Bored of HD650 -- where to next (classical)

[vvanrij]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herandu /img/forum/go_quote.gif What you need is a low impedance headphone. They deliver the equivalent of a slap, whilst high impedance cans like the HD650 give more of a friendly stroke. The exception is the K701 which delivers nothing of any use. The Grado SR80 or Denon D2000 driven by a headphone amp would be a good choice.

maybe you know a good DAC to go with that

 

[Uncle Erik]

I'd go for a K-1000. You don't need a special headphone amp for it. Your speaker amp is fine. It was designed to be hooked up to a speaker amp of at least 8W. If you already have one, the K-1000 will sing.

 

[seacard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by greggf /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've had/have the same gear you've had/have, am also a trumpet player (but NOT professionally!), am Ukrainian (3rd generation though!), and have gone through EXACTLY what you're expressing with gear. In fact, I'm just now re-purchasing the PS Audio GCHA because, of all the stuff in my signature, it's the headphone amp I've liked best. However, the GCHA is not the most dynamic headphone amp around. Another Head-Fier, recstar24, is a reviewer for 6Moons, the online audio review journal. Have you read their/his review of the GCHA? It's great. On another site, he has referred to the GCHA as "soft and bland". I would rephrase that to "sauve and refined," but is it possible that that's what you're hearing and responding to by falling alseep? There are two possibilities: 1) You need a new, more exciting amp. I tried the Zana Deux. Alas, it is tubes, it is expensive, it is hot, and it is, if anything, too exciting and exaggerated. You wouldn't fall asleep with it, but is it a hyped sound? Anyway, you don't want tubes. Perhaps a Naim Headline 2? That was more exciting, but not quite as refined as the GCHA? 2) Perhaps great music, well-reproduced in the home, is SUPPOSED to be relaxing and laid-back, rather than shouty and hi-fi? Anyway, I'm reacquiring the GCHA, and will have the HD650 and HD600 with it, and hope, this time, to see what's what with the rather relaxing presentation of this equipment. Balanced 650s I cannot speak about. I tend to believe the comment that nothing, including tying them to the roof of your house and using them as lightning rods, will fundamentally change their sonic signature IMO. The last thought is, try DT770/80? I'm finding them not as redneck a set of cans as I had thought they'd be. In fact, they're quite refined and exciting, if you can stand a little bass and bombast. Give 'em a try? They're quite inexpensive and VERY easy to re-sell.

That is an awful lot of coincidences. Are you me

You are right about the GCHA -- great amp, but a bit dry, esp. with the HD650s. I enjoyed the X-Can v3 quite a bit with these phones. Might try a Singlepower amp next.

You know how Russian (or all East European) orchestras sound -- I think I want that type of sound with my headphones. Forward, exciting, a little bright, shrill trumpets that cover up the rest of the orchestra (just kidding . . . I think).

Maybe I'll try the GS1000 and see if it changes my mind about Grados. The RS-1 was definitely not for me -- in fact, I liked numerous $100 - $200 headphones (HD580, HD595, K601, K501, etc.) much more. But I have heard that the GS1000 may be a good fit.

I have a pair of monoblocks that I use for my speakers and just have no interest of plugging K1000s into those, which is why I'm leaning against them.

So here is my list so far:

D5000
GS1000
HD650 (balanced)
DT880 (maybe)

I'm really excited about the D5000 -- have always loved the R10 and wanted to get a closed phone that does a good job with classical. I hope this is the one.

 

[Dominat0r]

GOD, this thread is going to make me want another pair of cans for classical =)

I too find that its not a great can for violins and other string instruments. I had the 701s and found them to be good...but again, not fantastic...

Someone mentioned the AD2000s. I remember listening to this at a small meet when jp11801 lived down here. They are pretty nice to say the least...i highly enjoyed them.

 

[iancraig10]

This is going to cost a fortune.

I have been getting bored with the sound of my Senns for quite a long time and so tried other headphones, only to return to the Senns because they are actually better than the 'replacements.'

