Mackie

The latest Marantz CD5100 cdp costs only $350. Marantz usually have pretty good headphone-out circuitry and therefore, you can plug in your cans direct if you don't have a headamp. With balance of $150, you can get any cheap mini for radio. I have a cheap Enzer mini which sounds crab with cd but its tuner function is very sensitve and good. U can also choose to buy one from yahoo classifieds/auctions. Afterall, radio is not a priority right? Here is a summary of my thoughts: 1. Marantz CD5100 + cheap mini compo for radio listening 2. Marantz CD5100 + Xiangsheng 708B or Original Master headamps (new $250/used $200 or below respectively) 3. Present pcdp + PA2V2 and other portable headamps + mini compo My suggestion? Go slow and steady but objectively. Buy a Marantz or any dedicated cdp you like and live with it for a while. Once you get used to the sound, add an amp but hear for improvement. If it ain't there, skip the amp for now and get a cheap mini compo for radio and a portable amp for your pcdp. As time goes by undertaking this course of action, you would eventually end up with a home based cdp+headamp system (the amp will come in later, I promise), a mini compo for radio/casual cd playback and a portable system.

Read this: http://www.sgheadphones.net/index.php?showtopic=5232

The Quietline functions more like a filter but a more refined version and produced by AudioPrism. A rather good product for the price and function. Your friend is right but there's still benefits to be had even though the power line is not dedicated. Say you reap 30% in lower noise floor now but 100% with a dedicated power line. But think of the money U need to pump in to facilitate this. Another concern is whether your system will be able to present this subtle improvement. It's all about cost and performance.

If you dig Stan Getz, U'll will like Antonio Carlos Jobim. If you specifically like Sax, try out the Jazz Grand master John Coltrane - Ballads album.

- Jin Pian Zi 1 - Jin Pian Zi 2 http://us.yesasia.com/en/artIdxDept.aspx/s...id-3255/aid-80/

Is budget an issue? Otherwise, build a system (need an amp) around Beyer DT770pro and its equivalent, if you prefer circumaural cans. Otherwise, IEMs such as UM2 should be your cup of tea. But we are talking about price bracket a few folds more than your current PX100.

I don't know the answer as I don't think there's one. As a guide, I like the sound from a modded Sony EX70, a regualr Koss KSC35 and KSC75, partnered with SL-CT720, either direct or via PA2V2 portable amp.

Let me try.... IEM = In-Ear Monitors Canal phones = Self explainatory; inserting to ear canal, thus, similar to IEMs But? IEM being monitors, like studio monitors, these are specially produced for flatter response, greater accuracy and resolution, and also better isolation for stage/event applications. I deduce IEM falls into the larger canal phones category. CANAL PHONES > IEM (PRO AUDIO) v CONSUMER PHONES (eg. EX71/90 etc)

Try this for passion. Mount the pads thru your cut-out hole instead of the original option, aesthetics will improve (your cut-out will be hidden by the cups) and brightness is also slightly curtailed.

Harvey Norman, Best denki, etc. Btw, the cdps that you'd mentioned are not high end. Don't be surprised by the fact that good sounding mini/compo could (would, IMHO) cost more than a reasonably good sounding entry level Marantz CD5400/5100 model.

Try out the Xindak. I can't recall the shop's name but it's at Bukit Timah Plaza. The person in charge is reknowed to be rather friendly and receptive, perhaps he would allow a home trial. However, using a power conditioner in a non-cd based system would not yield much sonically. I'd rather try the board+cable option if you believe in the difference that a power cable makes.

sms/call him on his mobile 97543050.

The prefix "I" denotes "improved".

The 3-pin power plugs used in this country follow the UK standard, thus, commonly known as UK 3-pin plug. Like any other hifi accessory, and in this case, a power conditioner may not give you much yield in sonic improvment in a headphone based system of the budget to mid range. So a trial is recommended before purchase. If one can't tell the sound difference from a power cord change, the subtle difference from a power conditioner shall be harder to discern.

But anyone who does not have knowledge in eletrical stuff, please refrain from meddling with the wall sockets. U might end up like the wolf that suffered in the hands of the roadrunner and constantly ended up in smoke from his own ACME explosive device.

If you feel all the abovementioned products differ greatly from your current PX100 and not to your liking, in your case, a different cable and amp will not turn things around albeit the difference can be narrowed. Maybe you should just look at PX200, which is a closed back design and offers superior isolation over the open back PX100.

Remember this, simplicity is best. Badly designed power extension boards introduce more noise than it's supposed to curtail. A power surge protection board is ideal for pc but rather dubious with audio systems. Try this option instead, buy a sturdy UK plug extension boards (better yet if just the board; no cable) from your friendly neighborhood hardware store and attach an aftermarket power cable such as Belden to it.

A power conditioner serves to clean up the noise inherent in power supply and supposed to improve the signal-noise ratio, thus, resulting in better sound quality. However, our local power supply feed is rather stable and quiet as opposed to some countries that constantly experienced voltage swings and ripple noise. Therefore, the end result from a power conditioner in a headphone based system should be subtle than that in a high resolution speakers system. Beware of filters like those meant for surge protection as it could result in a very constricted sound. Amps connected to such a circuit board will sound less dynamic (easily discernible especially with current angry power amps like Krell). But this detriment should be hard to discern with lower powered headamps. The Krell power amp sounded lazy and lost much of its reknown dynamics when connected to a power conditioner and actually sounded much better direct from the wall outlet. Xindak and Bada power conditioners are good in terms of value for money but you need not spend huge amount of money on Audioprism or PS Audio and the likes, not unless you own a high end speakers system. I currently use an Audioprism Foundation series for my speakers system and Xindak/Bada (can't recall as its hidden) for home theater system.

Change the power cord. I suggest Belden 19364 ($10/m) or 83802/83803 (2-core/3-core; $20/m) based on performance and value. The XS is one of the few breed of products that benefits a lot by swopping to an aftermarket power cord. The manufacturer appears to know of this as it rolled out a 708B with IEC connector whereas the 708A came with a captive power cable.

Yeah I'm big (a kind word for overweight?) and always hang around with coiled beyer wires. Hmmm...pretty sure it's me until you mentioned the "brown" part. I'm rather fair U see. kekekeke...... I always have to do a changeover at JE en route from Raffles Place to Yew Tee.

If you are able to compare the 720 with a more contemporary Pannie unit, please do. Anyhow, these Pannie pcdps harbour D-amps (digital amps) that not only produce a more realistic surround and bass enhancement through the different eq modes, the un-eq signal is also more open and transparent.

Ah....before discussions lead to a myth, I think I'd better elaborate on a few issues regarding burn-in/run-in discs. These are simply tracks with recorded oscillating/alternating signals of different frequency to run-in the signal path....ie think electrons flow. No burn-in is permanent and if a system is left cold for month(s) on end, it will benefit for a few hours of burning in to sound optimal again. XLO electric is a company that produces audiophile cables. The cd concerned is a XLO-Reference Recording collaboration, one providing the technical know-how on conductivity and the other on recordings to facilitate these fuctions. The disc contains other tracks for speakers positioning, polarity checks etc. Pleae play the tracks at average listening volume and not LOW volume. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000015A...v=glance&n=5174 Alrighty guys, lets leave it as that and go back to topic. Peace.

If you really wanna know, try it for yourself. Views are always subjective so I advise you to take it with a pinch of salt for now. The lack of input on the DJs implies few owners or even none from this forum.

Please avoid discussions in the classified section as per regulations. You could do this via pm/email. Non-related posts to the sale were deleted.

I agree, please start a fresh thread in the classifieds section. Thanks.