way. I yearn for modded headphones from time to time, but my hands are only good for few things, and tinkering with electronics is not one of them.

 

[chewy4]

Quote:

I'm really not crazy about the stock cables. Putting them in is awkward sometimes, requiring me to turn the whole thing (is this normal?) and the cable itself is rather stiff and rigid, I constantly have to lift it up and turn it manually so it's not fighting me.
 
Is there another cable that somebody might recommend? I'm not a big believer in cable-fi, but if there is something that will actually change the sound much, I don't want it. I also don't want to drop 1/4 of the cost of the headphones themselves into a new cable.
 
Just wondering if there's a go-to third party cable or something along those lines. Just plug and play, by the way. I yearn for modded headphones from time to time, but my hands are only good for few things, and tinkering with electronics is not one of them.

You'll be hard pressed to find a good flexible cable for under $150. Unless you want to make one yourself.
 
The trouble with putting them in is always going to be a problem regardless, they didn't choose the best kind of connectors. Although you could always just get some earing adapters from Q cables and leave them in(probably around $30??), so then you'll just need a mini XLR cables which I imagine are much easier to put in and take out. Plus it would probably open up your options on where you can get cables as it is less proprietary.
 
I got a Q cable myself, which is really nice since the cable could even be scrunched together and put in my pocket if needed. A little over $200 though...

 

[RMac]

Quote:

I'm really not crazy about the stock cables. Putting them in is awkward sometimes, requiring me to turn the whole thing (is this normal?) and the cable itself is rather stiff and rigid, I constantly have to lift it up and turn it manually so it's not fighting me.

 
No offense, but what reasons do you have for not leaving them screwed in?

 

[ri_toast]

Oh that easy, thanks! Any idea how long that free US shipping might last ?

I ordered yesterday and got the deal. I found Justin really easy to deal with and detail focused.
Even better, that he's here at headfi

 

[ninjames]

Quote:

 
No offense, but what reasons do you have for not leaving them screwed in?

They constantly become un-screwed. 

 

[chewy4]

Quote:

They constantly become un-screwed. 

That shouldn't happen if you put them in right.
 
Make sure you do a few counter clockwise twists to the cable before you screw them in.

 

[RMac]

Quote:

They constantly become un-screwed. 

 
That's odd.
 
If you do come across a shorter, economic cable solution though, let me know.  I'm fond of those fabric clothed cables too, like on the Denons.

 

[Madmollusk]

After buying a pair of T1s, a good friend of mine loaned me his he-500s; that was over a month ago, and not once has he mentioned reacquiring his hps.I finally talked to him yesterday (He's absolutely loving his new Beyers, btw) and somehow in the course of our good humored-conversation and banter, he offered to sell me his he-500s for--wait for it--$400 dollars! Now that was an offer I couldn't refuse. Until that moment, I was seriously considering the K702 annies, but, metaphorically speaking, I put that little car, as fast as it was moving, into reverse, leaving dramatic skid marks behind me. Now this is a nice way to start the New Year. 

 

[ninjames]

I'm wanting the Magni less and less the more I listen to my Little Dot MKIII. Had the thing for about a year now but only really using it since I have my HE-400. Falling in love with the warm sound and how well it renders the highs without harshness. I feel like the Magni is going to add a lot of edge to the top end that will be harsh to my ears.
 
That being said, I was way too in love with the idea of the Magni when it came out so I think I will buy the full M&M stack when I get paid next week and then if I don't love it enough to keep it as a secondary, I'll give a Head Fier a good deal on it!

 

[MattTCG]

^^ Why don't I ever get deals like that?

 

[MattTCG]

James...you can tighter those connectors very careful with small pliers or needle nosed pliers. Be careful not to scratch the paint. You have them way too loose. 

 

[Clemmaster]

Quote:

I'm really not crazy about the stock cables. Putting them in is awkward sometimes, requiring me to turn the whole thing (is this normal?) and the cable itself is rather stiff and rigid, I constantly have to lift it up and turn it manually so it's not fighting me.
 
Is there another cable that somebody might recommend? I'm not a big believer in cable-fi, but if there is something that will actually change the sound much, I don't want it. I also don't want to drop 1/4 of the cost of the headphones themselves into a new cable.
 
Just wondering if there's a go-to third party cable or something along those lines. Just plug and play, by the way. I yearn for modded headphones from time to time, but my hands are only good for few things, and tinkering with electronics is not one of them.

 
You might ask Hifiman's customer service for a HE-4 cable. I don't know if they will sell them separately though...
 
Among the 3 types of cable I have (500s, 400s and 4s), these are the most flexible and the best finition.
- The 500s are stiff and noisy (I can hear them in the cups when they move)
- The 400s are heavy but OK overall
- The 4s are flexible, with nylon sleeving.
 
I dunno why they didn't keep that cable for the HE-400? Is it of lesser quality?
 
As for attaching them to the cans, for the 3 cables I just twist them counter-clockwise (2-3 turns) and screw the whole thing to the connector. Very tight fitting and never had a problem.