They are great. Unmatched comfort, non fatiguing sound, and a loudspeaker like presentation. Not the last word in detail, but with everything else it has going for it I have no complaints.

I finally remembered what the upscale MA900/F1 was. Kurada KD-P1. https://www.kurada.co.jp/kd-p1

In this case, small production meant boutique company. I’m familiar with the SA5000 and the Qualia. Thank you! And Happy New Year to you too!

Hi, I looked everywhere and came up empty. I remember seeing a very expensive small production Japanese headphone ($2-3k USD) that had a very similar construction to the MA900. It finally occurred to me to just ask. do you guys know the one I’m talking about? Thanks in advance! Kindest regards,

Thank you very much for posting the info along with the links for how to find them in Japan. I'm in the US and the pickings are pretty slim on eBay.

Hi, I had MDR-F1s for a very long time (over a decade) and am looking for a replacement. What are the options? This is for general use including music, movies, and maybe gaming. Comfort is the most important thing and the MDR-F1 did that better than anything else I've encountered. Soundstage...

Hi,   After using HF3s for the last 3+ years I finally bought a pair of ER4's and the difference is a lot bigger than I expected. What do you guys like for a recable? The stock cable is quite heavy! I was considering a plusSound cable, but spending nearly as much on a cable as a headphone...

Hi,   Thanks for the link!   Shure vs Westone - which is more durable?   I'm asking so that I can convert this to a headset for hands free operation.

Hi,   I'm getting a pair of ER4's. Are there instructions anywhere for cable removal to install the Shure/Westone adapters to use aftermarket cables?   Chris

And yet some people are quite passionate about them. I guess I will just have to hear a pair.

Bump?  

Which variant of the DT 48 are you writing about? I know that the A and E version are supposed to sound different.  

All,   I have a pair of Sony MDR-F1's (nice soundstage, okay resolution, HIGH noise floor), Sony MDR-SA5000's (okay soundstage, good resolution, HIGH noise floor, microphonic cable) and Etymotic HF3's (IEM Soudstage, good resolution, low noise floor, microphonic cable). In the past I have...

All, Before Saturday, I hadn't ever been to one of these. I was met with a bevy of gracious hosts and was able to hear lots of nice sounding rigs from the affordable to the outrageous. I didn't listen to everything but the Bottlehead rigs were far and away the most impressive to me. That...

Well, If it was a loudspeaker I would use a 1.5v AAA or AA battery and test leads to test the driver. So you can test the driver w/o a DMM and figure out whether it is the driver or not and by process of elimination know if it is the cable.

Quote: Originally Posted by Uncle Erik IIRC, you need to rotate the pads to get them off and then you'll see the screws underneath. Take those out and the rest will be self-explanatory. Which reminds me, I've got to open mine up again and touch up the solder joints. It's gotten flaky...

All, I am looking for a service manual, or online guide to disassembling the SA5000. I searched google and head-fi and came up empty. Can anyone post a link that may help? Thank you in advance, Chris

I actually have high hopes for the DT48. Classic products that have stood the test of time are classic for a reason. They come from a long gone era when some of the smartest guys in the world were working on audio reproduction. The only thing I'm wary about is the fact that they are closed, but...

Quote: Originally Posted by RedBull x2 on used RS-1, I really love this baby's midrange, colored but sweet, but may not match the comfort level of GS1K. I'm not sure about HF-2 comfort tho. At the August NorCal meet I'm looking forward to potentially hearing some AT headphones...

Quote: Originally Posted by oqvist What amp/source are you using? Transcendent Sound SE OTL PS3 Technics SL1200mk2/Clearaudio Maestro Wood

I never said I wanted a rolled off top end. I just don't want a peaky upper midrange/low treble that is often described as brightness, and causes me irritation and fatigue. Does anyone like the Sony SA5000's? Chris

Quote: Originally Posted by elcarajo FWIW - the Ultrasone 900's seem to me to be enjoyably aggressive with crystaline articulation up to moderately strong volumes but (mostly burned-in) I'm finding them to be too bright and silvery throughout the higher registers. I am having to adjust...

Quote: Originally Posted by atothex L3000, PS1000, and PS1 came immediately to mind. The really difficult part is finding phones with good mids. Edit: actually, just buy a used GS1000 for about $600. It's hard to find anything with exceptional midrange that doesn't cost a...

Quote: Originally Posted by atothex So you basically only like the bass and comfort of the GS1000? I've yet to hear a <$600 phone with big bass and nice mids, let alone any of your other criteria. In fact, I can only think of about 3 phones total off the top of my head with big bass and...

Quote: Originally Posted by Uncle Erik If you enjoyed the Grado SR line, how about trying the RS line? A used RS-1 is well within your budget. So is the RS-2, and you might want to look at the HF-2 while it is still available. Uncle Erik, What I said was...