You're all crazy IMO

[mbd2884]

Just focus on the music. If the improvement to your setup improves your appreciation of the music go for it, if it doesn't, then you know you're doing because building a headphone system has become a hobby, separate from the music.

I don't think having headphones as a hobby is a negative thing though, if you enjoy it, awesome.

 

[haloxt]

Sometimes people can derive as much enjoyment out of a bad setup as from a good one, a lot of hearing is mental the same with all the other organs of sense. It is only by utilizing imagination that people can make their perceptions become coherent. Trying to make sense of bad music reproduction would require more mental sifting of erroneous data than good music reproduction, which is also simply an approximation of the real thing, which is subconsciously reconstructed inside your head.

Quote:

The people with perfect pitch I spoke to poo-pooed the new-dimension-of-music angle, but some of them were clearly being too modest. One University of Chicago music professor said he could conjure up an entire orchestral piece in his mind strictly from having read the sheet music. It was like reading a book to him. There were pieces he'd enjoyed for years before he'd physically heard them played. Snatches of seen-but-not-heard music would float into his mind the way we might remember an advertising jingle. He didn't own a stereo and didn't need one. He had an experience of music most people would never know.

 

[Brandon B]

I only think upgrading your hi-fi setup becomes crazy when you start spending a ton of money for marginal improvements. For instance, if you listen to music everyday and appreciate good sound I don't know that spending $1000 on a DAC is a big deal as long as you can afford it, but if you spend $5000 on a DAC which maybe only sounds 10% better you might want to reconsider your priorities. I have a modest $500 headphone setup, and there are only a handful of recordings in my large music collection that can even exploit the full potential of my rig.. that won't stop me from upgrading in the future, but if I start spending thousands of dollars just so my Steely Dan records will sound a little better I might need to get my head checked.

 

[KevM2]

I've invested a good deal into my set-up ($1,000+), but that's a sand grain at a beach compared to some others. For me, it's a lot of money, but it was worth every cent. I love great sound and it's quite the adventure seeing how it develops as you continually put good equipment behind your headphones.

 

[donunus]

KevM2, whats the setup now by the way? checked youre profile and its still blank. You got hd600s, the ef1. What dac do you use? I like to keep tabs on the systems of my fellow hd600 lovers

 

[mbd2884]

Thinking my next purchase will be the HeadAmp Pico. Be great if I ever choose to make a portable setup, but seems it will be great for my laptop setup, get the USB DAC with it. Hmm maybe next month.

 

[KevM2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by donunus /img/forum/go_quote.gif KevM2, whats the setup now by the way? checked youre profile and its still blank. You got hd600s, the ef1. What dac do you use? I like to keep tabs on the systems of my fellow hd600 lovers

HD600 with Equinox cable
Amp: EF-1
DAC: E-MU 0404

I'm about to throw a Mapleshade Clearview Excalibur Plus Interconnect into the picture soon.

Mapleshade Audio Products - Clearview Excalibur Analog Ribbon Interconnects

Luckily, I found them for $150 bucks.

I found the Equinox gave me some more clarity and good bass extension... I'm looking for the Excalibur to speed up the presentation and add more treble detail. I'm hoping for some kind of synergy, but we'll see.

I'll post my impressions after I get them... Should be here on Friday or Saturday.

 

[donunus]

Ive noticed interconnects not doing as much as the equinox... but then again our amps are different so who knows

 

[donunus]

powerful bass does not equal expensive. audiophiles don't want overpowering bass

 

[Suntory_Times]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dosquito /img/forum/go_quote.gif Exactly. i truly believe lots of the guys on here don't even like music. I have 12,000 songs on my itunes. I spent $350 so I could ENJOY THE MUSIC THAT I LIKE MORE, which I don't really regret. I think it was a good investment, but don't expect any huge differences if you're a normal person.

What, the difference of a well set-up system (with synergy) and a poorly set-up system is clearly evident. If you are buying a headphone like the HD580, 600 or 650 and you expect a huge difference without a good amp and dac that have synergy, you deserve to be dissapointed. These headphones are designed to be run using an amp,there's no question about that, and running one without one will not allow it to nearly touch on its potential.

Also, who's to decide what a normal person is. Is there even such a thing as a normal person, or do we all have are wierd little quirks etc...

 

[kelvinz]

wait until you enter the hi-fi world

 

[KevM2]

It's an expensive hobby, no doubt about it, but watching the music come more and more alive as I make improvements is what it's all about. Sure, it's possible to really enjoy music out an an ipod and some cheap earbuds, and that is satisfying for probably 95% of the populace... But then there are those who want to get the absolute most out of there music and aren't afraid to spend money to do so.

 

[kool bubba ice]

The OP should go to meets and compare his 580 to a Omega or AKG1000, and if you still think the difference is small you are lucky.

 

[kool bubba ice]

I'm also one of those who will pay a premium for a 5-10% improvement, cause thats where the magic lies.. The suble things bring joy to my ear.. And every % matters.. You have sprinters who train vigorously all yr just to be 1-2 hundredth of a second faster.. Tell them it doesn't matter.

 

[uraflit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kool bubba ice /img/forum/go_quote.gif The OP should go to meets and compare his 580 to a Omega or AKG1000, and if you still think the difference is small you are lucky.

actually, if they like the hd580 sound, the difference for the OP will actually "hurt" the Omega/K1000's reputation!