"Mad Dog" by MrSpeakers, modified Fostex T50RP review
Jan 22, 2013 at 11:24 AM Post #2,821 of 6,388
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kamakahah /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
Purpose:
Back story aside, a fair amount of research has pointed me to the Mad Dogs. $500 is basically my ceiling. The MD's with the Magni/Modi seems like it would be a quality step up from where I am currently and right at my price point.
-- What are your thoughts?
 
Questions:
1. Can anyone comment on the MD's with just the Magni from an on-board sound card vs M/M combo?
2. Would an O2 DAC/AMP combo be worth the extra money over the M/M combo? Or other DAC/AMP combo in the $200ish range?
3. Am I taking too big a step up from the M50's to really appreciate the MD's?
4. Anyone know of a place in Orange County, California that I could preview some Mad Dogs?
 
Sorry the post is so long. I look forward to your feedback.

 
First of all, I think the Mad Dogs are excellent headphones.  Given your budget, there isn't a better option.  You could get the baseline Paradox, but you'd have no room for an amp or source upgrade which leaves you in a worse spot.  Even on the same amp, choosing between the Paradox or Mad Dog is more about personal preference; there's no wrong choice.  Since I don't actually own the Magni or Modi myself, I won't comment specifically.  However, I have a couple of Schiit products and have a great respect for them as a company.  With a $500 budget, I know I'd personally go straight for the Mad Dog MM stack - without a doubt.
 
For the Mad Dogs, the Magni should be better suited to provide the current they need.  For other cans, the O2 may be the better match, but from a pure spec perspective, the Magni is the better match.
 
Good luck!
 
Jan 22, 2013 at 7:11 PM Post #2,822 of 6,388
I just received the Fiio E07K for review from Bowei006. I must say if anyone's looking for a cheap way to drive the MDs, this is definitely it. The DAC is a huge improvement over most any DACs that come in computers, and the amp section is good enough to drive the MDs on the lowest gain to my desired listening level (which is 70-80dB) at 24/60 on the volume setting.
 
Jan 22, 2013 at 8:18 PM Post #2,823 of 6,388
Quote:
I just received the Fiio E07K for review from Bowei006. I must say if anyone's looking for a cheap way to drive the MDs, this is definitely it. The DAC is a huge improvement over most any DACs that come in computers, and the amp section is good enough to drive the MDs on the lowest gain to my desired listening level (which is 70-80dB) at 24/60 on the volume setting.

I love the E07K, it's a great DAC/AMP. I bought one for my gf for xmas and I just wanna steal it from her for work use!
 
Jan 22, 2013 at 8:54 PM Post #2,824 of 6,388
Appreciation:
After pulling an all-nighter with my new twin baby girls, I am pleasantly surprised to find such an overwhelming response to my post 
-- Thank you.
 
As a whole you've managed to answer my questions and apparently read my mind by answering questions I had forgotten to ask.
I appreciate each of your individual feedback as one of your experiences may end up being my own.
 
Let me assure some of you that my purpose for choosing the MD's isn't to find a bigger/better version of the M50's, but rather to try something new and 'different'. I'm excited to have a new sound from the MD's that will hopefully lead to great new musical experiences.
But don't worry, I plan on keeping my M50's to use where I feel that they shine.
 
Decision:
You've helped make my choice an easy one. It looks like the M/M combo is the one. Its hard to pass up based on functionality and its sensually sleek design.
 
Questions Round 2:
1. I had planned on buying the PYST cables from Schiit to interconnect the M/M combo, and I assume that the Modi comes with the USB    B cable, but either way is there any specific USB cable that proves better suited for the job? (my cable experience tells me no)
 
2. Does the sound/performance of the MD or the M/M combo or both resolve as a result of 'burn-in' like my M50's did?
    -- If so, what are your thoughts/findings associated with the burn-in?
 
Thanks again to everyone for your input. Hopefully I can add mine in the weeks to come.
 
Jan 22, 2013 at 10:44 PM Post #2,825 of 6,388
First of all, congratulations on your twins! The isolation on the MD's might prove useful then, heh heh. (disclaimer: I do not condone child neglect.)
 
1) I don't want to enter a cable debate, but people have said a cheap interconnect from like monoprice.com should do the job just fine, unless you wanna play safe/keep the clean aesthetic. I have no complaints about the cheap cable I'm using. Any USB cable should be fine as well. 
 
2) I'm of the philosophy that whether or not actual burn-in exists, one should just spend some quality time with his new equipment and let everything sink in naturally. Adaptation is the most natural form of "burn-in" that I've encountered. If at first you don't find the sound too appealing, give it the benefit of the doubt for a few days and just take some time and listen to the music. The music, in the end, is what matters, and I find that if I'm overanalyzing whether or not something in my setup is getting better/worse or meeting my expectations, I simply just can't enjoy the music because of self-imposed OCD, regardless of whether or not they are meeting those expectations. Just my 2 cents! YMMV etc.
 
