Sony CD3000 Thread

[GeoffW]

  I suggest you to reterminate your CD3000 with a 4-pin XLR connector and then make an adapter to SE.  You can also go with a mini 4-pin XLR as well.  I was on the fence about this whole issue about "adapter may degrade sound" thing for several years...trust me, you will thank me later.  If you love the CD3000 for its soundstage now...you will literally be blown away by them in balanced form.  Like the R10, the CD3000 *MUST* be driven balanced to really hear its true potential.  I didn't quite fall in love with the CD3000 until I actually drove it balanced about a year ago.  I was probably one of first person who got the CD3000 recabled with dual-side entry about 10 years ago...so I do have a first hand experience about what this headphones can do in both SE and balanced configuration.  
 
Given its easy to drive nature, I can even recommend the PHA-3 for the CD3000.  I have the exact combo and it sounds really good together.  Of course a dedicated desktop balanced/amp DAC will always sound better; however, the PHA-3 does match really well with the CD3000 tone wise.  You want an amplifier that is slightly warmer to tame the CD3000's slight forward treble response...and the PHA-3 does fit the bill here.  I have heard many great things about Audio-GD product..but have never auditioned myself.  

Yeah, you’re right. Two connectors always includes both connectors in the circuit, so I’d probably always end up with the sound of both anyway, whereas with XLR termination, I only have both with a SE adapter. Two terminators is ugly too. Small, high-quality 1-pin male-female connectors for each wire would solve the whole adapter problem, but I haven’t found any. I have gone dual exit though, and I like it. Removing all the excess 18awg wiring saves a little weight, although it will come back even more again with leather. I also removed almost all the 18awg silver except for about 1/2 inch and replaced it with short segments of 3 x 20awg gold-plated copper inside the headphone, which gives me about the same clarity with better bass. That gold-plated copper is really head and shoulders above any other wire I’ve tried for the CD3K.
 
I’ve looked at the PHA-3 before and liked it, but I wonder how it would compare to SMSL M8 + SAP8 system I have. I They’re both ES9018, but the PHA3 is portable, while the M8 is really a small desktop system, and extremely clean with a dedicated power supply (P1). Of course, the PHA-3 is balanced, and  maybe that makes all the difference in sound quality. I would have to make an adapter to dual 3.5mm. I saw one on sale the other day for $600 and should have picked it up, but I don’t need mobile and charging and all that, and was worried about the SQ vs desktop. Maybe I should just wait to audition stuff at the meet. But I’ll keep my eyes open for deals on the PHA-3, as well as researching other units. You’re right about the amp warmth. I never realized how powerful the CD3K treble is until I heard it without the foam over the drivers, and I was only making things worse with silver wire.

 

[MuZo2]

@purk  I see you also  have cd1700, I think they have biocellulose drivers but coated. So a bit different from CD3000. Do they have similar sound signature like CD3K ?

 

[oqvist]

Got back my CD 3000 from repairs. Just bad cable connections. Put on the CD1000 earpads certainly fit more secure to my skull now and a bit more bite in the bass. Drawback is that the pleather get icky as it don´t breath as well but I missed them a lot. Used my LCD-2 in the interim but for racing etc they just don´t have the energy like the CD 3K do and overall for gaming I like their open nature.

 

[purk]

  @purk  I see you also  have cd1700, I think they have biocellulose drivers but coated. So a bit different from CD3000. Do they have similar sound signature like CD3K ?

The CD1700 is a bit more mellow compared to the CD3000; however, it is still one of the better sounding closed phones I've heard.  I have not tried doing a dual entry cable mod on it but I can see that it has a high potential as well.  Sony headphones from that era are all very very good.

 

[oqvist]

SA-5000 did sound a bit weird to my ears though. Hollywood low their relaunches I think Sony should do the same .

 

[GeoffW]

  Got back my CD 3000 from repairs. Just bad cable connections. Put on the CD1000 earpads certainly fit more secure to my skull now and a bit more bite in the bass. Drawback is that the pleather get icky as it don´t breath as well but I missed them a lot. Used my LCD-2 in the interim but for racing etc they just don´t have the energy like the CD 3K do and overall for gaming I like their open nature.

