[PJDubyaM]

I do wonder if anyone here has some experience with using a Bluesound Node2 as a source for the Nighthawk?

It has a headphone output. And it would be a very flexible and powefull solution, even more now that they are going to add Roon in the firmware. There are very few ccomments about the quality of the Node 2 headphone output on the internet.

 
I was using the exact same setup for quite some time. And had exactly the same questions regarding the Node 2 headphone stage. I asked their customer support what headphone amps out there in the market it would compare with, and they replied:
 

Our Gen 2 Players feature a dedicated headphone output driver.  The driver is rated 0.0055% THD @1kHz, 35mW.  It is designed for use with most headphones, with a minimum impedance of 14 ohms.
For some ideas on how our Headphone Output compares to other media players, we would recommend that you contact your local Bluesound Authorized Dealer for recommendations and comparisons.

 
Not really very useful.
 
What I can say is that I used to use NAD HP50s with the Node 2, and the NightHawk is a huge step up.
 
I think I asked on this forum somewhere (although possibly on the Bluesound ones), and someone got back to me saying that the headphone stage is similar to / the same as that of some NAD units, and they tend to review quite well.
 
Also found this, where the reviewer pairs the NH with the Node 2: http://www.audiostream.com/content/bluesound-node-2#ofqXL9AWm3QwXTfb.97
 
I've actually moved on to a Mojo now (attached via coax), and that's a step up again from the Node 2. It just pairs beautifully with the NH. The Mojo takes the 'richness and fullness' cited by the reviewer above, supercharges it, and dials in clarity in a very musical manner.
 
But I do love the Node 2 (also got a Powernode 2 and a pair of Flexes). Not planning on getting rid of any of them any time soon – they're the backbone of my music system. And I very much looking forward to Roon integration!

 

[Selbi]

Great headphone, but not for all types of music imo.

 
Stuff like this makes me very sad and doubtful. I want an all-around versatile headphone. The NH aren't what to go for then?

 

[Soundizer]

The Soundstage on my original Nighthawks has come alive today from listening to MQA Albums in TIDAL HIFI - driven by a Chord Mojo.

 

[Krutsch]

  I believe I likely use lower volume then maybe 1 in 5.  What I'm liking about NH so far is there are probably best headphone for late night really low volume listening.  Most other headphone I have tried, I feel I need little more volume to get the clarity forward or even just a balanced sound.  But these NH are very well balanced even at lower volumes.  I don't know any other headphone that does this well.

 
For what it's worth, Grado does this extremely well and maintains a consistent sound signature from very low to very high volumes.

 

[UNOE]

 
I believe I likely use lower volume then maybe 1 in 5.  What I'm liking about NH so far is there are probably best headphone for late night really low volume listening.  Most other headphone I have tried, I feel I need little more volume to get the clarity forward or even just a balanced sound.  But these NH are very well balanced even at lower volumes.  I don't know any other headphone that does this well.

For what it's worth, Grado does this extremely well and maintains a consistent sound signature from very low to very high volumes.

Thanks I never have tried any Grado's.

 

[misteral201103]

Ok, bear with me on this ramble.....
 
I've been going through a phase of trying Chinese IEMs and have finally settled on 'the ones' for me - the LZ A4. I've played around with the different filter and tip combinations and now have them set up in what works best for me across most genres. There's a fair bit of low end grunt - without being boomy and without clouding other frequencies - and a lovely high end resolution that does not shriek or cause fatigue. Nice open soundstage as well. Cracking pair of IEMs that I've been listening to exclusively since I got them a week or so ago.
 
Today, for the first time in a long old while, I got to sit down and listen to the Nighthawks out of the Little Dot MkIII. And my immediate reaction was 'Oh....where's the high-end definition?' They were also less pronounced in the bass but that was not such an issue for me - I missed the clarity at the upper frequencies that I had been enjoying on the A4s.
 
It took maybe two minutes for me to settle into the sound of the Nighthawks again. Once I had readjusted I could see/hear that there was nothing missing, the details were all there, just reproduced in a much more natural way, much more akin to the way things sound in real life, as opposed to a sharpened hyper-reality. I'd say also that the soundstaging was very evident - again, in a natural way. The signature is very different to what I had enjoyed on the A4 but not better or worse, just different. Lovely, but it did take that couple of minutes to adjust.
 
So I think I get it a little bit now, when people first listen to the 'hawks and are not immediately taken with them. They represent an alternative approach to sound reproduction compared to the 'norm' and they take a moment to appreciate. Once you are on-board, they are seductive. They make me stop what I'm doing and just listen, enjoy, experience the music on offer. It's hard for me to define the feeling. It's relatively easy to outline what they don't do in relation to other products, but it's hard for me to explain what they DO.
 
So perhaps they are a headphone to be owned alongside others - in the same way that whiskey drinkers tend to have multiple brands stocked at home. Sometimes you're in the mood for an Islay, sometimes you want a Speyside. There's nothing better or worse about either one, they have their strengths and characteristics. It just depends on you, which one is right for you in this moment.
 
And that's what I think about that!

