Headphones again!
Posted by: Dobbin on 03 February 2003
Calm Calm!
OK I've followed a few threads on this and other forums on the above subject but never seen one conclude successfully (for me anyway).
I need headphones, (having a new baby who's mother is averse to loud music after his bedtime - I happen to agree btw
).
I would like to know the following:
Recommended 'phone/amp pairings (headphone amp that is) for use with Naim kit. See my profile for my current setup.
Presumably I can power a headline from my supercap. If not then I have a 'spare' hi-cap.
When is the new headline on sale, how much will it cost, is it any good (sorry have to ask!), and what 'phones work well with it?
Musical taste is the usual 'wide and varied'.
There you go!
D
OK I've followed a few threads on this and other forums on the above subject but never seen one conclude successfully (for me anyway).
I need headphones, (having a new baby who's mother is averse to loud music after his bedtime - I happen to agree btw
). I would like to know the following:
Recommended 'phone/amp pairings (headphone amp that is) for use with Naim kit. See my profile for my current setup.
Presumably I can power a headline from my supercap. If not then I have a 'spare' hi-cap.
When is the new headline on sale, how much will it cost, is it any good (sorry have to ask!), and what 'phones work well with it?
Musical taste is the usual 'wide and varied'.
There you go!
D
Posted on: 03 February 2003 by Mekon
The sense I gleaned from previous thread was HD600s are a steal, but some people who have ears that can cope with them love the more expensive Grados.
Alot of people seem to use the Rega Ear, but I've not seen any glowing recommendations Alex recently said it was considerably worse than the Creek jobbie, but that is quite a bit more money. Alot of people on Head-Fi rate the x-cans amp, but some consider it unmusical.
I guess if you have the budget for headline, you ought to check that. Sadly, I didn't, but am very happy with the HD600/Ear combo. Be warned, even at modest volumes, they put out alot of noise. If 'mother' is watching TV, expect regular 'TOO LOUD!' sign language.
Alot of people seem to use the Rega Ear, but I've not seen any glowing recommendations Alex recently said it was considerably worse than the Creek jobbie, but that is quite a bit more money. Alot of people on Head-Fi rate the x-cans amp, but some consider it unmusical.
I guess if you have the budget for headline, you ought to check that. Sadly, I didn't, but am very happy with the HD600/Ear combo. Be warned, even at modest volumes, they put out alot of noise. If 'mother' is watching TV, expect regular 'TOO LOUD!' sign language.
Posted on: 03 February 2003 by mystik
£200 HD580's for £95 from Superfi's website!
I recently bought an MG Head OTL for £220 which is a very good valve headphone amp. Good if you can't afford Naim's 2 box route.
I recently bought an MG Head OTL for £220 which is a very good valve headphone amp. Good if you can't afford Naim's 2 box route.
Posted on: 03 February 2003 by Mekon
The Rega Ear is £118, I believe.
Posted on: 04 February 2003 by Ron Brinsdon
Totally agree with Mekon re HD600's and external noise.
Pre Naim I used old Koss Pro 4AA phones with a Creek 4140 amp and, being a closed back design, they went LOUD without too much complaining from 3rd parties.
After reading the threads on this forum and seeing them at a bargain price, I now use open HD600's with Flatcap2/Headline/112/150/CD5 etc and I get the "T.I.D." signals at even fairly modest settings on the Headline. It's like the Koss pair go all the way up to 11 and the HD's to only 6 or 7.
I understand that I can adjust the individual disc/CD output level settings of the 112/150 but have not got around to doing this yet and need to read the manuals unless anyone can give me the idiots guide.
Overall the HD's are the "better" 'phones for detail and following or analysing the music but I switch back to the Koss pair when I want to be rocked out of my chair.
Regards
Pre Naim I used old Koss Pro 4AA phones with a Creek 4140 amp and, being a closed back design, they went LOUD without too much complaining from 3rd parties.
After reading the threads on this forum and seeing them at a bargain price, I now use open HD600's with Flatcap2/Headline/112/150/CD5 etc and I get the "T.I.D." signals at even fairly modest settings on the Headline. It's like the Koss pair go all the way up to 11 and the HD's to only 6 or 7.
I understand that I can adjust the individual disc/CD output level settings of the 112/150 but have not got around to doing this yet and need to read the manuals unless anyone can give me the idiots guide.
Overall the HD's are the "better" 'phones for detail and following or analysing the music but I switch back to the Koss pair when I want to be rocked out of my chair.
Regards
Posted on: 04 February 2003 by Mekon
There is a review of the Ear here, and a link to a review of the x-cans on the same page.
Posted on: 04 February 2003 by Matthew T
Dobbin,
With a spare Hi-Cap I would suggest that you will be struggling to beat headline as amp and the HD600 are very good set of headphones, certainly recommend you listen to some. You can get a pair from askdirect.co.uk for £120.
cheers
Matthew
With a spare Hi-Cap I would suggest that you will be struggling to beat headline as amp and the HD600 are very good set of headphones, certainly recommend you listen to some. You can get a pair from askdirect.co.uk for £120.
cheers
Matthew
Posted on: 04 February 2003 by Adrian Mehlig
I'm currently using a HICAP-powered Headline with a pair of Sennheiser HD580s (soon to be replaced by HD600s - thanks for the AskDirect link, Matthew T!).
They are pretty close to Stax electrostatics, which I have used in the past, but I'm relying on memory here as I have never heard them side-by-side.
One important option which hasn't been mentioned so far is the replacement HD580/600 cable from Cardas. It really makes a huge improvement over the standard Sennheiser cable and I strongly recommend it to any HD580/600 user. The only downside is that it costs as much as the headphones themselves...
