The plan is now in place for my ultimate balanced comparo!

[Asr]

The things I do for you guys.

After much strategizing with my budget and other resources I have to work with, I have decided to move forward with a certain plan that's been simmering on the backburner. This will be very interesting for me, and hopefully insightful for you guys too.

This is what I already have:
- stock, single-ended AKG K701, check!
- stock, single-ended Audio-Technica ATH-AD2000, check!
- stock, single-ended Sennheiser HD650, check!
- multi-purpose balanced amplifier: HeadAmp GS-X, check!

This is what I will now be acquiring over the course of the summer:
- balanced AKG K701, using Stefan AudioArt's Equinox XLR
- balanced Audio-Technica ATH-AD2000, cable design currently unknown*
- balanced Sennheiser HD650, using Stefan AudioArt's Equinox-LE XLR (on order)
- Signal Cable Silver Res Balanced XLR interconnects
- high-end CD player with balanced XLR outputs (specific model to remain a secret for now)

It'll be quite awhile until I have everything so I apologize for any frothing or mad suspense that this post may induce, but I guarantee you guys that I will have all these components in hand in due time. With the exception of the HD650 due to its detachable cable ability, I will have both stock and balanced units of both the K701 and AD2000 - the stock units will be the ones that I've owned since last year, and the balanced ones will be completely separate, but will still regardless have plenty of hours on them to negate the effect of burn-in on the headphone drivers, to ensure the comparison is on the XLR operation rather than the headphones.

When burn-in completes, the reviews will be posted. Apologies for your wallets when this happens.

* I'm trying to decide between [AK]Zip's carbon/cotton XLR cable and the Moon Audio Blue or Black Dragon, I'd appreciate any input on which one you guys think would be better, so post here and put in your vote!

 

[ingwe]

Oh man, that's crazy talk!

But it might just work...

 

[vcoheda]

that's a lot of spending. sounds very exciting. what cd player are you considering.

edit: secret model?

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

I would go with [AK]Zip's cable because they are a lot more flexible and less microphonic than the Moon Audio cables. I don't know about you, but having a stiff, unwieldy, and noisy cable on my headphones drives me nuts. And has cables are no slouch in the sound department either.

 

[feifan]

Man, this is going to be the mama of all SE and balanced cans comparisons! Can't wait! I can already think of other cans and options that I wish you'd include, but your list here is already a monster so it'd be cruel to suggest more.

 

[Asr]

Thanks for the advice Iron_Dreamer, duly noted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcoheda /img/forum/go_quote.gif that's a lot of spending. sounds very exciting. what cd player are you considering. edit: secret model?

Secret for now, to be revealed later.

Quote:

Originally Posted by feifan /img/forum/go_quote.gif Man, this is going to be the mama of all SE and balanced cans comparisons! Can't wait! I can already think of other cans and options that I wish you'd include, but your list here is already a monster so it'd be cruel to suggest more.

Please list these other cans and options that you have in mind. Not that I'm going to include them but I'd like to know out of curiosity.

 

[stewtheking]

Would it not be easier to just use only balanced headphones, with an adaptor to put on the end to make them single ended. Surely that would be advantageous, as it's the same cable. And you also don;t have to worry about state of burn-in etc...

Just a thought...

 

[Kees]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stewtheking /img/forum/go_quote.gif Would it not be easier to just use only balanced headphones, with an adaptor to put on the end to make them single ended. Surely that would be advantageous, as it's the same cable. And you also don;t have to worry about state of burn-in etc... Just a thought...

X2.
Would save you a considerable amount of cash and time in this already "extended" project.

 

[Salt Peanuts]

Personally, I believe cables make a significant difference in a system. As such, I think you should recable the single-ended cans with same cables you're you'll be using on the balanced cans, so you're actually making a comparison of balanced operation and single-ended operation, and not he cable difference.

Easy for me to say, since it's not my wallet.

Or this would make then similar as well, save for couple extra connections.
Quote:

Originally Posted by stewtheking /img/forum/go_quote.gif Would it not be easier to just use only balanced headphones, with an adaptor to put on the end to make them single ended. Surely that would be advantageous, as it's the same cable. And you also don;t have to worry about state of burn-in etc... Just a thought...

 

[slwiser]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salt Peanuts /img/forum/go_quote.gif Personally, I believe cables make a significant difference in a system. As such, I think you should recable the single-ended cans with same cables you're you'll be using on the balanced cans, so you're actually making a comparison of balanced operation and single-ended operation, and not he cable difference. Easy for me to say, since it's not my wallet. Or this would make then similar as well, save for couple extra connections.

This is true if you wanted to note the difference brought on by going balanced. If you change two things how does one really know? Maybe a little more patience and dual cabling changes are in order for a good comparison.

 

[Skylab]

WOW! Nice dedication! This is great kind of stuff.

 

[Rav]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asr /img/forum/go_quote.gif Please list these other cans and options that you have in mind. Not that I'm going to include them but I'd like to know out of curiosity.

Would be nice to see a Grado in the list

 

[ronmtorres]

..uh-oh!! mods please delete this thread or many wallets will cry when the review finishes hehehe!

 

[kramer5150]

This is great... thanks Asr for taking this on. Did you want to borrow my stock RS1?... PM me, if interested. Although I don't know where to get one with "equal quality" level balanced cable. Most of the balanced RS1s I've seen use high end cables, in addition to being balanced.

 

[4N6]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asr /img/forum/go_quote.gif The things I do for you guys. After much strategizing with my budget and other resources I have to work with, I have decided to move forward with a certain plan that's been simmering on the backburner. This will be very interesting for me, and hopefully insightful for you guys too. This is what I already have: - stock, single-ended AKG K701, check! - stock, single-ended Audio-Technica ATH-AD2000, check! - stock, single-ended Sennheiser HD650, check! - multi-purpose balanced amplifier: HeadAmp GS-X, check! This is what I will now be acquiring over the course of the summer: - balanced AKG K701, using Stefan AudioArt's Equinox XLR - balanced Audio-Technica ATH-AD2000, cable design currently unknown* - balanced Sennheiser HD650, using Stefan AudioArt's Equinox-LE XLR (on order) - Signal Cable Silver Res Balanced XLR interconnects - high-end CD player with balanced XLR outputs (specific model to remain a secret for now)

Looks like a great comparison. I, too, find different cables make a difference and am interested in your Equinox vs Silver Dragon impressions. I am also currently making that comparison for the HD650 (if I can ever get these Denon's off my head!).

Thanks for all the "work" on behalf of us. What a philanthropist!