[apropos]

I am going to order an aftermarket cable for the HD600 but I am not sure what connection to get: 1/4 or 1/8.

Will there be a sonic difference if I connect to a 1/4'' headphone output by using an aftermarket cable with a 1/8'' connection with an attached high quality 1/8-to-1/4 adaptor, or if I connect to the same output directly by using the Mobius with a 1/4'' connection?

Is there a difference in quality of 1/8-to-1/4 adaptors? If so, do you know if the stock 1/8-to-1/4 adaptor that comes with HD600 is of high quality?

thanks,
apropos

 

[AIM9x]

unless you're planning on using them portably.... why bother with having a 1/8" plug and a 1/8" -> 1/4" adapter when you can just use a 1/4" plug?

I would probably get the 1/4" plug just for efficiency's sake.

 

[apropos]

aim,

Well, for a while I will be using them with Corda HA-1 which comes with 1/8 output. (for a while = until I can afford a better amp)

But do you know if there is any quality loss with an 1/8 - 1/4 adaptor?

a.

 

[usc goose]

Quote:

Originally posted by apropos But do you know if there is any quality loss with an 1/8 - 1/4 adaptor?

short answer is no. don't let the audiophile paranoia get to you.

 

[apropos]

thanks, goose. so then, it does not matter what adaptor I use?

 

[usc goose]

try to match material. if you're adapting a gold plug use gold, silver for silver. i forget the reason why though. but yeah, i don't think it's worth going too nuts over a 1/8" to 1/4" adaptor.

1/4" to 1/8" is a different story because it's not just a housing but 2 housings with a small length of cable. (the one housing solution puts too much weight on the jack)

 

[Dusty Chalk]

Quote:

Originally posted by apropos But do you know if there is any quality loss with an 1/8 - 1/4 adaptor?

Yes, there is. It's tiny, but it's there. You may not be able to hear it, but why chance it? Minimize the number of connections -- that's where most sound loss goes.

Proud member of team audiophile paranoia.

 

[jefemeister]

Quote:

But do you know if there is any quality loss with an 1/8 - 1/4 adaptor?

I would rather use a 1/4"->1/8" then 1/8"->1/4". Seems more rigid to me since it can snap into place better. I really hate the 1/8"->1/4" on my 580s because it always seperates a little and then the left channel goes missing.

 

[tommyatkins]

I'd say get a 1/4" plug and a 1/4 -> 1/8 adapter. 1/8 jacks are not typically used on higher end amps, so when you upgrade, you won't have to use the adapter.

As goose noted, use one of the short cable types, to reduce strain on the jack. (Grado, for example, makes one of this sort).

 

[Magic77]

I mostly use 1/4", but I've used 1/8" also and never heard any sonic differences at all.

1/4" is definitely more durable, but the nice thing about 1/8" is that it's lighter.

I think the most important thing is not to use too many "adapters". Personally, I wouldn't use any more than 1 adapter between my Headphones and Amp.

 

[apropos]

Quote:

Originally posted by tommyatkins I'd say get a 1/4" plug and a 1/4 -> 1/8 adapter. 1/8 jacks are not typically used on higher end amps, so when you upgrade, you won't have to use the adapter.

I was thinking of going that way but a high quality adaptor would cost about $ 39 - I want to get it from Zu Cable and they say their adaptor is vastly superior to Grado's (which I do not doubt because they specialize in high-q cables).

I thought that 1/8 connector with a 1/4 would be a cheaper way to go without sacrificing quality but apparently, some quality will get lost (although the loss my be infinticimal, it will be maginified psychologically because of dusty's comments

). So, I guess I'll go for a standard 1/4 with and 1/8 adaptor from Zu and save for a better amp with a 1/4 output so that I don't have to use any adaptor at all.