The Beyerdynamic DT880 Discussion thread

[r010159]

  The DT880 would be an absolutely disastrous choice for portable / outside use. It's for home use, through and through.

 
+1 

 

[jgreen16]

DT880 600ohms hooked up to bifrost uber and my new vintage Pioneer SX-6000 receiver sounds incredible.  


 


Anyone using vintage receivers for DT's?  Would like to know what you're using?

 


I have used my DT880-600's with a Pioneer SX-880 receiver and a Pioneer SA-8800 integrated amp. The SX-880 had some noise that I was not able to eliminate, but still sounded very nice. I believe it to be an issue with this receiver in particular, and not indicative of that line of receivers in general.

Just a couple of days ago I received the SA-8800, and the headphone jack on it is really good. Good enough that I question whether I need to use my Schiit Asgard 2 headphone amp any longer. I'll probably do a few more comparative listening sessions, and if the SA-8800 still sounds as good as I think it does right now, I'll most likely sell the Asgard 2.

 

[MrTechAgent]

Always wanted to ask here , now that I remember , does anybody here have a PRO-600 ohm - 880 ? , I happen to have one


 





 





 

 

[Chris J]

DT880 600ohms hooked up to bifrost uber and my new vintage Pioneer SX-6000 receiver sounds incredible.  

Anyone using vintage receivers for DT's?  Would like to know what you're using?

I tried using my Yamaha CR-2020 receiver's headphone jack, I was less than impressed.
The amp sounds fine with loudspeakers, I just didn't like the headphone jack.

 

[Ifalna]

   
Not sometimes, most of the time. That's one of the first realizations I had when I got my first pair of "good headphones" (HD600)-- just how imperfect recordings are. Distortion, clipping, buzzing, crackles, its all there, in virtually every recording ever, to one extent or another.

And that's one of the reasons why I am hesitant to move on to more detailed HPs like the T1, even they always try to seduce me.
 
My DT880 already shove imperfections into my face, to the point that I simply cannot enjoy the piece anymore.
Dark Knight Rises soundtrack is one prime example, Dark Knight to a lesser extend.
 
Maybe I should just compliment my Chain (Titanium HD -> DT880) with some Schiit amp for a little more volume on those quiet masters and call it a day.
 

Well, here's the thing. You buy a pair of headphones that sound right to you in terms of FR, balance and general listenability. Then you read in Head-Fi that your headphone lacks in soundstage width and depth compared to a certain other model. You try out the other model and it is indeed superior in those areas but otherwise isn't a patch on your current phone. So what to do? Do you sacrifice the good qualities of your current phone for the greater realism of width and depth, or persevere with it in the knowledge that it's denying you the last ounce of realism you so crave. Because even though you were perfectly happy with it before, now that you know where it falls down you feel as though it's stabbed you in the back somehow. It's not the dear friend it used to be.
 
Answer? There isn't an answer. You just shouldn't have been reading Head-Fi in the first place.

 
*giggles* 
Yeah it's useful to keep in mind that the super audiophiles on this forum are mainly talking about differences that are so subtle, that an untrained listener (like me) might not even be capable of hearing them.
 
Ultimately music is about enjoyment. If you enjoy your cans, there really is no point in buying supposedly better stuff (unless  you came from a 50€ Sony bass humper like me ).

 

[xkonfuzed]

Oh man, haven't visited this thread in a long time 

. 
 
So unfortunately my dt880's are getting a lot of head time lately as I've fallen deeply in love with my Q40's (which are awesome btw).. But still the 880 continues to amaze me even after so much headphones. Also, its technically the best headphone i currently own in terms of clarity and detail, never going to sell those babies <3

 

[TrollDragon]

Q40 Bass Monsters!
Have you changed out the pads for Alpha's? I understand those pads push the Q40's to the max with comfort and bass quality.

Had to dust the DT880's today, the GMP 8.300D's are getting too much love, I really want to check out the 400's and 450's.

 

[xkonfuzed]

Q40 Bass Monsters!
Have you changed out the pads for Alpha's? I understand those pads push the Q40's to the max with comfort and bass quality.

Had to dust the DT880's today, the GMP 8.300D's are getting too much love, I really want to check out the 400's and 450's.

Hey, whats up Troll long time no speak
 
I really, really want these Alpha pads, but man, $60 is wayyy too much. I've tried swapping with the velour Beyer pads, and even though it made it more comfortable, it kinda killed the bass. Also, i just ordered my first quality IEM, Denon C300. The guys at the basshead thread kept recommending these and said it has as much bass as XB500's. Anyway, you have to give the Q40's a try dude. I'm sure you'll like them 

 

 

[dyang]

 

  DT880 600ohms hooked up to bifrost uber and my new vintage Pioneer SX-6000 receiver sounds incredible.  
   
  Anyone using vintage receivers for DT's?  Would like to know what you're using?

 


I have used my DT880-600's with a Pioneer SX-880 receiver and a Pioneer SA-8800 integrated amp. The SX-880 had some noise that I was not able to eliminate, but still sounded very nice. I believe it to be an issue with this receiver in particular, and not indicative of that line of receivers in general.

Just a couple of days ago I received the SA-8800, and the headphone jack on it is really good. Good enough that I question whether I need to use my Schiit Asgard 2 headphone amp any longer. I'll probably do a few more comparative listening sessions, and if the SA-8800 still sounds as good as I think it does right now, I'll most likely sell the Asgard 2.

