blakey72 Posted March 11, 2011 Posted March 11, 2011 Hi all, I've got a few questions to ask as I new to the area of hi end cans. Most of my life I've just listened to the old speakers but now with a family I'm finding it harder and harder to have a good session. I am looking for speakers as well however these will only be used on the odd occasion. I've got what I'd class entry level gear: CA 740A CA 740C CA Dacmagic CA 640P Rega P2 Rega 251 arm Rega cart I've currently got 2 sets of headphones: Sennheiser HD201 - crap for music, ok for listening to youtube tv Alessendro MS1i - Very nice but wanting something much better. Now as mentioned I like the Alessendro/Grado sound so I'm wondering if I should stay with what I know. I really want something that has a WOW factor, real audiophile quality. As mentioned budget is fairly respectable and can go higher if need be. Obviously I've considered these so far: Alessandro MS-Pro Grado RS2i Grado RS1i Grado GS1000i Now first up, am I going to be able to run these headphones straight off my Cambridge 740A to sound their best? If not I'll be happy to have any recommendations for a headamp that you think would be suitable (Budget Another $800). I looked at the Darkvoice but don't want to buy something like that if I'm not going to get any better sound than my 740A. I gather I'd have to hook it up to an audio out at the back of the 740A? Second, do you have any other suggestions as to what headphones you would choose for that kind of price? I know it's individual but I live in the country so I can't audition. I listen to a wide range of music such as: Red Hot Chilli Peppers Sepultura to Dire Straits Pink Floyd to Mile Oldfield Groove Armada to Dianna Krell I like a very detailed sound and good soundstage. I'm not a basshead but obviously needs to be some there (balanced). I'm not fussed as far as open/closed etc. goes. What do you think? Blake.
Nada Posted March 11, 2011 Posted March 11, 2011 HD800 - can buy second hand well in your budget - incredible speed and detail, wide sound stage, balanced bass but not overblown BUT very leaky - like two small speakers
Full Range Posted March 11, 2011 Posted March 11, 2011 If I say that my headphones the Auduo Technica ATH-W 5000 are fantastic it only means that I love them There is every possibility that you may hate them What I am trying to say is that you need to trial several headphones if possible , even ones from left field I can tell you that some headphones fit like a glove and can be worn for long periods and some you cant stand for more than 10 minutes They need to suit you FR
kunalraiker Posted March 11, 2011 Posted March 11, 2011 The kind of headphones and your're music taste seems to be inclined very much in the direction of classic rock and the odd jazz.i would definitely recommend the RS1i,the amp that is said to have wonders with this pair is the Maple Tree HD+,usually known as the MAD+.I have heard the amp--loved it and I own the RS1i's,would be happy for you to audition if you want to come down to Melbourne. I don't know whether you would consider used pairs of both the headphones and the amp-check the headphone forum for details,but that will save you almost 50% of the retail.
markm1111 Posted March 12, 2011 Posted March 12, 2011 Some MS-Pros on head-fi for $450 to $500. If you can't have a listen, and don't want to end up buying and selling several pairs of phones, then stickng to a sound signature you know is a good idea Although I would like to know where you can get HD-800's for well within $800 - I'll take a pair! If you decide to explore others, or want closed cans, my favourites at the moment are Denon D-7000's with Jmoney leather pads. The W5000's I alos like, but more for vocals etc, the D7000s are more of an allrounder.
ford Posted March 12, 2011 Posted March 12, 2011 For that sort of money low/mid end Stax system? Why bother with low/mid Stax's when you can get high end dynamics.
Nada Posted March 12, 2011 Posted March 12, 2011 ... I would like to know where you can get HD-800's ..If you decide to explore others, or want closed cans, my favourites at the moment are Denon D-7000's with Jmoney leather pads. The W5000's I alos like, but more for vocals etc, the D7000s are more of an allrounder. my experience is that the HD800 totally outclass the stock D-7000 in most areas. The Denons do have superior bass kick, control music leak and are incredibly easy to drive so a dedicated amp can be less important With the budget "Headphones for budget $800 to $1200???: these are well in budget at US900 or best offer: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/543891/fs-t-hd800-trade-for-k701-2
ophool Posted March 12, 2011 Posted March 12, 2011 Bit over your budget, but from a Grado fan, http://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/zardon/grado-ps1000-headphones-graham-slee-solo-super-ultra-linear-amp-review/ Might be worth a read. I rather like the Solo (though not the latest model) with ATH-W1000 and K-701 and I listen to a lot of similar music to you though I also listen to a deal of classical. Still prefer speakers though.
