[riverlethe]

I just purchased this combo as my introduction to audophilia and plugged it into my X-Fi via supposedly bit-matched SPDIF. I'm using the amp on high gain with the X-fi turned down to 30. Metallica ("Master of Puppets"), Opeth and Atheist don't sound particularly laid-back. Nick Cave is more psychotic than ever on "Junkyard." Firing a gun in STALKER makes me flinch.

Would it be worth trying to improve on this setup? I have a feeling that anything beyond this is just nit-picking, but then, I have nothing for comparison.

 

[epaludo]

The laid-backness described is caused be the sennheiser sound signature. You may get some improvement changing the amp, but the laid back sound will be there with the senns.

Have you tried some other high end headphone brands already ... ?

 

[fkclo]

My suggestion:-

Take one step at a time, as this is a long journey...

The HD650 scales very well so take the microstack as a starting point.

And make sure you hide your wallet - it can have legs

F. Lo

 

[riverlethe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by epaludo /img/forum/go_quote.gif The laid-backness described is caused be the sennheiser sound signature. You may get some improvement changing the amp, but the laid back sound will be there with the senns. Have you tried some other high end headphone brands already ... ?

I'm not really understanding the "laid-back" complaint. Maybe it adds a little more musicality to the harsher music. But, as I said, I have not tried others for comparison.

 

[epaludo]

I was just saying the the laid back feeling that you described is due to the sennheiser sound signature. Most people agree that the oposite to the senn's laid back would be the Grado up front presentation.
You could consider trying a Grado in the future if you want a more, as usually described at head-fi, "in your face" sound.

But for now, i'd follow fkclo advise and stick with your setup, because just a few people start with a such qualified gear as you ...

 

[riverlethe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by epaludo /img/forum/go_quote.gif I was just saying the the laid back feeling that you described is due to the sennheiser sound signature. Most people agree that the oposite to the senn's laid back would be the Grado up front presentation. You could consider trying a Grado in the future if you want a more, as usually described at head-fi, "in your face" sound. But for now, i'd follow fkclo advise and stick with your setup, because just a few people start with a such qualified gear as you ...

Ah, I said "...don't sound particularly laid-back." Wouldn't "laid-back" be a function of the music? I'm trying to figure out what this is supposed to mean.

Edit: I just listened to "(Sometimes) Pleasure Heads Must Burn" from the Birthday Party's "John Peel Sessions." Any less "laid-back" and I might die.

 

[epaludo]

Audio Glossary.

Laid back is how people usually describe the sennheisers sound, so it makes a confusion then ...

 

[riverlethe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by epaludo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Audio Glossary. Laid back is how people usually describe the sennheisers sound, so it makes a confusion then ...

It makes more of a confusion by defining "laid-back" as "distant."

 

[GAD]

Yes there's more.

I started there, then went to a bunch of RSA amps, then an Lavry DA10, then a Headamp GS-1 w/DACT... I finally forced myself to stop.

I can't imagine what would happen if I heard an apache.

Enjoy what you have.

GAD

 

[Chri5peed]

My Micro Amp & DAC are beside each other, so not a 'Microstack'. What shall I call them?

 

[riverlethe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chri5peed /img/forum/go_quote.gif My Micro Amp & DAC are beside each other, so not a 'Microstack'. What shall I call them?

Micro-sprawl?

Edit: You like them with Opeth?

 

[Kees]

As far as the HD650 goes: you're only just at the very beginning....

 

[riverlethe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GAD /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes there's more. I started there, then went to a bunch of RSA amps, then an Lavry DA10, then a Headamp GS-1 w/DACT... I finally forced myself to stop. I can't imagine what would happen if I heard an apache. Enjoy what you have. GAD

And, have you noticed an improvement?

Seriously, though, is it possible to get as big a jump from this as I made from un-amped HD497's out of an X-fi?

 

[epaludo]

You made a huge jump. Now the differences will definitely be there, but a LOT more subtle. The high end you get, you spend more money and the differences in sound quality become more and more subtle. Some even call little tweaks ...

 

[Chri5peed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by riverlethe /img/forum/go_quote.gif Edit: You like them with Opeth?

I like anything with Opeth!