[linnem]

I'm not into really loud music and my headphones are all between 16 and 64 ohms so driving them from my D-CJ01 is no problem.

What really interests me is the cross-filter...Is that worth 160 US (porta corda) and will it "work" from the headphone out on my pocketradios???

In short, will I gain anything soundwise if volume is not an issue?

 

[acs236]

Depending on what heaphones you're using, there could definitely be a sonic improvement and not just an increase in available volume. What headphones do you own?

I'm not sure if it's worth a $100 investment for crossfeed unless you really think you need it, say, if you're find listening to your headphones gives you a headache, or something to that effect. If you really want a crossfeed, someone can build an external crossfeed for probably under $50.

 

[LTUCCI1924]

linnem
HI: I think that we all need a amp or at least a portable amp at some time and I like the cross feed. If you get a amp you will get better potential out of almost any can and then can upgrade to better stuff in days to come. I think on this forum most members have a portable or better amp and find that it is very nessary to have one to get the max out of whatever that they are useing. I havbe a pocket radio and when I get down I use the total airhead with it even though I get enough power with out the amp. The amp is more than volume. It has crossfeed and lets my can get the full potential out of then even with a portable radio. I use the portapros and radio but when I use the total airhead with then the sound is much fuller and much more dynamic and the crossfeed lets me listen for hours with no fatige. So i think it is just a matter of time befor you will get a portable amp or better.

 

[fiddler]

I was just reading your profile, and I think you should look into a headphone upgrade before you get an amp. Are those Grados repairable? An amp would make a difference with the Grados, but I wouldn't bother with an amp if you're going to be listening only through your other 'phones.

 

[linnem]

Hi!

No, the grados are gone and not coming back. I have made a permanent cat-toy from it in a tree in the back of my yard. Maybe the mambrane grows back. The cost of rep. would equal the cost of a new pair.

I have been looking for an upgrade for some time (canceled my order for the hd497), but i'm not too thrilled about getting a new pair of grados, sure they sounded execptionel, but wasent very portable and definetly not cat/accident proff. I have a crush on the D66 on minidisco (looks very portable) but not sure they are worth the money.

Uses my portable gear a lot, but worried about "throwing away" 160 dollars on a crossfilter...

 

[fiddler]

I personally like the Meier crossfeed, particularly on some recordings with extreme stereo separation, but I could easily live without it. This week, I haven't used crossfeed once. Does headphone listening cause headaches or fatigue? It's possible that the lack of crossfeed is causing this, but I have a feeling that the fatigue is rather due to headphones of mediocre quality. If you just want the crossfeed feature, you could easily build a crossfeed box yourself (or heck, _I'll_ build one for you) for much cheaper than buying the attached amp.

And couldn't you just get Grados again and just store them somewhere safe this time?

 

[linnem]

Well, I used them a lot every day on foot, bike, bus and so on. Did not find them very portable and with the the price here in norway (150+ US) I was always kind of worried that something should happend to them, and it did. Thats why I like the LOOK of the MDR-D66, they seem so portable/storable compared to the grados and the price would come to the same...

I would really like to try the cross-feed before I buy for the resons you mention, but its kinda hard. And yes I get "headfatigue" from extended headphone use.

 

[JohnR]

The difference an amp may make doesn't really have anything to do with volume, it is *control*. Precise control of the diaphragm will help in resolving detail, provide accurate soundstaging etc.
Sure, you may well be able to make the headphones go louder, but i wouldn't expect you actually need it louder unless you're running 600ohm phones off a pocket radio or something..