New Member Introductions thread

[Tchoupitoulas]

The year was 1975 when I was thrown into this world in the country of Tulips and Cheese, the Netherlands. My parents named me Remco, but Shaggy has always been my nickname.

From a young age my father infected me with music. From the Beatles, to the Cats, Elvis you name it. And of course my older brother had an ear for 80's music who infected me even more.

In this day and age I listen to a lot of 80's, some 70's and 90's. Ranging from pop and rock, to classical and instrumental. A wide taste in music.
Currently I mostly listen to vinyl at home using Pro-Ject, Denon, Sennheiser. And the rest is all FiiO X1 with Shure SE-215-535 and Sennheiser HD 600.

I listen to music 90% of the day, and like nice quality gadgets in music. Have any Questions, feel free and shoot me a message.

From a fellow seventy-fiver and newcomer, welcome aboard

 

[blackdragon87]

The year was 1975 when I was thrown into this world in the country of Tulips and Cheese, the Netherlands. My parents named me Remco, but Shaggy has always been my nickname.

From a young age my father infected me with music. From the Beatles, to the Cats, Elvis you name it. And of course my older brother had an ear for 80's music who infected me even more.

In this day and age I listen to a lot of 80's, some 70's and 90's. Ranging from pop and rock, to classical and instrumental. A wide taste in music.
Currently I mostly listen to vinyl at home using Pro-Ject, Denon, Sennheiser. And the rest is all FiiO X1 with Shure SE-215-535 and Sennheiser HD 600.

I listen to music 90% of the day, and like nice quality gadgets in music. Have any Questions, feel free and shoot me a message.

Welcome, big fan of music from the 70, 80s and 90s here as well

 

[Tchoupitoulas]

I am a longtime lurker and first time poster. I have roughly 1600 albums is my music collection. All were purchased via CD up until about 2012 which is when I got my first iPhone. This is close to when my real headphone obsession started. My first three or four headphones below were used on my iPhone. I bought just about all of my music on iTunes and Amazon for the next six years or so. About a year ago I finally decided to go back and re-rip my entire CD collection in uncompressed format to have a true backup of my CD-quality music. At the same time I was getting frustrated with iTunes and Apple (switched from iPhone to Pixel!) itself and switched over to foobar. Once I finally got the Schiit equipment along with the 6XX headphones I really began to hear what I was missing with my old equipment and 256ish kbps music files. I began buying CDs (from Amazon and Bull Moose) again as well as buying FLAC music files (from Bandcamp, Boomkat, Bleep, Onkyo Music and others).

It really has been a fun journey of trying new headphones and continuing to optimize the listening experience. I know I am still using what is considered "entry-level" equipment but I have to say its impressive what you can get at these lower price points these days. I pretty much use my 6XX and 1060s for most of my listening. I listen to a broad spectrum of music genres but electronic music is my passion. My 6XXs seem to deliver the purest listening experience. The 1060s insane sound stage really immerses you in the music. I am hoping to pick up some Argon MK3s soon to have a quality headphone for when I am craving that extra low-end punch. What a great community here to learn and research hardware and setups. I look forward to learning more and not spending TOO much more!

As a fellow newbie, I'm with you about the impressive quality of affordable headphones. I likewise have the HD6XX for most of my listening. I'm thinking about buying a used pair to have a go at modifying them. The MCTH makes for a nice pairing with the Sennheisers.

 

[blackdragon87]

As a fellow newbie, I'm with you about the impressive quality of affordable headphones. I likewise have the HD6XX for most of my listening. I'm thinking about buying a used pair to have a go at modifying them. The MCTH makes for a nice pairing with the Sennheisers.

Yeah, I would agree with the MCTH being a good pairing with Senns

 

[D00MSHARK]

Interested in your thought on 6xx vs Q701's. I briefly owned K701 when they first came out and can't remember what they were like now and keep meaning to revisit some of the AKG variants.

Absolutely, here’s the quick and dirty.

First I should note that my set up is a little on the budget side, and after having to opportunity to hear both headphones through a Matrix M-Stage DAC/amp I am currently looking to upgrade to this unit. While the Q701’s improved, the change in the 6XX was absolutely breathtaking. Unfortunately my experience with the m-stage is a fleeting memory, and I wouldn’t be able to do justice in describing the changes. I am currently using and older Aune X1 DAC/amp, or a fiioX1 -> 2X9V battery JDS cmoy (mostly for AKG’s as it’s a definite compromise with the 6XX). It should be noted that I have been using the Q701’s for many years and it is a familiar, comfortable sound to me. I have only had the 6XX’s for a few weeks. Also note that I am no expert, and this is how the headphones sound to me in particular.


