[bassboysam]

i'm no techy, but isn't iTunes just software/interface. Isn't it the hardware that affects sound quality? I have iTunes and Foobar, and I don't hear any difference between the two when playing the same file on the same PC.

 

[brokenthumb]

Quote:

 
 
That's great news! I always get excited when I hear about someone picking up some PS500s...they've just become such a tremendous source of enjoyment for me, it's fun to hear about others discovering a similar love for these phones. 

 
Then get excited! lol  I just purchased some PS500s yesterday and they should arrive next Wednesday.  This will be my first taste of a higher up Grado, can't wait!

 

[jaywillin]

Then get excited! lol  I just purchased some PS500s yesterday and they should arrive next Wednesday.  This will be my first taste of a higher up Grado, can't wait!

This is my first move upstream, grados or otherwise, other than some senn hd203, I haven't owned anything but grados

 

[swspiers]

Quote:

i'm no techy, but isn't iTunes just software/interface. Isn't it the hardware that affects sound quality? I have iTunes and Foobar, and I don't hear any difference between the two when playing the same file on the same PC.

Oh man, iTunes sucks.  Everything I hear out of iTunes is garbage.  If I'm listening to something great, and I find out it's on iTunes, the suckiness becomes apparent to me.
 
I am, of course, kidding.  I use Media Monkey, and occasionally Foobar.  I have Foobar mostly for future playback of DSD files.  I don't have time right now, but eventually I will.
 
My only real objection to iTunes is the lack of native FLAC support.  I definitely prefer the iTunes interface
 
To be totally geeky and honest, if I really, really, really want bit-perfect playback, I like the stodginess of VLC Media.  And it plays just about everything.

 

[gefski]

@gefski - always wondered about the player used. I use itunes with mostly lossless files- has anybody got any thoughts as to whether SQ would be improved by any other player and if so which? Stream via Airplay to an Apple TV then optical to my DAC.

 

I use Jplay mini. I believe it improves playback from a PC. It does so by shutting down hundreds of "tasks" the PC "wants" to run at the same time it plays music. All these tasks running at the same time can apparently increase jitter.

Lots of industry experts are on record advocating that Computer audio users can improve SQ by manually doing some of the same things (take PC off line, disable virus protection, remove all usb plug-ins except the music stream, etc.) Check out discussions from Wavelength or Audioquest.

Please note that there is no claim of "improving" the bits. It's a simple attempt to make the PC a better player overall (like going from an $80 to an $800 cd player, same bits, better sound).

iTunes and JRiver have great graphics and features, and Jplay has nothing like that. My desktop system is as simple as I can get it. This works for me because my PC is just a music player. And while listening to music, I'm likely on my iPad reading on All Music Guide about the album I'm listening to ON GRADO RS1is. (staying on the thread topic)

 

[jaywillin]

jriver > music streamer ii+ > LD i+ PS500 ====> WOW  lol, ok, thats out of the way, i just got home, the wife signed for the package
i've had them on about 15-20 minutes,  very pleased !

 

[kvtaco17]

^you better...you're... one of us now... one of us...

 

[bearFNF]

 Welcome to the collective...

 

[joseph69]

Quote:

jriver > music streamer ii+ > LD i+ PS500 ====> WOW  lol, ok, thats out of the way, i just got home, the wife signed for the package
i've had them on about 15-20 minutes,  very pleased !

Congratulations!!! Don't forget to do a comparison with the MS2i's, I would love to hear your comments between the two, enjoy!!!

 

[bassboysam]

jriver > music streamer ii+ > LD i+ PS500 ====> WOW  lol, ok, thats out of the way, i just got home, the wife signed for the package
i've had them on about 15-20 minutes,  very pleased !

 
enjoy!

 

[jaywillin]

Quote:

Congratulations!!! Don't forget to do a comparison with the MS2i's, I would love to hear your comments between the two, enjoy!!!

thanks !
as for comparison to the ms2
after a few quick a/b's over the last 30-45 minutes, no real time for much detail other than one word MORE

 

[swspiers]

Drum roll please:
 
 
 
 
 
This is officially my 100th post on Headfi.  The overwhelming majority of which have been on this thread.  Thanks for a fun, informative, and generally relaxed time folks.  It can get a bit testy in other threads...

 

[brokenthumb]

Quote:

This is my first move upstream, grados or otherwise, other than some senn hd203, I haven't owned anything but grados

 
I've owned a few of the top headphones but I always come back to the SR80i's, there is just something about the Grado sound that I love.
 
Hope your enjoying yours!

 

[jaywillin]

Quote:

Drum roll please:
 
 
 
 
 
This is officially my 100th post on Headfi.  The overwhelming majority of which have been on this thread.  Thanks for a fun, informative, and generally relaxed time folks.  It can get a bit testy in other threads...

congrats !!
probably 80%-90% of my posts are here, maybe 10%-15%over in the little dot tube rolling thread, the rest just here and there
it seems most folks, here, and the LD thread, don't care as much about specs, numbers , flavors of the month, etc
the attitude here is more about having fun collectively , respecting others opinions, experiences etc, just a good vibe here

 

[semicoln]

congrats !!
probably 80%-90% of my posts are here, maybe 10%-15%over in the little dot tube rolling thread, the rest just here and there
it seems most folks, here, and the LD thread, don't care as much about specs, numbers , flavors of the month, etc
the attitude here is more about having fun collectively , respecting others opinions, experiences etc, just a good vibe here

I agree, this is one of the most fun threads I've found.

Congrats on the purchase, jay. Looking forward to your opinions.