cmk

lol...4 hours??!! what did they say??

lucky i put their aeroplane today...haha...spared myself 4 hours of torture. i spent it in a better way by watching the mi:3, which was solid by the way

Wow! MI3, I oso wan. BTW which cinema did you go to?

I wonder if anyone has done a comparison of the SQ in cinemas?

Mozart Violin concerto #3, Adagio performed by Isaac Stern.

Hey Mackie

I find it a bit curious that in Headfi, they only talk about the 880, not the 990, even the newer models. 3 questions arise :

1) How does the sound of the new 880 compare with the old 880?

2) Why does the 880 get more press than the 990(both new models)?

3) Do you consider, IMO, YMMV, that the 990 is the best all round can at the moment?

Jaben

The wooden case is a nice idea, but it would make transporting it around cumbersome. It would be nice if the cans came in that box originally.

I'll try one of the improvised options.

Cool thanks.

Does anyone know where I can source for headphone bag for my MS Pros? Something fairly sturdy and not heavy. Thanks a bunch.

in the regions of seven fifty i think

That is the list price, but I believe you can get some discount.

From your review, are u suggesting that k701 don't suit the diva amp?

Hi charismatic

Not that the 701 doesn't suit the Diva, it can be used, just that the 701 is more picky of the source. I sort of felt the 701 sounded a bit cold on the first track, then as you got the 2nd/3rd, the music flowed better. It sounds different from the 501, whereas the 501 has its balance tilted to the mids/highs, the 701 trys to level the FR, and gives a more distant perspective of the soundstage.

Prologue

First a bit of background on the Diva headamp. Its a 2 chasis tube design, based on the 6922(x2) tube, with a separate power supply. It comes with a powercoated exterior - you can choose your color - funky yellow anyone? On the front panel, there's only a 1/4" headphone socket and the volume pot (Alps). Connected to the amp is a captive powercord, a thin grey cord which TS uses on his preamps as well, selected for its sonics, so don't go changing this. The power supply is housed in a similar metal case with the power cord direct to the wall socket, no switches for on/off. I had a brief word with TS and of his design, he says he uses the tubes on the input stage, and uses mosfets for voltage amplification (if I recall correctly).

Setup

CEC TL2 > Slinkylinks Balanced > Benchmark DAC1 > Slinkylinks single ended > Diva headamp

Headphones used : Alessandro MS Pro, AKG K501/K701, Beyer DT990Pro(modded), Audio Technica W100

Right, on to the music

So how does it sound? In order to get an idea of its sonics, I used both low impedence and high impedence cans, as well as a range of different music from small chamber music to vocals, to jazz, to full orchestral pieces.

Firstly, this amp drives both low and high impedence cans without problems, there isn't any preference for either type. It did not impose any restriction here. One of the other things you notice is the amount of gain this thing has - I could hardly turn the volume control above 9 o'clock. On high efficiency cans like the MS Pro, this meant listening at about 8 o'clock and this was already very loud. I asked TS about this and he said gain is not a problem, just a matter of changing a resistor value. You can tailor the unit to your can, great!

Those of you familar with the Benchmark, will know that it is a professional studio monitoring DAC with headphone outputs. It was designed and built for pro use, ie it is ruthlessly reveiling. I like the unit very much due to its utter neutrality. If the music is smooth, it sounds like that. If its bright/dark, it will sound like that. The headphone outputs on it are similar sounding to its line outputs, at least that's what I hear.

Now, if I say that the Diva headamp produced an uncanny copy of what I heard from the Benchmark's headphone outputs, that says a lot of the fidelity of the Diva, and it is so. So what's the point of getting Diva if I already have a Benchmark you may ask? Well there are some subtle differences. The Diva adds drive to the music's flow. You just enjoy the music and forget about criticising this and that. There is a subtle tubelike harmonic structure to each note. The bass also gets an added depth and punch, which adds to the music's impact and pace. Vocals are wrapped with glow which gives them a fuller presentation as opposed to a cardboard cutout. Cymbals have that crystalline ring and decay which just hangs in space. Great stuff, seriously!

I have to emphasize the word subtle as its not as though the differences are a night/day thing, just that they are there - sometimes hard to discern, but they give the music that sense of flow/swing, whatever you want to call it, that just makes it so enjoyable to listen to.

With the Diva, I could easily distinguish the sonic characteristics of each headphone used in this audition. A few short notes about each can are in order.

DT990Pro(modded) - fantastic bass, deepest of the lot, but can be overwhelming on certain music, mods clean up the treble region and allow more detail through, good soundstaging, very comfortable, nice laid back presentation. Couldn't say much as it did not excel in many areas, except bass, but did well in practically everything.

K501 - best for small chamber music, excellent tone in the high/mids, however bass is somewhat lacking, its there, just that the balance is tilted towards the mids/highs, great soundstaging, never offensive sounding, leans towards audio fidelity, no overhang in the music, high comfort, very enjoyable presentation. Needs a amp, hardest to drive.

K701 - great all around can, highly refined & comfortable, excellent low level detail and separation, best soundstage, puts bass back in where the K501 lacked, but highs seems a bit recessed, needs time to warm up(?) else can sound "distanced", perhaps one of the most neutral cans, except for the slightly recessed treble. Demanding of upstream components, get a suitable amp for this.

AT W100 - this can is fast, gives an up front presentation, has some added reverb with the wood enclosure, adds a bit of warmth, good detail, excellent with massed strings in large orchestral pieces, the added reverb gives a sense of the concert hall, music flows ever so smoothly with this one, great with vocals.

