Easy to Drive Cans

[Abstraction]

So, to locate myself: when I first got into serious audio, one used tube amps and vinyl because there is what there was. Of course, I have always had some cans around, but have only recently begun to think of them as a serious way to listen to music.

I put together a stereo system beginning with speakers, and I go for the best that I cannot afford. I look for two characteristics: great sound and easy to drive. My Rosinante Signatures--wonderful, little known speakers, that might compete well in terms of sound with DeVore Nines, or something of that order--can be driven by driven by 4 watts or less, and can easily deal with anything up to 200 watts. I used tubes for a long time--they sounded great; I am using Red Wine Audio 70.2s now, and they sound great (and are mercifully QUIET).

Are there any cans that might sound okay straight out of an Ipod, better with--perhaps--an RS P-51, and wonderful with a top of the line tube amp. That may be too much to ask, but that is what I am looking for. I can spend, say, $500--new or used. If there is an ideal solution to my problem for a little more, I could drink cheap whisky for a while.

 

[AmanGeorge]

Grados are generally easy to drive, and are supposed to sound wonderful with a good tube amp.

 

[EugeneK]

Cans I've had which are easy to drive:

Denon D2000, AKG K272

 

[aristos_achaion]

Any Grado would fit the bill (32 ohm impedence & low sensitivity), if you like the Grado sound. I'd start out with cheaper Grados (no higher than an SR225i) to see if you like the (very distinctive) sound first. Keep an eye on the FS forum...that's where I got a great deal on my beloved SR225s.

Possible a safer bet might be the Alessandro music series...it's made by Grado, but the sound is supposed to be more laid back, less distinctly Grado than the Grados.

 

[estreeter]

I find Cowon to have the best amp of any of the DAPs I own/have used, but the following are relatively easy to drive (and much cheaper than your budget, but if you have to buy the amp too, maybe not). In order of the volume required on the DAP:

most canalphones (RE0, Shure, Sony etc)
HD228
ES7
MS-1

I wouldnt even audition the HD201 for your purposes. The other issues associated with using a headphone from a portable are things like cord length and the weight of the cans, ruling out the A500 and similar cans from AT, imo. While Grados have an 'easy to drive' reputation, I think you will be surprised by how quickly they will drain your battery, and the lack of isolation would rule them out for portable use in my experience.

 

[Abstraction]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aristos_achaion /img/forum/go_quote.gif Any Grado would fit the bill (32 ohm impedence & low sensitivity), if you like the Grado sound. I'd start out with cheaper Grados (no higher than an SR225i) to see if you like the (very distinctive) sound first. Keep an eye on the FS forum...that's where I got a great deal on my beloved SR225s. Possible a safer bet might be the Alessandro music series...it's made by Grado, but the sound is supposed to be more laid back, less distinctly Grado than the Grados.

I have a pair of SR-80s, and, of course, the Ipod will drive them okay. And I have had various good IEMs: Er4p, Er6, some relatively expensive that Shure I don't remember the number on. I have found IEMs to be quite fragile. My wife and I have gone through several of them. My Er4ps have something wrong with them now.

I wouldn't say that the music I listen to is laid back. The interesting (to me) jazz is more intense in its way that a lot of rock ( and I listen to a lot of classic rock), but you certainly don't want your transducers pumping it up.

I know neutral is an almost meaningless word in this connection, but ideally I would I want neutral.

 

[Ntropic]

I believe most Audiotechnicas are fairly easy to drive as well.

 

[Almoxil]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ntropic /img/forum/go_quote.gif I believe most Audiotechnicas are fairly easy to drive as well.

Yeah, they usually are. I can drive both my ATH-ESW9s and ATH-AD2000 out of my Cowon players with no problem.

Ultrasones are also fairly easy to drive (in this case, HFI-550 and HFI-780). The 780s benefit from amping, but are very enjoyable out of a portable source, as long as it has decent output. But they're not neutral.

 

[Acix]

The GMP 8.35, and the GMP 435S are 35 Ohms.

 

[carledwards]

In my limited experience, I'd say Grados.

 

[Moontan13]

Denon D1001
JVC HARX900
JVC HARX700
JVC HA-DX3

All are easily driven, yet all benefit from amping. Of those I listed, I recommend the DX3.

 

[RallyMaster]

Ehh....I wouldn't say the DX3 is a easy to drive headphone. At 90 ohms nominal impedance, that sucker takes some power to make it sound good.