 
Surprisingly I wasn't able hear any noise with the DT880's and my sx-6000, I must have gotten lucky.  I feel ya when you elaborated on the Asgard 2, I too had an Asgard 2 but later sold it due to my Sansui 8080db and 8080, Marantz, Pioneers, etc…  just sounded better and was much fuller. I'd say the difference would be like vinyl vs cd.  Vinyl being fuller and CD not so much, this is just what I hear…   I'm a huge fan of Schiit stuff, don't get me wrong, that's why I kept my Bifrost Uber as a DAC for these monster receivers.  
 
 
"Not trying to push you to sell your Asgard 2 by any means…" 

 

[dyang]

I tried using my Yamaha CR-2020 receiver's headphone jack, I was less than impressed.
The amp sounds fine with loudspeakers, I just didn't like the headphone jack.

 
Yeah, it's a hit and miss sometimes...  My DT880 600 ohms sounds good with my Sansui's but better with my Pioneer sx-6000.  However, couldn't stand Marantz 2230, they did not like each other 

.

 

[jgreen16]

 
Surprisingly I wasn't able hear any noise with the DT880's and my sx-6000, I must have gotten lucky.  I feel ya when you elaborated on the Asgard 2, I too had an Asgard 2 but later sold it due to my Sansui 8080db and 8080, Marantz, Pioneers, etc…  just sounded better and was much fuller. I'd say the difference would be like vinyl vs cd.  Vinyl being fuller and CD not so much, this is just what I hear…   I'm a huge fan of Schiit stuff, don't get me wrong, that's why I kept my Bifrost Uber as a DAC for these monster receivers.  
 
 
"Not trying to push you to sell your Asgard 2 by any means…" 

 


The noise from the hp jack on the SX-880 wasn't a hiss or a high noise floor type thing. It's kinda hard to describe really, but with no music playing at all, it sounds like a playing card clicking in the spokes of a bicycle from a distance. You can hear it when listening to FM when the in between the DJ talking, or if the passage in the music is soft/quiet. At normal listening levels, you can't really hear it.

The SA-8800 on the other hand does not have noise at all, and music from the hp jack on it is on par, or somewhat higher, than the Asgard 2.

If I were to sell off the A2, I would think about upgrading my DAC from the Modi to the Bifrost. Another option if I sell would be doing a Bottlehead Crack project. It would be fun to put together, and the Crack is supposed to be pretty good with the DT880.

 

[dyang]

 

   
Surprisingly I wasn't able hear any noise with the DT880's and my sx-6000, I must have gotten lucky.  I feel ya when you elaborated on the Asgard 2, I too had an Asgard 2 but later sold it due to my Sansui 8080db and 8080, Marantz, Pioneers, etc…  just sounded better and was much fuller. I'd say the difference would be like vinyl vs cd.  Vinyl being fuller and CD not so much, this is just what I hear…   I'm a huge fan of Schiit stuff, don't get me wrong, that's why I kept my Bifrost Uber as a DAC for these monster receivers.  
 
 
"Not trying to push you to sell your Asgard 2 by any means…" 

 


The noise from the hp jack on the SX-880 wasn't a hiss or a high noise floor type thing. It's kinda hard to describe really, but with no music playing at all, it sounds like a playing card clicking in the spokes of a bicycle from a distance. You can hear it when listening to FM when the in between the DJ talking, or if the passage in the music is soft/quiet. At normal listening levels, you can't really hear it.

The SA-8800 on the other hand does not have noise at all, and music from the hp jack on it is on par, or somewhat higher, than the Asgard 2.

If I were to sell off the A2, I would think about upgrading my DAC from the Modi to the Bifrost. Another option if I sell would be doing a Bottlehead Crack project. It would be fun to put together, and the Crack is supposed to be pretty good with the DT880.

 
That sound…  Have you cleaned out the headphone port and/or receiver itself?  Don't know, sometimes a clean stereo can just come back to life.
 
Been reading about Bottlehead and people says nothing but good things only. Depending where you live I'd attend a meet and greet and maybe demo one.  Which ever way, just as long as you're happy. 

 

[jgreen16]

^ Yeah, I did the old Deoxit on a q-tip routine with no success. All of the switches, etc. were very recently gone through, and this is the only noise present from any part of the receiver at this point. Not a big deal at this point though, now that I have the SA-8800. Might just sell the SX-880, or hold onto it for a secondary system. It's an extremely clean example.

I'm in the Buffalo area, so a NYC meet could be a possibility, if there is one. I'd love to attend one to be able to hear a lot of different equipment.

 

[dyang]

^ Yeah, I did the old Deoxit on a q-tip routine with no success. All of the switches, etc. were very recently gone through, and this is the only noise present from any part of the receiver at this point. Not a big deal at this point though, now that I have the SA-8800. Might just sell the SX-880, or hold onto it for a secondary system. It's an extremely clean example.

I'm in the Buffalo area, so a NYC meet could be a possibility, if there is one. I'd love to attend one to be able to hear a lot of different equipment.

Well, just think of this way…  If the sx-880 doesn't work for your headphones, it sure does sound good with vintage home speakers.  Just a thought…  

 

[jgreen16]

Well, just think of this way…  If the sx-880 doesn't work for your headphones, it sure does sound good with vintage home speakers.  Just a thought…  

 


Yep, and I have what I consider a good pair of vintage speakers, JBL L110's. I'm the orginal owner. Bought them from the Base Exchange at Ramstein AB while serving in the Air Force. I also had a pair of JBL L220's but sold them prior to returning stateside. I see those selling on fleabay for between $2000-4000 these days.