Finally, I moved from a pair of Grado SR60i's to the MD's, and I don't feel at all like I went "too fast". A headphone that sounds good to you will sound good to you, and if it puts a smile on your face when you listen to it, then, in my opinion, you got your money's worth. The MD's help in this regard with its awesome isolation and comfort, which add to the experience. 
 
Jan 22, 2013 at 11:00 PM Post #2,826 of 6,388
Quote:
I love the E07K, it's a great DAC/AMP. I bought one for my gf for xmas and I just wanna steal it from her for work use!

Very nice! As this is the only "dedicated" DAC I have right now, I'm quite content 
smily_headphones1.gif

I'm not sure if the DAC is actually any better or if I'm still being wowed by my MDs after owning them for a month...
If anyone's interested, here's my setup as of right now, including that new cable: :wink:
 
 

 
 
Jan 23, 2013 at 3:32 AM Post #2,828 of 6,388
A fair amount. At "moderate" levels (whatever that is personally to you), the leakage is audible. For me this is at about 11 on the pot.
 
They are not ear-speaker-like in leakage. But in quiet environment it could be a problem. If it's loud, then hell, you've got no problems.
And that's in both isolation and leakage.
 
Jan 23, 2013 at 4:04 AM Post #2,830 of 6,388
Quote:
I read everywhere the MDs don't leak at all (once on your head that is, of course if you test with the headphone on the table, you will hear it).

No one enters my man cave! So I have no way to test this theory of yours. 
tongue.gif

 
Jan 23, 2013 at 4:06 AM Post #2,831 of 6,388
Well, if it means anything, I just had my roommate two feet away from me test how the leakage was. Playing them the loudest I could tolerate listening to music with death metal playing (couldn't hear myself speak), and he said he couldn't hear anything.
 
Jan 23, 2013 at 7:18 AM Post #2,833 of 6,388
Not wishing to rely on a third party for information, I had my wife sit down, plopped them on her head, then turned the volume up (slowly, with her thumbs up) to what I knew was a fairly loud level.   I could not hear them at all above ambient noise (the blower in the heating system was running, not very loud).
 
 
Jan 23, 2013 at 8:55 AM Post #2,834 of 6,388
Quote:
Appreciation:
After pulling an all-nighter with my new twin baby girls, I am pleasantly surprised to find such an overwhelming response to my post 
-- Thank you.
 
As a whole you've managed to answer my questions and apparently read my mind by answering questions I had forgotten to ask.
I appreciate each of your individual feedback as one of your experiences may end up being my own.
 
Let me assure some of you that my purpose for choosing the MD's isn't to find a bigger/better version of the M50's, but rather to try something new and 'different'. I'm excited to have a new sound from the MD's that will hopefully lead to great new musical experiences.
But don't worry, I plan on keeping my M50's to use where I feel that they shine.
 
Decision:
You've helped make my choice an easy one. It looks like the M/M combo is the one. Its hard to pass up based on functionality and its sensually sleek design.
 
Questions Round 2:
1. I had planned on buying the PYST cables from Schiit to interconnect the M/M combo, and I assume that the Modi comes with the USB    B cable, but either way is there any specific USB cable that proves better suited for the job? (my cable experience tells me no)
 
2. Does the sound/performance of the MD or the M/M combo or both resolve as a result of 'burn-in' like my M50's did?
    -- If so, what are your thoughts/findings associated with the burn-in?
 
Thanks again to everyone for your input. Hopefully I can add mine in the weeks to come.

 
1) Pass on the cable debate as well. I can't tell any difference but then again that is just me. The Modi does not come with a USB-B cable. I used one I had laying around. Monoprice is a good source for good quality (i.e. won't fall apart) cheap cables. 
 
2) The MD either burned in or I got used to it in that some treble I didn't like went away/mellowed out. I agree with vaed though. Just use them as you would normally and let yourself adapt to the sound.
 
 
A fair amount. At "moderate" levels (whatever that is personally to you), the leakage is audible. For me this is at about 11 on the pot.
 
They are not ear-speaker-like in leakage. But in quiet environment it could be a problem. If it's loud, then hell, you've got no problems.
And that's in both isolation and leakage.
 

 
I don't know. I've used these on a plane and they've provided the best isolation, hands down, short of IEMs. For reference I've used Bose (not quiet comfort), HFI-580, M50's, and MDR-V6. The MD was noticeably better at isolation. At 9 on my Magni's volume pot, I can't hear someone trying to talk to me in my office.
 
EDIT: this is the dog pad version. I could see velours leak more and provide poorer isolation.
 

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