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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2014 23:24:25 GMT
I said a few months ago - I'm completely satisfied with the sound of my system as it is. To be honest I'm bored with constantly changing interconnects, or speaker cables, or trying to squeeze another 1% improvement out of my kit by dismantling it and rolling op-amps, etc., etc.
It's just that I've reached a stage where I am genuinely very satisfied with the sound. It has plenty of good clean bass, a nice clear, informative mid, and a lovely sparkly top end. I regularly listen for hours. Example, I started listening this evening at around 7 pm and its now gone 11pm.
I just want to listen to music now and not bother about kit.My question is - how many of you out there have reached this stage, but kept chasing another 1% improvement because of hi-fi magazines, hi-fi blogs, and hi-fi forums??Guaranteed there are loads of you out there but only one or two (if any!) will have the balls to admit it! Go on, prove me wrong!! Jeff Read more: diyah.boards.net/thread/346/streaming-journey?page=3#ixzz37CkJLeTE
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jul 12, 2014 6:30:28 GMT
For me, it has diminished a great deal. I buy far less now than I have over the past 20 years. I think that I have literally gone in circles, only to return to certain gear and find that they are just as good or better than the recent thing!! The HD600 is one that I always return to after a while. Tbh, I think the t40 put my feet more on the ground than any other headphone and I now stay with just a few. The rest are sitting on display shelves!!
I am curious about a few more headphones but no longer have the burning desire to get them. I would like to hear them though.
I also have the new house to sort out as well though so that has put the brakes on for me!!!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2014 23:10:44 GMT
i feel i am in the same boat. last year i updated my system with lcd2, Ember and Frans' filter.........sorted!
for now!
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jul 13, 2014 7:06:21 GMT
I am sort-off In Ian's boat.
Have a few things I am more than happy with and don't feel the need to buy more stuff. The FiiO X3 DAC/DAP is good enough for me... don't really think an AK240, Hifiman, Pono or Geek-something will bring me improved SQ.
In the headphone dept the (filtered) HD650 is impossible to beat and a filtered T50RP likewise. For Portable I didn't find anything that can beat (fIltered) DT1350 nor the KSC75 so am all set.
I have about 6 more than capable HA's in all sorts of designs which doesn't leave me wanting for more.
yes, I could always buy an HD800 or HE6 and filter those and maybe gain a little in SQ but there is the diminishing returns thing and the willingness to spend money I would use elsewhere.
One would say... well if you're all happy that would be the end of the hobby somehow. Strangely enough the 'hunting' and trying to find other 'gems' hasn't stopped nor the desire to whip up another nifty device or strange design.
But all in all I am pretty happy and know I am already in the 'end game' sound quality and am very hard pressed to find another great sounding headphone or make it great sounding. That probably won't change in the years to come as newer (but also screamingly expensive) stuff keeps flowing on the market. Someday one of them may perform better (and be affordable) and can beat what I have now sound-wise to my old and somewhat worn ears and brain.
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Post by hifidez on Jul 13, 2014 8:19:35 GMT
Recent upgrades have been more about facility than sound qualityI've been using the same A3.2cr power amp for ages and had it overhauled a short time ago so that it will not break down and make me replace it. Well, that's the plan anyway so fingers crossed on that one. My Squeezebox Touch source is fabulous and widely reported to be 'bit perfect' so that's a keeper, as are my two V-DAC IIs and my Azure DacMagic.. Speaker-wise I've moved gradually from second-hand LS3/5As to Spendor S3/5Rs and ending up with Spendor A5s. The A5s are c. 1700 GBP so no way I can afford any upgrade. But if I did unexpectedly inherit a small fortune then speakers are the only thing I'd consider for upgrading. Not that I'm in any way unhappy with the fabulous Spendor A5s, it's just that speakers are the weakest link in the chain assuming other components are working as they should. i.e. going from £1700 speakers to £4000 speakers is more justifiable than upgrading an amp by the same amount. So, recently, my money has been spent more on extra 'faciltiy' rather than 'quality'. My most recent buy was the Behringer DEQ2496 digital equaliser; such a useful gadget. And I bought a second V-DAC II because I didn't have enough inputs on one V-DAC II alone, So, oddly, I use 3 separate DACS just to give me enough capability to recieve digital signals from my telly and SBT both 'direct' and via the DEQ2496. One day I'll maybe sell the three DACs and buy one DAC with more inputs? But it'd have to be as good as the V-DACs. For ages I've been a fan of the 'passive pre-amp' (please, please don't start on 'how can you call it a pre-amp when it doesn't amplify?'. Woofers don't woof, tweeters dont tweet and needles ain't needles OK? ). I had, and still have, a DIY passive pre but decided to buy a second-hand Creek OBH-22 beacuse of the remote control facility. VERY useful and essential (?). Did anyone read the reviews of the OBH-22? HiFi Critic was enthusiastic, as was HiFi World. Works well in my system. No longer in production so if you see one for sale grab it while you can. Speaker cables and interconnects? I can't get aroused by the thought of spending heaps of cash on wires. I use Van Damme co-ax for the more important low level cables and some very thick multi-strand stuff for speakers. Headphones? Happy with my Grado SR60 and SR80. Can't be @rs@ed to fiddle with filters (sorry guys), cables, pads et al. They just WORK. I sold my X-CANv3 as I didn't want to cope with ageing valves whatever in the future; bought the V-CAN II and it's plenty good enough. I've read HiFi-News every month since the very early 70s. Subscription cancelled. My system is competent, well balanced and enjoyable. I go to Hi-FI shows and come home to find my system is up there with the best. All parts of it are much better than I ever dreamed of owning. Tick VG, job done. Relax and enjoy the music. Regards, Derek
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jul 13, 2014 9:56:34 GMT
I am sort-off In Ian's boat. In the headphone dept the (filtered) HD650 is impossible to beat and a filtered T50RP likewise. For Portable I didn't find anything that can beat (filtered) DT1350 nor the KSC75 so am all set. Pretty much what I stick to Frans. The hd650 and 600 are easily taken for granted because they don't provide particular 'enhancements' except for the raised bass of the 650. The modded t40 changed my expectations a great deal. I presume the filter that you are using is 'active' not the passive type like the one you made for me? Are they designed purely for the kameleon ?
