frodo

Unfortunately Challenger at Funan carry only the newer MX400-CS (which has the straight plug) as well as the MX450, but not the original "Headmax" MX400.

Thanks! I'll go take a look.

Any suggestions please? Thanks in advance. frodo

Hi all Does anybody know where they still sell the original Sennheiser MX400 earbuds (which comes with a right-angle plug)? I know they've been superceded by the MX450, but I feel that the new model has a flimsier cord, and a straight plug (which does not suit my use without a remote), and the rewind mechanism (case) is harder to operate than the original model's. I've seen the MX400-CS, but that also comes with a straight plug. Thanks! frodo

Hi I suppose the combination of features makes it attractive. However, if the attraction is the DAB part, I hope people are aware of its limitations as well as its benefits. The standard benefits of DAB are -- clear hiss-free sound (provided you are in a place where the signal strength is sufficient, otherwise you get "bubble" sounds due to signal dropouts); song title display; traffic announcements(!); and several stations not available on FM (in Singapore). These must be weighed against its limitations -- relatively poor sound quality (in fact, I feel poorer than 96kbps MP3, and definitely poorer than FM with good reception); song titles that are displayed only half of the available time (the rest of the time taken up by irritating repetitive MediaCorp promotional announcements, and the occasional traffic announcement) -- so you often have to stare at the display waiting for the title to come along (although the TxtStor feature on the PocketDAB 2000 might somewhat alleviate, or even totally eliminate, this problem). However, for a pocket radio, the advantage is that you have a choice of signals (FM and DAB) so you increase your chances of getting good reception for those MediCorp stations which are available on both. All non-MediaCorp stations are not available on DAB, of course. Personally, I resort to DAB only when I can't get a good clean signal from the corresponding FM station (my DAB reception happens to be quite good for both multiplexes). Since I have several tuners, I normally just use my DAB for song title display (!!!), and even that's not as useful as it could be, for reasons mentioned above. It's laughable, I know, but I still haven't decided whether I should be laughing ... I also don't believe I have ever seen any song titles on 933 and 972 .... In view of the poor DAB sound quality, the benefits of optical out, for recording DAB, is therefore somewhat arguable. Nonetheless, the combination of features the PocketDAB 2000 provides may still prove attractive, depending on one's usage. Cheers frodo

They're about $255 and $480 respectively (the last time I saw).

1. Since the left and right channels are driven separately, you cannot add the impedances of the two. (You can only do that for devices that are connected in series, which the left and right drivers are obviously not.) 2. Although impedances generally give a fair indication of how easy they are to drive, the other important factor is their sensitivity. It is theoretically possible that a set of phones with low impedance and low sensitivity be softer than one with a higher impedance but higher sensitivity.... Still, since you are using them for travel you definitely need something isolating. And if I were you I would avoid the EX-71 and Koss Plugs. The former has less isolation and I find too boomy, whereas the latter might isolate a bit better but are just bass and almost nothing else. Cheers.

Thanks for your comments, Brandon -- I'll certainly keep in mind. frodo

Hi Gahman I think you're refering to the iRiver's feature that allows the EQ to be automatically set according to the mp3 song's genre. The genre is set either during ripping or you can set it using software like WinAmp, ID3-TagIT etc. I haven't actually tried this feature myself as my iRiver doesn't do it, so please correct me if I'm wrong and it doesn't work! Hope this helps. cheers frodo

Hi all Does anyone have any experience with or knowledge of these CDPs? If they're "good enough" I might be persuaded to part with my hard-earned cash (both are around $1200~1300) to replace my old Denon DCD-1300. ("Good enough" = substantially better than my Denon for my "tin ears" to hear the difference + better value than other models at this price point). I've seen good reviews for both, but only in Chinese for the Cayin. The Arcam is supposed to be very good even as their most basic model, while it seems to me that products from the high-end Chinese companies like Cayin, Opera, and Shanling tend to be not only good performers but offer better value for money than the competition. Or would I do better to get something else? Your valued comments are most appreciated - Thanks! frodo

