milkpowder

I also wonder how it works. I'm guessing the iTransport has AAC, MP3, ALAC to PCM decoders built-in in addition to its ability to read/interpret the iPod file structure. A S/PDIF converter and DAC then output coaxial digital and analogue, respectively. You would then be able to use your DAC of choice with your iPod achieving eargasms limited only by the size of one's wallet (whatever is left of it!)

Wikipedia has a decent explanation too. I also thought this was pretty informative: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/balance...phones/one.html I have never ever tried balanced Grados nor recabled ones. Quite a few companies will recable your Grados though: Moon Audio, APureSound, Headphile, etc. The stock Grado cable is a decent OFC so the benefits of recabling it is questionable. Maybe it could use higher purity conductors, different materials (OCC copper, silver, gold, or even carbon fibre), better insulation, etc, but who knows whether the sound signature will change for the better or worse? Unfortunately, my lack of experience in this area means that I can't offer any solid advice. I've read that too, but I really question whether it would really make a huge difference. A lot of cheap so-called balanced sources aren't really utilising fully balanced internal circuits anyway (balanced output signal converted from single ended signal through the use of either a transformer or phase splitter circuit). I'll refer to what Tyll Hertsens of Headroom Corporation said about balanced drive: Many pre-amps that have bothe balanced and unbalanced inputs and outputs contain a phase splitter. This circuit is designed to take an unbalanced signal and make it balanced. A tranformer could be used here, but more commonly a phase splitter circuit is used. This circuit contains at its heart an inverting amplifier that takes the unbalanced signal and inverts it to make up the "-" signal. The problem is that the normal non-inverted signal does not pass through this amp. What happend is that the inverted "copy" of the normal signal is slightly different because it has passed through the inverting amp. When we're talking about achieving high levels of performance with this technique, ANY missmatch between the two signals is a definate no-no. Many of the very competent technical arguments against balanced drive (PPLs for example) contain a disgust for using this "phase splitter"---a disgust which I share. I believe there is only one way to do balanced right which is by starting with a balnced signal and then keeping them perfectly matched (as humanly possible) through-out the entire signal chain. The only way I know of to do this is: getting a signal from both sides of the coil in a phono cartridge, microphone, ot tape head, and by having two digital to analog converters for each of the left and right channels one outputting the normal signal and the other a numerically perfect inverted signal. ANY other method for creating a balanced signal for a single unbalanced signal will create a non-perfect copy, and therefore significantly minimize the benefits of balanced drive.

Headroom gives a nice, easy-to-understand run-through: Standard headphones have three electrical connections: one to each ear and a common ground wire. The audio drive signal goes to one side of the driver coil in each earpiece, and the return from the coils joins together in the common ground connection. In balanced headphones both sides of the driver coil are driven simultaneously and no common connection between channels exists. Therefore, balanced headphone amplifiers generate a normal and a perfectly inverted audio signal. The inverted signal is basically a mirror image of the normal drive signal; so when the 'normal' signal is going positive, the inverted signal is going negative in an identical sine-wave relationship. In brief, this complex method of driving headphones effectively doubles slew rate, voltage swing, & power output, and halves the output impedance of the amp as seen by the headphones. The result is a dramatic improvement in audio quickness, musical clarity, and sonic impact. I also believe balanced connections are basically immune to RF interference.

Nordost uses something similar on their top-end cables and so do Tara Labs on their midrange cables. It's basically increasing the volume of air around the conductor, dramatically reducing the dielectric constant and increasing propagation speed. I personally haven't used cables which aggressively advertise their use of air dielectrics and neither can I see why it would make a dramatic improvement on the sound quality.

Out of a good amp, all the "darkness" disappears. I'm really not joking. The HD650 (and the HD600/580) are top-notch cans that can sound absolutely incredible with a well designed amplifier. Don't forget a good source too

There are quite a few headphone forums though. Head-Case.org tends to be where a lot of senior/experienced Head-Fi (or ex-Head-Fi) members congregate. The language is much more brutal (as you will see for yourself) but the discussions are usually very high end. There aren't many noobies around at all. Having joined Head-Case.org for a few days, I've gathered that they really don't like Ray Samuels and many members have issues with the way Head-Fi is run/moderated.

I'm assuming you've tried contacting Justin directly, or does it have to be a post on the MOT thread?

Hmm distorting on iTunes... I had that problem when I over-boosted certain frequency ranges in the EQ panel. Does it distort when the EQ is off or configured at 0dB?

Just comparing the XRCD version of Jazz at the Pawnshop to standard redbook, the XRCD does indeed sound more lively. XRCDs (XRCD -> XRCD2 -> XRCD24 -> K2 HD) are superior to CDs because they are mastered at higher specs. The final CDs are also physically better made. Technically, the XRCD versions will be closer to the master tape. cmk is completely right though. The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Looks hardwired.

I did my A levels in the UK, but really don't think my syllabus had anything about semiconductors in it! We did the standard quantum stuff, eg wave superposition, two slit interference, quarks and bosons and other subatomic particles, etc... Sg A levels are probably much more advanced though. Honestly, I'd be lucky if I still remember any of it. EDIT: actually band theory sounds very familiar. I remember it having to do with tubes:D

Haha, the infamous electron configurations. Worked for a while, but once we touched on orbitals, everyone was either confused or mad about why we were basically lied to. The 2,8,8, etc explanation is extremely limited, just like the oxygen definition of oxidation. Works for the simple stuff, but insufficient once you touch on anything vaguely advanced.

It really depends how much you'd like to spend. Judging by your gear, I'm thinking you wouldn't mind dropping USD$150-300 on a set of decent cables? There are so many reputable cable companies out there... Nordost, Chord, Transparent, Audioquest, QED, Van den Hul, Cardas, Wyrewizard, PS Audio, Harmonic Technology... gosh I could go on forever All of those companies have cables in the $150-300 price range. Of course, there are also smaller cable maker companies like Signal Cable, Blue Jeans Cable, Better Cables, etc... Get whatever looks good

Also check to see if you can get updated sound card drivers.

Ahh... cotton is supposed to have an even lower dielectric constant than Teflon! I'm not sure about silk though.