[Beatlephile]

I just purchased the Meier Arietta amp to go with my Marantz CD-5001 CD player and my HD595 50ohm headphones. However, I just read a post where another user had the HD595's with the Arietta and said that it was too loud even when the volume knob was turned all the way down!

Is this true with a CD player source like the Marantz. Note, the setup consists of ONLY those two components, I have nothing else, and have no other phones as of now.

So, my question is, what should I do? I read that Jan says this is normal and that he can modify it, but I don't wanna modify it. So, does this mean I have to buy another pair of phones with higher impedece? That is fine, if so, as I have debated about getting some even higher end ones that the 595s. My wallet is laughing at me

So, I listen to classic rock, some jazz, and some folk. So which phones would pair well with my current set up? I do not want to get another amp or another source right now. I have considered the top of the line models from Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, and AKG. All would be in my price range.

Thanks for any advice as I am certainly a newbie in the headphone world but have been around stereo components for many years.

 

[Beatlephile]

I am currently looking at the Beyer DT990. They seem to be a good choice for me, but that is just based on what I have read. I have nowhere to audition these as I live nowhere near any high end retailers.

I put a big premium on comfort with this next purchase. I have a big head (7 3/4 hat size) and most headphones start to hurt after about 45mins to an hour except for my Sennheisers. I have tried some Sonys and Senns but nothing else, and only the Senns seem to be comfortable. I have used the HD497 and HD515 and both were comfortable just like my HD595 for long listening sessions. I like to listen for 2-4 hours 3-5 days a week, so comfort is key.

I also want my ears to be able to stand up to the test. I have sensitive hearing, a good thing in this field, trust me. But, this means my ears fatigue easily though I have had little to no such problems with my Senns. The HD650's scare me because I have heard they sound too laid back and they pinch your head, that is not what I am looking for.

For your reference, I feel the HD595's are a little to upfront at times and that the vocals are a bit to "front row". However, I have only ever listened to them through my iPod and computer, no amps.

I will receive the Arietta tomorrow! And still only have the HD595 cans. I am still apprehensive about the volume being too loud on the Arietta even turned all the way down. I need to know if this is the case because I don't want to plug them in and blow them up first thing. I have a huge collection of CD's and want that to be my main source through the Marantz CDP but want the best listening experience possible. Sorry if I seem to ramble but I trying to give as much info about my situation as possible.

 

[papomaster]

I have the hd595 used with a Headfive (the ancestor of the arietta) and I can still control the volume pretty well (there isn't any tonal imbalance when the volume goes down on the amp). Even more so with the signal coming from my DAC (entech number cruncher 203.2), which is known to have a VERY loud line out (1.5 volts instead of 1.0 if I remember well).

If it really is too loud, I recommend building or ordering a *** ohms adaptor to put between the amp and the phones. Worked well for many people, altough some said it brought up the bass a little bit.

 

[Beatlephile]

Well, as I understand, this is the key difference between the Arietta and the Headfive. The Headfive can go to zero on the volume (no sound from any headphones) as the pot goes to zero where the Arietta cannot go below a certain level even when the pot is set to zero.

Jan said this [volume adjustment] is to correct some imbalance with the amp or something. I am not questioning that decision, he certainly knows way more about making good sounding amps than I do. I just want to get the best cans to match what seems to be a superb amp.

 

[silverrain]

Try the HD580

 

[Beatlephile]

Ok, I recieved my Arietta #333 today from TTVJ and must say that the Marantz CD5001->Corda Arietta->Sennheiser HD595 combination works just fine

The volume is perfect at 9-10 o'clock and certainly not loud at all when turned all the way down (7 o'clock).

I think I will get the Beyer DT880 (2005) pair as I find the Arietta to be a warm amp as expected and I think it needs detailed analytical cans like the 880s, agreed?

I will post my review of the HD595/Arietta combo this weekend after I get some burn-in/listening time with it. This will be for those that want a review of the HD595 with, specifically, the Arietta, as it is different from the H5.