[alexdemaet]

Would it be possible to reterminate a single ended Joseph Grado Signature Ultra-Wide Bandwidth Reference (JGSUWBR) Cable to (balanced) XLR?
Recently I reterminated the BlackGold (HeadPhile) single ended to XLR.
I asked Drew from Moon Audio and he is pretty sure the Joseph Grado Signature Ultra-Wide Bandwidth Reference (JGSUWBR) Cable is balanced.

From Killercrush: "Yes it can be done but only with a 4-pin XLR I think, not sure about two 3-pin XLRs."

 

[FallenAngel]

No reason not to, both 4-pin XLR and 3-pin XLR, won't make a difference. I wouldn't pay anybody over $20 (plus cost of connectors) for the 5 minute job either.

 

[alexdemaet]

I would like to plug the Hp-2 into a balanced amp. So I need to reterminate the Hp-2 cable from single ended to balanced XLR.
I am sure it makes a difference, like I heard a major improvement with the GS1000 (from unbalanced to balanced).

 

[FallenAngel]

So what's the problem?

Any cable builder / diyer can easily reterminate a headphone, it takes no more than 5 minutes.

 

[alexdemaet]

Not all cables are balanced. I found out that the BlackGold cable is balanced, which means you don't have to recable the cable to go from balanced to single ended. Now I need to find out if the "Joseph Grado Signature Ultra-Wide Bandwidth Reference cable" is balanced also.

 

[FallenAngel]

I would say almost all cables are "balanced", some very cheap headphones are not, but it's almost guaranteed that any headphones over $50 will have separate wired grounds for left/right. For a headphone cable to to be "balanced" it means that there are 4 wires (Left +, Left -, Right + & Right -) all the way down to the connector. Some cheap headphone cables run a single wire for Ground (signal -) until the "Y-Split" or for single-entry headphones all the way up to the driver, but this is rare. You're pretty much guaranteed to have all quality headphones with as you say "balanced" cables.

 

[nikongod]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexdemaet /img/forum/go_quote.gif Not all cables are balanced. I found out that the BlackGold cable is balanced, which means you don't have to recable the cable to go from balanced to single ended. Now I need to find out if the "Joseph Grado Signature Ultra-Wide Bandwidth Reference cable" is balanced also.

The JGSUWBRC has 4 conductors.

Get it re-terminated in a single 4-pin XLR, and get an adapter to go to 2X3-pin. the single 4-pin looks much bettter when you are plugging into a single ended amp.

 

[grandenigma1]

Yes, you absolutely can reterminate the UWBR cable... and any Grado for that matter to balanced. The 4pin XLR is a nice choice as you could then simply get a 4pin to 2x3pin XLR for balanced operation and have someone use the stock UWBR 1/4" plug section to make a 4pin to 1/4" adapter for you so you can also use it single ended. A significant part of the value of your headphones is in that cable so whatever you choose be careful.

 

[Killercrush]

Quote:

Originally Posted by frequencyhz /img/forum/go_quote.gif sounds dangerous

Sure is, murdering such a cable!

 

[nikongod]

Quote:

Originally Posted by frequencyhz /img/forum/go_quote.gif sounds dangerous

my HP-2 came with a radio-shack 1/8" gold plug (What?)

My retermination was no-risk, all reward

 

[alexdemaet]

I received the Grado Hp-2 this morning!
I have never heard a headphone as good as the Hp-2! I wonder
how it will sound when I reterminate the cable to balanced XLR!
The sound is so natural and the bass is so tight.
Some people find the Hp-2 uncomfortable. I found out that they are wrong!
The Hp-2 (to me) is equally comfortable as the GS1000.
Maybe they mean that the Hp-2 is not as flexible as the Gs1000 to fit it on your head and
to put it away. The headband is quite hard and the Hp-2 weights more the the Gs1000.
To give you an example of really uncomfortable headphones: Ultrasone Ed. 9!

 

[alexdemaet]

Too bad I can't reterminate the cable myself to 2x 3-pin XLR balanced and I don't know anyone close to me who can reterminate it for me. This means I will have to pay 2x shipping charge of $45 USD. Total of retermination ($40), Furutech plugs ($132), and shipping ($90) will cost me +/- $262 USD.

 

[DoubleEs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexdemaet /img/forum/go_quote.gif Edit........Recently I reterminated the BlackGold (HeadPhile) single ended to XLR......

Can I ask who re-terminated the BlackGold cable to XLR for you, was it Larry at Headphile or someone here at Head-Fi?

 

[alexdemaet]

I have sent my BlackGold GS1000 to Drew at Moon-Audio.

 

[DoubleEs]

Thanks, looking to have one of my cans re-terminated to XLR but can't decide if it's going to be the K701 or the Deep Darth....