Modhouse Audio Argon - T50RP MK2/3 & T60RP

[David222]

IMHO --> You're unlikely to hear (much) audible difference with cables less than (around) $200 - $300

Halby Cables is a good option if you want to "jump up" a bit to quality (hand made) OFC.

A significant level up would be --> Audio Envy (IMO) an incredible cable without going above a certain financial threshold (although by no means inexpensive). I use Audio Envy in my system. Feel free to PM if any questions.

 

[squadgazzz]

IMHO --> You're unlikely to hear (much) audible difference with cables less than (around) $200 - $300

Halby Cables is a good option if you want to "jump up" a bit to quality (hand made) OFC.

A significant level up would be --> Audio Envy (IMO) an incredible cable without going above a certain financial threshold (although by no means inexpensive). I use Audio Envy in my system. Feel free to PM if any questions.

The biggest disadvantage of Argons is the single-cup connection. There's no way to notice the sound difference because the cable between the cups will destroy all the benefits.

 

[dstarr3]

The biggest disadvantage of Argons is the single-cup connection. There's no way to notice the sound difference because the cable between the cups will destroy all the benefits.

That's a very good point. Audio signal transmission only being as good as the weakest link in the chain, I bet the vast majority of times people go crazy about "high-quality audiophile-grade cables," they're forgetting the probably very ordinary internal cabling rendering any external cable upgrades moot.

I expect that if there is an audible difference between my cheapy Frankencable and the Periapt cable, it'd have nothing to do with the wires inside the cables but rather that my solution introduces many more electrical connections than is strictly necessary.

Still no reason to think my cable has degraded the sound quality at all yet besides. I'm still getting just as many "Wow" moments out of my Argon as I did before. But at the end of the day, this is still an experiment that just unavoidably takes time to conduct. So we'll see what shakes.

 

[David222]

That's a very good point. Audio signal transmission only being as good as the weakest link in the chain, I bet the vast majority of times people go crazy about "high-quality audiophile-grade cables," they're forgetting the probably very ordinary internal cabling rendering any external cable upgrades moot.

I expect that if there is an audible difference between my cheapy Frankencable and the Periapt cable, it'd have nothing to do with the wires inside the cables but rather that my solution introduces many more electrical connections than is strictly necessary.

Still no reason to think my cable has degraded the sound quality at all yet besides. I'm still getting just as many "Wow" moments out of my Argon as I did before. But at the end of the day, this is still an experiment that just unavoidably takes time to conduct. So we'll see what shakes.

IMO --> No reason to make a change when everything sounds great /wow.

That said, folks investing in significant cable upgrades are not "forgetting" system/chain/internal details.

AudioEnvy ToneKraft is a great option for anyone looking to make a "jump up" with headphone cables. I use their cables throughout my chain.

 

[dstarr3]

Yeah, the only reason I'm conducting this little experiment is because I already started with the expensive cable that I bought with my Argon. I already had the 3.5mm TRRS cable and the right-angle connector laying around, so all I spent was the $10 for the TRRS-Pentacon adapter. I'm alright with spending $10 on a little learning experience.

 

[David222]

Yeah, the only reason I'm conducting this little experiment is because I already started with the expensive cable that I bought with my Argon. I already had the 3.5mm TRRS cable and the right-angle connector laying around, so all I spent was the $10 for the TRRS-Pentacon adapter. I'm alright with spending $10 on a little learning experience.

Cost aside, it's great you're testing gear. Only way to discover more "wow" moments. We all collectively benefit!

 

[Thenewbie76]

Can anyone tell me if there is any difference in sound for the Argon mk3 balanced and non-balanced? I am thinking about getting one but they cost almost 380 with pads, case, and balanced. I have not even included the cost of buying a balanced cable.

 

[dstarr3]

It depends on your amp. There's not inherently a difference between single-ended and balanced connections, but if your amp has both single-ended and balanced outputs, the balanced output most likely is the better-sounding one.

What amp do you have?

 

[oneula]

was testing out my T50RPMK3 Argons on a little douk 1300mW(32ohm) 26V class A headphone amp this morning and was enjoying some hires files from my ZishanDSD AK4497 portable when I decided to just plug it in to the single 3.5 plug (not the 2.5 bal) port to see what happened and by george, that little beast was able to handle the Argons although at the upper end of volume but still yet, I would have never guessed something that small not plugged into AC could drive the Argons. They are great and powerful phones.

 

[Shane D]

Just playing with my new tiny amp. I started off with the HiFiman HE6se V2's and had to run them at 1:00. The T60 Argons went down to 10:00. Still sounds pretty good! I am surprised.


The chain is Bifrost 2 to Loki to XDuoo MT-602.
This little amp has a ton of gain and will be a nightmare with very efficient headphones.

 

[MalinYamato]

My Argon T60rp with suede pads arrived after 12 weeks of wait. I ordered an extra
balanced cable with it. I rank it a bit above HFM Sundara.

 

[DonJeremy]

My Argon T60rp with suede pads arrived after 12 weeks of wait. I ordered an extra
balanced cable with it. I rank it a bit above HFM Sundara.

I own Sundara, as well as Mk2 argons. I am looking into t60argons, do you think its worth it? or should I just wait and jump up to the next level? Thanks

 

[dstarr3]

An update on my cable experiment:

After a few weeks with the Argon one my cheapo Frankencable, I'm going to move back to my Periapt cable and see if there's any audio quality differences to observe. Thoughts on my cheap cable, still plenty of "Oh wow" moments with it on my Argon, still sounds great to my ears. However, I did have moments where the cable would get hung up on my shirt or my chair, etc etc, and pulling on the cable in unusual ways like that would cause some momentary loss of signal in one side or the other. So I wouldn't be surprised if that's the biggest gain by using proper headphone cables: fewer and better electrical connections. My cheap, deliberately janky solution, there's an electrical connection at the headphone cup, at the right-angle adapter, at the 3.5mm-to-4.4mm adapter, and finally at the amp. Whereas with a proper cable, you've just got connections at the headphone and the amp. So adding all those extra connections, especially ones of questionable quality, well, that's what you get. Less reliable connections more prone to loss of signal from unusual tugs.

I'll be going back to the Periapt cable now to solve that problem, and we'll see if I notice any audio improvements along with it. I think long-term, I'll end up making my own Hart-like custom cable. The Periapt cable is just too cumbersome for my liking. But indeed, this cheap cable experiment has already been informative.

 

[shafat777]

Anyone wanna sell me their Argon t60? I m willing to pay top dollars. I just listened to a argon t50 that i borrowed from my friend and i really enjoy the sound. As a result, i am really interested in trying the t60. Please let me know if you are willing to part ways with one.

 

[xophere]

I have a line on some Dekoni Blues or the Mass Drop T-0X or whatever for about the same price in the $140 range. What is the difference between the two post conversion? If I do the Dekoni's I really don't want the protein pads. I like the sound and the comfort of these nice pads but the material feels hot on my face. I almost just want to bite the T60 Price bullet. ~$150 I have HD 660s (that I might sell) and DCA Open X (supposedly have a HD 650 sound) and then for work MMX300II's. Looking for a comfortable closed back experience. Don't have to be a detail monster.