System around Sextetts?

[malldian]

So here I am so far, I have about $550 more invested in this hobby than I thought I would (~$600 total) and am currently considering my next move - I don't know what to do here. My current situation:

Headphones: Sextett, Denon 2000
DAC/AMP: Octvart O1.

The amp doesn't drive the sextett's well enough and with how involving they sound to me right now I really want to see what they can do. I do however prefer the Denon's for all instrumental music.

Considering a) modding the Denon's and seeing what they sound like with a recable later (much later because the money issue), b) getting a nicer pair of sextetts (just wait for an auction to come my way - these aren't in the best condition, sell the Denon's and get a new amp).

Would a new amp and dac / Sextett combo reach the Denon for instrumental music? What amp / dac would be a good purchase for $450 (value of denon and amp)? Ahh so many questions...

 

[GuyMe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by malldian /img/forum/go_quote.gif b) getting a nicer pair of sextetts (just wait for an auction to come my way - these aren't in the best condition,

Hmm, what's wrong with them? Just the elastics?

What is it about the Denon you prefer over the Sextett?

 

[malldian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyMe /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hmm, what's wrong with them? Just the elastics?

Yeah and the headband is off balanced I am trying to fix it tonight. I might try to get a different production set though. I want to explore these headphones I think - I just need to find a dac and amp combo that will do what I am looking for with these first.

 

[GuyMe]

In what way does the amplification seem inadequate for the Sextetts? In what way do the Denons outperform the Sextetts?

What exactly do you mean by "instrumental music"? Acoustic and classical? The Sextett should do well with those, but I think there are better options.

 

[malldian]

Well as I turn the amp all the way up they start to sound better and better - it seems like the amp drives the denon's easier. The separation and crisp highs (hopefully I am using the right words) of the denons out preform the Sextetts but there is something about them that is very interesting. As I said before the best word I can come up with is involving - I want to try to improve on that aspect because it is worth the sacrifice of the mentioned sound difference and comfort for this sound.

 

[GuyMe]

I wouldn't describe the Sextett highs as crisp, they're somewhat dark. If you wish to remedy this you might want to invest in a bright amp, the gilmore lite is supposedly such an amp, but the Denons will still be relatively brighter than the Sextetts. I've heard neither the Denons or the Glite, this is somewhat speculative advice.

My K400 are brighter than my Sextetts and they're superior for acoustic and classical material. The K501 is more common and supposedly fairly similar. You might consider replacing the Denons if you're looking for AKG mids and brighter highs.

 

[malldian]

I will look into that. I think I am going to do DIY for the dac so that solves that issue. Next is comfort which I will will need to do that speaker clothe mod for. Thanks for the help - anyone else have suggestions amp wise?

 

[malldian]

Any ideas? Gilmore lite looks like it doesn't get sold used often.

 

[monolith]

Quote:

Originally Posted by malldian /img/forum/go_quote.gif Any ideas? Gilmore lite looks like it doesn't get sold used often.

There's a few in the course of every month that I see. If you're just going for the amp (rather than the amp and DPS), it'll run something like $250. At least, that's the usual price I've seen.

 

[jellojoe]

Try the Darkvoice 332. I use it all the time with my sextett.

 

[malldian]

What's it do to the sound? What do other people drive them with?

 

[GuyMe]

Different tubes would give you a different sound. I imagine there could be a tube combination that's bright, but I've never used one.

I use a Corda Arietta, it's a bit warm which might not be the best combination for an already warm headphone. I intend to build a CKKIII at some point in the future though.

 

[vvanrij]

I drive them with my LD MKIVse, and love the results.