[Neo Zuko]

Of course if the well amped MSR7 test blows me away I might keep it but I don't know where I would use it in my end game collection plans. Not as my on the go closed can (MDR-1A comfort reasons), not at the gym or as my super portable (JH Layla), not at home (my plans for the HD 800 and LCD-3 say hello), it's a weird headphone to slot into my planned collection. The closed can purchase was really just to have something to hold me over until I can buy the better stuff and I think the MDR-1A works just fine in that aspect while providing a nicer overall package. On the other hand I do like the sound qualities of the M50X / MDR7 on some songs and listening sessions. And then there is the Momentum purchase I want. It's hard to place my feelings for the Audio Technica stuff. Perhaps more listening is warranted.

 

[riposte]

I've never tried it. Directly ordered to local store (Bass Audio) but FiiO RC-MH1 cable from another local store, dontblameyourears, and that cable is the last stock  

. I will share the impression after changed the cable to FiiO cable. Stock cable have better build quality, but maybe I don't mind.
I'm glad the rain are start after I'm arrived at my home 

 
EDIT: RC-MH1 is not compatible with MSR7. So I will try to refund it or sell to other people who have MDR-1R or M100
I like the sound signature over MDR-1R. I can't test MDR-1A, but I'm sure I will be dissapointed if I buy MDR-1A.
EDIT (again): I think I must repaint my bedroom. The lighting is okay but the paint bit yellowish 

 

[earfonia]

  EDIT: RC-MH1 is not compatible with MSR7. So I will try to refund it or sell to other people who have MDR-1R or M100
I like the sound signature over MDR-1R. I can't test MDR-1A, but I'm sure I will be dissapointed if I buy MDR-1A.
EDIT (again): I think I must repaint my bedroom. The lighting is okay but the paint bit yellowish 

 

 
Good to know, thanks!
I would prefer to use pure copper (OFC or PCOCC) for MSR7, rather than silver plated copper.
 
I used MSR7 a lot in my latest review of AT-HA5050H. MSR7 is very revealing, really helped me to observe sonic differences between DACs and Amps.

 

[riposte]

Good to know, thanks!
I would prefer to use pure copper (OFC or PCOCC) for MSR7, rather than silver plated copper.

 
I hope audio-technica released better cable for MSR7.
---
I think E10K is good match for E10K. I don't hear any sibilance with E10K (tested with LiSA songs, japanese singer)
My friend said different. Maybe he tested MSR7 at headfonia with his AK100 mod.

 

[earfonia]

   
I hope audio-technica released better cable for MSR7.
---
I think E10K is good match for E10K. I don't hear any sibilance with E10K (tested with LiSA songs, japanese singer)
My friend said different. Maybe he tested MSR7 at headfonia with his AK100 mod.

 
I tried 3 other cables:
1. Oyaide HPC35. Not matching, too bright.
2. Lunashop Pure 5N PCOCC:
http://www.lunashops.com/goods.php?id=4756
Good sound, organic with good detail.
3. DIY using LyxPro starquad OFC.
Good sound, smoother, & bass slightly improved.
 

 

 

 

[q2klepto]

   
I tried 3 other cables:
1. Oyaide HPC35. Not matching, too bright.
2. Lunashop Pure 5N PCOCC:
http://www.lunashops.com/goods.php?id=4756
Good sound, organic with good detail.
3. DIY using LyxPro starquad OFC.
Good sound, smoother, & bass slightly improved.
 

 

 

 
Hold up - youre saying they sound noticably different enough when changing out (im assuming not total garbage) cables with this headphone? 
 
Have you tried doing a blind test (seems easy enough) or taken measurements?

 

[earfonia]

Default stock cable is ok, pretty good, i have nothing against the stock cable. Different cable gives different flavor, but the difference is not much, though noticeable. I let my friend try my DIY LyxPro Cable to compare with the stock cable, he has pretty much same impression.

What kind of measurement we should do to see the difference of the cables sound signature?

If we do simple audio FR test they will all have the same result.

 

[riposte]

I'm too lazy to refund this cable, so I make a mod for FiiO RC-MH1, remove some plastic by using scissor at to make it fit (I don't have cutter)
I will share the impression later.
It seems I almost can't find what's different between RC-MH1 with stock cable. RC-MH1 have deep and more bass. Maybe just suggestion.
My experience with cable still new. I only can tell difference between Shure SE215 with SPC cable vs stock cable, 2 pair Sennheiser HD202 recable with different cable, and ATH-IM03 with HDC5 vs custom cable vs stock cable

 

[q2klepto]

Default stock cable is ok, pretty good, i have nothing against the stock cable. Different cable gives different flavor, but the difference is not much, though noticeable. I let my friend try my DIY LyxPro Cable to compare with the stock cable, he has pretty much same impression.

What kind of measurement we should do to see the difference of the cables sound signature?

If we do simple audio FR test they will all have the same result.

