Penchum
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2006
- Posts
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- 31
Quote:
Thanks for your kind words Sennsay,
From time to time, we have to look back over what we have done, so that others who only want to do a few things, have something to go on. I think you are very correct about the 600ohm vs 300ohm Senns. I think this has tripped up a few folks who own the older, higher ohms Senns.
I also agree with you on the DAC section choice for a neutral sound. I feel this is very important for both the DAC output to a separate amp, and the internal headphone amp. PP and I have tossed many an email back and forth on this subject, with the "neutral" device always winning the day.
There will always be a portion of the readership that feels a colored properly Opamp or HDAM is the superior way to go, for their setup. I say "more power too you guys" and then I make sure I have my "earth" plugged into the DAC and smile.
SQ is where you "hear" it, not where others tell you it exists. To put a finer point on it, everyone here is looking for digital that sounds like serious analog, with the better digital properties built in. They may not even realize this because they have never heard excellent analog. This shouldn't shock anyone too much. It isn't a digital vs analog thing. It is simply the hunt for the best of both worlds, on a budget. I say, "we win" on all accounts, thanks to the little and mighty Zero. (and a couple of easy mods)
| Originally Posted by sennsay /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi Pench, very nice to have some nice simple clarity from someone who has done the research over many hours and with multiple combinations and trained ears! Refreshing after last night's nonsense, though the comment on the LT1115 was a hoot. Not the sort of conversation I can be in the least bit bothered with. I am thoroughly enjoying the Senn 650s! What a treat to have such a fine musical instrument in the home, so revealing, yet involving and fulfilling to listen with. You don't listen TO them. They've enabled me to clearly hear the results of a simple test today, as I took the Earth HDAM out of KHA and popped the twin LT1028s back in after a good warm up. Well, they certainly are pleasant to listen with in circuit, but really quite coloured in that position. Nice, though full and soft in the bass, lacking the easy dynamics of the HDAM, but definitely rolled off in the top, enough to restrict dynamics and cloud a whole level of top end air - sounding just a little sat-upon. Having such a neutral DAC ahead of it (with HDAM Earth) makes the "sound" of op-amps blatantly obvious through the Senns. On restoring the Earth to it's rightful position in KHA, all those natural bass dynamics and extended, natural sounding top end air was restored, easy to hear how even the HDAM is. Then there's the midrange, space, focus, more real human presence. Ultimately, no contest. Op-amps - ok to VG (including LT1057 [hmmph! ho hum IMO], LT1028, OPA2134, OPA2064, OPA627AUs [impressive, but definitely not neutral in this position]; HDAM Earth - fabulous! Very easy to hear with great cans through a transparent amp and neutral source.
Plus, I have to agree on the 1364s in the Zero's amp, with the 650s they really are rather good, now that they have run well in. I never really liked them with the HD540s, maybe it's the 600 versus 300 ohm cans. All IMHO, of course.
Much appreciation for the balanced viewpoint, Pench.
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Thanks for your kind words Sennsay,
From time to time, we have to look back over what we have done, so that others who only want to do a few things, have something to go on. I think you are very correct about the 600ohm vs 300ohm Senns. I think this has tripped up a few folks who own the older, higher ohms Senns.
I also agree with you on the DAC section choice for a neutral sound. I feel this is very important for both the DAC output to a separate amp, and the internal headphone amp. PP and I have tossed many an email back and forth on this subject, with the "neutral" device always winning the day.
There will always be a portion of the readership that feels a colored properly Opamp or HDAM is the superior way to go, for their setup. I say "more power too you guys" and then I make sure I have my "earth" plugged into the DAC and smile.
SQ is where you "hear" it, not where others tell you it exists. To put a finer point on it, everyone here is looking for digital that sounds like serious analog, with the better digital properties built in. They may not even realize this because they have never heard excellent analog. This shouldn't shock anyone too much. It isn't a digital vs analog thing. It is simply the hunt for the best of both worlds, on a budget. I say, "we win" on all accounts, thanks to the little and mighty Zero. (and a couple of easy mods)