You end up with a massive collection of replacenments only to return home to your lovely Senns.....

Ian

 

[greggf]

iancraig10,

Yes, exactly.

No matter what, the Senn HD600 seem the benchmark..................and the "boring-ness" seems not to be in the equipment.

 

[iancraig10]

It'll all end in tears!!

Look at the list of headphones that I have ended up with in my sig...... and that doesn't include other ones that I refuse to own up to or the ones that I have sold.

Ian

 

[Herandu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vvanrij /img/forum/go_quote.gif maybe you know a good DAC to go with that

What's a DAC?

 

[Dominat0r]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herandu /img/forum/go_quote.gif What's a DAC?

Digital to Analog Converter =)

 

[Herandu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighLife /img/forum/go_quote.gif Digital to Analog Converter =)

Cheers

. I heard a few DAC manufacturers have asked for me to be made a persona non-grata so I have erased the meaning of that abbreviation from my memory data bank in order to concentrate on the music

.

 

[seacard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iancraig10 /img/forum/go_quote.gif It'll all end in tears!! Look at the list of headphones that I have ended up with in my sig...... and that doesn't include other ones that I refuse to own up to or the ones that I have sold. Ian

Yeah, this thread describes my experience pretty well as well. I've tried every headphone in the world (ok, maybe not), and come back to the HD650 every time. In fact, I like the HD650 more than pretty much anything (except maybe the R10 and the HE90). But I agree, they are a little on the "tame" side. Beautiful, but can get a bit boring. I think to get the sound you want you may need speakers. If a headphone is forward and detailed, it tends to be bright, sharp, edgy, and just jarring like the SA5000. If a headphone is more laid back, it may sound a little "prettier" but be a little more boring.

 

[orkney]

I'm surprised that the Edition 9 hasn't come up -- if you're looking for a headphone to play the Eastern European repertoire with all the verve and dynamics intact and a hint of aggression when merited and you have up to 2000.00 to spend, then this ought to be on your shortlist.

Of the others mentioned, I'd take the DX1000 over the ADKs, DT8000s or K701s. They are incredibly musically engaging phones despite their quirks and I find them to be very satisfying with even complex symphonic scores. I've not heard the PSA amp.

happy hunting,

o

 

[crappyjones123]

how about waiting for little dot to come out with their balanced tube amp. projected price is 700 usd and its coming out this summer so shouldnt be too long. judging from the quality of their other products it wouldnt be hard to say that the mk 6 would easily give much more expensive balanced amps a good run for their money.

you could try to get a used pair of saa cables for relatively cheap. if you dont like either, the cables hold their value pretty well and the little dot amps are amazing for resale.

i purchased a mk v for 300 shipped and sold it for just that much after 60 odd hours of use. so even if you dont like the amp for some reason you can always sell it.

 

[greggf]

iancraig10, seacard,

Great posts!

Yes, the problem seems to be walking the fine line between painful cans and boring cans!

Wes Phillips has mentioned this in Stereophile, where he says he'd gladly use his balanced Headroom/HD650 rig for recording sessions work, but that he finds it too clinical for pleasure, and uses a Musical Fidelity X-Cans or something else "normal" for that purpose. And he quotes John Atkinson, the editor, as saying that he, Atkinson, may well use Stax electrostatics for recording work, but HD600 or HD650 for listening fun.

Fine lines. No free lunches. Etc.

I always come back to the Senns, too.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RussianRocket /img/forum/go_quote.gif So I'm now looking for a headphone with the same sophisticated sound, with nice soundstage, but maybe a little more forward and exciting. ... I'm specifically looking at the DT880 (maybe even the 600 ohm version) and the Denon D5000. I did not like the SA5000 (much too bright), but did like the level of detail it provided. Also, no Grados please. Any other recommendations?

Sounds like W5000 would be a perfect candidate. Surprised it hasn't been recommended yet.