[OvidiuDanut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by maarek99 /img/forum/go_quote.gif You need a better source. I don't really consider the emu 0404 usb to be one. Classical just doesn't sound that good with it compared to even my years old kenwood receiver. 650 does have a bit better synergy with the 0404 and yes, it's noticeably smoother than the 580.

Yes , i've been told that before. Thank you. I know, after trying the capabilities of emu 0404USB i really dont think that it does a great job as amplifier also. I mean, i have to crank up the volume up to 3 o'clock on some classical passages and coral music to get the point of the music, and many times i find the sound a bit muffled..... But i dont know what to do know... What to get first...an amp or a source meaning i'd have to change the emu with another combination.....cheaper soundcard + external dac + amp or something...

 

[drizek]

uofm, how much external storage do you have there?

 

[uofmtiger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by drizek /img/forum/go_quote.gif uofm, how much external storage do you have there?

The drives you can see in that shot: Buffalo Teraserver, Western Digital 500 GB, Western Digital 250GB, , Simpletec 250GB, IO Data UHDL 300GB server.

 

[audiomagnate]

Quote:

Originally Posted by uofmtiger /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't think I have ever posted in this thread, but wanted to thank those that posted the senn mods. I got mine a few months ago and have really been enjoying the HD580s with my Beresford TC-7510/X-can V3 combo. Here is the before and after shots of the grills/cable: Before (sorry about all the other stuff in the shot): After:

Yes! That is what I have on my head, (lower pic) and isn't i beautiful. The only tricky part was pulling out those ugly foam bumps. You just have to get brave and yank it! These are the best looking phones EVER!!! And they sound just fine thank you. Wait a minute. you didn't do the Beyer 770 headband mod!

 

[TomH]

Among the following phones I have in rotation, the 580 gets the most head time. It is stock unmodded and worry free. I have 650 cables ready to replace the stock ones if and when they wear out.

HD600 - from 1996 or thereabouts - very hard to tell from recent 580s - I am curious what refinements if any occured in 580/600 drivers over ten years
HD540refII - from 1980's, still good but too bright and a little grainy - the comfort kings and great for movies
HD650 - 2006, had to try them, love the silky detail, too much bass for me
K701 - 2006, fantastic soundstage and detail, extended but cold in my systems
HD580 - 2007, best sound for dollar ever and completely satisfying. Exceeds admittedly slightly lower personal expectations - evidence of value perception effect on psychoacoustics...

IMHO, my source (NAIM CD5i) is on the neutral side, GS-1 and Glite on the neutral to analytical side, and the MicroDM on the warm side, with the Hornet somewhere in between. The 580s with the MicroDM get the most use currently. I suspect the 701s may benefit from a warmer amp/source or tubes, as many have claimed on this forum.

Nonetheless, if I am asked to recommend a best all-rounder price considered, the 580 will be the first to come to mind.

 

[drizek]

Can you even buy the 580 anymore?

Price grabber only has two sites listed, each selling for around $180. The first one has 9 in stock and the second has 1.

I bought mine from B&H photo and they are sold out

 

[souperman]

amazon.com i think still has some

 

[drizek]

They have it from one seller at $245. It seems taht in two or three months it will be totally extinct. Has it been replaced by hte HD595 or does Sennheiser have a few tricks up its sleeve?

 

[RedLeader]

Nah, the HD600 replaced the HD580, the HD595 is a different line. (With the HD555)

 

[Mercuttio]

It's a shame to see it go into the mists. I got mine for $130 in Feb from JR... it's been one of my favorite headphones. Really a sweet spot for me.

 

[OvidiuDanut]

I'm thinking about an Equinox cable for the 580.... Do you think its worth it?

 

[Davesrose]

no, upgrade cables are a point of diminishing returns in SQ.

 

[brotherlen]

the 580s were my first pair of decent headphones, coming from thinking that the "iBuds" were good, I now see them as garbage. It totally turned me on to better ways to listen to music and not just hear it.

 

[OvidiuDanut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davesrose /img/forum/go_quote.gif no, upgrade cables are a point of diminishing returns in SQ.

So it is true.... Asking opinions about whether to buy or not is absolutly pointless... It alll comes down to buying and tesing.
I'm saying this because a great bunch of people are saying " Oh....with mods the 580 changes so much, and with aftermarket cables? ....unbeliveble" and now you guys are saying the opposite. Because i want to be on the safe side, instead of the equinox i'll just get a pair of 701

 

[drizek]

Its not that the cable is necessarily not going to be helpful, its just that there are far better ways to spend your money, like getting a KSC75 for your iRiver.