Mackie

bottom...hard... left - picture brings forth a phallic image!

Ah...I may have a solution that will work for U guys...N@Z and Guyferd. I have been testing a number of popular DIY pro cables ie, Klotz GY107, Klotz SQ422, Belden 89259, Belden 1694a and Andrew Heliax. Guyferd, To enhance the mid range of DT880, I've settled down on Klotz GY107. It's forte lies in the mids which is warm and involving. Bass is punchy but beware, on some systems it can become flabby. Cost of this cable + Neutrik plugs should cost no more than $50/1m pair N@Z, If u were to own DT770 and worry about its flamboyant bass, I recommend the Klotz SQ422 which is rather balanced but with a slightly leaner bass and not as open as GY107. Otherwise, I favour the Andrew Heliax. On some systems, this can be rather sharp sounding but it has deep ambience and wide soundstaging owing to its treble extension. I think this is very compatible to the DT770.

belgarion, pls check PM.

Wow! I could have gotten a used pair of Dynaudio Contour 1.3SE loudspeakers with the price of the 4040.

No worries. I'm borrowing a pair of 89259 to try tonight. Hope it's more encouraging.

ah.....tough call......I propose U seek Mikhail as he's the most friendly of them all.

Tee, U can always request a home trial from Kingsley. They are receptive to this request. Seek Mikhail for he's very friendly.

Hi tee, I have to disagree with your friend's notion on the high-end classification in accordance to Stereophile's rating. Ironically, quoting from Bob Harley's book "The Complete Guide to High-End Audio", who is the former Chief Consulting Technical Editor of Stereophile magazine, he wrote that high-end does not equate to a high price tag but sound quality. For instance, a $1,000 gear with great performance in music making is deemed high-end but a $10,000 gear that fails is not. In the 80-90s, British mags classify mid-fi at those around the S$1000 mark and budget range around S$500...as a rough guide. Hence, brands that cost 5-figure or up and with super sound quality to boot are considered Super high-end or super-fi, eg. Gryphon, Burmester, Goldmund. Therefore, U are owning some really high-end gears even though U may disagree. Congrats! :

Yeah...cute cat! Seems like your pictures have a greenish tint to them and also out of focus. Perhaps a switch to different ISO, program mode from "close-up" to "auto or landscape" and spot metering may help. oops...mobile phones may not have these features........?

tee, Very cheeky of U but creative nevertheless! Btw, what U said is true. This always happens during pow wow sessions. I personally find it quite insensitive to the host. After all, sound and music are all subjective and different hobbists have different yardsticks in audiophilia owing to space, economics and preference. There's no absolute rights and wrongs but we can help one another with the do and don'ts though.

ablaze, I don't know about the 89259s but just auditioned a few interconnects including Klotz GY107 last night. Here are my findings: Andrew Heliax - has rather sharp highs and some female vocals are almost sibilant. Treble extension is good and very airy. I would have accepted it if not for the lean bass which really fell short of any slam and oomph. I think this cable will suit tube systems or those that are bass-heavy better. Klotz GY107 - has deep lower-upper bass but a tad too much at times with some recordings as it tends to masks the treble. Mid range is warm and full which I like a lot as this is the area I'm trying to improve on my cans system. However, treble is less extended and this results in narrower soundstage width and depth and ambience around instruments are lacking. Generally, I think this cable may not be suitable for big orchestral works as its weakness will be more obvious. I'd recommend this cable to anyone who listens mostly to vocals and if his system is lacking focus, warmth and bass punch. Ecosse The Composer - After hearing the above cables which excelled in two different extremes, the Ecosse sounds right in the middle. I like its open sound and ambience/soundstage is better than the Klotz but not Andrew Heliax. On vocals, I like the Klotz better whereas Ecosse tends to sound too laid back and lean....somewhat lacking in emotions. Bass has less bloom but still tight nevertheless. Overall, I find this cable rather laid back and more suitable for bright sounding systems. If this cable has the full vocals of the Klotz, Ecosse is a must buy for me! Disclaimer: The above opinions/findings may differ in other systems and mine is as such in this system comprising of PD9700 > Belden 1694a with canare plugs > X-24K dac > X-PSU > X-cans > Beyer DT880.

Ah......interesting. I'm ready to post mine anytime but need to take some snapshots to update the older images I have on hand.

Dear chappies, What say U if each and everyone of us contribute a list of AV (cans systems inclusive, of course) equipment and perhaps pictures (for those with digital cameras) on a sticky thread? It will be interesting and helpful as one can seek the opinion of a user who has the item of interest. It will also be an eye-opener for anyone who is baffled or "blur" (ME) with some of the cans and headamps discussed here. A picture speaks a thousand words.

