Dadracer
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2012
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Oh and I no experience with the Cardas cables though.
I have compared the Sennheiser SE and balanced cables with my HD800s via the Taurus mk2 headamp. I prefer the sound with the balanced cable. It just gives more of the same insight, clarity and sound stage that the SE cables with no downside.
Are you comparing with a Sennheiser balanced cable? If comparing with the stock single ended cable, the differences could well be the amp (more power on tap, balanced drive, other output impedance hence damping factor?,...)
For some weeks now, I'm trying to figure out if I need to go balanced, or copper cable, or maybe both? (Have an Auralic Taurus mk2). Your findings above don't isolate which change amounts to the heard differences in sound.
Could somebody chime in who can compare balanced Sennheiser cable to balanced Cardas, or single ended Sennheiser to balanced Sennheiser / single ended Cardas to balanced Cardas? Your input would be much appreciated!
@icecreamfreak : wow another HE60/HD800 mate. Those headphones are really interesting to compare, aren't they ? Two different version of "reference sound" from Sennheiser from two different eras. they're both close and really different.
I just upgraded my HD800 headphone cable to a cardas clear lite xlr 2m cable, adds presence and more distinct bass to the lower frequencies in my opinion, using it with the HDVD800 amp and lavry engineering DA10 DAC - Fully balance set up. Great for good classical recordings, but picks ups faults in recordings very distinctly. Ironically I use my baby orpheus for other genres of music ie pop which I listen to much less.
I have both cables,balance and single ended.The cardas clear cable brings your hd800 to life.The downside it's not cheap and sometimes the cable can be a bit messy,but it's not a big problem.Are you comparing with a Sennheiser balanced cable? If comparing with the stock single ended cable, the differences could well be the amp (more power on tap, balanced drive, other output impedance hence damping factor?,...)
For some weeks now, I'm trying to figure out if I need to go balanced, or copper cable, or maybe both? (Have an Auralic Taurus mk2). Your findings above don't isolate which change amounts to the heard differences in sound.
Could somebody chime in who can compare balanced Sennheiser cable to balanced Cardas, or single ended Sennheiser to balanced Sennheiser / single ended Cardas to balanced Cardas? Your input would be much appreciated!
Yeah they are interesting, though generally speaking I feel the HD800 is better for classical - my opinion is its more dry sounding less coloured and seems more detailed than the HE60- maybe even faster sounding, and seems to have less bass impact than the HE60. Strange that a electrostatic seems to have more bass impact than the HD800- of course there are bassy amps that can compensate on bass amount.
But then again, correct me if Im wrong, but the HE60 seems more 'versatile' to play other genres of music (ie.pop). What you think ?
On a side note, my HE60/HEV70 is weird, when I first switch it on there is a channel imbalance but it catches up after about 1/2 hour to become balance channels again, do you have this problem as well ? Its weird, wonder if anything is wrong with it.....
I don''t agree about all . IMO HD800 and HD800S bass hits harder with more impact and precision and it Mids is where the HE60 shines at its best . those mids are wonderful with a close to perfect balance with euphonie and accuracy . i wonder how the HE90 could beat that. Treble on both HE60 and HD800 is prone to sibilances so it's quite unforgiving for bad recordings IMO. HD800S is significantly less sibilant than both. Both soundstage are amazing. HD800/S is more impressive with that ****** cinemascope presentation we all know where the HE60 offers a kind of "uber HD600" soundstage. Presentation is as coherent as HD6X0 but much more airier.
I use my he60 from a Stax SRM-T1 with an adapter.
ymmv
Consider the 800S as a less sibilant and more neutral HD800.
I just ordered the Mjolnir 2 and am debating between the stock Sennheiser balanced cable and the cheaper ZY and HGC cables. I don't have the budget or appetite for super high end cables, and am interested more in durability than perceived sonic differences.