[Jearly410]

I use a Venus Audio cable, Periapt, and Dyson on mine, at various times. Each of those companies makes a great cable. The Dyson Gotham Star Quad has the least amount of cable noise, is the most flexible, and is also the cheapest (about $55), so I'd go with that one.

For what it's worth, I noticed an improvement in sound over the stock cable (which I hated too) with any of those alternatives. I'm not a 'cable guy,' but to me switching it out made a big difference. I'd be curious to hear about your results with whatever you go with.

I’ve also got the Dyson Audio cable and am no longer interested in looking for another cable.

 

[CaptainFantastic]

So here's a question: the cable in the picture at the eBay link in post #1514 above shows the two earcup connectors as having two black bands. Does that make them "stereo" or "balanced" connectors? And how does this work since the original Audioquest cables all have a single band and they are described as mono. Does it not matter that the connectors on the replacement cables we are getting have the two bands?

Apologies for the newbie questions.

 

[CaptainFantastic]

Hi @CaptainFantastic

is the new piece also have a slight damages/marks on the the edges ?

I opened today my second pairs of Nightowls and Nighthawks. I can confirm that they both are brand new and they have the marks around the edges. It seems like a normal part of the manufacturing process for these. The Nighthawk original was the same. It doesn't bother me.

 

[mbwilson111]

So here's a question: the cable in the picture at the eBay link in post #1514 above shows the two earcup connectors as having two black bands. Does that make them "stereo" or "balanced" connectors? And how does this work since the original Audioquest cables all have a single band and they are described as mono. Does it not matter that the connectors on the replacement cables we are getting have the two bands?

Apologies for the newbie questions.

The one I have does only have the one band (mono) but I know that some people have used others that do have the two bands. What matters is how the earcup socket is wired. It is possible that one of the poles is unused. However, I probably I would not get one with the two bands unless I already know that someone in here has used it and it works. Some of the people in the Nighthawk thread have successfully used certain Sol Republic ones that have the two bands.

 

[Groundking]

This is the one I got from mavis mods... I wanted a balanced one and found this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hifiman-HE400i-cable-HE4XX-HE1000-Sennheiser-hd700-Audioquest-Oppo-2x2-5mm/233020693812?var=532529570271&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=2&asc=52945&meid=61165eaa0b114e9f8989b116176bacc6&pid=100011&rk=1&rkt=12&sd=233019340738&itm=532529570271&_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850

I thought I posted this in here already along with photos but maybe it was in the Nighthawk thread

What's the difference between 4 Core OCC copper, 4 Core SP-OCC and 8 Core Braided SP-OCC?

Also I put 5 hours into them last night, and wow did they change fast, after about an hour or so it was like somebody breathed life into them and all of a sudden them music started sounding a lot more energetic almost to the point where the original sound was boring and flat. Very excited to see what they sound like after hundreds of hours like people say they need to burn in.

 

[mbwilson111]

What's the difference between 4 Core OCC copper, 4 Core SP-OCC and 8 Core Braided SP-OCC?

The first is all copper, the other two are silver plated copper... with one having 4 twisted wires and the other with 8. I happen to prefer copper but others will have their reasons to choose the silver plated. I know the seller will answer questions if you want to talk to him.

I bought mine because I could not find a less expensive balanced cable. I have been happy for over two years with the standard inexpensive ebay cables. The reason I bought them was because the original Nighthawk came with two cables both of which had problems. The thinner one was microphonic. The thick silver one was prone to breakage. Because of that, when the NO and NH carbon were introduced that new thick horrible cable was born...lol. As you said..."what were they thinking"? AQ are cable specialists but had never designed one for portable use before. Usually when you set up components and speakers there is no need to constantly plug and unplug the cables.

Get the ebay one for now... if for no other reason but to have a simple backup cable. I mean the inexpensive one from China.

 

[Groundking]

The first is all copper, the other two are silver plated copper... with one having 4 twisted wires and the other with 8. I happen to prefer copper but others will have their reasons to choose the silver plated. I know the seller will answer questions if you want to talk to him.

I bought mine because I could not find a less expensive balanced cable. I have been happy for over two years with the standard inexpensive ebay cables. The reason I bought them was because the original Nighthawk came with two cables both of which had problems. The thinner one was microphonic. The thick silver one was prone to breakage. Because of that, when the NO and NH carbon were introduced that new thick horrible cable was born...lol. As you said..."what were they thinking"? AQ are cable specialists but had never designed one for portable use before. Usually when you set up components and speakers there is no need to constantly plug and unplug the cables.

Get the ebay one for now... if for no other reason but to have a simple backup cable. I mean the inexpensive one from China.

Does it make a difference if it's copper or silver?

 

[mbwilson111]

Does it make a difference if it's copper or silver?

I am not the one to answer that. Some people say silver makes the sound brighter. I don't know. These are the questions that in some threads will start pages and pages of arguing

 

[SubSTI]

Look what the cat (finally) dragged in today!
A bit late for Christmas, a bit to early for my 50th birthday, but who am I to complain.

Running with my XDP-300R and the standard thick audioquest sausage, sorry, cable, will try the balanced MavisModz cable later on.
Have ordered the cheap ebay 3.5mm cable that @mbwilson111 suggested as well.
What the hell were they thinking delivering this with a cable with microphone like this?

 

[SubSTI]

First impressions:
They really made an effort in packaging it for transport, it can resist real delivery abuse!
The case is huge but great! Can easily serve as a weekend-get-away-bag, room for a clean shirt, socks, underwear, my beloved DAP and the NightOwl, so all the essentials.
Comfort is great indeed, with the boost pads my ears touch the inner side of the pads a bit but not irritating
Playing my favourite FLACs, which is basically a mix of Pearl Jam, Metallica, Guns & Roses, Smashing Pumpkins and a good portion of Trance and House music.
Started with the standard cable sound was a bit muffled, condensed, so not impressed yet.
Switching over to balanced already cave a bit more aeriness to it, all to my ears that is of course, ymmv.
I think, and hope, they will open up after a good run in as stated before.

 

[CaptainFantastic]

Christmas has been good for many reasons. Among these, my new headphones at work: the Nightowl and the Nighthawk, side by side. They replace the LCD-2CB (too heavy for long listening) and the HD-650 (too similar to the HD-600).

 

[SubSTI]

Christmas has been good for many reasons. Among these, my new headphones at work: the Nightowl and the Nighthawk, side by side. They replace the LCD-2CB (too heavy for long listening) and the HD-650 (too similar to the HD-600).

Really a nice set you have there!

 

[Groundking]

These just keep getting better and better and better, it's magical.

 

[MidSmoothness]

Just got my new year purchases into my mailbox!

 

[CaptainFantastic]

Just got my new year purchases into my mailbox!

Not your worst Saturday morning, I take it.