First Amp...( Also first thread :D)

[Mario_enc04]

Hi!!
First of all.. I would like to thank you all, Ive been reading alot in the last 2 years..Helped me alot! Thanks.
Well.
Just received my XMas Package

The Hornet + IMod + AKG 701.
Ive read alot of stuff talking about a synergy between the 701 and the hornet.. I dont know but I think my hornet does not like the 701 that much.. about 20hs of listening both and All I can get is a dull sound, without low mids and bass. The sound stage is great ..very wide, clear , lovely vocals...
Pavarotti singing Nessun dorma in milan's La Scala got very light, no warm

Even in my "EL CHEAPO" 50$ AIWA integrated got more low mids and bass...( and distortions and far away from the sound stage and mid high from hornet)and Boy.. those 701 have a wonderful bass almost a stomach punch..
Im really upset with my hornet. when you listen to it..instantly you know that somenthing is missing.. My hornet has a problem or that behavior is normal?
Thanks!

 

[mofonyx]

A lot of people are going to tell you to burn the Hornet in first with many hours/use.

 

[Mario_enc04]

Hi mofonyx.
Thanks for the quick reply

So.. lets burn it.

 

[jamato8]

Burn baby burn. Ray normally suggests around 400 hours. Welcome to HeadFi, the land of quivering wallets and auditory bliss, sometimes.

 

[Dash]

Hornet needs time. If I remember, my Hornet-M settled in around 400 hours. It has a huge cap.

 

[Happy Camper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mario_enc04 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi mofonyx. Thanks for the quick reply So.. lets burn it.

Let em play 24/7 for the next three weeks. Stick the 701s (not imod or amp) under the cushions or in a clothing drawer. Put the volume just below distortion or slightly uncomfortably loud. Black Gate caps need longer in the imod. If interested, you can download a pink noise track and repeat or let it run music. If something happens, it's under warrenty.

Good job on your selections. Enjoy the grins once this thing gets cooked. And no one is really sorry. Misery loves company. Welcome aboard.

Oh,
Tube amp

 

[boomana]

First, congrats on getting a rig together. There's nothing wrong with your Hornet, though I agree with others who say it sounds better after some hours, and there's nothing wrong with your K701s, though they too do better with time, and the imod is a really nice source. Unfortunately, I can't see burning in, either amp or headphones, as a solution to your problem, even if you notice some improvement. It will be noticeable, but subtle. I have yet to hear the K701s sound anything more than passable with a portable amp. I had a well-burned in pair at my home for three weeks, and tried them out with all the portables I had at the time (see profile if interested). Portable amps don't cut it with the 701s.

Some people tend to not mind, or don't notice (the 701s may be the best they've heard anything sound even when unamped), but since you do seem to mind, and have noticed that when not matched well, the 701s can sound thin, lifeless and weak, especially in the bottom end, I'm simply going to say that these headphones were created for home systems, not portable ones, and really require a decent home amp to start sounding as good as they can. Sufficient volume doesn't equal sound quality. There are a couple recommended home amps for the K701s that run under $500, but since I never used the 701s with any of those recommendations, I'm going to suggest you do a search. A recable also helps to fill things out.

My other thought is that the K701s may not be what you like, even if you like much about them. What other headphones have you tried? Are you willing to try others? The Hornet sounds good with many, and you might want to investigate that route if portability is a priority.

 

[jamato8]

I didn't catch the last couple of lines in the initial post. I would have to agree that burn-in would not normally solve this problem.

 

[Mario_enc04]

Well..I was planning to use as primary source my PC ( Onlyo SE-150) + The hornet.. But everytime I wanna close my wallet somenthig happens

... Yeah a tube amp would be nice with K701 Woo X Darkvoice, got to decide wich one to buy till february.. Thanks boomana

Now Brazilian Customs are going to get nuts as Xmas is getting close.. so I have to wait

( I dont wanna pay 60% of the price in dutties

)
Getting back to the hornet.. this litle wonder have its differences with the k701 but its perfect to my MD33s I think it would be perfect as source for another canalphones.( Shure and Ultimate Ears ). Wow Amazing Sound.. bass is deep and controlled ..mids and high are just there really nice sound, brought my md33s to life again.
Hey Happy Camper.. thanks for the advice about pink noise.
Ive sniffing around and found some sources to download pink noise lets try then!
Thanks!!

 

[Podster]

I say burn in any RSA product although Ray always just says plug it in you'll be amazed right outta da box:-0

It sounded good but he knew I was HBFL and said I should just put my wifes boombox on FM, put a brand new set of alkalines in and let it drives my SR-60's until the batteries die and I'm toast or it's burnt

I will say it did sound good out of the box but I played the exact same three songs on the same Pod after burn in and everything tightened up significantly for me Warning: may not apply to all ears!

 

[Aleksandros]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mario_enc04 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well..I was planning to use as primary source my PC ( Onlyo SE-150) + The hornet.. But everytime I wanna close my wallet somenthig happens ...

Hi Mario, I just wanted to ask you where you got the onkyo, I was checking it out some time ago, looks fine at least. Is it really good?

Greetings
Alex

 

[Pete7]

It's not just the Hornet that needs major burn-in, I've read the K701's need 600 hours to reach peak form, too. Unburned-in amp + unburned-in cans? Not really shocking the set-up doesn't sound all that good.

 

[Mario_enc04]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aleksandros /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi Mario, I just wanted to ask you where you got the onkyo, I was checking it out some time ago, looks fine at least. Is it really good? Greetings Alex

Hi Aleksandros!
Got my onkyo directly from japan

I friend in a business travel about 2 years ago brought it from Akihabara to my hands

Well I love this soundcard. Warm sound, deep and controlled bass, wide and open soundstage, very detailed and accurate mid and hi freq. It makes miracles... I usually listen to it in a very cheap 4.1 creative speakers, believe.. sounds very nice.

Hey Shopper.
Thanks for the advice.. Its about 6 hs since Ive started the burn in. Plugged the 701 + the hornet in a MD and let it repeat forever the Pink noise track.
Counting down the first 400 hs

Until then I keep searching for the best amp.. Darkvoice..wooaudio...singlepower.. Dont know what to choose

Well..I have 2 months to decide with your help.
Thank you again.

 

[mrarroyo]

We all hear differently and at various volumes. The Hornet is one of the bassiest portable amps out there. Surpassed by only a select few.

I am one of those who listens at very low volumes and who finds that the K701 can be driven well for my volume by portable amps. I also say the Hornet does need over 400 hours of burn in and the K701 needs many hundred of hours (800).

Mario_enc04, what gain are you using in the Hornet?

 

[Mario_enc04]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo /img/forum/go_quote.gif We all hear differently and at various volumes. The Hornet is one of the bassiest portable amps out there. Surpassed by only a select few. I am one of those who listens at very low volumes and who finds that the K701 can be driven well for my volume by portable amps. I also say the Hornet does need over 400 hours of burn in and the K701 needs many hundred of hours (800). Mario_enc04, what gain are you using in the Hornet?

Hi mrarroyo, use the gain set to med.