replacement cable for my senn 650

[klenkar]

Hello!
I'm up for a pair of replacment cables.....wich should i buy?
1. Equinox
2. Cardas
3. Zu Mobius
4. ?????

dom

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

You should buy a new pair of headphones.

It's not worth the $200. Try a used pair of MS2i.

That said, I've always been enamoured with the Silver Dragon v2.

 

[vcoheda]

if your other equipment is reasonably good, a cable upgrade would be the next step to get the most from your headphones.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Zu and Silver Dragon change Senns the most, adding brightness and details.
Equinox from what I've read just enhances Senns the way they are.
Cardas does not pair very well with HD650.
Also check this
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=243085

 

[Gradofan2]

As you will see in hundreds of other posts... the Zu is great with the HD650's... but, they probably do even better with a solid silver cable. I think I may prefer the Headphile Senn v2 Black Silver to the Zu - more balanced sound, with maybe a bit better detail and highs. So... I believe I'd go with it, or the Silver Dragon v2 (a more elegant look at a price), or the RAL Cryo Silver cable.

But... a set up with the right "synergy" with the HD650's is far more important to improving their sound (e.g. Monarchy M24 DAC, GL or XCAN v3, silver interconnects, etc. - see other posts).

 

[klenkar]

I currently have a Corda prehead MKII SE and a Primare cd21.......soon to be exchanged for a Audionet top loader.
dd

 

[klenkar]

I almost came across a pair of Headphile v2.....miniplug? Would the loss in sound quality be enormous if I were to use an adapter?

dom

 

[nelamvr6]

I like the sound of my Cardas, but I haven't auditioned any of the other choices posted.

 

[Gradofan2]

I don't know whether the deterioration in SQ, when using an adapter, is so great that you would notice it, or not.

My personal preference would be to get one with the standard 1/4" plug. A new one is not that much more expensive - about $125, I think. And... I've known others who upgraded their cable to the 1/4" plug from the combo 1/8 to 1/4 plug, for that reason.

While I think the Headphile Senn v2 is a good cable, I think I would prefer a Silver Dragon v2, or RAL Cryo Silver (with black cover, not the pink cover) - these both look like much more substantial cables, and I suspect they sound better also. Unfortunately... they're much more expensive.

I'm thinking of upgrading from the Senn v2 Black Silver for that reason.

 

[Stoney]

Try the Latest Cardas Cable

I've heard some of those cables, a few of which are bright and flat sounding. Sure, the detail is forced at you, but the bloom of music is missing.

I recommend the latest version of the Cardas Cable. It is gray in color. Make sure that is the one you receive. It has a much better balance, including a very precise and low-distortion treble, lovely midrange, and believable musicality. It is also even more supple and the best handling cable I've seen.

On the HD650, it sounds great without hyping any frequency range; but if you want to sound more like the very detailed closed phones from Sony and Audio-Technica, just pop out the foam from each earpiece. The surround pops out with gentle force, and the foam just lifts out. I am enjoying my 650's with this configuration like never before. Better than getting a new amp!

 

[senny-ftw]

You should buy a new pair of headphones. It's not worth the $200.

I respectfully disagree... Zu Mobius adds so much detail and clarity - to me, the 600/650 are nothing without them. I haven't tried any other cables so I can't say it's better than any other - except that it's WAY better than the stock cable.

I bought my Zu used from the FS/Trade forums - that way, it's a lot less money to justify on a piece of wire

 

[4N6]

Another vote for Silver Dragons. I have those and the Equinox and while both improved the sound, the SD's seemed to do just a little better. As previously mentioned, more air, better treble response without excess sibilance, tight, tuneful bass. The HD650's with the balanced SD are now my favorite overall headphone, where before they were simply just "good."

 

[Gradofan2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoney /img/forum/go_quote.gif Try the Latest Cardas Cable I've heard some of those cables, a few of which are bright and flat sounding. Sure, the detail is forced at you, but the bloom of music is missing. I recommend the latest version of the Cardas Cable. It is gray in color. Make sure that is the one you receive. It has a much better balance, including a very precise and low-distortion treble, lovely midrange, and believable musicality. It is also even more supple and the best handling cable I've seen. On the HD650, it sounds great without hyping any frequency range; but if you want to sound more like the very detailed closed phones from Sony and Audio-Technica, just pop out the foam from each earpiece. The surround pops out with gentle force, and the foam just lifts out. I am enjoying my 650's with this configuration like never before. Better than getting a new amp!

The Cardas does sound good, especially with the HD600's - it may be the best with those.

But the HD650's really must have the Zu, or solid silver cables to sound it's best.

And... the grey Cardas does look better than the blue Cardas... but it is the same cable, except for the color of the cover.

 

[Stoney]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradofan2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif And... the grey Cardas does look better than the blue Cardas... but it is the same cable, except for the color of the cover.

Well, the recent Cardas cable which happens to be gray is far superior to my previous (over 2-year-old) Cardas cable which happened to be blue. Perhaps the change in production was accompanied by a change in color, probably so, but I can't be sure. I am certain, though, that they are different cables. I've heard more than one of each, and done bypass tests... it is different indeed, and head-and-shoulders better.

As for "getting better headphones," I am fond of the HD650 at the price, and prefer it to the K701 in part due to the latter's inaccurate treble. But, I am acutely aware of the limitations of the HD650 tonight, as I listen, even with Cardas, and the foam removed. How much I would enjoy listening to the $2500 Audio-Technica ATH-L3000, Leather by Connolly.... I just don't listen to headphones enough to justify that.

I'd love to audition the still-available Audio-Technica ATH-W1000 under controlled circumstances... Anyone in Silicon Valley have a pair to bring over, or demo at your home??

 

[kaushama]

Arrgh!!! I thought the best cable is Equinox for HD650!!! Now it seems the ZU and Zilver dragon is better.

Anyway individual taste seems to be varying a lot!