Hi tee, Source and amp are plugged into 2 different AC outlets. I use AudioPrism Foundation power conditioners in my main system but only for sources and pre-amp. It kills the dynamics of my power amp and hence, it is connected straight into another outlet. I'm not employing any filters in my cans system though. IMO, I advocate power conditioners/filters on gears which draw lesser current as the noise floor is significantly lower esp sources. But I don't recommend these for use with a power amp.....especially those that consumes a lot of current for dynamics are substantially reduced. Of course, such findings may or may not be apparent in other systems.

Ah...rather subjective but to be on the "kiasu" side, 100 hours should be fine. This issue has been discussed before. Click the following for a recap. http://www.cryophilia.com/sgheadphones/ind...ct=ST&f=2&t=169

tee: Thanks for your input. My PD9700 cdp sits atop 3 x BDR type 4 cones (one front/2 back config) and the Mission Isoplat is separated by 3 x Soundcare Superspikes. Unless I shoot from a lower angle, these would not be apparent. On cones, I've come full circle and put my utmost confidence on the Goldmund cones employed in the main system. They are the best I've used so far, my opinion of course. The DT880 has a rather short cable and to avert using the 5-m extension cord, I've to locate the cans system near to my reading spot. I've tried locating the X-components away but cord tension tightens. Aesthetically, it didn't look nice and hence the present choice of location to make it look like a cosy corner for cans whereas the rest of the room is occupied with speakers setup, LP, DVD and CDs shelves. I have a rather small room....sigh. Sonically, there's no obvious detriment in the current arrangement that I can pick up but maybe my guidelines for cans are much lower than the speakers system. This has been omitted but I've loaded the digital output of the DAC (yes, MF X-24K does have a digital output for further processing) with a DIY rca plug soldered with a resistor emulating the impedance of a coaxial cable to reduce/eradicate RFI.

Guyferd: I prefer to listen to cans on weekdays after work while my speakers setup take centre-stage on weekends. So utilization is much more than what U perceive.

N@Z: No humming is apparent as I've carefully isolated the analogue interconnects from digital cable and power cords. A small thing to note is a sheet of non-slip mat I've placed on top of the Mission Isoplat. This also helps to offer a wee bit of isolation but major purpose is to prevent the X-components from slipping on their cylindrical feet.

Lots of queries to attend to, here goes: evil-zen: Chassis resonates and more so as internal transformer vibrate and add to resonance. Thus, the cones will help but to a lesser degree than on the cans. Aiyah...it's not a headphone hanger. That's my floor-standing lamp with halogen bulbs. The extension where the cans hangs is the reading light.

N@Z..........I'm married too.........

Updated with pictures and a new finding on the tweaking department..........as promised!

Yo dude! Congrats on your new purchase. U can mod this cdp to your heart's content. At least the initial link ie. transport is a fine one, a forte of Teac. Do U know that YBA cdps use Teac's transports?

Gees.....a passing statement can lead to something as serious as this...........in a good way I suppose!! I concur with Rameish in having a gathering with drinks but in a target rich environment where all pubs are located, it's hard not to end the night in a KTV ....hahahaha............. If U guys are really serious, I can consult my colleague to ID a good place. Like tee, I'm more well versed in the foreign scene (HK) as I've completely lost touch with here. In the meantime, shall we discuss a date and rendezvous?

Hi Guyferd, Since U've confirmed the cdp and cans are not contributing to the hiss, the earthing problem as suggested by ting can be confirmed by the following troubleshooting. 1. Change the interconnects (doubtful this is the cause) to the cheapo red & white ones. No effect? Carry on to the next stage. If there is, return the Monster interconnects to me and I shall look into it. 2. Switch the power cord of your creek amp with another UK 3-pin (ensure ground pin is connected) and test. Meanwhile, feel the amp's chassis and test for any static when U brush your fingers against it. If answer is negative on all these acounts, most probably the amp is the culprit. U will need to send it in for servicing but if one has an oscilloscope and signal generator, troubleshooting should be mighty easy. Trace the signal from input to output with a probe and compare the measurements against the functioning R-channel. I suspect a capacitor of the filtering or amplification stage is defectively but may not be visible to the naked eye. Look for slightly over-blown top and bottom of a capacitor as this normally gives away of its demise. If U ever need to seek someone for repairs, revert to us. I have a few friends who are into modding and had also done some repairs for others. Good luck!

Dear all, My usb port has collapsed and failed to fulfill my promise to provide pictures. No worries matey! Got a new card and port should be operational; images will be available soon.