Questions from a total newbie

[WinterRain]

This might be a 'duh' question for you folks but for a total newbie like myself your answers would be like 'wisdom of the masters'

I have a Panasonic SL-SX500 portable cd player that I don't want to part ways with (due to its sentimental value, long story).

This is like ancient Greek to me but this might help you help me.
The specs of my porta cd player:
Freq Res : 20-20000Hz ( + 0.5dB, -1.5dB )
Output Volt : 0.6V (50 kiloOhms)
S/N : More than 96 dB
Wow and flutter : below measurable limit
DA Converter : 1 bit, MASH
Headphones output level : Max. 9mW+9mW/16 Ohms (variable)

I bought a Sennheiser HD495 but had to return it because my ol' porta cd player was at max volume and the dang headphone still didn't sound like $150(Canadian). The guy at the store said it was because my player was pumping just 16 Ohms to the 32 Ohm-headphones. I couldn't argue because for a while I thought he was a lecturer from NASA, all the tech stuff he threw at me sounded like space science. I am a total newbie, remember?

I read about Grado SR60 and SR80 and a number of AKG's on the web. But I wonder if my player can drive them.

Now, I want to get a decent set of headphones, preferably circum-aural (I just learned this term and it sounds good I have to use it, he he he...) because the subway can really get loud and rattle one's braincells. I also want to get the best cheap* headphone amp.
* I understand they don't sell them at the all-for-a-dollar store

Oh, before I forget, I have a newbie's budget as well.

There... so, please, all input, tips, pointers, warnings, words of wisdom are greatly appreciated.

Gracias.

 

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

Well if you get a headphone amp, you can drive most headphones easily so the question is, are you going to be always using the headphone amp or just sometimes?

Biggie.

 

[Eagle_Driver]

WinterRain, if you don't mind crappy build quality, look for the Sennheiser HD 2n2's (but note that they're also 32 ohms). The 495's are low-impedance, low-sensitivity headphones that are best used with a good amp.

As for 16-ohm headphones, except for the very pricey (and discontinued) Sony MDR-F1's (which are 12 ohms), the only such very-low-impedance headphones that are currently manufactured are the in-ear (bud-type) Sonys (as well as earbuds from a few other Japanese brands) - but most of them sound horrid.

 

[WinterRain]

I will be using the h/p amp almost all the time.

What brand/model of headphones and amp pair would you recommend?

 

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

Now you need to tell us what your price range is.

After that, your likely to get a ton of helpful replies. Everyone here is nice (strange for a message board imo).

Biggie.

 

[WinterRain]

Now you need to tell us what your price range is.

My price range? Uh-oh... ummm... 'kay, US$130 (Can$200) for both h/p and h/p amp? I know we're not talking Happy Meal here, I ain't cheap, it's just that I am in Canada, the government takes 50% off my paycheck and when I spend what's left, they take 15% more. Government said the extortion (err.. taxation) is for maintaining and building facilities like the all famous Health Care System. I was rushed to the hospital emergency room last month, had to wait gazillions of hours before a nurse attended to me. Almost died

. Now, the hospital said they were short staffed. Where did the foxing money go? Grrrr... Okay, sorry, I got carried away, it happens to me all the time. Where were we? Oh... headphones. So, yeah, I hope US$130 can get me the toys.

Thanks, folks, you're all super.

 

[BDA_ABAT]

The saying goes something like this. "Welcome to Head-Fi! Sorry about your wallet."

Headphone suggestion: start cheap but decent and then start saving what little money you have for future headphone and amp purchases. Say, Senn 500MX at < $20US or Koss KSC 35 for ~ $30US or the Koss KSC 50 ~$20US. Grado 60 are great cans for portables but tip the price scales at ~$70US. Unfortunately, all of the above are open design (except the Senn)... meaning sound will leak in AND out.

Amp suggestion: Contact JMT for a DIY amp that will work great.

For true portable bliss, Etymotic work well for many folks. They isolate a great deal (so you don't notice the bus/train/airplane noises). But even the ER6 will set you back ~ $120US. The ER4P are amazing but are also ~$270US. I've had both and LOVE the sound of the ER4 + JMT amp!!!

Good luck!

Bruce

 

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

Hey winter, do you work in down town toronto? Tomorrow is my last day at Royal Bank (co-op) but if you hurry you could check out what a headphone amp does for sound. Private message me before friday if you care hehe.

Biggie.