 

[nmatheis]

Stuff like this makes me very sad and doubtful. I want an all-around versatile headphone. The NH aren't what to go for then?

No headphone I've met yet is perfect for everything. That's just reality. If you're looking for the perfect headphone, good luck, lol


misteral201103: Good comments and ultimate conclusion!

 

[Amrit-R]

Stuff like this makes me very sad and doubtful. I want an all-around versatile headphone. The NH aren't what to go for then?

To avoid misunderstanding, the Sennheiser HD700 is imo not for all types of music. Or more acurate, I liked for example Pearl Jam, Tool, Nirvana etc and R&B better on my Sennheiser HD650 / HD600. (I can't remember or tell the difference between the Sennheiser HD600 and HD650. Too long ago, and at some time I added an amp for the hd650)
The Sennheiser HD700 really is a very good headphone, very comfortable as well. And I think it's great with classical music, films. So no way I'm going to part with it.

I'll probably get the Nighthawk Carbon in one or two weeks, then I'll be able to try out the Nighthawks myself. In my opinion it would be not very smart to get myself a headphone which is similar to the sennheiser hd700. And the Nighthawk seems to be the most exciting one of all the headphones I considered.

And 'all-around versatile' headphone, Do you want open or closed. Are you going to use it outdoor or only indoor? Are you going to travel with it. Do you want wireless.
It's imo no problem to get yourself an allround versatile headphone. There will however always be better more specialised headphones which will by definition be less versatile.
The B&W P7 Wireless, or Master & Dynamics MW60 Wireless are the most allround versatile headphones in my opinion. I seriously thought of buying one and I was able to test the P7 which I liked better the a Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 which I could also try out. But I allready have Shure inears, which are great when travelling. (But then the Shure inears are more specialised then the P7 and MW60...)


( The Nightowl may be more versatile then the Nighthawk purely because it's closed. I saw a very positive review in a dutch magazine last weekend of the Nightowl)

 

[nmatheis]

HD700 setup I heard made me feel like treble spikes were drilling into my eardrums, yet most of the (admittedly older) guys at the same show (quiet environment) said it sounded great. Either I'm exceptionally sensitive to treble (which I don't believe is true), or HD700 has some nasty treble spikes...

 

[misteral201103]

HD700 setup I heard made me feel like treble spikes were drilling into my eardrums, yet most of the (admittedly older) guys at the same show (quiet environment) said it sounded great. Either I'm exceptionally sensitive to treble (which I don't believe is true), or HD700 has some nasty treble spikes...

 
I'm sure you know (due to your use of parenthesis) but for those who may not - it's the high frequency hearing that typically goes as we get older.

 

[nmatheis]

I'm sure you know (due to your use of parenthesis) but for those who may not - it's the high frequency hearing that typically goes as we get older.

Yeah, I know. I'm a quiet listener anyways. The guy's HD700 had killed bass, that's for sure. But the treble was piercing, man

 

[lugnut]

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

[Amrit-R]

I was using the exact same setup for quite some time. And had exactly the same questions regarding the Node 2 headphone stage. I asked their customer support what headphone amps out there in the market it would compare with, and they replied:


Not really very useful.

What I can say is that I used to use NAD HP50s with the Node 2, and the NightHawk is a huge step up.

I think I asked on this forum somewhere (although possibly on the Bluesound ones), and someone got back to me saying that the headphone stage is similar to / the same as that of some NAD units, and they tend to review quite well.

Also found this, where the reviewer pairs the NH with the Node 2: http://www.audiostream.com/content/bluesound-node-2#ofqXL9AWm3QwXTfb.97

I've actually moved on to a Mojo now (attached via coax), and that's a step up again from the Node 2. It just pairs beautifully with the NH. The Mojo takes the 'richness and fullness' cited by the reviewer above, supercharges it, and dials in clarity in a very musical manner.

But I do love the Node 2 (also got a Powernode 2 and a pair of Flexes). Not planning on getting rid of any of them any time soon – they're the backbone of my music system. And I very much looking forward to Roon integration!

Many thnx!! Good to hear that this setup does work. And that I could 'upgrade' the Node2 with a dedicated headphone amp. (Didn't think of a Mojo and coax :-0 )

A few years ago we bought a few Denon Heos devices, including a Heos Link. A really nice system. But now the Bluesound devices seems to have taken a lead. There is a lot of innovation going on.

I think I'll wait for the Nighthawk first, and then decide on the next step, a Node2, Mojo. Or maybe the iFi Micro iDSD Black. The Mojo does get a lot of praise though.

 

[lugnut]

   
Stuff like this makes me very sad and doubtful. I want an all-around versatile headphone. The NH aren't what to go for then?

No need to be sad, lots of people myself included feel the Nighthawk is a very good all-around headphone !

 

[MattTCG]

  No need to be sad, lots of people myself included feel the Nighthawk is a very good all-around headphone !

 
Plus one on this. I find the NH good for just about any type of music that I listen to. I used to say that they were not good for classical and orchestral pieces...until I actually spent time listening to that type of music with the NH. They surprised me and handle classical quite well.