[Faust2D]

Can anyone with both of these headphones and SRM-1/MK-2 take a listen and tell me what difference in tonal balance, bass extension and over all presentation they have?

I am trying to make a decision and based on lots of reviews that I found here and on www I got the idea that the differences are very subtle.

From the construction point of view the drives and the housing are the same and only the cable if ultra-wide variety like on Omega 2, correct?

 

[krmathis]

I let someone else talk about their audible difference, since i have not heard both of them out of the SRM-1/MK2.

But I can verify that their housing and drivers are identical (unsure if the drivers in the SR-404 are tighter matched though), and that the SR-404 use the Wide format Low Capacitance PC-OCC cable.

 

[Faust2D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krmathis /img/forum/go_quote.gif I let someone else talk about their audible difference, since i have not heard both of them out of the SRM-1/MK2. But I can verify that their housing and drivers are identical (unsure if the drivers in the SR-404 are tighter matched though), and that the SR-404 use the Wide format Low Capacitance PC-OCC cable.

Thanks! The color of the pads and housing is different as well correct?

 

[milkpowder]

Yup

If you trust 6moons, they found no difference between the two. I'm not qualified to judge.

 

[Faust2D]

I don't trust 6moons.

 

[spritzer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faust2D /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't trust 6moons.

Nobody trusts them... they are good for the pretty pictures though.

 

[Faust2D]

They do have nice pictures and a lot of BS to go with them.

 

[Fitz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faust2D /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't trust 6moons.

Wisest words I've read on here in a while.

 

[spritzer]

I do enjoy their Kondo reviews because the reviewer is so lost for words when hearing the true high-end. Four kilos of silver in an amp is the minimum if you ask me.

The sad part is that Stereophile is even worse...

 

[Faust2D]

Stereophile was good, back in the day. Now it's like reading commercials.

 

[Faust2D]

I really used to like reading Audio circa late 80's early 90's. I still have a few magazine around and one of them with the price list from 1990. My Grundig CD player is listed there with a street price of $2000.

Now getting back to 303 and 404. My question is less important now since I have SR-303 coming my way. I was skeptical that out of SRM-1 the difference will be that big. If I don't like it I can alsways sell add $70 and get a 404

 

[spritzer]

The old headphone reviews were great all the way up to the Baby Orpheus and SR-Omega review in '95. Many of them were spot on and listed all the main faults even though they were using much inferior amps then we have now.

Just stick with the 303. If you have to spend 70$ get some WBT NexTgen RCA sockets, some great wire and rewire the input.

 

[Faust2D]

I got some Cardas GRFA really cheap and used them in my DAC and Amp. They are very nice, solid and hopefully will last a long time. I am thinking about installing them in SRM-1 as well if I have time.

However I find the differences to be very minor, mostly less noise and darker background and simply a better grip on cables. Stax RCAs seem to be somewhat flimsy but sill not that bad.

 

[tyre]

Faust, are you buying your 303's new or used? And how much did they cost (if you don't mind telling)? I'm also planning on getting a pair eventually, or possibly the 202's depending on cost.

 

[Duggeh]

I love the 202s, if the 303 or 404 is better, then joy.

Personally, I think that the 202 is the best looking of the three.