[iFi audio]

Just managed to grab a pair of barely used HD600 for a fair price, I will do a short comparative review with the Quad

Please do, recently HD 600 have been getting a lot of love on HF and other forums as well! It's always interesting to know how these cans perform against recent stuff!

 

[mobbaddict]

Please do, recently HD 600 have been getting a lot of love on HF and other forums as well! It's always interesting to know how these cans perform against recent stuff!

Yes it's quite fascinating how the HD600 keeps being discussed on many threads. Also fascinating is the fact that someone else did this comparison over 20 years ago, I'm just adding the new trending tech (planar) into the mix
https://www.stereophile.com/content...re-electrostatic-ear-speaker-wp-february-1998

 

[Beagle]

Yes it's quite fascinating how the HD600 keeps being discussed on many threads. Also fascinating is the fact that someone else did this comparison over 20 years ago, I'm just adding the new trending tech (planar) into the mix
https://www.stereophile.com/content...re-electrostatic-ear-speaker-wp-february-1998

An HD600 with a nice tube amp is all you really need. I've wasted so much money trying to get something significantly better.

 

[mobbaddict]

An HD600 with a nice tube amp is all you really need. I've wasted so much money trying to get something significantly better.

I hear you... spoiler alert: I might take that road too.

 

[fericske]

An HD600 with a nice tube amp is all you really need. I've wasted so much money trying to get something significantly better.

It's true for most headphones, inc. Era1

 

[Chris Kaoss]

Will you be able to compare the Era-1 while plugged to a tube amp?
Just for the sake of comparision.

I doubt adding extra distortion would bring a benefit to the Era, but don't know for sure. ^^

 

[mobbaddict]

Will you be able to compare the Era-1 while plugged to a tube amp?
Just for the sake of comparision.

I doubt adding extra distortion would bring a benefit to the Era, but don't know for sure. ^^

I'm actually thinking of changing my order (placed for a fiio k5 pro) to a tube amp but it doesn't make any sense for the Era-1, right? I have zero knowledge about tube amps (I just heard some during meets). I wouldn't want the Era-1 to be any more liquid if that's the main purpose of tubes, I'd rather make it more textured and drier. The Quad amp for the Era-1 is a tube amp though... Maybe i should bring those two bad boys to the shop and test by myself.

 

[Chris Kaoss]

Btw. this is the right synergy for me.

 

[fericske]

I'm actually thinking of changing my order (placed for a fiio k5 pro) to a tube amp but it doesn't make any sense for the Era-1, right? I have zero knowledge about tube amps (I just heard some during meets). I wouldn't want the Era-1 to be any more liquid if that's the main purpose of tubes, I'd rather make it more textured and drier. The Quad amp for the Era-1 is a tube amp though... Maybe i should bring those two bad boys to the shop and test by myself.

Itself the tube tech amplifying does not mean fluidy, soft sound character you get. A tube amp can be dry and analytic too like a solid amp, and can be fluidy, yes. Thats all about design.
Usually you get (hear, feel) more body and higher dynamic range with tube amps (and tube dacs too).
Hint for amp: Feliks Echo
Hint for dac: Get something simple design (no mqa b.llsh.t and other unnecessarry st.pid feature) with Philips 1541-1543 chip or PCM1794 chip.

 

[mobbaddict]

Itself the tube tech amplifying does not mean fluidy, soft sound character you get. A tube amp can be dry and analytic too like a solid amp, and can be fluidy, yes. Thats all about design.
Usually you get (hear, feel) more body and higher dynamic range with tube amps (and tube dacs too).

Thanks, it makes sense. I should probably go and see the effect by myself. On the other hand I like the HD600 as it is and would probably want to listen to both cans as uncolored as possible.

 

[iFi audio]

Also fascinating is the fact that someone else did this comparison over 20 years ago

I wouldn't be surprised if in 20 years from now we are still reading about the HD 600!

 

[mobbaddict]

I wouldn't be surprised if in 20 years from now we are still reading about the HD 600!

I think so too. Based on my experience with the Quad (and others), planars can do silly tricks that no dynamic can pull off (mainly the big full soundstage and the liquid sound) but it's amazing what a smart dynamic design like the HD600 can do in terms of tonal accuracy. I think many people here don't realize how much each technology has its own sound and why they will probably never find the qualities of those dynamics in a planar, and vice-versa. It can become a never-ending quest, until someone comes up with the perfect technology.

 

[Chris Kaoss]

That's the big problem with.
I'm in the mood to try out some other well known headphones.
Heading for HD58x or HD6xx, want to try Elex (Clear again), the new HEDDphone for sure.
But will never raise a fund greater then 2k for a headphone.
Why to stick with one in that value while there're so many cheaper good ones out there?

The Era will be my pivot point for my further journeys.

 

[mobbaddict]

That's the big problem with.
I'm in the mood to try out some other well known headphones.
Heading for HD58x or HD6xx, want to try Elex (Clear again), the new HEDDphone for sure.
But will never raise a fund greater then 2k for a headphone.
Why to stick with one in that value while there're so many cheaper good ones out there?

The Era will be my pivot point for my further journeys.

Depends on what kind of headphone, i can understand people spending 5k in the Abyss for instance, as it's pretty unique. Personally I'd be scared to use a 2-3k headphone
If that helps I will give you my opinion of the Sennheiser versus the Quad when I get my amp. I have the feeling the Quad will benefit the most from better amplification.

 

[Chris Kaoss]

The improvement will be hugh.
Proper amplification is a must have for the most planars. The quad isn't an exception.
But it plays well with lower sources also.
Will heading to a shop in munich next week to try out some new stuff with the R28 on hand.

The journey never ends.
But it has to be reasonable, imo.