[reptillian]

would the new sony walkman range be able to power these phones to proper levels? the phones are 25 ohm so maybe. i know they sound best with an amp, however are they better than phones at > 70 ohm for portable listening?

 

[odigg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by reptillian /img/forum/go_quote.gif would the new sony walkman range be able to power these phones to proper levels? the phones are 25 ohm so maybe. i know they sound best with an amp, however are they better than phones at > 70 ohm for portable listening?

I've tried the D7000 with a Sansa Clip and Nokia phone and both can power the phones decently enough. It depends, however, on how much volume you want. In a quiet environment (at home) the volume levels are acceptable. Outside the house you may want an amp, especially if you are on a bus, train, etc.

A couple of things. The Denons do not seal outside noise all that well. Also, the Denons have a light fit on the head and can fall off easily. I can walk around the house with it but I would never take it outside. The Denons are built well but do not seem to be all that resistant to damage from impact, which is something you would look for in a portable full sized headphone.

And a final note. You've got some serious guts to take such expensive pair of headphones outside. At least with IEMs few people can tell the price of them by looking. Just about anybody would know the Denons cost a bit from the design and wood earcups. I'd feel like I'm a moving target if I used them outside.

 

[boomy3555]

I prefer to add a little micro amp such as a Travagans Colors, or Fiio with my shuffle, but the Ipod 80 gb video drives them unampped just great. If I use my Denons around work or home but generaly I use IEM's for portable things. They will run O.K. but need just a bit more power to really enjoy them.
I also agree that they are too loose fit for a fast moving walk or rum. around the house is O.K. but outside would be pushing it.

 

[proteuskim]

i was mulling the Lisa III for my D7000s. Eventually I want some Grado GS1000i or RS1i.
you think i would be better off with a RSA Hornet or Predator? Currently, I am just using the FiiO E5 but on sunny days I take my Denons with me on the train etc.

The Lisa III looks a little big and the battery charge time isnt attractive. (1 hour charge per each hour played) and no way am i gonna lug around the XP.

 

[boomy3555]

The Denons seem to really like the Tube/SS hybrids such as the Headdirect EF-1. but Grados like solid state better. I did not have the tube/hybrid when I had my GS1K's so I cannot personally refer to any synergy with tubes and Grados, but most have said that Grados do better with SS

 

[proteuskim]

Is the EF-1 the best Tube/SS hybrid? I have no clue. but it's much cheaper than what I was looking at. I read that the tubes burn out quickly tho. I am very interested in the hybrids now. I know Triad Audio is working on a hybrid but something more transportable rather than portable. i imagine this is nothing i can walk around and listen to while it sits in my bag.

 

[boomy3555]

Tube amps require alot of power compared to solid state. Not condusive to portable battery use. And most portable cans and IEM's are low impedence type headphones which are said to do better with solis state. I have not followed the development of Hybrids since the EF-1 because it was the only one in my budget. There will most likely be several new hyrbids coming out soon. I can see a small portable tube amp in the future but I suspect it would be rather pricey as the battery technolgy required would require expensive state of the art technologies
As far as tubes burning out fast, you'll find that for general everyday amp use, they last a very long time and other than a few vintage and high end tubes (Tellefunken, Mullard) they are pretty cheap. It's like a sub-hobby to do some "Tube Rolling" (switching out different tubes for a change in SQ). I have several tubes from different eras and brands. My favorite for the EF-1 is a vintage Ken-Rad tube left over from 1953 (35.00 US).

 

[proteuskim]

thanks for the replies. I have decided on the Lisa III standard for now. most of my listening time is on the train or during my commute, so a tube amp makes no sense for me.

maybe later when i have more time to do listening at home.

 

[K3cT]

SQ and isolation aside, the D7000 with its loose-fitting earpads will be horribly clunky for portable use.

 

[IPodPJ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by K3cT /img/forum/go_quote.gif SQ and isolation aside, the D7000 with its loose-fitting earpads will be horribly clunky for portable use.

x2. The headband on the D5000 and D7000 is comfortable, but not sturdy at all. If you don't have good travel case for these I can see them breaking fairly soon after you buy them. They are definitely "at home" headphones.

 

[rjoseph]

D7000 for daily commute on a train!!! I don't know about Tokyo but if I did that in NY I know I will be soon relieved of them.

For the price they are, you are better off using a more rugged portable can like m50 or HFI780 for the commute.

 

[electropop]

Sony A-series walkman's are much more powerful than iPods or Sansas etc. They can even power a HD650 to unlistenable levels. So I'm sure the Denon's won't be a problem. The sound sig on the other hand is clear and thin, and not having much experience with Denon headphones, I can't vouch for the SQ you'd be receiving. But since the source is what it is, you can hardly make it better with an amp except for some eq fine tuning maybe for your tastes..

 

[proteuskim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjoseph /img/forum/go_quote.gif D7000 for daily commute on a train!!! I don't know about Tokyo but if I did that in NY I know I will be soon relieved of them. For the price they are, you are better off using a more rugged portable can like m50 or HFI780 for the commute.

lol. yeah, no way i would wear these around anywhere in the states. NYC and Tokyo are totally different. Nobody really mugs anyone. You can leave your bag in a cafe and go to the toilet and it will still be there 30 minutes later intact. People just dont steal here.

About the commute, I find its rather bulky. I shouldve gotten the RS1i now that I think about it. but oh well.