K601 is coming, for my Zen/D2(planning)

[FL210]

Ordered K601 three days ago, probably will be in my hand in five days.

Background:
I have CDP Panasonic SL-CT810 for years, but never put any decent headphones on it. Creative Zen(4G) is my first MP3 player, I want to hear something really good from it.
So, I plan to buy hi-fi headphones under the hard-to-resist Head-fi.org's seducement.

But I plan to return Zen tomorrow for I see too much negative comments on Zen here, though I myself would not notice any defects without Head-fiers comparing it with D2. And yes, after receiving my K601, I am gonna order D2. Another hard-to-resist player based on Head-fiers comment, huh? I hate this place, but mostly hate myself spending money for others views. But, I like to spend for sound.

I like the D2 Max Output : 37mW + 37mW, guess no problem driving my K601(120 ohms), though cannot fully develop the value of it. Anyway I do not plan to spend money + time + carring for additional amps which will probably do less improvement for the sound pleasure of my K601 than I wish. (I saw the "amps are overrated" thread.)

But, probably, I will change my mind tomorrow on the amps, for I am planning to take advantage of the Panasonic CDP, which has only 6 mW + 6 mW output and definately needs an amp to drive my K601(Though this player has line-out which might provide more power). But I do not like to use CD-RW to feed it with WAV songs in my laptop.

I do not like HD MP3 players for I hate the noising and shaking.
I do not want a iPod flash-memory player for lack of features, even the SQ is good for some iPODers. I really need voice recording and FM. (I know Apple can add then on but for extra money and extra weight.)
I do not want Clix2 for it don't handle WAV, which I might need for full kHzs musics.
So, I will choose D2. But probably not if I hear too much negative comments on the analytical sound and no line-out. Well, I really don't know.


I list SPECIFICATIONS for K601, D2, Zen, SL-CT810 below for viewers reference:

K601 SPECIFICATIONS:
Headphones weight without cable (g) 235
Sensitivity (dB/mW, dB/V*) 101
Audio bandwidth (Hz to kHz) 12-39,5
Max. input power (mW) 200
Rated impedance (ohms) 120
Convertible jack plug (1/4" to 1/8")
Replaceable ear pads
Patented self-adjusting headband
Exclusive leather headband
Unbreakable metal arches
99.99% oxygen-free cable (length in m) 3
Single-sided cable
Hard gold-plated jack plug and contacts
Patented Varimotion diaphragms
2-Layer diaphragm
Open-back, dynamic headphones
NdFe magnets
Suited for (SA)CD, DVD(A), DAT


D2 SPECIFICATIONS
Playback
format Music MP3 : MPEG 1/2/2.5 Layer 3, ~320kbps, ~48khz, mono/stereo
WMA : ~256kbps, ~48khz, mono/stereo
OGG : ~Q10, ~44.1khz, mono/stereo
FLAC : Compression Level 0 ~ 8, ~44.1khz, mono/stereo
WAV : ~48khz, 16bit, mono/stereo
APE: Y
JetEffect (BBE, Mach3Bass, MP Enhance, 3D Surround, Stereo Enhance) support
Movie AVI : MPEG4 ~ 2Mbps, 320x240, 30fps, MP3 audio
WMV : WMV9 ~ 768kbps, 320x240, 30fps, WMA audio
TV OUT support (TV OUT Cable Optional)
Recording WMA : 32~256kbps Recording and Playback
Voice Recording, Line-In Recording, External MIC support
Photo JPG, No limitation on image size and capacity
Text TXT file Viewer
Support up to 2MB
Folder Limit 500 folders and 5,000 files
Radio support FM RADIO : 76Mhz ~ 108Mhz, 87.5Mhz ~ 108Mhz
WMA : 32~256kbps recording support
Display 2.5 inch 16 million color(24bit) TFT-LCD : QVGA (320x240) Touchscreen
Built-in memory 2GB, 4GB, 8GB
External SD Card and MMC Card Slot
PC interface USB 2.0 High Speed
File transfer speed Max. 35Mbps (Upload 40Mbps)
Power Up to 52 hours (Music) of continuous playback (Movie 10 hours)
Charge time About 3.5 hours by adapter, About 7 hours by USB
Button 3 Button(MENU, VOL-, VOL+), POWER & HOLD Switch
SNR 95dB (A-Weighted)
Frequency Range 20Hz~20KHz
Max Output 16 Ohm earphone : 37mW + 37mW
Size 3.07 X 2.18 X 0.65 inches (78.0 X 55.4 X 16.6 mm)
Weight 3.21 oz (91 g) (Include Lithium Polymer battery)


Zen SPECIFICATIONS:
Size WxHxD: 3.26" x 2.16" x 0.44"
Weight: 2.1 oz
Display: 2.5" High resolution color TFT display (320 x 240 pixels, 16.7 million color support)
Storage Capacity1: 4GB (1,000 songs or 15 hours of video)
Battery Life2: Up to 30 hours of continuous audio playback
Up to 5 hours of continuous video playback
Audio Playback Format: MP3, WMA, non-protected AAC, WAV and Audible 2,3 and 4
Photo Format: JPEG and (with transcoding - GIF, TIFF, PNG and BMP)
Video Playback Format: MJPEG, WMV9 and (with transcoding - MPEG1 and 2, MPEG4-SP, DivX 4 and 5 and XviD)
Organizer: Syncs with and views Microsoft Outlook® Contacts, Calendar & Tasks
Features: Album Art
FM radio with 32 presets
Voice recorder
Clock and alarm function
Volume restriction
Customizable main menu
Functions as an external hard drive
8 EQ settings (Acoustic, classical, disco, jazz, new age, pop, rock and vocal)