Many thanks for all your informative replies. I'll bear them in mind and do more "homework" before deciding whether to commit the dollars -- the RA-1 is not exactly cheap. Maybe I should think about the clone instead. What about the PA2V2 that's being mentioned lately? Would that be OK for the SR-325i? I also have the ER-4S which it seems to be suitable for. And a less substantial investment! Or the CMoy2? Would any of these (PA2V2, CMoy2) be suitable for the DT880 too? Thanks

Hi all After reading all the posts about the SR-325i I got interested (curious?) and proceeded to get one -- frst time I've had a taste of the "Grado sound". I'm quite pleased with the sound (that's all I can say -- inexperienced ears!) and am surprised how easily it can be driven even by portable sources. Nonetheless, I understand that it will sound even better if it is amped. So should I get an RA-1 (and if so, the AC or battery operated one)? Or are there better amps locally available at the same price level? Also, unless the improvement is fairly easily discernable I think I might be wasting my money on it as I don't have audiophile ears. Btw, what is it about the RA-1 that cause people to make "RA-1 clones"? Is it because the RA-1 is a good design, or just that the original is over-priced? My sources are mainly a Zen Extra, an Acoustic Solutions SP111 DAB tuner, and an old Denon DCD1300, but I hope to get something better "one day". Your comments and advice will be most appreciated! Thanks.

Hi auron Hope you'll still keep the MX400 though - it will give you a different sound (which I actually quite like except for the relative lack of bass and isolation and difficulty in keeping properly positioned in my ears -- positioning is so critical for this type of earbuds!) for those quiter environments. Happy listening!

Hi auron I have the HJE50, EX-71 and MX-400. I find the HJE50 MUCH better than the EX-71 in all aspects - sound (tighter bass, better midrange) and build quality, and price. The MX-400 sounds clearer at the expense of bass (or perhaps another way to put it is that the bass that the HJE50 puts out is relatively more in relation to the midrange than the MX-400). They sound quite different. The HJE50 provides more bass and a fair amount of isolation, if that's what you're looking for, is more comfortable and does not fall out of my ears like the MX. One very good place to buy is W Cube at Adelphi #03-14 -- the guy there Raymond is very friendly and gives fantastic service, never pressurises you to buy, and his prices are very reasonable. He will let you try out the HJE50. (And probably the EX71 too.) You can check out their website www.w3cube.com for more info. Hope this helps. Cheers

I'm getting more confused (but happily so) ..... I understand that the Klotz GY107 is a "guitar cable". Why use a "guitar cable" in a stereo system? Apart from which, as you pointed out, it certainly looks too thick (6.9mm) to attach two to a mini stereo plug! I think the Klotz cable I came across was a PY7-1 (ready made, 1m length). Thanks

Since my sources are not exactly audiophile, and Headroom is a bit far just to get a mini-to-RCA cable, would I do OK if I just got a Klotz cable which I stumbled across at Wai Lian Electronic Enterprise for $23 (1m)? Are they good enough (or too good) for my equipment? It would save me the hassle of getting one made (and having to decide which connectors and cables to use), and also because I may not be able to use the bigger mini plugs as the line out is very close to the mains adapter input of my CD/MP3 player (Cenix MMP-CD20). Thanks

Thanks. Any ball-park cost? I've totally no idea as to what's a reasonable price I should expect to pay for the parts, and I don't want to be spending unnecessarily for something that's totally beyond the quality of my other components. I think in hifi prices can get quite esoteric!

Hi I'm wondering how critical is the choice of the cable which I use to connect my portable CDP / Zen Xtra to my amplifier / headphone amp? Is it fairly OK to use one of the common "99.96%(or whatever)OFC" cables, as long as they're reasonably thick, since my source being a portable is probably a more limiting factor? If not, I'd appreciate suggestions as to what I should use, where to get them from, and how much I should expect to pay. Thanks!

Audio-Technica ATH-CM7Ti : $240 @ Hung Bros

I think it is most likely due to the encoding. I have encountered this before. What bitrate is the song encoded at? I find that it is more prominent at lower bitrates.

Thanks -- much appreciated! I've obviously joined the right forum. And so fast ...

Hi. I'm looking for the ATH-CM7ti -- other than buying it online, do you know if I can find it in the shops (and where)? Thanks for your advice!