Headphone vs. Speaker comparison...

[Solude]

I'm still on the fence about selling my main rig in favor of a headphone rig and paying off my VISA.

So would a HD600, MG Head rig compare to Adcom GFP-750, GFA-5802, PSB Stratus Gold in terms of effortless playback? I don't mind loss of soundstage but unnatural, forced sound really bugs me.

Since I can't try before I buy, is the HD600, MG Head combo natural with a sense of ease or does it sound veiled, etched, unnatural or forced?

Let me know.

NOTE:Not looking at buying one or the other. I HAVE the Adcom/PSB stuff but considering selling it for headphones.

 

[fredpb]

Well.

HD600 $400
MG Head $400
Cables $150.

Na.

Pay off your Visa and get some good cans that really don't need
exotic stuff to should how they really should.

Get em from Headroom and get your 30 day trial.

Hd590s?

I don't know your setup.

Get the headphones first, then add others later. You can use your phones loud all the time

.

 

[Solude]

Err you lost me? Is the voice of experience I was looking for in there somewhere?

 

[carlo]

Hey Solude,
i'm fairly familiar with your components, although I'm pretty sure i've never heard the 5802 driving the old Golds... i've spent quite a bit of time with the Bronze and the 5400 though so take this as you will. also keep in mind i really don't like the 750 as a source (or most of adcom's components for that matter).

i think psbs (especially the non "i" upper line) sound slightly veiled but with a thick midrange and a relatively hot tweeter. in this case your proposed setup would probably remind you of your current one, or at least to the extent that headphones can be compared to speakers. the naturalness of the stratus line (call it an exagerated decay if you must, i think it sounds closer to real music) really won't be rivaled with the senns though. if you take the time to roll the tubes in your mg head dt i think you have a shot at being happy.

i think that hd600s remind me of dynaudios and grados remind me of psbs, so take that as you will.

btw, i still say you try a good/cheap pair of monitors and a nearfield setup to get an idea of downgrading your system to an integrated and standmounts will offer.

best,
carlo.

 

[Audio-Me]

If you don't have to use headphones, don't. I'd downgrade to decent speaker system instead.

 

[Snufkin]

Doesn't meier-audio have the HD600s on special at the moment?

Might be a good time to snap up a deal.

 

[Nick Dangerous]

Quote:

...effortless playback... don't mind loss of soundstage... unnatural, forced sound really bugs me... [I want a sound that is] natural with a sense of ease... [I don't want] veiled, etched, unnatural or forced [sounds]

Sounds like the MG Head/600 combo to me. It's got that realistic tubey sound that you can drift off and listen to for hours. Very natural and smooth sounding.

Here's what I recommend for a top-to-bottom price/performance rig based upon the MG Head OTL:

MG Head OTL from Headroom: $329
Sennheiser 600 headphones from Meier Audio: $220
Skip the special cables for now
Get a pair of Ei Yugo EL84's for $19
Order a Sylvania 5751 triple mica blackplate tube for about $50

Total: $618 + shipping

Not too shabby. A tube amp, kickass tubes, and one of the world's best headphones in one shot. Guaranteed to please.

 

[DeanA]

Quote:

Originally posted by Snufkin Doesn't meier-audio have the HD600s on special at the moment? Might be a good time to snap up a deal.

Yes - but it is a HD600-Amp combination special.

 

[Aong]

Meier audio also have a special on just the HD600's. But you have to email them for the price (i dont think its appropriate for me to say it here, since it wasn't mensioned in the thread).

 

[DeanA]

Quote:

Originally posted by Audio&Me If you don't have to use headphones, don't. I'd downgrade to decent speaker system instead.

Why?

 

[Audio-Me]

Solude - who ever is telling you that the HD600 are "veiled, etched, unnatural, forced" must either have the wrong equipment (probably bad, hehe), or very different hearing (probably has weird preferences).

DeanA, it's just a suggestion based on personal preference.

 

[Solude]

Sorry guys, no one is telling me that the Senns are like that. I'm just describing what I hope they aren't. The lower end ones they use at music shops are that to me anyway.

As for the Adcom gear, remember this is Pass Labs stuff not Adcom design. The GFA-5400 and GFA-5802 are two completely different beasts. The GFP-750 is a pre not a source and just about the best passive pre money can buy. How anyone could find PSB speakers treble hot is a mystery maybe a Marantz player up stream? Veil would come from the same place or Arcam amp, even the entry level Alphas sound natural if not dynamic and full range.

Anyway come on gents, the speaker side is gaining ground on headphone territory. Convince me that $700 headphone rig can sound natural and transparent when compared to a $6000 speaker setup. Right now I'm thinking comprimise. Sell the pre/amp and get a clinical sounding integrated like an Audiolab 8000S. The Kimber and PSB will work their magic keeping the detail and nature of the music while softening the clinical sound for a detailed yet emotional presentation.

Oh and no I don't have to use headphones. My building is sound dampened so I can and do play music at 70dB right to 2AM without complaints. That much I like about the room, and reducing the distance has really upped the liveliness of the music. Going to an intergrated would still let me pay off $2000CAN which isn't too shaby.

 

[RobertR]

Would it be possible for you to get the headphones first and try them with your home rig before deciding to sell it?
Most likely good headphones will sound better with more detail than your speakers.

 

[Satori]

I'd stick with the speakers if I were you. The biggest reason I started buying headphones was so i could listen to music on the cubicle farm. If you already have a nice home setup, keep it. Unless you really need to pay off the credit cards for some reason.

 

[markl]

Hello solude,
I actually own the PSB Starus Goldi's and I had to upgrade to the Sony MDR-R10 headphones ($4K list) and a Melos Maestro ($2.5K list) headamp to beat them.

If you are living in a place that will let you play those PSB's real loud, you're better off sticking with them, IMO. PM me if you have more questions.

markl