Panasonic SL-CT810 SPECIFICATIONS:
Audio (CD-DA)
Sampling frequency: 44.1 kHz
No. of channels: 2 (left and right, stereo)
Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz(i0.5 dB to j8 dB)
Headphone output level: RMS max. 6 mWi6 mW/16 ≠ (adjustable)
Pickup
Light source: Semiconductor laser
Wavelength: 780 nm
WMA/MP3
Supported bit-rates:
WMA: 32 kbps to 320 kbps (64 kbps is recommended)
MP3: 32 kbps to 320 kbps (128 kbps is recommended)
Supported sampling frequency:48 kHz/44.1 kHz/32 kHz
Maximum number of items
(total no. of albums and tracks): 999
Maximum album levels: 100
General
Power supply:
DC input (via included AC adaptor): DC 4.5 V
AC adaptor input: AC 120 V 60 Hz
Power consumption: Using AC adaptor (WMA/MP3/CD-DA):2.6 W/2.6 W/2.6 W
Recharging: 5.5 W
Play time:
WMA--200
MP3--188
CD-DA--120
Recharging time: about 5 to 6 hours
≥The play time may be less depending on the operating conditions.
≥Play time will be considerably reduced when playing CD-RW.
Operational temperature range: 0 eC–40 eC (32 eF–104 eF)
Rechargeable temperature range: 5 eC–40 eC (41 eF–104 eF)
Dimensions (WaHaD): 134.4a14.4a133.5 mm (59/32za9/16za51/4z)
Mass: 195 g (6.9 oz) (with batteries) 145 g (5.1 oz) (without batteries)

 

[ndskyz]

601's with a DAP? You better look at an amp too. You'd get better (fuller) sound by going with an less exspensive easier to drive can.

 

[FL210]

It's really hard to make choice among K601, DT880, DR150, HD600, which were all in my wish list, but I ordered K601, for there are no DT880/HD600 within $250, nor DR150 available in US.

D2 has 37mW + 37mW power, I guess it can drive K601 w/o problem, even not that fully. BTW, D2 is the most powerful flash MP3 player I can find in the market right now.

So, hope it will get the K601 working. I saw someone said it will.

 

[FL210]

As I said, I began to find something not right with my Zen, so I just returned it.

I plan to get the Cowon D2 with 37mW + 37mW power for 16 ohms phones.
I guess it will drive the K601(120ohms) at 5mW + 5mW at most.

So, does anyone use the AKG K601 for D2 unamped? How is the sound volume?I do not like too loud sound, but how about the details?
Can every note come into my ear without problems?

I know K601 is good at details, as AKG always pursues.

 

[monolith]

It'll probably drive them to a high enough volume, but it won't come close to driving them well. The K601s aren't portable headphones by a loooong shot. None of the things you had on your wishlist are.

They'll probably sound good out of the D2, but not nearly their best.

 

[fdhfdy]

waiting for more about 601 and dt880

 

[FL210]

Quote:

Originally Posted by monolith /img/forum/go_quote.gif It'll probably drive them to a high enough volume, but it won't come close to driving them well. The K601s aren't portable headphones by a loooong shot. None of the things you had on your wishlist are. They'll probably sound good out of the D2, but not nearly their best.

What's your advice for best setup for K601?
I like to make a setup based on the sources I have now: Panasonic CDP, D2 MP3, and computer. Seems I need an amp and some cables, right? Any suggestions? Did you ever really use the K601?

 

[monolith]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL210 /img/forum/go_quote.gif What's your advice for best setup for K601? I like to make a setup based on the sources I have now: Panasonic CDP, D2 MP3, and computer. Seems I need an amp and some cables, right? Any suggestions? Did you ever really use the K601?

I've never used the K601 personally, but I've used the K701, K501 and K500, and read plenty about it. You generally want a big beefy amp to give it the juice it wants. Tube amps are thought to pair well with these AKGs (my tube amp certainly does wonders with them). In any case, if there's one thing that's always the case it's that these things can't be driven to anything like their full potential from a portable headphone amp, let alone a portable player's internal amp.

There are innumerable threads for amp recommendations with AKGs, particularly the K701s. They're pretty similar to the K701s, and I'm sure there are some such threads for the K601s as well. Search for them.

 

[FL210]

Thank you for your opinions, monolith,

I know I need an amp to drive K601, but I have no idea how sad I would be if I pick the wrong amp.
I heard so much that portable amps are basically not good if not for the portable use, but seems my finacial situation only allow me to buy a portable one if it ever allows.
You see, I am only a new hi-fier, K601 would be my first true phones. I have Panasonic CDP, I have a crowd of music in my laptop, I paln to buy D2 ot iPOD ot others, so, I just want to listen to music simply. If I go pick some amp, I am surely gonna pick some better sources and cables, and then, I am surely gonna switch to another better phones or amps. You see, I don't like dig so deep...
If you were in my situation, what would you do?

 

[shigzeo]

hey fl210, you already know how i feel about d2 and dt880 - great little match for portables. that said, they sounded good from a nano 1g with much less power. volume does not equal driving potential.

the k601 have harder to move coils and need an amp even more. the dt880 with a proper home amp (heed in my case) became a very potent bass phone with many layers of stage. without, it sounded good but nothing like i had hoped.

with the d2, it was a beautiful and tender phone without any impact but very nice. same with nano though to lesser degree.

the k601 will llikely sound okay but youwill be looking for a proper amp next. it seems the k series are phones that are better driven from home amps than portables even at the worst of times.