The Q701’s have a much wider soundstage and in my opinion better imaging. Bass on the 701’s is a sweet spot for me. It’s not overly present but it is well detailed and shaped, quite enjoyable and dynamic. Highs are pleasant and detailed, and really bring out natural sounds such as symbols. Compared to the K702, which I have a little experience with, it seems that they shifted the headphones range ever so slightly to emphasize the low end. The mids are mixed in well, and to my ears nothing is overly present or emphasized. I think these do very well with analog instruments or recordings that take advantage of their soundstage, specifically with sweeps and movements across it (Modern compositional, ambient electronic, etc). A good representation of "in the room sound".

Note: Over 4-5 years of owning the Q701’s I have had to re-solder 2 different connections, and the unit is showing early signs of needing more work. That being said at times I was a little rough on them (in the sense that I would gently position them at the top of my backpack while travelling to uni, so I could use them while I studied).

A few albums I thoroughly enjoyed on the Q701’s:

Arthur Russell - World of Echo
Mogwai - Young Team
Susanna and the Magical Orchestra - 3
Ulrich Schnauss and Jonas Munk - Passage


The 6XX’s are more intimate, and after a few late night listening sessions in the dark I began to really appreciate the accuracy in their central imaging. I think they do central imaging a little better than the Q701’s, but overall I would approximate the imaging to be about 90-95% of the Q701’s, but with a smaller soundstage. The overall tone is a little darker, and is reminiscent to late night radio. I have heard others describe the sensation as “your head being the microphone”, which I would tend to agree with, it’s pleasant. Through the Aune X1, recordings with bass emphasis could become a little bloomy. Through the Matrix this is a non-issue. The highs are a little more rolled off, still sound very nice, and may be preferred to those who are sensitive to high frequencies. The mids are absolutely stunning, highly detailed, and are superior to the Q701, though can be a little forward in recordings that already have good vocal separation.

(I don’t have any album picks for these yet)


Overall, I think either headphone is a great choice. The 6XX is more likely to get any particular recording right, while the Q701’s does a very, very good job with recordings that fall in its wheelhouse. I would highly recommend looking into the M-Stage amp/dac for either headphone!

 

[D00MSHARK]

I have the HD 6XX's as well, great headphone running off a Schiit Jotunheim. And it's a very slippery slope, I also have a couple of TOTL IEMs and recently auditioned the Focal Clear.

I have heard the Jot is a good pairing. I am currently looking for a new amp and will keep it in consideration

 

[D00MSHARK]

New here! Used to be an aspiring stereo guy.

New place doesnt accomodate stereos, tried a pair of used headphones and some basic dacs, and wow, now i understand.

I feel the itch again, but i wont scratch it as much now!

I love PRAT!

Welcome!
Where I live we only have one hi-fi shop, and they focus on speakers. Sure, it's nice to stand in front of a good pair of electrostatics, but currently a little out of my budget until I turn my recent degree into meaningful work placement. I have found this site a great resource for those of us who are not able to try before we buy, or even to narrow down selections for auditioning!

 

[NovaFlyer]

I have heard the Jot is a good pairing. I am currently looking for a new amp and will keep it in consideration

Jude did a review a couple of years ago on the Jot - that was a key input on my purchase and the Jot is my first desktop amp.



My next step is a balance cable for my HD6XX. When I was at CanJam NYC last month, the Schiit team had me compare balanced and unbalanced cables. Even at the show with lots of ambient noise, I could tell a difference.

 

[fordy]

Absolutely, here’s the quick and dirty.

First I should note that my set up is a little on the budget side, and after having to opportunity to hear both headphones through a Matrix M-Stage DAC/amp I am currently looking to upgrade to this unit. While the Q701’s improved, the change in the 6XX was absolutely breathtaking. Unfortunately my experience with the m-stage is a fleeting memory, and I wouldn’t be able to do justice in describing the changes. I am currently using and older Aune X1 DAC/amp, or a fiioX1 -> 2X9V battery JDS cmoy (mostly for AKG’s as it’s a definite compromise with the 6XX). It should be noted that I have been using the Q701’s for many years and it is a familiar, comfortable sound to me. I have only had the 6XX’s for a few weeks. Also note that I am no expert, and this is how the headphones sound to me in particular.


