I got the perforated pads from Amazon (per the quest for more from the guru on here, you know, that guy who always experiments to get more out of amps and phones). What a pain to get them on, but once they are seated, with the lip that goes into the groove, all is very good.
Personally, I really like the stock pads, very sweet sounding. The perforated, excellent as well. I in no way find that with stock pads that the sound is like a closed headphone, I have plenty of those but more like an open headphone, but with the perforated you get even more of an open sound. Superb and so very enjoyable. I would rate these, for openness but with a larger sound stage, up there with my Focal Utopia now (perforated pads). The sound is extremely layered, and very focussed (imaging is extremely good). What I notice over any other headphone I own is that the SR1 are truly musical and naturally so. They don't over do anything or cover blemishes but neither do they lack for detail and transparency nor are they too warm but more of a normal sound warm, not harsh and never metallic.
I enjoy Joni Mitchell but on most all headphones, her voice comes across thin and just doesn't have body to it. Somehow the SR1 get her voice right. It has body, fluidity and a sweetness to it that makes so very enjoyable and on a number of recordings that are well done, there is an excellent atmosphere around her that throws out a open airy soundstage. Finally, I can enjoy a number of her recordings.
I am using the CB15 balanced cable and also use my highly modified Micro Zotl 2. Lots of music fun going on. I have no idea how iBasso did this for 499 but I don't think they are making any money on these. I would have thought a wholesale price would have been higher!
I also find the CB15 to be a steal of a price. I have compared it to some very expensive after market cables and don't see any benefit to them.