[cel4145]

Just joined the ATH Velour/Velvet pad replacement club!!!
 
I definitely prefer how the bass sounds more controlled. The lower mid warmth is largely gone, but the treble is definitely a little hot as Dsnuts pointed out. While I found the bass difficult to tame using EQ with the regular pads, pretty easy to reduce the treble with EQ when using these pads. I think I have some hobby store felt around. Might try that to see how it affects the audio signature. 
 
After hearing these drivers in this new way, makes me wonder if JVC ever experimented with them with different enclosures and pads, or were they only focused on creating a portable phone with a bassy signature. 

 

[Dsnuts]

Cheers Scotty!

 

[penmarker]

Hey guys, a few weeks/months ago i was looking for a pair of new headphones. I stumbled upon this thread while comparing V-Modas to other headphones, and I bought the S500s right away. Loving these cans so far, which brings me to the next question; I own a UD100 DAC (DIY made by a fellow local audiophile), and a FiiO E11.

I'm torn between getting the Fire Phoenix DAC-02 and the Takstar HI2050 headphone. I want to get some neutral and flat sound, but I have the impression that the Phoenix-JVC combination would be a superior combination. So which one would be a good purchase?

 

[Dsnuts]

I suppose that all depends. If you want another headphone or another DAC. Can't speak for the Takstar but the Fire Phoenix I know for a fact you will get your monies worth and then some in sound quality. 

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

Hey guys, a few weeks/months ago i was looking for a pair of new headphones. I stumbled upon this thread while comparing V-Modas to other headphones, and I bought the S500s right away. Loving these cans so far, which brings me to the next question; I own a UD100 DAC (DIY made by a fellow local audiophile), and a FiiO E11.
I'm torn between getting the Fire Phoenix DAC-02 and the Takstar HI2050 headphone. I want to get some neutral and flat sound, but I have the impression that the Phoenix-JVC combination would be a superior combination. So which one would be a good purchase?

What do you not like about the HA-S500?
That you would need to buy other headphone for?

 

[rickdohc]

Hey guys, a few weeks/months ago i was looking for a pair of new headphones. I stumbled upon this thread while comparing V-Modas to other headphones, and I bought the S500s right away. Loving these cans so far, which brings me to the next question; I own a UD100 DAC (DIY made by a fellow local audiophile), and a FiiO E11.
I'm torn between getting the Fire Phoenix DAC-02 and the Takstar HI2050 headphone. I want to get some neutral and flat sound, but I have the impression that the Phoenix-JVC combination would be a superior combination. So which one would be a good purchase?

Get the dac, why? Because it wont matter what phone you buy later, whatever you buy will sound better. I was in the same boat for 2 weeks, couldnt decide between the FP or anothe iem, whats the point for another phone if i cant hear the full potential of what i already got? So my money is on the FP... The only thing i dont like is that its going to take a while to arrive. It took me so long to decide, by know i would gotten my FP..

Pd. You can add speakers or watch movies with the dac, its more versatile than another phone, what if you dont like them or like them over the s500? You will end with a phone without or little use. Get the dac., no brainer.

 

[Dsnuts]

I am afraid to hear your reaction to these there rickdohc. Lol. I look forward to hear what you have to say about your HA-S500 on the Fire Phoenix.

 

[rickdohc]

I am afraid to hear your reaction to these there rickdohc. Lol. I look forward to hear what you have to say about your HA-S500 on the Fire Phoenix.

Yea,, got your flame suit ready? , cause if its all hype........ Check the nebraska site, they should sell flame suits, just in case....

 

[waynes world]

Quote:

Yea,, got your flame suit ready? , cause if its all hype........ Check the nebraska site, they should sell flame suits, just in case....

 
I don't think that's what dsnuts means. I think he means that you are going to be so freaking happy and excited lol!

 

[penmarker]

You guys made a lot of sense.
 
Well my logic was that if I have two phones then I can use them for different applications and music, like these S500s for dubstep/hip-hop/bassy songs, while another phones for less bass demanding songs like vocals/classical/rock/metal. I do notice recession in the deep male vocals with these cans (excellent example would be The Pharaoh Sails to Orion by Nightwish where the male vocal had blended into the background altogether). And maybe watching movies with the other phones because the S500s has very small staging. I feel like the movie sound is on my ears instead of immersing myself into the movie.
 
dsnuts did go nuts (pun intended lol) over the Fire Phoenix and he did mention the staging opened up a bit (right? I'm not sure, I might need to check back on that thread). Also I have no velour pads yet for these cans, so the sound is really forward and in your face, not to mention the very heavy bass. Like seriously I have never felt any deeper, stronger, more punchy bass than these cans. I do have my old Sony MDR V150 pads, the plastic/pleather surface on it has peeled away (like the M30 pads, they peel easily) so now its left with just fabric. It did help to tame down the bass a bit and the staging opened a bit as well. I know I cannot compare these to open backed circumaural cans, but I'd love to have that 'airy' feel that comes with them.
 
But. But the Fire Phoenix DAC seem to improve these S500s so much, and now my ear boner is so confused.
 
Maybe buy DAC-02 first, Takstar HI2050 later?

 

[cel4145]

Quote:

But. But the Fire Phoenix DAC seem to improve these S500s so much, and now my ear boner is so confused.
 
Maybe buy DAC-02 first, Takstar HI2050 later?

 
You seem to have a pretty good DAC already. ClieOS reviewd the UD100 DAC and found it to be fairly comparable to the ODAC. I wonder how much of an improvement you would hear? 

 

[rickdohc]

I don't think that's what dsnuts means. I think he means that you are going to be so freaking happy and excited lol!

I hope, cause i was going to buy one of those triple fi10's just to see if all those drivers would take me to audio nirvana. So hope that firewathever is called is good, cause i am not that happy with all daves recomendation, those htf600 where like..... Mmm.... Ok. Next!

 

[penmarker]

Quote:

 
You seem to have a pretty good DAC already. ClieOS reviewd the UD100 DAC and found it to be fairly comparable to the ODAC. I wonder how much of an improvement you would hear? 

I knew my DAC is good, but I wasn't aware of such comparison made.
 
I'm feeling a bit happier now. 

 Curious as to how much improvement I would get from the Phoenix too. Too bad the UD100 has no volume control, I had to get the E11 later for that. Worth every cent however. A new question would be, am I willing to spend money to get that Phoenix for comparison? lol.

 

[rickdohc]

The phoenix is calling you man...

 

[cel4145]

Quote:

I knew my DAC is good, but I wasn't aware of such comparison made.
 
I'm feeling a bit happier now. 

 Curious as to how much improvement I would get from the Phoenix too. Too bad the UD100 has no volume control, I had to get the E11 later for that. Worth every cent however. A new question would be, am I willing to spend money to get that Phoenix for comparison? lol.

 
A DAC is just a digital to analog converter. It's not supposed to have a volume control. That's what a headphone amp is for, to take the signal from the DAC and reduce and/or amplify it louder with more power. The Phoenix is just a DAC and headphone amp rolled into one. 
 
Since the UD100 is apparently a pretty good DAC, then it's probably the SQ of the headphone amp for the Phoenix vs the E11 that would be the major difference, if any.