[elrod-tom]

I've found that my Grado 225's sound much better at work (with my TA) than at home (with my X-Cans V2). I'm told that this is largely because of an impedence mismatch.

I really love the impact of the Grado's, but can't abide by the unwanted brightness in my home rig. Does anyone have a suggestion for "Grado-like" headphones that might be a better match for the X-Cans V2?

 

[Duncan]

Senn HD580/600 with a great source and better cabling

Apart from that, i'd go for the now hard to find MDR-CD1700s... they have quite a treble bite... and the energy of the X-Can seems to mute the overly strong midrange a little...

(Also I believe that the CD3K is well reviewed when partnered with the Can...)

 

[mecano]

I don t consider HD-580 or CD1700 <Grado like>Gradoes do sound different than any other phone.if you really like Gradoes change the amp and keep the phones.Do a search about what amps suit Gradoes .IMO Creek+225 or 325 is a nice set up

.

 

[BoardC3]

why dont you just try putting in other warmer sounding components. Get some MIT T2 Interconnects

 

[JaZZ]

elrod-tom...

...what pads do you use on the SR-225? The flat pads (e.g. modded Sennheiser pads) take a lot of the brightness away. If you still can't stand it, you're no Grado man.

I would strongly suggest to try the HD580/600 with your X-Can. It's simply a great combo (well, I own the X-Cans «V1»); if you mount a good cable (Cardas...) and particularly remove the foam pads, you'll even hear more details than from the SR-225 – not to mention the soundstage and the bass extension/precision.

JaZZ

 

[mecano]

225+Xcans is just a bad combination and no pad or source will make it good.a friend has a Wadia cd player and I tried the xcans/225 on it (and with XLO reference interconnects!)and the sound was below average.
_____________________________________
<I really love the impact of the Grado's>
maybe he is a Grado man but not an Xcans man

 

[Hirsch]

Hmm...I like the RS-1 with the X-Can, and I'm not a big fan of brightness. I've never thought the combo was bad. Curious.

I run the Sony CD-3000 out of the X-Can routinely, and it has similar impedance to the Grado's. Not an impedance mismatch. Something else is going on.

 

[JaZZ]

mecano...

...you're right, the SR-225/X-Can(s) combination can't really be called ideal, it's a trace sharp. My best results are with the Corda blue, where the SR-225's treble is enjoyably smooth. I would suggest a Corda HA-1 instead of the X-Can.

Nevertheless, from my perspective a cable-upgraded HD 580/600 for the use with the X-Can is an even better investment – in terms of the price/performance ratio.

 

[PinkFloyd]

The X-Can V2 seems to have been designed around the Sennheiser family and can even sound "bright" through the HD 600's.

Try swapping the Philips valves (tubes) over to something else before buying a new set of headphones.

I'm convinced that the biggest improvement to sound quality with the X-Can V2 is in the valve department.

The stock valves were "bright" to the degree I couldn't listen for more than 20 minutes without ripping the phones off my head.

I'm performing a bit of an experiment with the X-Can V2 at the moment and will upload my findings to http://freespace.virgin.net/rock.grotto (Grand valve tasting)

Stick with the x-can V2... but change the valves to something smoother.

I'll have the review completed shortly, listening in progress.

Pinkie

 

[elrod-tom]

Quote:

Originally posted by PinkFloyd The X-Can V2 seems to have been designed around the Sennheiser family and can even sound "bright" through the HD 600's. Try swapping the Philips valves (tubes) over to something else before buying a new set of headphones. I'm convinced that the biggest improvement to sound quality with the X-Can V2 is in the valve department. The stock valves were "bright" to the degree I couldn't listen for more than 20 minutes without ripping the phones off my head. I'm performing a bit of an experiment with the X-Can V2 at the moment and will upload my findings to http://freespace.virgin.net/rock.grotto (Grand valve tasting) Stick with the x-can V2... but change the valves to something smoother. I'll have the review completed shortly, listening in progress. Pinkie

Thanks, Pinkie...but I've already changed the valves to the JJ's that Nick D speaks so well of on his website.

Actually, it's not so much the amp/valves. I love the X-Cans V2 with all of my assorted AKG's, but there seems to be something about the Grado that trends a bit on the bright side.

Of course, I love the Grado at work....(sigh)...

Maybe I'll bring them back home once I get the Fisher restored and experiment some more.

I'm looking forward to your website...let the grand experiment begin!!

 

[elrod-tom]

Quote:

Originally posted by Hirsch Hmm...I like the RS-1 with the X-Can, and I'm not a big fan of brightness. I've never thought the combo was bad. Curious. I run the Sony CD-3000 out of the X-Can routinely, and it has similar impedance to the Grado's. Not an impedance mismatch. Something else is going on.

Thanks for the feedback, Hirsch. I have this feeling that the RS-1 is a lot less on the bright side than the 225's, and would be a better match. Oh well...

 

[elrod-tom]

Quote:

Originally posted by JaZZ mecano... ...you're right, the SR-225/X-Can(s) combination can't really be called ideal, it's a trace sharp. My best results are with the Corda blue, where the SR-225's treble is enjoyably smooth. I would suggest a Corda HA-1 instead of the X-Can. Nevertheless, from my perspective a cable-upgraded HD 580/600 for the use with the X-Can is an even better investment – in terms of the price/performance ratio.

Are you suggesting that I switch out the headphone cable on the Grados? Is that a difficult switch (ie) anything other than plug in and/or turn of a screwdriver)???

 

[mecano]

The Phillips JAN tubes are indeed crap.unfortunately the best NOS 6922 are expensive(but much better than the JJ/Tesla or Sovtek)
Both RS-1 and CD3K are way better and more refined than 225.I ve never used RS-1 with Xcans but I used CD3K with Xcans for years,the sound was very open and clear but again a bit bright.

 

[JaZZ]

Quote:

Originally posted by elrod-tom Are you suggesting that I switch out the headphone cable on the Grados? Is that a difficult switch (ie) anything other than plug in and/or turn of a screwdriver)???

If you're aiming the Corda's 1/8" jack: no problem to solder a 1/8" plug onto the SR-225 cable – that's what I have done to both the 225 and 325. If you avoid this, there's a Grado adapter cable, but there's no sense in spending money for it.

 

[jmmtn4aj]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duncan /img/forum/go_quote.gif (Also I believe that the CD3K is well reviewed when partnered with the Can...)

Where to get the CD3ks? I mean besides the eBayers selling them at several thousand dollars..