The Q701’s have a much wider soundstage and in my opinion better imaging. Bass on the 701’s is a sweet spot for me. It’s not overly present but it is well detailed and shaped, quite enjoyable and dynamic. Highs are pleasant and detailed, and really bring out natural sounds such as symbols. Compared to the K702, which I have a little experience with, it seems that they shifted the headphones range ever so slightly to emphasize the low end. The mids are mixed in well, and to my ears nothing is overly present or emphasized. I think these do very well with analog instruments or recordings that take advantage of their soundstage, specifically with sweeps and movements across it (Modern compositional, ambient electronic, etc). A good representation of "in the room sound".

Note: Over 4-5 years of owning the Q701’s I have had to re-solder 2 different connections, and the unit is showing early signs of needing more work. That being said at times I was a little rough on them (in the sense that I would gently position them at the top of my backpack while travelling to uni, so I could use them while I studied).

A few albums I thoroughly enjoyed on the Q701’s:

Arthur Russell - World of Echo
Mogwai - Young Team
Susanna and the Magical Orchestra - 3
Ulrich Schnauss and Jonas Munk - Passage


The 6XX’s are more intimate, and after a few late night listening sessions in the dark I began to really appreciate the accuracy in their central imaging. I think they do central imaging a little better than the Q701’s, but overall I would approximate the imaging to be about 90-95% of the Q701’s, but with a smaller soundstage. The overall tone is a little darker, and is reminiscent to late night radio. I have heard others describe the sensation as “your head being the microphone”, which I would tend to agree with, it’s pleasant. Through the Aune X1, recordings with bass emphasis could become a little bloomy. Through the Matrix this is a non-issue. The highs are a little more rolled off, still sound very nice, and may be preferred to those who are sensitive to high frequencies. The mids are absolutely stunning, highly detailed, and are superior to the Q701, though can be a little forward in recordings that already have good vocal separation.

(I don’t have any album picks for these yet)


Overall, I think either headphone is a great choice. The 6XX is more likely to get any particular recording right, while the Q701’s does a very, very good job with recordings that fall in its wheelhouse. I would highly recommend looking into the M-Stage amp/dac for either headphone!

thanks for taking the time for that well thought out and detailed response. Sounds like the AKG's may be worth revisiting after I've had some time on the 6xx. Cheers.

 

[fordy]

My Grado SR325e have just landed. First impressions straight onto my Hugo 2 fed by a Roon to a CCA are that they have a forward and very energetic sound that is properly in your face. First album on is Depeche Mode's Speak and Spell and the experience is extremely enjoyable. I am listening all the way through and the world has stopped. Great texture on these early synth sounds that I've never heard before. Superb drive despite bass being only adequate but the overall experience so far after 30 mins can be summed up with the word "Vital".

Just initial impressions but clearly these are going to be great fun. Delighted.

 

[fordy]

A couple of hours later, my Massdrop x Sennheiser HD6xx arrived so it's been a most interesting day swapping headphones. Much running in on both to come of course but so far there elements of both I like.

 

[Lemarchand]

Greetings lads,

I am a new member not very familiar with headphones yet. I own AKG 240s with Audient ID14 and seek help for the next step(s).


Chris

 

[astalaphista]

Hello! I'm a new member since today.
Headphones lover, my best one is a modded HE-6, and I'm using too Fostex TH900 and Hifiman HE-500
I have several headphones amplifiers, Audio-gd HE-9 and Halgorythme (french vacuum amplifier) with 300B Mesh Emission Labs, favorite on HE-6. I have an Audio-gd nfb-1amp wired to HE-500 on second installation.
A-gd HE-9 used also as preamplifier.
Sources are all on PC / Windows.
Main dac is a Soekris 1101 with 2x Furutech FP901 RCA (diy). It increases very much sound quality. Uptone Regen USB with Ifi Ipower 9v.
Neotech UP OCC copper cables everywhere (usb, rca and xlr), monofilament rectangular section.
I want to buy a Soekris 1541, because I need 2 outputs RCA and XLR. RCA to Halgorythme, and XLR to HE-9. My 1101 will replace my secondary dac = Encore Mdsd.
I have seen 2 offers on HeadFi for a 1541

 

[serman005]

Big 300B fan here. Love the sound of that tube, Welcome aboard, @astalaphista!!

 

[astalaphista]

Thanks serman005! Yes, I have listen to 211, KT88, 10Y, but 300B Mesh are very good on mids, vocals, cellos, violins... Recently I have replaced JJ 6SN7/preamp by Brimar CV1988. Its sounds different with it.