It definitely has more treble energy than the LCD-2, which can add alot of excitement to explosions etc. I think more detail as well. But I'm not sure if it can compete with the LCD-2 in bass. The CD3K bass is very tight high-quality (if recabled), but sometimes it seems like it doesn't get that last bit of extension in the deep sub-bass, maybe below 20Hz, which shows up in some movies and orchestral passages with deep, heavy bass drums. Only the very deepest bass though. I wonder if there's a mod to help pick up the deepest tactile sub-bass. My heavy gauge cables have done a great job of extending and enriching bass overall, but there's a last bit that's still missing. May not be possible.

 

[purk]

  SA-5000 did sound a bit weird to my ears though. Hollywood low their relaunches I think Sony should do the same .

Same thing with the SA5000, it is a much better headphones once recabled.  I have one too and recabling job on it is much easier than others.  You can hardwire the cable to the driver.

 

[oqvist]

  It definitely has more treble energy than the LCD-2, which can add alot of excitement to explosions etc. I think more detail as well. But I'm not sure if it can compete with the LCD-2 in bass. The CD3K bass is very tight high-quality (if recabled), but sometimes it seems like it doesn't get that last bit of extension in the deep sub-bass, maybe below 20Hz, which shows up in some movies and orchestral passages with deep, heavy bass drums. Only the very deepest bass though. I wonder if there's a mod to help pick up the deepest tactile sub-bass. My heavy gauge cables have done a great job of extending and enriching bass overall, but there's a last bit that's still missing. May not be possible.

My CD3K go deep but the LCD-2 certainly have more energy down low. I don´t have any hearing at 10 hz I believe so I have a hard time judge which goes lower it´s more a question of volume It´s not as much explosions dunno which is more exciting but V6, V8s, V10s V12s sounds better and more aggressive on the CD 3K

 

[beowulf]

Hi everyone,
 
Been away for a while and I just recently noticed that my CD3000 (which I stored and haven't been using in a long time) are in even worse condition. The only problem is the pleather of the headband and the support strap, which is dissolving more and more. (I have replacement pads, that's fine).
 
I tried them on and they sound amazingly good, I just love that huge soundstage, truly spectacular. It's a waste I'm not using them.
 
So I'm pondering on either repairing them professionally using some real leather or in alternative, sell them and try to buy some closed cans that have a really good soundstage too.
 
Any opinions on what is smarter or where to repair them? (I'm in Europe)
 
Thx

PS: Heard about the cheap NVX XPT100 having a really good soundstage. Anyone tried them?

 

[Bush]

Hi beowulf,
 
what you describe is a classical problem of this series of headphones (MDR CD 750/850/950/1000/3000).
This question has already been asked, and, to my knowledge, there are no professional services to handle this kind of repair. There have been many attempts to repair the headband, and some of them are really very nice and robust, but they need a great deal of manual ability and patience.
Since many CD3000 owners have the same problem, maybe one day we could find someone who will understand that there is some business to do, and will propose his (or her) skills to repair many CD3000.
Meanwhile you can search for a brand new (or at least in good condition) headband on the internet (sometimes you may find some : see http://www.head-fi.org/t/478542/fs-sony-mdr-sa5000-and-mdr-cd3000-both-are-sold) and try to replace them yourself. Or you can take parts from other headphones of the series (750/850/950 ...) and use them as replacement parts for the CD3000.
You also can try to buy another pair in better condition than yours on ebay (or elsewhere).
But if you choose to replace them with some other closed cans, you have to know that you probably will be disappointed (except if you are lucky enough to buy some MDR R10).
So before deciding to replace them, just think twice !
Good luck.
 
Regards.

 

[beowulf]

  Hi beowulf,
 
what you describe is a classical problem of this series of headphones (MDR CD 750/850/950/1000/3000).
This question has already been asked, and, to my knowledge, there are no professional services to handle this kind of repair. There have been many attempts to repair the headband, and some of them are really very nice and robust, but they need a great deal of manual ability and patience.
Since many CD3000 owners have the same problem, maybe one day we could find someone who will understand that there is some business to do, and will propose his (or her) skills to repair many CD3000.
Meanwhile you can search for a brand new (or at least in good condition) headband on the internet (sometimes you may find some : see http://www.head-fi.org/t/478542/fs-sony-mdr-sa5000-and-mdr-cd3000-both-are-sold) and try to replace them yourself. Or you can take parts from other headphones of the series (750/850/950 ...) and use them as replacement parts for the CD3000.
You also can try to buy another pair in better condition than yours on ebay (or elsewhere).
But if you choose to replace them with some other closed cans, you have to know that you probably will be disappointed (except if you are lucky enough to buy some MDR R10).
So before deciding to replace them, just think twice !
Good luck.
 
