[jonathan c]

I have owned the HD660's, the HD6XX's (twice) the HD58X's, the HD600's (twice) and even the HD598c's. I never hated or even disliked any of them. I just never loved any of them. And I went through a ton of amps.

Now a small part of me wonders if # 8 could be the one.

…. now, what part of the wallet thinks that way too? ….

 

[Rob80b]

I have owned the HD660's, the HD6XX's (twice) the HD58X's, the HD600's (twice) and even the HD598c's. I never hated or even disliked any of them. I just never loved any of them. And I went through a ton of amps.

Now a small part of me wonders if # 8 could be the one.

Sounds familiar, and until someone pinches me or crashes the party the S2 are turning out to be the cat's meow.

 

[bagwell359]

I agree with Jupiter on filters. The OG HE-6 and HE-500 both came with filters, and virtually all removed in the existing ones in favor of other mods and EQ.

The problem with say absorption that covers say 3.5-20k, and the problem areas are 6-8k and 11k, you are filtering out stuff like music, not just some CSD or FR issues in discrete areas, that can be treated in a more pinpoint manner. Same in rooms with too much uniform absorption or reflection. You are then adding or subtracting which alters the signal.

 

[jonathan c]

Your spouses must be having a time of their life, watching you meticulously taking care of your gear **
Yes, love can change a guy. In this case love of headphones

Just kidding. No offence intended.

** …. and I like to look at / read Frank’s Electron Tube Data Sheets [https://frank.pocnet.net] …. at least it’s not T&A porn …. EDIT: but it is Tubes & Amps …

 

[bagwell359]

I keep mine on stands, covered by (cotton, not poly) hand towels, but really do appreciate your protection. Guess I’ll have to get some HiFi Spray Smell.

I keep them in a sealed pastic bin w/ some drying capsules to deal with any sweat left over. I don't like opening and closing headphone cases (unless hard plastic) because anything related to paper, cardboard, veneer, and clasping all wear out, and take up a lot of room.

Cooking fumes/oils/dust are really bad for anything with a mylar driver due to the delicacy of the driver, and the potent magnets. Haven't seen it in headphones (yet), but several times on mylar drivers in ML and Maggie speakers. Not good.

 

[bagwell359]

Your spouses must be having a time of their life, watching you meticulously taking care of your gear
Yes, love can change a guy. In this case love of headphones

Just kidding. No offence intended.

I've been married for 34.5 years, we don't pay attention to each other as we did B.C. (aka before kids), one of the advantages of families, LTR and age. Now if I could be 22 again physically and retain the rest of it? Yes sir... youth is too good to be wasted on the young!

 

[bagwell359]

Simple set-up for streaming and CD the Cambridge CXN V2....... balanced to the Bryston BHA-1.
It has always been known the HD600 and 650 scale very well, but the 150ohm HD660S appear to sound quite similar on most gear so it wasn't really something I gave much thought to until now. : )

I borrowed @SilverEars BHA-1 and un-modded BHC after having my Rag 1 for like 2.5 years, and in terms of realistic sound: BHC, BHA, Rag 1 (rough tie with Rag 1 and BHA a bit better on details and treble, Rag with a certain potency. But both were laid out by the BHC IMO. Later I got my hands on a V-281, and that seemed better than both other SS's, but still somehow lacking: soundstage, harmonics, and a bit more umph from 35-70 Hz,

Have you tried any OTL amps with any Senn 6** and 8**? Thanks.

 

[SilverEars]

I borrowed @SilverEars BHA-1 and un-modded BHC after having my Rag 1 for like 2.5 years, and in terms of realistic sound: BHC, BHA, Rag 1 (rough tie with Rag 1 and BHA a bit better on details and treble, Rag with a certain potency. But both were laid out by the BHC IMO. Later I got my hands on a V-281, and that seemed better than both other SS's, but still somehow lacking: soundstage, harmonics, and a bit more umph from 35-70 Hz,

Have you tried any OTL amps with any Senn 6** and 8**? Thanks.

