HP-2 Recabling

[Audio Addict]

I have a pair of HP-2's with the ultrawide cable. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the Moon Audio Black Dragon cable? I know you can buy the GS1000 new with this cable. When I talked to Joe Grado, he didn't feel any cable other than the Ultrawide did justice to the HP-2s.

 

[nikongod]

i would say dont do it.

sometimes a manufacturer builds using crap parts, it is good that the hd650 cable is easily swapped. sometimes they dont, like on the hp2.

if you do decide to swap it, be sure to get the old cable back.

 

[grandenigma1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikongod /img/forum/go_quote.gif if you do decide to swap it, be sure to get the old cable back.

Good call.

That being said it is very easy to swap cables on the HP-2s. The hardest part is removing the 18 million hex bolts that hold in the drivers. I have heard a few different cables on the HP-2 and they all play to certain strengths and weaknesses of them. I don't think it would hurt to have them recabled if you are looking to improve or change a certain aspect of their sound.

 

[Thelonious Monk]

John Grado doesn't cut corners with cables; i doubt Joe Grado would, as he has an even better reputation than John with build quality. personally i wouldn't go for it- if i owned HP2s i wouldn't trust the post office with them.

 

[robm321]

I wouldn't do it. The ultra wide is an excellent cable. Why chop up anything on phones that aren't made anymore and are valuable.

Treat them as with kid gloves and get a Melos SHA-1 and you will have reached the pinnacle of headphone listening

 

[lmilhan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audio Addict /img/forum/go_quote.gif When I talked to Joe Grado, he didn't feel any cable other than the Ultrawide did justice to the HP-2s.

What more needs to be said after that?

For the love of Grado, please don't do it.

 

[Thelonious Monk]

question to HP1000 owners: is there anyone that currently services the HP1000 headphones besides Joseph Grado? i know it's a touchy subject, and i probably look like an ***hole for asking, but he won't be able to service them forever... and i'm worried that if i buy HP1000s they will cop out on me and i won't be able to get them fixed. is there any place where you can buy the drivers?

again, sorry if it's a dumb/touchy question.

 

[Jahn]

well if in the (hopefully very far off) future Joe can't do it for you, I'm certain John will, but he might not have the NOS that Joe has, especially in the Drivers department. No one else will have NOS for certain, so you'll have to hunt for parts, or find someone who hunts and mods.

for the record, i looooooooooove my HP2s with headphile blacksilver recabling. however, with cpads to boot, folks have said it sounds like the most Ungrado-like grado. that said, now i'm waiting for the GS1000, which is also known for ungrado-like gradoness. what's wrong with me?

 

[Uncle Erik]

I don't think any replacement drivers are available. If memory serves, Jpelg sent in a pair with bad drivers and they were replaced with RS-1 drivers. He sold them, they changed hands a few times, and another member here bought them from someone who didn't bother to mention it didn't have the correct drivers.

Long story short, it does not sound like replacement drivers are available.

As for the cabling, leave them as they are. If you have to tinker, do it with a pair in current production. Whack on a RS-1 and see what happens. The ultra-high bandwidth cable is considered one of the best, and you'll preserve the value of the cans if you leave it in place.

 

[J-Pak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by robm321 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I wouldn't do it. The ultra wide is an excellent cable. Why chop up anything on phones that aren't made anymore and are valuable. Treat them as with kid gloves and get a Melos SHA-1 and you will have reached the pinnacle of headphone listening

Rob this might seem like an impossible question, but what headphones do you prefer right now? After having the HP-2 for a while now I think I like them just as much as the K1000. Impossible to say which I like more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't think any replacement drivers are available. If memory serves, Jpelg sent in a pair with bad drivers and they were replaced with RS-1 drivers. He sold them, they changed hands a few times, and another member here bought them from someone who didn't bother to mention it didn't have the correct drivers. Long story short, it does not sound like replacement drivers are available. As for the cabling, leave them as they are. If you have to tinker, do it with a pair in current production. Whack on a RS-1 and see what happens. The ultra-high bandwidth cable is considered one of the best, and you'll preserve the value of the cans if you leave it in place.

Toonie recently (2 or 3 weeks ago) had the drivers in his HP-2 replaced by Joe Grado.

 

[humanflyz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Pak /img/forum/go_quote.gif After having the HP-2 for a while now I think I like them just as much as the K1000. Impossible to say which I like more.

My oh my, what a nice problem to have

I hope to have this same problem, and I'm hoping that an O2+KGSS will be the way to give me this problem.

 

[robm321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Pak /img/forum/go_quote.gif Rob this might seem like an impossible question, but what headphones do you prefer right now? After having the HP-2 for a while now I think I like them just as much as the K1000. Impossible to say which I like more.

Funny you ask me this because I was just thinking about that this weekend. I've always said I clearly like the K-1000 over all other headphones, but I now say the HP-2 is just as enjoyeable if not more.

I really can't break that tie, but I would give up the K-1000 before the HP-2

I want to gush about it more but may regret the things I type, so I will leave it at that - a truly AMAZING headphone.

 

[Audio Addict]

Thanks for all the replies. For now, I think I will leave well enough along.

 

[Toonie]

@ Audio Addict: I think that's a smart move.

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Pak /img/forum/go_quote.gif Toonie recently (2 or 3 weeks ago) had the drivers in his HP-2 replaced by Joe Grado.

This is true as far as the drivers are concerned. However, the pair I sent also needed the ultrawide bandwidth cable replaced. Joe replaced the cable, BUT not with the ultrawide bandwidth cable. So while Joe may still have drivers left, I'm not sure how easy it would be to replace the highly coveted JG Signature Ultrawide.

Just in case you need any more convincing.

 

[daveDerek]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandenigma1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have heard a few different cables on the HP-2 and they all play to certain strengths and weaknesses of them. I don't think it would hurt to have them recabled if you are looking to improve or change a certain aspect of their sound.

could you comment on what differences which cables will bring to the phones?

folks that have played with these a bunch, how different, and in what ways, are the regular grado cable from the ultra etc cable?