MS Pro - king of detail and "you are there" on the stage presentation, micro & macro dynamics very obvious, yet the highs are not etched, small nuances come through, fastest can, immediate and direct, bass is deep and tuneful, not exaggerated, highly enjoyable on practically all music (except for large orchestra), lightest can, worst for comfort, although it was never really a "pain", can listen for hours without feeling tired due to its wholly musical presentation - current favourite.

Music used

Zuill Bailey - Debut recording Delos DE 3326

Jim Tomlinson - Brazilian Sketches Premium PR27813

Ray Brown Trio - Soular Energy Groove Note GRV1015-3

Vienna PO/Kleiber - Beethoven Sym #5/7 DG SACD 471 630-2

Pink Martini - Sympathique Heinz Records HNZ001-2CD

Conclusion

Well, I've already ordered a unit for myself if you all are wondering. The current design has the tube lying flat inside the chasis, so I asked TS to change the design to have the tubes glowing outside, making tube access easier. He mentioned that it already sounds good with the current Electro Harmonix 6922s, there isn't any need to do tube rolling, probably also due to the design. With the re-design and his present workload (he's back ordered on his main amps), he can only get to make the amps in 3 months, meanwhile he has kindly left the amp with me.

MS1 is generally equivalent to the SR125-225, so this would be an upgrade from the SR60.

If you considering upgrading, then you should plan where you want to go with this. If you stay with Grado sound, there are some "sweet spots" in their line which folks recognise as being great value. An alternative is to also consider other brands since you already have a Grado. More variety.

Hi Wenjia

Interesting viewpoint. I would agree broadly with your comments as I don't like the stock 650 either. One thing I think you should consider though, is that the source equipment and amp at AA isn't a high-end setup. Probably the amp was also not suitable to drive the 701 to its full potential. [sidenote : I hope AA doesn't take this comment personally, just a frank opinion and I hope he can find an amp to do justice to those great cans.]

I would also suggest that you use a portable amp to drive the 880 if you don't already have something. The sound will open up quite a bit.

Jaben has kindly loaned me his showroom 701 to give some feedback. Honestly he's too kind, and I'm a sucker for things that look and sound good. So I'll be putting the 701 through some rigourous testing - don't worry Wilson, you'll get it back in one piece .

I've been a long time Diva supporter for his amps. I think they are truely world class products at down to earth prices. I recently found out TS makes a headphone amp and wanted to know what experiences users have with it. I know Charismatic owns one and is happy with it.

Just wanted to know which cans anyone else has tried with it, and what feedback with longer term useage?

I've also just borrowed it home for a demo. So far tested it driving the AKG 501s and the MS Pros last night. Tonite its the Beyer DT990pro (modded) and the AT W100.

Hmm... no Beyer fans?

Unless you can source the low impedence models here, otherwise, they require amps.

The 501 is an excellent choice, only thing is you will need a separate amp to drive it.

You can consider either AT or Grado cans alternatively. Best to have an audition to see if you like the sonic signature before committing.

Since this is for the home, then get a decent amp to drive the K501s.

Sorry wrong number

Ok, then questions are directed to Irfan87.

Sorry, I should add that I'm using an IBM T41 notebook.

hi all

I'm not familar with PC players, only know Realplayer, MS mediaplayer.

Is there any software/hardware that I can use to playback my CDs that will allow them to sound like a decent CDP?

Or is this a mountain too high to climb?

afbug

I think the question really is to determine what you intend to use these cans for?

What are you hooking up the cans to?

What type of music do you listen to?

Then the old birds can give you a suitable recommendation for your useage.

I'm sure many of you have multiple cans. Some you keep, some you let go. Some collect dust, some are constantly used. Just list out which can you prefer to use to listen to which type(?) of music.

I'll start of:

Beyer DT990pro = bedroom can

AKG K501 = classical can

AT W100 = emotional can

MS Pro = critical do anything can

Senn PX200 = go anywhere can

I did a big "ops" yesterday, and got myself the MS Pro instead. Had been waiting since the MS2s came in for them to be run-in so that I can get a proper audition and form an opinion myself instead relying on reviews.

The MS Pros are a different fish from the others, practically everything I wanted in a can. They are still running in, but already the sound is quite something. I wanted to listen to the RS1s as well to get a comparison, but they were out. Anyway, the MS Pros are so good, its hard to imagine it could get any better. I'll do a proper review after spending some time with them.

Absolute0, I would suggest that you go down personally and have a listen and talk to Wilson. It would be quite unfair to him to reveil too much here, other than to say that he makes offers which are very hard to reject. Consequently, I have upped the ante and gotten the MS Pros!

Hey Razer

How does the HF-1 sound like? Similar to which house sound?

Hi, just bought a pair of Alessandro MS2 and a pair of Weston UM1 from my progress package yesterday.

Wah, so fast U beat me to it

How's the cans at Jaben? Are they running-in nicely?

cmk,

 

Follow this link. Remove each item from pads and work inwards. U need a tiny screwdriver to prise open each compartment and soldering tool with pointed bit to burn the fabric covering the ventilation hole.

 

http://www.sgheadphones.net/index.php?showtopic=1012&hl=

Mackie,

Just to check, when you got to the white cloth, you made the centre hole bigger? Or just made more small holes in the cloth? Also, did you do anything to the white plastic backing behind the cloth?

Thanks

Actually the wood surrounds will change the character of the sound somewhat as the distance between the driver and the ear is changed, plus he uses the wood as a sounding board, similar to a piano. In pianos, the different type of sounding board will affect the tone of the instrument.

Looks good, but you would have to buy based on reviews I think.