Regards.

 
I see. That is a pity. Mine are in perfect working condition except for the dissolving pleather. Curious thing is that I had these headphones for 16 years now, bought them with my first paycheck and I haven't used them much in the beginning since I was "saving them for special occasions". In retrospect, it seems silly and now I want to wear them but cannot (well unless I'm going for a shower later to get rid of all the pleather bits aha".
 
I do think it will take an artisan to fix it. It shouldn't be difficult for anyone who works with leather/clothing. New headband cover, new bridge and that's it. The pads also dissolve but they are are easy to find on sale. I'll see if I can find the parts (Didn't know the 750/850/950 would fit) but there's no point in buying another pair, they will all have the same problem, plus mine work perfectly.
 
What I like the most about them is probably the huge soundstage and the detailed/bright sound. I'll try to find a solution but perhaps it is time to EBay them and let someone else enjoy them (if they know how to fix the band) - if that happens I'm not sure what I'd get to replace them, maybe the HD800S have a similar 3D-ish soundstage but they're open at the impedance would be a problem with some sources.
 
Thanks for the note!

 

[kenman345]

  Hi everyone,
 
Been away for a while and I just recently noticed that my CD3000 (which I stored and haven't been using in a long time) are in even worse condition. The only problem is the pleather of the headband and the support strap, which is dissolving more and more. (I have replacement pads, that's fine).
 
I tried them on and they sound amazingly good, I just love that huge soundstage, truly spectacular. It's a waste I'm not using them.
 
So I'm pondering on either repairing them professionally using some real leather or in alternative, sell them and try to buy some closed cans that have a really good soundstage too.
 
Any opinions on what is smarter or where to repair them? (I'm in Europe)
 
Thx

PS: Heard about the cheap NVX XPT100 having a really good soundstage. Anyone tried them?

I had mine redone before I sold them. Had a leathersmith redo them but I'm in the US. Its not too hard to find deent shape CD850's or the other models that share the same headband and use them for spare parts.

 

[beowulf]

Just got the XPT 100. They get a lof of hype on soundstage and positioning. Of course it was silly to even compare them with the CD3K but I did that and of course, they are good but not comparable.
 
I packed the XPT100 immediately and just put them for sale and going to take a hit, first time I do this with headphones, but just not what I was looking for.
 
Anyway, I'm still thinking about what to do with the CD3K. Can't find anyone to fix the band with leather around here, so selling them is becoming a possibility. The problem is, what do I buy instead? What else would sound so roomy, detailed and holographic? Maybe the Senns HD800 would be a good choice? (still pricey tho, don't think the CD3K will sell high enough to get close to that)

 

[zhenya]

The HD800 is a significant step up from the CD3000, but of course not closed, and needs to be driven by a proper amp.
 
Some people have reported success with 'washing' the pleather until all of the flakes have come off, leaving a fairly pleasant stretchy material underneath. Have you considered this?

 

[beowulf]

  The HD800 is a significant step up from the CD3000, but of course not closed, and needs to be driven by a proper amp.
 
Some people have reported success with 'washing' the pleather until all of the flakes have come off, leaving a fairly pleasant stretchy material underneath. Have you considered this?

 
A step up? I'd expect that but I'm wondering how much those huge beanbags on the CD3K might actually make them sound roomier. I'm still suprised at how "big" they sound when compared to my 598, which are already quite airy and holographic, plus open.
 
I have not heard about washing/rubbing the pleather before. I seems very weakened, so I'm a bit uncomfortable with trying that if it might even damage them more.
 
I decided to go for an experiment and probe how much I could get for them on EBay. The amount would go towards financing the HD800 (or an alternative) so it can't be too low. I'll give it some time and if the offers aren't good enough, I'll look into fixing them again, possibly shipping them to some leatherworks shop somewhere.