 
You said Oyaide HPC35 was "too bright", meaning the highs stood out more than the mids - shouldnt that mean the FR around the higher end of the spectrum be higher than the other cables? The DIY using LyxPro starquad OFC "bass slightly improved" - 120hz and lower should be marginally different with that cable? 
 
Sure you might not have CSD graphs to check for ringing/distortion but the headphone/enclosure and amp is the same. 
 
I just have a really hard time believing there could be any difference by simply swapping cables, especially when theyre all decent. 

 

[earfonia]

   
You said Oyaide HPC35 was "too bright", meaning the highs stood out more than the mids - shouldnt that mean the FR around the higher end of the spectrum be higher than the other cables? The DIY using LyxPro starquad OFC "bass slightly improved" - 120hz and lower should be marginally different with that cable? 
 
Sure you might not have CSD graphs to check for ringing/distortion but the headphone/enclosure and amp is the same. 
 
I just have a really hard time believing there could be any difference by simply swapping cables, especially when theyre all decent. 

 
I guess my words were too exaggerated. Please take note, that my impressions for the 3 cables I mentioned, were for cables, not amplifier, not headphones.  Meaning, different degree of differences. For example, when we say this headphone is warm, and that amplifier is warm sounding as well, the perceived degree of warmness is different, although for simplicity we just say both headphone and amplifier are warm sounding. On headphone the range of differences in sound signature is wider than amplifier. Likewise between amplifier and cable, the range of differences in cable is much smaller than amplifier. It is more difficult to perceive sonic differences between cables, than between amplifiers.  So please read my impressions with the understanding that I'm talking about differences between cables.
 
Probably I would need a highly accurate binaural mics dummy head to measure the sonic differences of cables on the same headphone. I don't have those accurate instruments, so I cannot measure them.  Measuring the cable alone using line out to line in on my sound card won't do justice.
 
Anyway, I used to be a 'cable skeptic', until I gain more experience with cables. The same with my friend, a sound engineer, till he experienced it himself.  Yes, the range of differences is very small with cables, when compared to the range of differences we can hear when swapping amplifiers.  So please read it within that narrow range of differences.
 
This thread is about MSR7 headphone, and we better don't start 'classic' arguments about cables here. I know some people don't care much with cable rollings, that's fine. My impressions are for those who care. 

 
 
FYI, even if the Oyaide HPC35 is not my favorite cable for MSR7, it is my favorite cable for Fidelio X1.

 

[q2klepto]

^ Understood. I do realize that cables may affect sound (still doubtful, but lack experience) - but i was really surprised that such differences would be noticeable on the MSR7.  Not that isnt a detailed can, but certainly not "high end" enough to pick up something as (high end) cable swaps.  Maybe HD800 or HE-6 and above, but not the MSR7. 
 
Wish more people would do double blind testing when they conclude something. impressions are great - but repeatable measurements/experiments are nicer imo. 

 

[Ra97oR]

Just ignore any cable impression if you don't care about it.

"High-end", "Flagships" are all words that you slap on, relative to their price or placement in their product lineup. Pretty much says nothing about their actual ability.

 

[earfonia]

  ^ Understood. I do realize that cables may affect sound (still doubtful, but lack experience) - but i was really surprised that such differences would be noticeable on the MSR7.  Not that isnt a detailed can, but certainly not "high end" enough to pick up something as (high end) cable swaps.  Maybe HD800 or HE-6 and above, but not the MSR7. 
 
Wish more people would do double blind testing when they conclude something. impressions are great - but repeatable measurements/experiments are nicer imo. 

 
Yes I agree, measurement certainly nicer, and I've been cracking my head how to do it in an affordable way. Me too want to know what I've heard between the cables. But I don't know how to measure it.
 
Easy and affordable, try to get a headphone cable with different construction. For example, get coaxial cable, that is normally use for high frequency, and get another starquad microphone cable. make both as headphone cable for the same headphone, and try to hear the differences. I don't believe good cable must be expensive. They are just different sounding. What we need is to get matching cable, not expensive cable.
 
I was quite surprise, when doing my recent review for AT-HA5050H headphone amplifier, that MSR7 is actually proven to be very revealing, and even more revealing than my Shure SRH1540. MSR7 really helped me to distinguish sonic differences between the DACs. And it is easier to do it with MSR7 than SRH1540. Basically 2 main headphones I used for the HA5050H review is Beyerdynamic T1 and MSR7. Probably we shouldn't underestimate MSR7, it is really good. Very revealing and not the forgiving type

 

[Neo Zuko]

Ran out of time to try the MSR7 with the MHA100. They are now on the way back to Japan. Oh well, for me the comfort level was enough to skip these anyway. Looking forward to CES 2015 headphones, so no shortage of things to buy and try. Namely the new Audeze EL-8 and Momentum MKII.

 

[riposte]

I must buy DAC again. I think FiiO E10K is not for MSR7, maybe E10K make every instrument and vocal more forward 

EDIT: I tried line out. I can find what's wrong with E10K. I must find amp, but still using E10K as DAC. Headphone out of E10K is not for MSR7
What do you think about Bravo tube amp? I don't have money to buy HA22TUBE