[Grey Massacre]

Hello there!

I just recently picked up a pair of Grado 325i re-cabled to BlackDragon and I received them today. They are already burned in as they are a used pair. I had SR-80 for 5 years and I find these are a very good improvement over the 80's especially in the bass department.

When comparing the Darth's to the re-cabled 325i there is quite a few differences. I find that these Grado's complement the Darth's really well. The Grado's have a bit more forward mid/high while sounding pretty relaxed. I find that both cans are very detailed but the 325i shows more details but not by much. I have to say the Darth's have a huge soundstage and the bass have much more impact and deepness. The 325i have very good bass and it is more defined/tight.

I love both cans, but overall the Darth's are still my favorite for sure. I find the 325i surprisingly good with electronic music and they really rock with metal as well!

EDIT: The 325i's are really growing on me. Listening some Virgin Black/Haggard/Therion/Opeth, oh so good!

Comfort wise the Darth's are no match with the Grado's but I am planning on fixing this issue by making some kind Beyer pad modification and maybe I will post some picture of it later in this thread. Don't expect any DIY procedure as I don't want to piss off the sponsor. All I am missing to make them (aside from the time) is one drill bit and the wood. I have figured all the measurements and I already have the leather/velour pads. So why not giving it a try, this should be fun!

Charles

Now a few pictures:

 

[riceboy]

Those look real nice with the Black Dragon's. Thanks for your impressions. I just got a pair of SR325i and I will be breaking them in shortly. Too many toys ATM. Congrats

BTW, I like your headphone stand

 

[spacemanspliff]

and your cooling system for the LD lol. that's really needed?

 

[LostOne.TR]

Did you happen to get the quieter computer fans on the side for cooling, or did you go for a massive air pusher?

very interesting addition on the fans.

 

[Grey Massacre]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spacemanspliff /img/forum/go_quote.gif and your cooling system for the LD lol. that's really needed?

Hello spacemanspliff,

Probably not needed but the chassis of the LD2++ is used as a heatsink so the headphone plug can get really hot (without active cooling). My Darth's have a rubber sleeve over the 1/4 connector and I was concerned it could affect the durability. I am really really careful with my gear, active cooling is surely not bad for the tubes also. Now the connector never get hot and my paranoia is relieved.

Charles

 

[Grey Massacre]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LostOne.TR /img/forum/go_quote.gif Did you happen to get the quieter computer fans on the side for cooling, or did you go for a massive air pusher? very interesting addition on the fans.

Hello LostOne,

I really love custom stuff, as you can see.

Basically I took some fans I salvaged from some broken wine refrigerator. I happen to have gotten a few of those, they were new stock and some were badly damaged. As you can see the black plastic part was the mounts and they were useful in my case. It looks a bit ghetto, but still.

The fans are extremely quiet for the reason I have bought a transformer with lower Voltage. Fans were rated 12V and I have gotten a 9V wall-wart. The circuit is in parallel. So the fans turns slower but still cool way enough!

Charles

 

[Jon118]

That's a nice setup you have there. Looks like the recable is a very good one and I guess it sounds pretty nice too. Also, I personally love the cooling setup for the LD, it looks pretty good on the amp.

 

[spacemanspliff]

Yeah my DV 332 get's hot too. I have it on an open metal shelf. It's got crossbars so it's totally open and there are no hot spots above or below. I also have a super quiet floor fan blowing over the front. Works nicely. I love the Darkvoice with the Beyers. I think it's a keeper.

 

[lisnalee]

love the setup especially the mods on the LD2++, kinda reminds me of Princess Leia

 

[judas391]

THOSE pictures are INCREDIBLY sexy.

 

[GlorytheWiz825]

Nice cans. I really like your headphone stand as well.

 

[Grey Massacre]

Thanks for all the positive feedback!

Charles

 

[F107plus5]

Well done rig indeed! And now that I understand your reasoning for the cooling, it's even cooler!

...and I may well hang some pipes below the shelf behind my monitor where the bent wire coat hangers now reside!

 

[terance]

ah, 325i's.

When I get back into headphones, I will own another pair

congrats on the purchase, you like the 325i's more with bowls or flats? never used flats myself, but a lot of people like em

 

[Snacks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grey Massacre /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hello there! I just recently picked up a pair of Grado 325i re-cabled to BlackDragon and I received them today. When comparing the Darth's to the re-cabled 325i there is quite a few differences. I find that these Grado's complement the Darth's really well. The Grado's have a bit more forward mid/high while sounding pretty relaxed. I find that both cans are very detailed but the 325i shows more details but not by much. I have to say the Darth's have a huge soundstage and the bass have much more impact and deepness. The 325i have very good bass and it is more defined/tight. I love both cans, but overall the Darth's are still my favorite for sure. I find the 325i surprisingly good with electronic music and they really rock with metal as well!

Nice; thanks for the comparison. I know that this is way late, but I always wondered what DB sounded like in comparison to the regular 325; what's your thoughts on those?

P.S. Thanks for sharing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grey Massacre /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hello spacemanspliff, Probably not needed but the chassis of the LD2++ is used as a heatsink so the headphone plug can get really hot (without active cooling). My Darth's have a rubber sleeve over the 1/4 connector and I was concerned it could affect the durability. I am really really careful with my gear, active cooling is surely not bad for the tubes also. Now the connector never get hot and my paranoia is relieved. Charles

100 points for creativity! I was doing double-takes trying figure what was going on with that...LDC (Little Dot Cooled?).

Custom is Cool, keep the creative juices flowing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon118 /img/forum/go_quote.gif That's a nice setup you have there. Looks like the recable is a very good one and I guess it sounds pretty nice too. Also, I personally love the cooling setup for the LD, it looks pretty good on the amp.

x2.

OP/Charles - The DB is already a bit warm sounding; do you have a SS lying around and is the LD mainly for the Grado?

Quote:

Originally Posted by F107plus5 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well done rig indeed! And now that I understand your reasoning for the cooling, it's even cooler! ...and I may well hang some pipes below the shelf behind my monitor where the bent wire coat hangers now reside!

ditto; x2!