[BIG POPPA]

In The Seattle Area we average 4 meets a year. It just takes a little determination. You have to make your opportunity to listen to gear. The more gear you listen to, the easier it is to define your sound.

 

[Crazy*Carl]

Ya, its very difficult to demo stuff. Forget retail, you just gotta be lucky enough to find a head fi local meet.

Lucky I have found something that I do unquestionably like. Sennheiser HD580+.

 

[BIG POPPA]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy*Carl /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ya, its very difficult to demo stuff. Forget retail, you just gotta be lucky enough to find a head fi local meet. Lucky I have found something that I do unquestionably like. Sennheiser HD580+.

I know how you feel. It took 2 years to get the MS2's. The MS2's get more love right now with my rig. It is just the music I listen to at the moment. Guitars, guitars, guitars.

 

[Henerenry]

Yep I agree with you big poppa, alessandros and guitars are massive win.

 

[pabbi1]

Circa 2002, my wife got me a pair of hd600 (what I asked for), to upgrade my Sony VR6, that were falling apart. My Sony cdp had a HP out, with a little volume control, which kicked butt with the vr6. I also used these at work with a small cdp, again, which was loud, but, very fatiguing - max 2 hours at a stretch.

I open the box on Christmas morning, and could not wait to listen. After completing all the family obligations, I sat down promptly at 8pm that night to hear audio euphoria - not at all to be. Not enough volume, no soundstage, no air, no microdetail. I literally felt flattened, defeated, and mildly depressed.

Not the last time I have ever felt that with audio equipment either.

So, I started searching - I needed an amp, and, well, for a princely sum of about $300 (iirc), there was a Creek OBH-11 - a snotty little beast that would, and did, make the hd600 what I thought they would be... until I built my first DIY amp, and joined HF - to (you guessed it) sell the OBH-11.

Life is a series of choices, and audiophilia finds it's own level within each of us. There is no right or wrong answer, so, no one can say 'amps are (insert praise or damnation here)'. It simply is not so, as everyone finds their own answer.

Seems we revisit this all the time (and, why a lot of more seasoned members never post in these threads), because someone always wants to throw up the 'amps don't matter / too expensive', sometimes for nothing more than Devil's Advocacy, or Troll of the Year ambitions (NOT at all implying that here).

The written word is useless - it is what you hear that matters.

 

[grokit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy*Carl /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm wondering, what then would be a sufficient amp for the HD580/600 in the $400-$600 range? WA6? What else?

The Burson HA-160 was designed especially for the HD650. I have not heard it personally, but it seems to have a very good reputation here and is just a bit beyond your stated price range.

 

[Crazy*Carl]

I am listening to my HD580 right out of the motherboard right now, and it sounds good. Looks like its time to get ride of this dac/amp I have. Only thing holding me back will be the lack of volume knob. 200 dollars for a volume knob... :/

 

[BIG POPPA]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy*Carl /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am listening to my HD580 right out of the motherboard right now, and it sounds good. Looks like its time to get ride of this dac/amp I have. Only thing holding me back will be the lack of volume knob. 200 dollars for a volume knob... :/

OK? Dude you have to a get a clue with these cans. You can't tell me something Crazy??? 200.00 volume knob? Come on now? I own them with some great supporting gear. And I have some really cool gear.

 

[Asr]

I think the thread starter should attend CanJam 2010. Shouldn't be too far away given the "Midwest" location.

 

[BIG POPPA]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asr /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think the thread starter should attend CanJam 2010. Shouldn't be too far away given the "Midwest" location.

X2, Meets do feed the soul. Can't wait till the next one. And I have been to a few.

 

[Crazy*Carl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIG POPPA /img/forum/go_quote.gif OK? Dude you have to a get a clue with these cans. You can't tell me something Crazy??? 200.00 volume knob? Come on now? I own them with some great supporting gear. And I have some really cool gear.

lol, I'm only posting what I hear.

I am going to start browsing the meeting forums for local head-fi meets. I would love to hear some real high level gear with my HD580.

 

[MomijiTMO]

. I wish I could do that but Australian meets are rare. When there is one, it's a $300 return plane ticket. Add accommodation.... ugh.

 

[Audio Jester]

@Crazy*Carl
Seriously think twice before you go to a meet. If you catch the audiophile disease then you will develop a bad relationship with your wallet. If you honestly love the sound of your cans as they are then love them and leave it at that. BTW you can just get one of the more expensive soundblaster cards that gives you a volume knob on the front of your case (or on a separate box).

@MomijiTMO
We should just get this two person meet going... although if you can wait a while I may have some nice new gear by then.

 

[MomijiTMO]

We should have a small Brissy meet

. I know a few guys are interested.

 

[Crazy*Carl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audio Jester /img/forum/go_quote.gif @Crazy*Carl Seriously think twice before you go to a meet. If you catch the audiophile disease then you will develop a bad relationship with your wallet. If you honestly love the sound of your cans as they are then love them and leave it at that. BTW you can just get one of the more expensive soundblaster cards that gives you a volume knob on the front of your case (or on a separate box). @MomijiTMO We should just get this two person meet going... although if you can wait a while I may have some nice new gear by then.

I wouldn't be here if I was fully satisfied with the sound........