Thanks Alexxus and abvolt. I'm making arrangements for a demo model to be sent to me. I'll share impressions here when I've had sufficient time to listen :)

I'm encouraged by the many positive comments in this thread, and I am considering this DAC although it's at the upper-end of my budget. I intend to demo it locally, since there's a dealer in my area, but I do have some questions.   I recently sold off my Rega DAC and Peachtree DAC It X units...

I recently cobbled together a hi-fi system, purchasing second-hand NAD components fairly cheaply. I ended up with the following:   Amplifier = NAD 302 CD player = NAD 502 Turntable = NAD 5120 Monitors = Tannoy Mercury MX1s   My headphones are Sony MDR-XB500, Audio Technica...

Quote:   Agreed. I modded by SR80i's with the Sennheiser 414 pads, and they're soooooooooooooo much more comfortable, with no discernible changes in quality.   Love the Grados! :)

Have you tried the Shure SRH440s? They'd be within your budget and seem to be fairly balanced at that price point. I've heard mixed reviews on their bass response though...   'crusha

The song "The Truth" from Prince's Crystal Ball album makes my Grados and AD700s sing!  

So, I've discovered that here in South Africa old hi-fi equipment can be found relatively cheaply. I picked up a NAD 302 amplifier for about $80 and a NAD 502 cd player for $35. They'd probably be even cheaper abroad, but I'm pretty chuffed with the purchases.   I'm trying to source a good...

So, I've discovered that here in South Africa old hi-fi equipment can be found relatively cheaply. I picked up a NAD 302 amplifier for about $80 and a NAD 502 cd player for $35. They'd probably be even cheaper abroad, but I'm pretty chuffed with the purchases.   I'm trying to source a good...

I can buy this argument, provided there's quality in production as the OP noted.

If on a tight budget, I'd look no further than the Sony MDR-XB500s. They DO require a little bit of EQ'ing in you want a bit more presence in the HF. But they're great at that price point and an all-round fun set of cans.   I've not heard the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 ohm phones, but if I...

Recent 'Gradophile' here. I own a pair of the SR80i's and love them. I'm a bit peeved that I recently lost the adaptor jack (the 1/8 to 1/4 inch plug) that allows me to plug my Grados into my hifi amp. I'm concerned that a generic replacement might compromise the sound I have come to love. How...

1. Audio Technica ATH-AD700 (amazing comfort, produces beautiful sounds when amped and has shaken off its "bass shy" tag with me) 2. Grado SR80i (much more aggressive sound signature, but find its soundstage a little lacking compared with the AD700, sometimes find it hard to wear during longer...

Quote:   Crikey! Just did a search and read up a bit online that plugging your soundcard into the the phono (as in turntable) input is NOT the thing to do. I hope I haven't done any irreparable damage. Don't have a turntable to test anyway. Hoping all's well. I think at some point I was...

You state you have plugged your laptop into the Phono in on your amp.  I would advice against this because most Phono inputs are meant for really low voltages.  The Aux input is much more suited for such connections.  Giving the Phono input too much voltage can not only damaged the amp, but it...

Hi there,   So a quick story: I have a pair of Audio Technica ATH-AD700s. I've been using them for music listening, with my laptop and Creative X-Fi Go sound card as source. I recently got an opportunity to use them while plugged into a stereo amp and listening to CDs, and the improvement in...