My ihp-140 isn't playing nice with my Grado 225's

[wolfen68]

My ihp-140 isn't playing nice with my Grado 225's. I believe it's the IRiver, not the Grados.

My initial audition of the iRiver with my UE5c's was favorable. I felt that the 140 was similar to my Archos Recorder and that there may have been a slight improvement in overall "punch" from what I was used to. I have now had the 140 for a couple of days and I have discovered that with my Grado 225's, the sound seems cold and slightly thinner (read less full and rich) as compared to the Grado's out of my Archos. This is more apparent in detailed "acoustic type" music than in a faster rock tune...but it's always there.

I listened to the Ue5c's again and the difference is less pronounced with these phones...but now that I've noticed this, I can hear it with the UE's as well. Using the "Rock" or "User EQ" with a slight bass boost helps slightly, but not enough. Normally, I'm a non-EQ user.

I tried the Grados right out of the 140's line out, but there is lots of crackling during playback. I assume there is some type of current/impedance mismatch when I tried this.

I'm crestfallen. I like everything else about the 140 and was ready for a long term relationship.

Is using an line-out--->amp-->Grados the answer? Has anyone found an amp or other combination that helps provide a fuller sound out of the 140? If some type of lineout use will overcome this, I would be game.

Can this be overcome, or am I better off returning this device?

Thanks for any assistance.

 

[y0da]

first off don't plug the headphones stright into the line out ...depsite what everyone who doesn't own the player seems to be saying there is a differance and the sound quality will not be what you want out of the line out....i would guess that the addition of an amp would most likely solve your problems

and i am not sure but i think you may need an amp to drive those cans anyway


Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfen68 My ihp-140 isn't playing nice with my Grado 225's. I believe it's the IRiver, not the Grados. My initial audition of the iRiver with my UE5c's was favorable. I felt that the 140 was similar to my Archos Recorder and that there may have been a slight improvement in overall "punch" from what I was used to. I have now had the 140 for a couple of days and I have discovered that with my Grado 225's, the sound seems cold and slightly thinner (read less full and rich) as compared to the Grado's out of my Archos. This is more apparent in detailed "acoustic type" music than in a faster rock tune...but it's always there. I listened to the Ue5c's again and the difference is less pronounced with these phones...but now that I've noticed this, I can hear it with the UE's as well. Using the "Rock" or "User EQ" with a slight bass boost helps slightly, but not enough. Normally, I'm a non-EQ user. I tried the Grados right out of the 140's line out, but there is lots of crackling during playback. I assume there is some type of current/impedance mismatch when I tried this. I'm crestfallen. I like everything else about the 140 and was ready for a long term relationship. Is using an line-out--->amp-->Grados the answer? Has anyone found an amp or other combination that helps provide a fuller sound out of the 140? If some type of lineout use will overcome this, I would be game. Can this be overcome, or am I better off returning this device? Thanks for any assistance.

 

[wolfen68]

Amps are recommended but not required with the 225's. They are great phones to use unamped and "grow into" someday.

It's just that this step down in fullness is driving me nuts....

 

[terrymx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfen68 Is using an line-out--->amp-->Grados the answer? Has anyone found an amp or other combination that helps provide a fuller sound out of the 140?

yes, buy an amp. i'm not even sure you're supposed to listen to the sr225 without an amp. and for goodness sake, dont plug your headphone directly into the line out.

 

[SEMC]

I think people are missing the point, he already stated in his first post that he is using an amp from both the headphone jack and the line out.

 

[Kirosia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEMC I think people are missing the point, he already stated in his first post that he is using an amp from both the headphone jack and the line out.

No he doesn't. He asks if using an amp will help.

Anyway, using an amp will help, but isn't the sr-225 a little bit overkill? (It's almost as bad as running a sr-325 w/ bright yellow pads straight through an ifp-190 . . .)

BTW I hope you're using the grado 1/4" to 1/8" adaptor or something similar (something with a wire in-between the 1/4 and 1/8 plugs), or you'll screw the headphone and line jacks of the IHP. (too much weight stresses the jacks)

I'm sorry if I sound rude atm, I'm just a little weird right now.

 

[terrymx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirosia I'm sorry if I sound rude atm, I'm just a little weird right now.

you're always wierd to me.

sorry i am bit jumpy right now too. team useless poster.

 

[Kirosia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrymx you're always wierd to me. sorry i am bit jumpy right now too. team useless poster.

I prefer the term "unique".

Team "Crazy Asian" forever

(Now I've seriously lost it. Damn I need a girlfriend. Wait, no now I've lost it. I feel like Merton. What the hell was I thinking saying that . . I apologize for thread crapping)