tbln

Matching of components and synergy are often underrated in putting together a system. Great that you have found yours. How is the silver mini-mini working out? Would like to hear more of your thoughts.

Shiro, You can consider buying from Todd. The Cardas is sweet sounding and very flexible, just the thing for a portable rig. Though it might not look like much, the sound might surprise you. See this thread : http://www.sgheadphones.net/index.php?show...=3897&hl=cardas I have bought from Todd before and he is prompt with shipping.

Bump.

CMK, Glad the Kimber worked well with yor set up. Enjoy.

The supplied mini-mini is functional at best. You can do better with many of the other choices in the market, from DIYs (LHS is a great source) to commercial ones like the Cardas HFI. Given the cost of the PAVV2, I would not go overboard with spending too much on a mini-mini unless you are planning to move up the portable amp ladder soon I have a number of spare mini-minis (from my search for the Holy Grail) that I am looking to sell. PM if you are interested.

One possible choice is the Eagle Creek featured in this thread on Head-fi: http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread....ght=eagle+creek It is light & well padded to provide some protection but I would not call it sturdy cos it's soft sided. You can find it at any Sports Connection store for $15. The other case (Taiwan sourced) mentioned in the thread unfortunately does not allow the MS Pro to fit in with bowls. The wooden chambers plus bowls are just too thick. The RS-1 with flats can fit but it is a tight squeeze. Definitely not recommend for long term storage!

Thanks for your thoughts. Good stuff.

Do share your thoughts on the amp with us. How does it compare with the DAC1? Thanks in advance.

Perreaux SXH-1 : Smooth, warm and detailed amplifier with two headphone outputs. IEC outlet for power cord rolling. Black colour. Beyer DT880 : Not 2006 version. Great sound and great comfort. Headphone comes with original aluminium box with extension cord. Both items in very good condition and come complete with all original packaging. For sale as a set SOLD. Let me know

Have an assortment of 17 pairs of unused grey and yellow foam tips for sale as a lot. 5 pairs Ety Grey foam tips 4 pairs Shure Grey foam tips (slightly shorter in length than Ety) 8 pairs Shure Yellow foam tips $45 for complete lot. Please leave contact number. Thanks.

Replacement cables for AKG 240/271 headphones. Both cables terminated with Neutrik mini XLR - mini plug connectors. Shorter lengths for portable applications. Very good condition. 1. Belden 1800 Brilliance cable 4ft - $20 2. HighFlyin9 Custom 1m - $70 Please leave contacts if interested.

For a $25 mini-RCA, the sound is warmish with reasonable detail. I find it great for late night watching of DVDs/TV (RCAs out ->portable amp ->cans) in the bedroom. IMHO, a very fair price compared to the, often more expensive, mass market offerings in Harvey Norman, Best or even Sim Lim. I would not consider it 'audiophile' by any stretch of the imagination. I'm not sure if LHS is able to fabricate a mini-RCA though?

501s are a pain to drive and require a really muscular amp to make a difference. The cheapest amp that I have tried with these cans is the Original Master. At that price, I really have no cause for complaint. Without sufficient power, the bass never really shows itself thru the 501.

Airplane adaptors can be found in basement of Sim Lim Tower (no brand, lower quality abt $2-3 each) or PK Computer/ Best Denki@ Plaza Singapura (Travel Pac $12 +). If I am not wrong, even Hung might now be carrying some. For completeness, a level attenuator from Shure is useful if IEMs are to be used.

Based on your setup, I quite like the AKG271s or Beyer DT250-80 for closed cans and Grado SR225 for open.

Before I forget again, do try different tips with the UM2 as it really changes the sonic signature. I finally settled for the Ety Tri-Flange as it provided the best balance for me. Check out this site for tips on maximising the UM2 - http://um2.blogspot.com/ Experiment with different tips and you would be surprised at the effect it has on the sound. UM2 also has more bass than E4, if bass is also what you are looking for.

If you find the UM2 harsh (bright and piercing), I do not think you will find the E4C better. The Shures have greater detail and the sound signature leans more towards the Ety 4P/S side of the sonic spectrum. From my experience, the UM2 is the warmest sounding of the lot, followed by the E4C, Ety 4P then 4S. YMMV.

If the problem you have is with the memory wire, I suggest you take a look at Westone UM2. I do not think you will loose much in SQ to the E5 and is definately one of the more comfortable IEMs I have tried.

My experience with the UM2s suggest that a good amp brings worthwhile improvements to the sound. As the UM2s are rather warm sounding compared to Ety 4P/S and Shure E4, I have always found them to be a little lacking in the highs. A portable amp that is slightly more forward works great for me in creating a better balance. Amps in this category would include the Portaphile V2 and the RSA Hornet. The PAVV2 is too warm sounding and the standard gain is too high, causing hiss. The real question to be asked is whether the costs of the amp, line out dock (a must IMO for the IPOD) and decent mini-mini are worth the improvements in sound? Do remember that the law of diminishing returns quickly sets in - $$$$.

As a whole, I found the Cardas cable brought greater improvements for the 600 compared to the 650. Compared to stock cables, the Cardas fleshed out the sound of the 600s, adding more body and making the treble smoother. Given that the 650 had already been given a fuller sound relative to the 600, I felt that the addition of the Cardas cable (for the 650 relative to 600) was not such a good match. Too much of a good thing perhaps? YMMV as this is a reflection of my tastes, of course.

Coherence carries the Cardas replacement cables for Senn. Pricing should be better than online. Have found it a better match for the 600 rather than the 650 in my set-up.

Please put me in for two pieces. Thanks!

Test if possible to determine if hissing is a problem. If not, check forums to read about other user's experiences. Afflicts low impedence cans or IEMs most.

upz

Hi Johanhr, Not bad! Where did you get the right angle mini from and how much? Thanks!