[dpastern]

  you can get a 1/8 to 1/4 cable at monoprice.com for a couple of bucks.

 
yeah, that's what I meant to say.  Found one on Radioshack:
 
http://www.radioshack.com/1-8-stereo-jack-to-1-4-mono-plug-adapter/2740348.html#q=1%2F8%2Bto%2B1%2F4&start=7

 

[Koukol]

  you can get a 1/8 to 1/4 cable at monoprice.com for a couple of bucks.

I take it since the cable will be balanced I'll need two mono 1/8 inch to one 1/4 inch stereo, no?
And will any adapter work since my Little Dot III Amp isn't balanced?

 

[dpastern]

 
I take it since the cable will be balanced I'll need two mono 1/8 inch to one 1/4 inch stereo, no?
And will any adapter work since my Little Dot III Amp isn't balanced?

 
Stock Sennheiser cables aren't balanced by default, you have to get a balanced cable especially made up.  I'm not sure, but I think the wiring for a balanced 3.5mm adaptor is different to a non balanced adaptor (electronics whizzes correct me if I'm wrong).  Unbalanced is TRS and balanced is TRRS if memory serves me.

 

[Koukol]

 

 
I take it since the cable will be balanced I'll need two mono 1/8 inch to one 1/4 inch stereo, no?
And will any adapter work since my Little Dot III Amp isn't balanced?

 
Stock Sennheiser cables aren't balanced by default, you have to get a balanced cable especially made up.  I'm not sure, but I think the wiring for a balanced 3.5mm adaptor is different to a non balanced adaptor (electronics whizzes correct me if I'm wrong).  Unbalanced is TRS and balanced is TRRS if memory serves me.

Yes, I plan on getting a balanced cable for my Pono DAP but I would also love to use the HPs with my LittleDot MK III Amp which only has a 1'4 inch input (not balanced)

 

[superjawes]

A single ended cable/jack has right/left/ground, so the ground path is shared between channels. A balanced setup has right +/- and left+/-, so each channel has its own ground, essentially.

As far as sound quality is concerned, there's nothing magical about balanced. If you like the sound of a balanced amplifier with your headphones, then it makes sense, but all other advantages are designer/engineer side (there is at least one thread on this in Sound Science).

 

[Koukol]

A single ended cable/jack has right/left/ground, so the ground path is shared between channels. A balanced setup has right +/- and left+/-, so each channel has its own ground, essentially.

As far as sound quality is concerned, there's nothing magical about balanced. If you like the sound of a balanced amplifier with your headphones, then it makes sense, but all other advantages are designer/engineer side (there is at least one thread on this in Sound Science).

Thanks for chiming in, SJ.
I'm considering a balanced cable because in the Pono DAP thread people say it sounds better in the balanced mode.
 
So are you saying if I put on a balanced cable for the Pono there's no adapter that will make it work with my non-balanced HP Amp?

 

[scrypt]

What I'd like is a sturdier cable for my HD600s, not one that supposedly or actually sounds different.
 
Ideally, such a cable would be less expensive than, say, cryogenically altered helium threaded with gold wire recast from Winston Crotchhill's fillings.

 

[Tuco1965]

  What I'd like is a sturdier cable for my HD600s, not one that supposedly or actually sounds different.
 
Ideally, such a cable would be less expensive than, say, cryogenically altered helium threaded with gold wire recast from Winston Crotchhill's fillings.

 
 
When my stock cable got screwed up I replaced it with the stock HD650 cable.  It's heavier, cheaper (approx $20 CDN), and terminates with a 1/4 jack.

 

[Ruben123]

  Thanks for chiming in, SJ.
I'm considering a balanced cable because in the Pono DAP thread people say it sounds better in the balanced mode.
 
So are you saying if I put on a balanced cable for the Pono there's no adapter that will make it work with my non-balanced HP Amp?

Theres few reasons the balanced mode would sound different... maybe because of the higher distortions it would.

 

[BlackbeardBen]

In addition to a sturdier or more reliable cable (IMHO the HD 650 cable fixes that), a more portable cable for transportable use is most certainly a reason to upgrade.  I'm thinking of doing it myself.

 

[Xeian]

Edit :
 
I asked if i should invest in better cable for my setup on the forum and i edited my post. Why?
 
Just read the whole 26 pages thing and im not changing my stock HD-650 cables lol
 
Keeping my money

 

[DiscoProJoe]

Is it worth upgrading the cable of your 300-ohm headphones? In addition to what I said on this thread, here's a little extra bit of stuff you can think about before you decide:
 
If you have a 300-ohm pair of headphones running off the ultra-flagship desktop headphone amplifier mammoth called the Ragnarok, which goes for $1,700, then you've got a whopping 1.7 W (watts) per channel if you're maxing it out. I guess at 300 ohms, the power of both channels must cost a buck per milliwatt.
 
From physics class, you may recall the equation P = I²R, which can be changed into I = sqrt (P / R).
 
(P means power, I is current, and R is resistance.)
 
So if we plug in our numbers to this, we get I = sqrt (1.7 W / 300 ohms) ≈ .075 amperes (.075 A), or 75mA of current (times 2 channels) running through your headphone cable with a pair of 300-ohm cans and the ultra-flagship Ragnarok amplifier mega-mammoth ***maxed out***. A teeny, tiny, mere 75mA times 2 channels running through your headphone cable!!!!!!!!!!
 
Now,...you decide if spending any more than $10 or $15 on a friggin' headphone cable is worth it.  

 

 

[Head Injury]

  Now,...you decide if spending any more than $10 or $15 on a friggin' headphone cable is worth it.  

 

Also maybe decide if spending $1,700 on friggin' 75 mA per channel is worth it

 

[RRod]

  Also maybe decide if spending $1,700 on friggin' 75 mA per channel is worth it

 
Everyone knows you need at least $20/mA before they start to be tasty.

 

[musicisthekey]

I'm thinking about purchasing the Black Dragon V2 cable for my HD650. Could anyone comment on the soundstage width of Black Dragon vs stock cable? I'm very happy with the soundstage width of the stock cable. I've tried other cables with my HD650. While they improved some aspects of the stock cable, the soundstage width was reduced. Thank you.