Henry Vu Posted March 12, 2011 Posted March 12, 2011 Go stax. You should be able to get a set of lamda and a amp for below 1200.
markm1111 Posted March 12, 2011 Posted March 12, 2011 (edited) my experience is that the HD800 totally outclass the stock D-7000 in most areas.[/color] The Denons do have superior bass kick, control music leak and are incredibly easy to drive so a dedicated amp can be less important With the budget "Headphones for budget $800 to $1200???: these are well in budget at US900 or best offer: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/543891/fs-t-hd800-trade-for-k701-2 D7000's are my favourite at the moment as they are closed, which I am restricted to late at night. I misread the original post - thought it was budget up to $800! I agree, HD800's easily obtainable for $800 to $1200 Edited March 12, 2011 by markm1111 typos
Henry Vu Posted March 13, 2011 Posted March 13, 2011 Why bother with low/mid Stax's when you can get high end dynamics. I would choose my mid end stax setup to my high end dynamic setups.
nat0aus Posted March 13, 2011 Posted March 13, 2011 there were lots of fans of the lcd2's at the headfi meet in brisbane yesterday
ford Posted March 13, 2011 Posted March 13, 2011 I would choose my mid end stax setup to my high end dynamic setups. Then why keep the dynamics.
ford Posted March 13, 2011 Posted March 13, 2011 there were lots of fans of the lcd2's at the headfi meet in brisbane yesterday How many owned them.
jrisles Posted March 13, 2011 Posted March 13, 2011 (edited) blakey given the type of music you have just described & how you like to listen to your music a balanced pair of k701's would be my recommendation to you and i do own quite a few pairs of headphones at present. Below is a link to the Brisbane Head-Fi meet; http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/544053/brisbane-meet-2011-12th-march-impressions-n-pix-56k-warning Edited March 13, 2011 by jrisles
Henry Vu Posted March 13, 2011 Posted March 13, 2011 Then why keep the dynamics. I have multiple setups, and..... I just like collecting things haha.
dr-wyas Posted March 13, 2011 Posted March 13, 2011 look forward to reading about it! Hens, here's my thoughts - http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/544053/brisbane-meet-2011-12th-march-impressions-n-pix-56k-warning/15#post_7336204 - would like to hear an update on your LCD-2 impressions.
kunalraiker Posted March 13, 2011 Posted March 13, 2011 Hens, here's my thoughts - http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/544053/brisbane-meet-2011-12th-march-impressions-n-pix-56k-warning/15#post_7336204 - would like to hear an update on your LCD-2 impressions. I don't feel an LCD2 setup will be in your budget,RS1i is something I would get you on,mate listen to them and you won't like another headphone anymore.
Henry Vu Posted March 13, 2011 Posted March 13, 2011 Hens, here's my thoughts - http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/544053/brisbane-meet-2011-12th-march-impressions-n-pix-56k-warning/15#post_7336204 - would like to hear an update on your LCD-2 impressions. Your thoughts mirror mine, they are very dark although I wouldnt call them "slow." I dont love them, not by any means, BUT I still like them, they do things that my other phones don't, especially with some texturing and the sense of recording space which they excel in. They do spend most of their life in their box though. I run the crack/hd800 for my pc and stax in my more "dedicated" setup.
dr-wyas Posted March 13, 2011 Posted March 13, 2011 I don't feel an LCD2 setup will be in your budget,RS1i is something I would get you on,mate listen to them and you won't like another headphone anymore. I'm not the OP kunal, but I do have a set of MS-Pro and like them very much so I would second your recommendation to get the RS1i
ford Posted March 14, 2011 Posted March 14, 2011 I have multiple setups, and..... I just like collecting things haha. Every man has to collect something,and headphones are a lot cheaper than collecting cars.
fdhfdy Posted March 14, 2011 Posted March 14, 2011 I have/had d7000s/rs1is/hd800s. I would go for d7000s because they are very easy to drive, and sound great.
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