660 series, not OTL friendly. I guess unless you go with something with low output impedance OTL like Zana Deux or something.

That's the thing 300 ohm series has over the 660 series, being able to use BHC.

 

[bagwell359]

660 series, not OTL friendly. I guess unless you go with something with low output impedance OTL like Zana Deux or something.

That's the thing 300 ohm series has over the 660 series, being able to use BHC.

Ahhh... thanks for that.

 

[rostak]

Hi guys,

Been reading about these cans for a while and ordered them for delivery tomorrow. Can’t wait to try them out!

Anyone tried them with HDV820? (sorry if it’s been discussed, I’ve only had limited time to browse this thread haha). I’m hoping for good synergy… I’m planning to use my Chord TT2 as a DAC > HDV820 and connect the phones with the pentaconn cable. I remember the balanced cable made a significant difference to the HD800S when I used them with HDV820 a few years ago.

Also, how many hours of burn-in do you reckon these require?

 

[Rob80b]

Anyone tried them with HDV820?

post 1723

 

[Shane D]

…. now, what part of the wallet thinks that way too? ….

My partner explained to me recently that I don't need any more head-fi gear at all, ever.

So, I just bought a big screen TV and am now searching phones as our two are five years old.

She is now probably now wishing that I would "just" buy a set of headphones. Of course those words will never leave her lips.

 

[ericpalonen]

Hi guys,

Been reading about these cans for a while and ordered them for delivery tomorrow. Can’t wait to try them out!

Anyone tried them with HDV820? (sorry if it’s been discussed, I’ve only had limited time to browse this thread haha). I’m hoping for good synergy… I’m planning to use my Chord TT2 as a DAC > HDV820 and connect the phones with the pentaconn cable. I remember the balanced cable made a significant difference to the HD800S when I used them with HDV820 a few years ago.

Also, how many hours of burn-in do you reckon these require?

Full disclosure I'm with the brand but use HDV 820 all day most days. First of all congratulations and welcome to the #HD660S2Club! The HDV 820 has very clean and even gain. It actually pairs quite nicely with the 660S2 because it is not imparting any additional flavor on a set of cans that already have a distinct flavor. I listen to them balanced and think they play well with this amp because of the above reasons but also the 300 ohm impedance -- the backdrop is pitch black. This lends to quite a punchy and engaging listen. What other cans are in your collection (I'm assuming the 800S)? That might help me fill in the blanks until they arrive. When A/B'ing them to my 800S (also balanced, 4.4mm), I notice a competitive level of detail from the 660S2 (but of course with a different sound stage) and a thicker image in the center. This makes drums and vocals an absolute joy on this rig.

 

[jonathan c]

My partner explained to me recently that I don't need any more head-fi gear at all, ever.

So, I just bought a big screen TV and am now searching phones as our two are five years old.

She is now probably now wishing that I would "just" buy a set of headphones. Of course those words will never leave her lips.

…. just use ‘telepathy’ to rationalise getting new headphones …. …. ….

 

[ericpalonen]

Finally I got my HD660S2 delivered. I tried them first at my workplace with xDSD Gryphon (4.4mm balanced) and compared them to my HD660S. S2 was better but I still felt a bit disappointed. There was increase in treble presence and mid bass but especially sub bass quality was not there.

Later today I tried HD660S, HD660S2 and HD800S with my HDV820. Just Wow! I was not expecting how good these S2 sound and how much they scale. And the sub bass... it is there and sounds really good. No need to EQ with these. Too early to make any comparison but I have a feeling that these are not going anywhere in many many years. I will give 660S to my son.

Congrats and welcome to the #HD660S2Club! I've got a similar setup and have also been using the Gryphon a lot since (and during) CanJam. I find it quite good with 660S2 and HDV 820 alike (both using balanced) but feel the Gryphon is a bit more polite and possibly warmer vs the HDV's squeaky clean push. Just my opinion, but moreso glad so to see others using both rigs.