I have tried this combination (Shure 846 with the HA1). Works fine, no hum, but prefer the sound through my HD-800s!

Hope this doesn't constitue a thread hijack, but since I've also been in the market for a replacement cable, I've collected a table of info with links and pricing from the manufacturers websites for a 10 foot HD800 cable with 4-pin XLR connector since that what my amp has. Listed below for your...

Svatopluk,   I have the same combo. Which balanced cable did you buy? Did you consider any others? There seems to be quite a range of prices for these (from expensive to ultra-expensive).   Mark.

Agreed. I mounted mine on some cheapo 1-inch high furniture feet, and the unit cooled off noticeably. Still sounds great...

A good question. My most-listened-to phones are Senn HD-800 and Shure E5s. Both have excellent bass definition and extension, but one thing I've noticed about the E5s is that the bass is extremely sensitive to the fit in my ears. In fact, with normal positioning the bass is relatively subdued. I...

As usual, Uncle Erik's advice here is very good (or does that just mean I tend to agree with him?). I have both the 650 (w/ Equinox cable) and the 800, but after listening to the 800 I have not gone back to the 650 at all. It does not take careful listening to hear the quantum leap the 800s make...

FYI, there is an active McIntosh discussion board at AudioKarma: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=54. I searched this board on "headphones" and got 286 hits! So there is some headphone interest within the McIntosh community.

Quote: Originally Posted by tom hankins I've been through at least a dozen different CDPs in the 1500.00-9000.00 range over the 3-4 years. I'm using a modified Esound from Reference Audio Mods right now that is better than everything but the Audio Aero Capitole MKII, and the Audio Aero...

Audio High in Mountain View (Audio High - Music & Home Theater Systems) carries a lot of high end stuff, including AKG, Senn, and Ultrasone headphones. I've been happy with my purchases from them.

Quote: Originally Posted by feifan Right now, I have the HD800 lined up with the m902 (computer as source, USB), and when I take it down to 65.5 (vol), the mids and highs aren't as bright. Feifan, Do you have a CDP source to test your setup? Or a DAC to front-end the m902? As...

OK, thought I would weigh in with a qualitative assessment. I have some CDs that have always annoyed me in parts with sibilance and I somehow expected the HD800s to "fix" that problem. One in particular is Paul Simon's Graceland ("The Misssssisssssippi delta was sshhhiiining like a Nasshhonnal...

I think I qualify. My favorite phones (that I own) are...I mean were...the HD650 with SAA Equinox cable. Source is a RAM-modified Eastsound CD-E5, amp is Grace m902. I can barely go back to my once-beloved 650s now after several hours with the HD800s. I don't have a lot of detail to add to...

Quote: Originally Posted by k3oxkjo If the UPS guy repossessed my HD-800 (what was up with that?), I'd live. But he wouldn't, at least in my case...

268 from Headroom

Quote: Originally Posted by Beagle Headphones that sound "great" right off the bat are usually problematic in the long run. And what do un-problematic headphones sound like right off the bat?