[Der Germane]

I've decided to buy ONLY the Sen HD600 (for the moment?).

BUT:

My Sony SCD XB-940QS has a maximum output level of 10mW on the headphone jack at an load impedance of 32ohms.

The Sennheiser HD-600 I want to buy has an nomial impedance of 300ohms and a power handling capability of 200mW.

Won't both things work together?
What could be the result in the worst case?

HOW can I see (hear) that this combination is not good?
(will it be some awful sound or simply not loud enough?)

I really don't want to buy an amp for now.
Should I maybe better take the Sony CD3000 headphones instead of the Sennheiser?

(Remember: I ONLY LISTEN TO CLASSICAL MUSIC!!!)

Please can anyone help me on this?

Frank/Germany

 

[bangraman]

I think I posted in another thread about same issue. If possible buy a decent headphone amp. I've yet to see a piece of Sony equipment with a good headphone socket.

 

[markl]

Yes, they will work together. No, you won't hear the HD600 (or any other headphone) at its best through the amp on your CDP. Believe it or not, even with the HD600 you are best off with an amp that has as close to 0 ohm impedence as possible (this from experience of members here and straight from Senn as well).

Impossible to say how your specific jack will sound--- may be too muffled, may be too bright, may be too "soft", maybe too "edgy", maybe too "hashy", maybe...

Mark

 

[Spad]

I have CD3000s and HD600s and am also a serious classical music listener. I've listened to both headphones on a wide range of gear and prefer the Sony by a very, very wide margin. I should add, however, that I've only heard the Senns with the standard cable.

Spad

 

[Rpell]

Quote:

My Sony SCD XB-940QS has a maximum output level of 10mW on the headphone jack at an load impedance of 32ohms. The Sennheiser HD-600 I want to buy has an nomial impedance of 300ohms and a power handling capability of 200mW. Won't both things work together?

They will work together just fine.

Quote:

What could be the result in the worst case?

The worst case is that because the maximum power output into the 300-ohm HD600s may be about 100 mW, you will be limited to a maximum listening level of only about 116 or 117 dB.

 

[bangraman]

Technically I acknowlege there isn't a problem... But quality wise, I have quite a lot of Sony kit and without exception, the sound from their headphone sockets are quite dire.

 

[Rpell]

Quote:

I have quite a lot of Sony kit and without exception, the sound from their headphone sockets are quite dire.

It's certainly true that the sound from the headphone outputs on most equipment is unlikely to meet with the approval of discriminating audiophiles.

However, while I understand that by "dire" you don't mean obvious distortions or inadequate volume, I'm not sure that visitors new to these forums will necessarily appreciate that.

FWIW, I am quite able to enjoy listening to music with the HD600s from the headphone output of my Sony C333ES. Do I prefer listening to the Sennheisers through my Class-A buffer headphone amplifier? Sure. But I think such distinctions are really only of most importance to those who spend as much time listening to the equipment as they do the music.

 

[Spad]

Quote:

Originally posted by Rpell FWIW, I am quite able to enjoy listening to music with the HD600s from the headphone output of my Sony C333ES. Do I prefer listening to the Sennheisers through my Class-A buffer headphone amplifier? Sure. But I think such distinctions are really only of most importance to those who spend as much time listening to the equipment as they do the music.

Amen! (And this from an anti-theist, no less.) Some seem to treat audio as a competitive sport rather than a means to a simple, common end: the enjoyment of sound.

Spad

 

[Braver]

Quote:

Originally posted by Spad Amen! (And this from an anti-theist, no less.) Some seem to treat audio as a competitive sport rather than a means to a simple, common end: the enjoyment of sound. Spad

shouldn't that be "the enjoyment of MUSIC"?

 

[bangraman]

Quote:

Originally posted by Braver shouldn't that be "the enjoyment of MUSIC"?

Go git 'im!

I don't think I'm really an audiophile, but I can tell the difference between something that works really well and something that's so-so. It's OK if you're sticking in a reasonable set of headphones to drive them from an average quality headphone out. But with a premium headphone, it's sort of an insult to them, if you see what I mean.

 

[Spad]

Quote:

Originally posted by Braver shouldn't that be "the enjoyment of MUSIC"?

I suppose so--if you only listen to music. For those who also listen to radio, as some here do, I think "sound" is more appropriate. In my case, I also listen to spoken-word audio while working out, so "music" is a little too restrictive. I used the term advisedly. As a wordsmith, I consider such things important.

Spad

 

[Spad]

Quote:

Originally posted by bangraman Go git 'im! I don't think I'm really an audiophile, but I can tell the difference between something that works really well and something that's so-so. It's OK if you're sticking in a reasonable set of headphones to drive them from an average quality headphone out. But with a premium headphone, it's sort of an insult to them, if you see what I mean.

I certainly hope my headphones get over it.

There are cases where a headphone out is a better choice than my Sugden. Ever watched a DD or DTS 5.1 movie using Yamaha's Silent Cinema or Sony's VSS?

There are still a few toys I can't afford, Bangraman. But they all either float or fly. I can assure you, there is nothing in the headphone world that's not easily within my reach.

Have a happy!

Spad