[JoeDoe]

is there any difference between single-ended and balanced? is it worth to buy a new cable with balanced jack?

Best to research this one yourself. Some swear it makes a difference, while others say May. The only topic more hotly contested then single ended versus balanced is MP3 320 versus FLAC.

 

[i019791]

  is there any difference between single-ended and balanced? is it worth to buy a new cable with balanced jack?

In the case of NFB-10, balanced was audibly better for me. If you can handle a soldering iron (or you can find one to handle it for you), reterminating the existing cable to 4 pin xlr is not expensive at all.

 

[zoso86]

thanks buddy

 

[Rockcoon]

From Audio GD NFB 28 page:
 
Quote:

Different to the NFB-29:
The NFB-29 is a single ended DAC with headamp and preamp (+/- 30V DC high voltage power supply ), The NFB-28 is balance DAC with headamp and preamp (+/-15V DC power supply ).  So They had same output power specs can drive most headphone as well.
If customer like to keep your headphone with single ended connector (6.3MM), choice the NFB-29 get better performance than the NFB-28.
If customer had the balance connector headphone or can modify the headphone with balance connector, choice the NFB-28.

In case with Audio GD, it seems, that they have some single ended models, where 6,3 is prime output, optimized on best performance. And balance line, where 6.3 used just for trial, before you reterminate your cans to 4 pin xlr cords

 

[i019791]

  thanks buddy

On a side note: if you plan to use a dac with TE8802 along with Windows 8.1 or higher, check first carefully whether there are drivers to support it.

 

[nehcrow]

Generally for orthos, I think going balanced would be better - the more power, the better! (imo)
If you can go balanced, why not? It's a simple solder, it will take you max. 1/2 hour.

 

[Liu Junyuan]

Apparently balanced has reduced noise floor and other perks, but if you do not want to reterminate your phones to balanced (all that you own), I would buy the NFB-29 out of those two, because every headphone worth its salt you pair NFB-28 with in the future will also need to be balanced or you will be gimping yourself. This may or may not be trivial depending on which headphone.

 

[Rockcoon]

Generally for orthos, I think going balanced would be better - the more power, the better! (imo)

If you can go balanced, why not? It's a simple solder, it will take you max. 1/2 hour.

 

[elwappo99]

 

  I can verify that the NFB-10 drives very well the HE500 single ended 

is there any difference between single-ended and balanced? is it worth to buy a new cable with balanced jack?

 
Yes there is a big difference between the two. You should be able to get a pretty affordable balanced cable. 

 

[BobJS]

  is there any difference between single-ended and balanced? is it worth to buy a new cable with balanced jack?

 
The real answer is it depends on the balanced amp you're using it with.  Single-ended output from one amp can easily sound better than balanced output from another.  In general, an amp that has both single-ended and balanced outputs will often (but not always) sound "better" (or with more power) from the balanced outputs than the single ended outputs.

 

[zoso86]

The real answer is it depends on the balanced amp you're using it with.  Single-ended output from one amp can easily sound better than balanced output from another.  In general, an amp that has both single-ended and balanced outputs will often (but not always) sound "better" (or with more power) from the balanced outputs than the single ended outputs.

I have nfb-10.2. I think I shall go balanced

 

[RiddleyWalker]

I know there's grill mods for HFM headphones, but has anyone tried putting some speaker cloth or pantyhose-like material in place of the grill?  I want the more open sound, but don't want to go through the trouble of cutting out my own grills and don't feel comfortable leaving it unprotected!

 

[Dogmatrix]

  I know there's grill mods for HFM headphones, but has anyone tried putting some speaker cloth or pantyhose-like material in place of the grill?  I want the more open sound, but don't want to go through the trouble of cutting out my own grills and don't feel comfortable leaving it unprotected!

I use the foam disks from Beyer pads they are a perfect fit for the outside section
Didn't like the sound naked it was a little screechy the foam disks seem to damp just enough and provide some protection
I also use Beyer pads with the foam disks on the inside so damping is balanced

 

[ThurstonX]

  I know there's grill mods for HFM headphones, but has anyone tried putting some speaker cloth or pantyhose-like material in place of the grill?  I want the more open sound, but don't want to go through the trouble of cutting out my own grills and don't feel comfortable leaving it unprotected!

 
Yes.  Check out the Grill Mod thread.  At least two people have written about it.

 

[JoeDoe]

Alright HE500ers, I need some input. I'm looking for a low to midrange SS amp to pair with my NOS DAC for these guys (already have a Pan Am for the tube goodness). 
 
My two options are the Magni 2 Uber and a secondhand Corda HA-2.
 
Anyone have real experience with either of these?