[BenF]

I hope you're right. What would you say the difference is in sound and comfort?

It sounds worse than the closed version (CD-880), which is actually quite good. Comfort is very good, but varies on pads used by each brand.
You can see comparison of the closed version with Pro 82 here: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/tak...iscussion-thread.849965/page-11#post-13541484

I ruled a 3-way tie, but that was before the synergy combos.
Pro 82 is the only one that can compete with TOTL headphones (when using synergy combos).

 

[peskypesky]

what is a synergy combo?

 

[BenF]

Does anybody own the Philips SHP9500 in addition to the Takstar Pro 82's? If so, how do they compare. Those Phillips get consistently great reviews and are about the same price as the Takstars.

SHP9500 sounds a lot warmer and has a veil - lacks Pro 82's natural timbre and transparency.
Bass isn't as tight.

 

[Markolav]

what is a synergy combo?

BS.

 

[BenF]

what is a synergy combo?

Read here:
Comparison of DACs/Amps

 

[BenF]

Takstar GM200 has arrived.
The box got a bit banged up in my car

 

[atmosfearz]

The box got a bit banged up in my car

Can't wait for review.

 

[BenF]

Considering that the extra compared to the vanilla pro 82 is the cable with microphone, is there any chance that they will sell it separately for those of us who already have one and just want a quality cable with microphone?

The microphone cable from GM200 doesn't fit Pro 82
Pro 82 cables do fit GM200.

 

[Slazyel]

Does anybody own the Philips SHP9500 in addition to the Takstar Pro 82's? If so, how do they compare. Those Phillips get consistently great reviews and are about the same price as the Takstars.

I have and use both. If you use glasses, shp9500 is more comfortable than pro82. If you dont, both are in the same tier of comfort. Sound quality is good on both so it depends if you want an open or closed headphone. Normally prices are diferent, pro 82 is something like $20-40 cheaper (aliexpress prices), so i would vote for it.

 

[jwong]

I've been having fun trying different source combinations with these headphones since they seem to change more with the source than anything else I have.

I tried the EL-D01, an XtremPro USB DAC, my motherboard DAC, Khadas Tone Board, JDS Atom, Topping DX3 Pro (both standalone, as an amp for other DACs, and as a DAC for the Atom).

I don't have BenF's recommended DAC/amps to compare to, but for me the easy winner is the Khadas/Atom combo. In the past I frankly thought people talking about changes in soundstage and such from DACs were just having placebo effects, but for once I actually hear a difference. Just a fantastic combo! Or I'm just getting delusional like everyone else.

This is with v1 headphones. My v2's apparently just cleared customs yesterday, so... soon.

 

[BenF]

Some of the specifications are different from the ones on the website https://en.takstar.com/product/type/3188.html
Looks like the manual was printed at a time when they planned GM200 to be the same as MH751 - luckily they changed their mind.

 

[BenF]

I've been having fun trying different source combinations with these headphones since they seem to change more with the source than anything else I have.

I tried the EL-D01, an XtremPro USB DAC, my motherboard DAC, Khadas Tone Board, JDS Atom, Topping DX3 Pro (both standalone, as an amp for other DACs, and as a DAC for the Atom).

I don't have BenF's recommended DAC/amps to compare to, but for me the easy winner is the Khadas/Atom combo. In the past I frankly thought people talking about changes in soundstage and such from DACs were just having placebo effects, but for once I actually hear a difference. Just a fantastic combo! Or I'm just getting delusional like everyone else.

This is with v1 headphones. My v2's apparently just cleared customs yesterday, so... soon.

Khadas Tone Board looks interesting, but if I understand correctly - it's only for DIY, can't be used with PC/laptop?

 

[jwong]

Khadas Tone Board looks interesting, but if I understand correctly - it's only for DIY, can't be used with PC/laptop?

No, it's a perfectly functional standalone dac that I'm using with my PC. It just doesn't come with a case.

 

[BenF]

No, it's a perfectly functional standalone dac that I'm using with my PC. It just doesn't come with a case.

Bummer.I wouldn't risk using a naked board.
They do sell some cases, but they don't seem to fit the Tone Board: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32902728198.html

 

[jwong]

Bummer.I wouldn't risk using a naked board.
They do sell some cases, but they don't seem to fit the Tone Board: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32902728198.html

Yeah, the naked board is in no danger on my desktop, but it would be nice to have a better case for it. There's some downloadable 3d printer models that some have used. And this aluminum case can be ordered, which is probably the nicest option:

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/alum...minum-case-for-khadas-tone-board-p-13626.html