Very helpful.  I'm in the market for either the Riva Turbo X or two of the Riva S's for my bedroom.  I probably won't need the high end of the X's volume, but wouldn't mind the better bass, although the stereo mode on the S is also promising.  Any thoughts on which way I should go?

Wow, really thoughtful and thorough post, thanks so much.  This clarifies a lot.  To answer a few of your questions --   1.  I suspect you're right that the volume is low, but not terribly so.  It sounds about even to an iPhone at half volume with 32 ohm ear buds, for example.     2.  You're...

I know enough to know that an amp is necessary to get the most out of a good pair of headphones, particularly those with high impedance.  But I don't know why.  I listen to SR225s at work with a Fiio E7 (mostly for the DAC) and am looking to get some HE-400s as my next set, another low impedance...

I've gone through a couple pairs of the Soundmagic E30s, which I've loved for comfort and sound, but haven't been as durable as I'd like.  The other problem is they don't have a mic, so I have to carry the Apple ear pods with me for work calls.  Now I've misplaced both the E30s and Apple pods...

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I mainly listen to lossless music through my ipod or laptop connected to sr 60s or m50s.  I'm thinking of upgrading to the 225s.  I'm terrified of tinnitus, so I usually listen at half the volume or below and that's plenty for me.  Given that I don't need extra volume and i use low impedence...

Looking to pick up some grados (225i) this weekend?  Anyone know of any memorial day sales?

Yeah, I dont know what break means either. Waiting to hear back from him. Thanks for the reply

I have a chance to buy some grado sr 225 for $125 but the listing states they had a break in the cord. He states that it was "repaired" (not replaced) and now works flawlessly but i want to be cautious. How big a deal is a break and what should I be watchful for when I demo them?

No one?

I am an aspiring audiophile and in the last year I've ditched my low grade mp3's for lossless files and gone from Bose Triports to some Grado 60's for home and ATH-M50's for work (like that they are closed, but I much prefer the grados).  I've never enjoyed listening to music so much in my life...

I finally got this issue sorted, thanks for all the help here.  I ordered a jack from ebay for $5 and it worked.  Looks like digiexpress sent me a bad part.  But we're up an running over here again.  My joy is only slightly tempered by the fact that I no longer have an excuse to buy an ipod...

Stozzer, I was worried it might be the logic board, but in that case, wouldn't the sound quality be bad with both jacks?  As it is, it only sounds muddy with the new jack (the old jack comes in crystal clear, but I'm replacing it because it goes in the right ear only intermittently).   I...

Another Update:  I peeled off all the adhesive from the ground tab on the digiexpress one.  I got quite excited in thinking that this was what fidele was talking about.  I installed the digiexpress jack again with its shiny gold ground tab, but to no avail.  The same crappy underwater sound...

I have some updates.  Headcred, I am indeed properly fastening the cable to the terminal, but thanks for the question.  That little brown tab is tricky, but I check it each time so it's not that.     Furthermore, I had the idea of reinstalling my old jack to see if the same problem with the...