Give me a running start, audiophiles!

[cyberidd]

Also, don't be too quick to judge your cans upon arrival, it takes a while to burn them in, but you'll hear a huge difference from the time you get them out of the box to the 100th hour of burn in time.

 

[Nanago]

Thanks guys, with your help I decided on the AKG 271s (with the Denon D2000's, ATH-a900 and ESW9's as alternative options) to start off my collection. Should I buy used at the trade forums for 135? Or should I grab a new pair? From where?

Also, turns out my dad used to be a sorta audiophile as well. He threw away the $3000 old style amp (What a shame ;_

but I've found his old Seinheiser HD 414's. Condition is pretty bad, it's 15 years old and it's missing the cups. Sound seems to be in perfect working condition and he even has the adapter. What should I do with it?

Last question: What amp is entry-level/semi portable and suits the 271s/D2000's? Should I just start off with a cMoy?

Thanks for reading and replying so far!

 

[eightbitpotion]

It doesn't matter what you start off with honestly. When I was 'getting into' this stuff, I had this idea of what I wanted, but as I started getting into it, I realized that what I really wanted- I would've never even slightly comprehended when I started out. The higher-end you go, the more tainted you become. Luckily, higher-end audio stuff has an awesome resale value, and the actual products only get better with age.

Of course, you won't know what you really want until you allow all of these headphones to grow on you...so pick one that has a feature that you truely desire, and go from there.

PS. Thank you for tainting my ears head-fi.

 

[steviebee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nanago /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hand me a tissue, I just creamed my pants.

I wish I had skipped this part.....yeeeeuuuch.


Put me right off my Sunday morning toast...

 

[facelvega]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nanago /img/forum/go_quote.gif Also, turns out my dad used to be a sorta audiophile as well. He threw away the $3000 old style amp (What a shame ;_ but I've found his old Seinheiser HD 414's. Condition is pretty bad, it's 15 years old and it's missing the cups. Sound seems to be in perfect working condition and he even has the adapter. What should I do with it?

By missing the cups, do you mean the earpads or something else? If they're in decent shape and work fine, take some pictures and sell them on the FS forum here. They're supposedly still quite good (if they're the right version), but need a high-voltage amp to get past their ridiculously high impendance. I'm not sure on current value, maybe $30-40.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eightbitpotion /img/forum/go_quote.gif It doesn't matter what you start off with honestly. When I was 'getting into' this stuff, I had this idea of what I wanted, but as I started getting into it, I realized that what I really wanted- I would've never even slightly comprehended when I started out. The higher-end you go, the more tainted you become. Luckily, higher-end audio stuff has an awesome resale value, and the actual products only get better with age.

Yes, the first thing you try might sound really good, but it's very likely that if you try more options over time, you'll train your ears and learn your own tastes much better than if not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by steviebee /img/forum/go_quote.gif Put me right off my Sunday morning toast...

better than right on you Sunday morning toast!

 

[Dobro]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nanago /img/forum/go_quote.gif Also, turns out my dad used to be a sorta audiophile as well. He threw away the $3000 old style amp (What a shame ;_ but I've found his old Seinheiser HD 414's. Condition is pretty bad, it's 15 years old and it's missing the cups. Sound seems to be in perfect working condition and he even has the adapter. What should I do with it?

Around 15 years old? They are probably the anniversary edition not the 2000 ohm originals. They are probably 52 ohms or 600 ohms (I've found conflicting reports). If by "ear cups " you mean the pads, you can get replacements easily on the web.

 

[tfarney]

Take this post to your dad and make this case:

Borrow dad's credit card. Do your research and find a good online vendor or two that sells Sennheiser, AKG, Beyer and Denon at good prices with a no-questions-asked money-back trial period. Order the following:

Sennheiser HD600s -- I think you need to give these a second listen. They fit what you're looking for to a T and will only get better when you get an amp.

Sennheiser HD595s -- The Senn sound with a little more forward presentation. No amp needed (though they will get better with one)

Dennon D2000 -- Maybe a bit big in the bass for you, but worth a listen. Work well without an amp.

AKG k601 -- May be constricted without an amp. Depends on the strength of your source. They will definitely improve with amping down the road. Great mids. Great controlled bass. Slightly rolled-off highs.

Beyer 770s -- There are two versions. The Pro seems to get the respect around here, but they will also be harder to drive without an amp. But in general, the "need" for an amp is overstated. A good strong source will drive any of these phones. They may not have the taughtness and control (mostly heard in the bass) that they will with an amp, but they'll sound better than Bose, and any improvements an amp will bring gives you something to look forward to.

Treat them gently. Pack all the packaging and receipts away carefully. Listen a lot in your trial period. Send the losers back.

By the way, I haven't heard all of these phones myself, but in a couple of months of hanging out here, reading posts, this is the stuff that seems to have risen to the top. Let me know how it works out!

Tim

 

[Nanago]

Not sure how the buy and return idea would appeal to him, since I haven't told him about my interest in buying an over 100$ headphone. I'll try it, but no guarantees on this end.

On the other hand, k601's are on sale at headroom. Comparison available with the K271S/A-900s? Should cost the same as a new pair of 271S or just 10% more.

The HD414's are indeed missing the pads, and I'm gonna order a replacement pair. They're probably older than 15 years and they are black so it probably is the anniversary version. Don't see any special markings indicating which version it is. It was bought with the 3000$ amp and sounds like it needs a good amp to make it shine.

 

[bixby]

FYI, tried to respond to your private email inquiry and the system says you have a profile that does not allow emails.

BTW - I have owned the 271s and the AT900. See my comments on the AT 900s versus the 271s

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/my-...g-271s-128206/

 

[Nanago]

Sorry, I'll try to fix that >.>.

Meanwhile, I'll read the review, thanks!

 

[grndslm]

If I were you, here's what I'd do...

Buy a Koss KSC75 ASAP! They are portable, but they're super cheap and the best value in headphones you'll ever come across. You'll prolly like the sound and end up taking back the statement that you wouldn't want to try Grados.

After the KSC75, choose between the Denon D2000 or Ultrasone Pro 750 ( Ultrasone of America PROline 750 B-Stock no warranty, but I might actually be buying from here myself... this is the can I'm leaning toward buying next).

That's less than $300 for a quality closed can and a taste of open cans also.

When you decide you wanna spend some more money, look at an MS-1 or an AD900 (what I'll be trading my AD700 for) or both. When you decide you want a closed portable, look at the Sony MDR-V6... built like a tank, great sound w/ clear bass, only $70ish.

G'Luck!

 

[grndslm]

P.S. - All of those cans should work without an amp, but I'm pretty sure that all of them respond well to an amp. I'm gonna be buying a DAC soon enough to find out for myself. I'm saving a good bit of money from my Motored Bike.