They are pretty close to Stax electrostatics, which I have used in the past, but I'm relying on memory here as I have never heard them side-by-side.
One important option which hasn't been mentioned so far is the replacement HD580/600 cable from Cardas. It really makes a huge improvement over the standard Sennheiser cable and I strongly recommend it to any HD580/600 user. The only downside is that it costs as much as the headphones themselves...
Posted on: 04 February 2003 by onlythat
I'll tell you-- you might consider the AKG 501 as well. A fine can for PRaT. Not quite as up front as the HD 600, but very wonderful in many ways-- a lot of fun. I own the HD600's, the AKG 501 and the Grado SR60 and I hate to say it, but sometimes I just prefer the Grados to all of 'em, even though they are like 1/5 the price. They just have a great musicality about them.
I use the Creek (not the SE) headphone amp, but have also owned XCans v2 and V1 and have had the STAX lambdas and the Headroom Max Home on extended dems.
I'll tell you, I sent the XCans back because they were actually a bit steely sounding at certain times-- most un-tubelike. The people at audioadvisor told me it was a breakin issue, but I was unwilling to wait.
The Headroom Max Home was magnificent! Warm and powerful and involving-- but for like a fraction of the cost, the Creek was Juuuuuust about similar. Not quite as detailed and relaxed (yes-- simultaneously) but almost.
So I bought it and have had perfect service from it ever since. You know-- in comparison with my other phones, the HD600 can have a bit of phatness in the bass and can be a little too detailed for some things. Likewise, the AKG's sometimes arent detailed enough for GREAT recordings etc. The Grados make music all the time, but can tend toward the undetailed. I'd say though, that the Grados are probably the most fun, while the Senns sound the "best" and the AKGs are great with symphonies and when you want a little softer, more distant perspective (slightly). They are also probably more "fun" than the HD600's.
Incidentally, I had the Stax's for a bit on Dem and I'll tell you they didnt do it for me. Too revealing and not enough punchiness/fun.
Hope those utter Ramblings help.
yours in the dharma,
David
I use the Creek (not the SE) headphone amp, but have also owned XCans v2 and V1 and have had the STAX lambdas and the Headroom Max Home on extended dems.
I'll tell you, I sent the XCans back because they were actually a bit steely sounding at certain times-- most un-tubelike. The people at audioadvisor told me it was a breakin issue, but I was unwilling to wait.
The Headroom Max Home was magnificent! Warm and powerful and involving-- but for like a fraction of the cost, the Creek was Juuuuuust about similar. Not quite as detailed and relaxed (yes-- simultaneously) but almost.
So I bought it and have had perfect service from it ever since. You know-- in comparison with my other phones, the HD600 can have a bit of phatness in the bass and can be a little too detailed for some things. Likewise, the AKG's sometimes arent detailed enough for GREAT recordings etc. The Grados make music all the time, but can tend toward the undetailed. I'd say though, that the Grados are probably the most fun, while the Senns sound the "best" and the AKGs are great with symphonies and when you want a little softer, more distant perspective (slightly). They are also probably more "fun" than the HD600's.
Incidentally, I had the Stax's for a bit on Dem and I'll tell you they didnt do it for me. Too revealing and not enough punchiness/fun.
Hope those utter Ramblings help.
yours in the dharma,
David
Posted on: 05 February 2003 by Matthew T
I got my HD600's for £100 a year ago.
Will have to try the Cardas cable at some point.
Matthew
Will have to try the Cardas cable at some point.
Matthew
Posted on: 05 February 2003 by Dobbin
Thanks folks - great info.
It looks like HD600's then and my old hi-cap with a headline, although I'll try and audition the Creek too.
Stupid Q now - how do I wire this all together with my 252??
It looks like HD600's then and my old hi-cap with a headline, although I'll try and audition the Creek too.
Stupid Q now - how do I wire this all together with my 252??
Posted on: 05 February 2003 by Dobbin
Nick,
Sorry to be a bit thick here...
Can you explain the exact connections/cable routes - presumable I'll 'lose' something on my preamp??
Sorry to be a bit thick here...
Can you explain the exact connections/cable routes - presumable I'll 'lose' something on my preamp??
Posted on: 05 February 2003 by Dobbin
I see - I lose the tape output as presumably the headline is a line level device requiring line in/out type signal
[This message was edited by Dobbin on WEDNESDAY 05 February 2003 at 15:30.]
[This message was edited by Dobbin on WEDNESDAY 05 February 2003 at 15:30.]
Posted on: 06 February 2003 by Dobbin
Just ordered some HD600's from askdirect.
Their https website is a bit iffy!
Am awaiting Headline release???
Their https website is a bit iffy!
Am awaiting Headline release???
Posted on: 07 February 2003 by Matthew T
Dobbin,
Do not fear. They do exist, they have a shop on Tottenham Court road so they must alright, right?(!). It's even one of the more presentable store on TCR.
Dobbin, the headline (at least it used to) comes 5 pin DIN socket that connects into a tape loop on your preamp comes supplied with a 5 pin Din to 5pin DIN. Of course my frustration is that it is not possile to connect it direct into a CDP without rewiring or getting a bespoke interconnect.
enjoy
Matthew
Do not fear. They do exist, they have a shop on Tottenham Court road so they must alright, right?(!). It's even one of the more presentable store on TCR.
Dobbin, the headline (at least it used to) comes 5 pin DIN socket that connects into a tape loop on your preamp comes supplied with a 5 pin Din to 5pin DIN. Of course my frustration is that it is not possile to connect it direct into a CDP without rewiring or getting a bespoke interconnect.
enjoy
Matthew