[fmcgraw]

I never got my phones last year when I began looking, ended up with some new speakers instead. I think I'm going to buy the HD-600's this weekend though, and am also considering a Sony 555ES SACD player.

I'm just curious if anyone has used this, or another SACD player to drive phones without using a dedicated headphone amp? How has it sounded? Is it any better than the headphone jacks on regular CD players or receivers? I hope to be able to demo it at the store myself anyway, but am curious on your thoughts. I'm really contemplating the player now, and then a headphone amp later.

Thanks for your comments and have a great weekend coming up!

David

 

[blueocp]

I am currently running my 600s off of my 333es. The sound out of the headphone jack I guess is bearable. However I still miss my MG Head greatly

The jack does seem to be faster than the MG Head, but thats because of the inherency of SS imo. The MG Head has a much fuller midrange(obviously) and has much better detail, highs and bass. When I first got the 333, the bass seemed really boomy, however since then it has tightened up considerably. I also got the Equinox cable after I sold my Head. It opens up the soundstage better than the MG Head did, but I would still take the MG Head over what I have now. I am expecting a Headmaster in 2 weeks or so, but I will be out of town by then.

 

[BenG]

The headphone jacks on Sony SACD players are actually good imo for component jacks -- no high background noise or otherwise disgusting colorations that I could make out in limited store auditions. I haven't had a chance to hear the 333ES or other ES players at great length or in direct comparison to dedicated headamps, but the 775 that I own has a decent jack for sure.