scholes25

And A BIG THANKS TO MACKIE FOR ARRANGING EVERYTHING.....

Mackie, I have to agree with you. Though I do not previously own any high-end hp setup, but my comparisons are listening to the HD650 against my Hi-Fi system, which is the SF grand piano driven by the same amp and cdp setup, the Marantz SR8300 and a heavily modded Marantz 63SE to a SF ultrajitterbug to a heavily modded MSB Link DAC. Though both give very different forms of presentation but the things I can hear and FEEL with the HD650 is really out of the world. As Mackie aptly put, the feeling of the music is how involved one can get when listening to this sets of cans. Just like you mackie, I love the cans and I waiting for the day where I will buy a dedicated HP amp to drive the HD650, and then possibly getting the ZU Mobius upgrade cable. These are all in my wishlist at the moment.

Hi Lekguan, that is a good idea. Will try that. Absolute0, can you tell me how did you unplug the cable of the HD650? Is there a special technique? Mine is so tight that I am afraid that I will destroy the cable if I pull it too tightly. Thanks.

I am still running in the cans with my Marantz SR8300. I used the XLO burn-in track on continous repeat mode for about 6 hours. I have not really done any critical listening at the moment but hopefully I can do it this weekend. Will use my other cans(HP890/HD497) for the A-B testing.

THanks once again Mackie. I have been doing that. Disabling the surround effects and using pure stereo mode on my receiver. Mackie You have always been a great help to everyone in this forum. For all your help you have given to me and the forum, I SALUTE YOU!!!

Firefox, thanks for the info. Please pardon my ignorance again, but is 158ohms enough to drive a Senn HD650? Thanks again for all your replies.

Thanks Mackie for your comforting words. I will take heed from your advice and swear not to bow down to any Upgrade Devils who will attempt to lure me into the dark side.

Hi Goondu, I was hoping that my SR8300 has a high enough impedance rating to drive our new cans. That way I dun have to buy a new amp, save lots of money So, a big pretty please to anyone who has the information, do let me know. Thank You PS Short update on this set of cans, this is my 1st high end pair of cans, my other cans are the Philips HP890 and the Senn 497. TWO WORDS. NO CONTEST!!!!

Hi, I tried searching for the information on the net but I could not find anything on it. Can any kind soul with the info let me know what is the output impedance from a Marantz SR8300AVR headphone out? Thank You scholes25

Price?

It should be the Pioneer DV655A, you should be able to get it for less than 400

I have the 497 for over 2 years, and up til now I still feel it is just too tight on my head. I think it is a problem that many have when they buy this pair of cans. So either you have a sutiable headshape or you dun mind having a vice-like clamp on your head, then go ahead and buy the 497. Though, I must admit, for the price, it does sound very good.

As you wish, Mackie. Meanwhile, back in the matrix, a fellow forumer (Zap) is selling a Grados SR225 at $250. Might be going to his place to do a demo before deciding. Any comments?

A glitch in the matrix!!!! Time to get unplugged. We need to look for the Source

tropicalrips, Your NACA amp sounds very impressive. If I do get the SR325, any chances of you building the NACA for me? Again, thanks for all the replies

Hi tropicalrips, Can let me know wat is your amp? Very tempting. Thanks

Hi Guys, Thanks for all your replies. Mackie, why did you delete your post? It was very useful and I was contemplating whether I would buy that combo of the Cayin and Beyer dt990. It seems most of you are advisng me to get the Grados. So I guess the next question would be, if I am buying the SR325 as recommended by Rameish, what would be a good amp to go with it? Is the RA-1 the only choice here? What are the amps that have a good synergy with the Grados? Thanks again guys.

Hi Rameish, cmk, Thanks for your reply. To answer Rameish's question about the interconnect, I am using Sonicart digital and interconnect cables, from transport to DAC and DAC to amp. Bought from Farle. A brief description of my sources would be warm, detailed with a very dark background and it does gravitate towards the laidback side. It seems both of your recommendations are towards the Grados, while the Beyers and the Senn are not far behind. Rameish, for most of your recommendations, will my budget of $1000 be able to fit in. I really dun think I would want to go above my budget. In the classfieds, Duckling is selling a Sennheiser HD650 Headphone & Perreaux Head Amp combo. For those who used this combo before, could you guys advise if the combo is suitable for my music preferences? Thanks again for all the replies.

Hi All, Having been lurking aroound the forums for all while but have never really posted anything significant because I do not really have a dedicated headphone setup. But now I am seriously looking into getting such a setup and I am hoping for lots of help in the forum. My budget is about $1000 and I do not mind used equiptment. My preferences for music are ranked accordingly: 1. Jazz - Vocals, Harry Connick JR., Diana Krall, Cyndi Lauper, Cai Qin etc, 2. Oldies and Retro - Wet Wet Wet, Songs from Grease, Beatles, Elvis Presley etc. 3. Insrutmental Jazz - Saxophone and Guitar especially eg Dave Brubeck, Robert Stanton, etc 4. Classical - Violin especially, Spohie Anne Mutter and others 5. Techno - occasionally some techno from paul van dyk, Fat boy slim etc. I would think I gravitate towards music with a lot of kick and pace. Songs like 'Greased Lightning', 'It had to be you', 'Baby don't care for me' are some examples. My sources are a modified Marantz 63SE transport with a modified MSB Link DAC. I am looking for a headphone amp and a pair headphones to go with my sources. I would appreciate any advice from all the gurus here. I do hope I have given enough information for you all to help me, if not do let me know. Thank You very much for any help you can give. scholes25

I did. 4 mins I think.

Hi all, Non-headgear posting but need help from all of you. I just got myself a used Sonus Faber Grand Piano,Walnut finished. The leather portion of the speakers looks a little worn out. I was wondering if there are any ways to clean the leather and get the leather to look new. I am using the normal way of cleaning the wood portion, but I am not sure about the leather portion. Would appreciate any advice. Thank You

Anybody?

Ok mackie will do that. Anyone else selling this combo?

Anyone in Singapore selling this combo? If not, I may just have to buy this from down-under. Peter, I will take few days to see if anyone respond to this thread before deciding whether to purchase yours. Thanks

Hi Peter, I think we have discussed this before. Remember I was uncomfortable about many variables and thus did not want to buy your combo. But you did mentioned that you might be coming to Singapore, if you are and by then I still have not acquired this combo, I wouldn't mind having a go at yours. Thanks for the reply.