[Bob A (SD)]

  Haven't looked at doing mods to my HD-600 yet, maybe others on this thread can help.  There have been some on the HD-650 thread who have been doing some mods on it but I've been too busy to really do anything with mine yet.  I also only do mods that can be reversed just in case I don't like the results of the mod.
 

 I have tried a number of the HD580/600 mods in years past such as
--quarter hole in the inner foam earpad discs
--total removal of inner foam earpad discs
--Blu-Tac damping of various amounts/degrees/locations
--various sized felt inserts between grills and back of drivers
--felt layer on top of inner foam earpad discs
 
In each case whatever positives they were supposed to bring, there were negative trade offs such that I invariably returned my cans to stock.
 
BTW the spyder trimming/removal mod is one I didn't try because, like you, I eschew any mod that can't be reversed.

 

[ColtMrFire]

Aaaaand... switching from ASIO to WASAPI helps even further reduce the harshness.  It's amazing how little random tweaks you don't really consider make a difference.

 

[_gl]

At this point I gotta step in .  I don't mean to spoil your fun, but we're all here to find the stuff that really works right?  I'm a programmer so I have a reasonable idea about this kind of technical stuff.
 
If yours is a true ASIO driver, then there is zero reason why changing from ASIO to WASAPI would make any difference, unless WASAPI is resampling the audio (or changing bit-depth) for some reason.  (I know less about WASAPI than ASIO, I've written my own ASIO wrapper driver to automatically apply room correction impulses to all ASIO output).
 
If it is that might explain the change in sound, but then it's technically less clean than ASIO.  A true ASIO driver will deliver the audio bit-identical to your interface, it doesn't get cleaner than that.  Any timing from the PC to the driver should also be irrelevant, as the card should buffer the incoming audio and then clock it out separately.

 

[ColtMrFire]

 
If yours is a true ASIO driver, then there is zero reason why changing from ASIO to WASAPI would make any difference, unless WASAPI is resampling the audio (or changing bit-depth) for some reason.  

 
Under ASIO the output in JRiver was listed as 32 bits (my DAC doesn't go higher than 24).  When I switched to WASAPI the output went to 24 bits.

 

[madwolfa]

WASAPI has the same purpose as ASIO (exclusive device access)... Assuming both work correct, there should not be discernible difference, either is bit-perfect. But, hey, whatever floats your boat!

 

[ColtMrFire]

  WASAPI has the same purpose as ASIO (exclusive device access)... Assuming both work correct, there should not be discernible difference, either is bit-perfect. 

 
My ears not hurting anymore says otherwise.  I don't think placebo is that versatile. 

 

[madwolfa]

  Under ASIO the output in JRiver was listed as 32 bits (my DAC doesn't go higher than 24).  When I switched to WASAPI the output went to 24 bits.

 
That just means ASIO driver accepts 32 bit signal (most of the times it's just 16 or 24 bits padded with 0's). WASAPI accepts whatever your device's native maximum bit-depth is.

 

[madwolfa]

  My ears not hurting anymore says otherwise.  I don't think placebo is that versatile. 

 
Dude, you just had a good night's sleep. I'd say that counts the most. 

 

[ColtMrFire]

   
Dude, you just had a good night's sleep. I'd say that counts the most. 

 
Naw, it hurt when I woke up and listened to some harsh tracks.  After the switch, it didn't anymore.

 

[madwolfa]

 
Naw, it hurt when I woke up and listened to some harsh tracks.  After the switch, it didn't anymore.

 
Good for you then. My HD600 arrives tomorrow and I can't wait to meet an old friend.

 

[yangian]

   
Good for you then. My HD600 arrives tomorrow and I can't wait to meet an old friend.

So you buy 600 again?

 

[madwolfa]

  So you buy 600 again?

 
Yep.

 

[ColtMrFire]

   
My HD600 arrives tomorrow and I can't wait to meet an old friend.

 
Excellent.
 
Another thing I love about this can is it is causing me to seek out more music, since music has become so much more enjoyable with them.  The DT880 made me listen to less music, so sterile and distant.  Anyway, I am even seeking out stuff I listened to as a teenager with crappy equipment, to listen through new ears with better equipment.  I am also adding alot more classical, stuff really shines.

 

[_gl]

   
That just means ASIO driver accepts 32 bit signal (most of the times it's just 16 or 24 bits padded with 0's).

 
Yep.  As I said, the only reason it could sound different is if WASAPI is messing with the data for some reason.

 

[ColtMrFire]

Well it can mess with it to its heart's content, as long as my ears don't hurt!