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jul 13, 2014 11:30:39 GMT
Well a pre-amp is essentially a pre before the amp .... Yes, the HD650 is driven via the Kameleon and differs a LOT from the passive filter. It measures and sounds great below a teaser. Sounds INCREDIBLE and to me it is like there isn't a headphone nor any equipment being present at all. It totally disappeared (sonically) and you only hear the music. It is weird how a little, but exactly implemented, EQ can simply remove all negatives of a complete system. No 'veil' no 'dark signature' no 'missing clarity' ... no but's at all. Very similar to the filtered T50RP and would be hard pressed to choose but if I was told I could only take one rig with me it would be HD650+Kameleon+FiiOX3 Sonic bliss for a price below € 1000.- in total.
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jul 13, 2014 11:46:29 GMT
I guess I'm approaching this audio nirvana place as I can't think of anything I would really like to replace on my system. I have several pairs of cans but I prefer listening to speakers - mine are Mission 774s. When I do listen to cans I much prefer the Fransified K550s via the Filtered Kamelion. This is a fairly new can system for me so maybe the novelty has not yet worn off, but I doubt it , so other cans etc are not an option ATM. My main source is a home built PC (thanks largely to Javier for guidance on that) with an ASUS Xonar Essence sound card. I have USB outputting audio to an Amanero board and onwards through a MF valve buffer amp and into a pair of what some people call AK Class A mono-blocks. My plan is to route the Amanero output directly into the Kamelion and form an opinion on the resultant SQ - I'll keep you posted .
Edited in the light of correction recently received from Javier: no direct connection between Xonar sound card and Amanero board - ooops, sorry for my numptie error. One of the reasons why I like this place is that no one treats numptie posts from numptie members like me with disdain. Audio electronics is a totally closed book for me but I do like to get the best sound I can from my system. Fellow members are (apparently) happy to ignore the first bit and help as much as possible with the second bit of that sentence - thanks a lot. Dave.
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Crispy
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Post by Crispy on Jul 13, 2014 19:04:24 GMT
It's just that I've reached a stage where I am genuinely very satisfied with the sound. It has plenty of good clean bass, a nice clear, informative mid, and a lovely sparkly top end. I regularly listen for hours. Example, I started listening this evening at around 7 pm and its now gone 11pm.
I just want to listen to music now and not bother about kit.Since my switch from Xray CD player to pioneer n50 and now the stunning Cambridge Audio Stream Magic 6 (Thanks Jeff), I am now 99% happy with my system of modified XCan V2/Pre and uprgraded XA200 monoblock amps (Thanks again Frans) through acoustic energy AE1 loudspeakers and MJ acousitcs reference subwoofers, all cables are QED silver plated ofc. I prefer to listen through speakers but usually on a Saturday night I will listen through my Beyer DT770 pro's (Thanks again Ian). My only intended upgrade when I get some spare time is to build one of Fran's correction filters for the Dt770's. So like you Jeff I just want to find enough time to listen for hours to music and not the system. I have had a listen this afternoon for a short period and listened to what you recommended (London Grammar) and all I can say is that first track (HEY NOW) was absolutely stunning with a bass that nearly shook the fillings out of my teeth (Alan) I followed that link to London Grammar, I don't know what it is about the singer but I like her sound. Ps great site - bookmarked it for future reference
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2014 20:10:47 GMT
What are you guys talking about when you refer to the "filtered HD 650"?
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jul 13, 2014 20:26:38 GMT
A HD650 driven by the portable amp (a desktop version may also be developped in the future) that accepts a 'module' that can compensate a headphone. This amplifier is called Kameleon (Dutch for Chameleon). Info is found in the Kamelen amplifier thread
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2014 20:56:38 GMT
A HD650 driven by the portable amp (a desktop version may also be developped in the future) that accepts a 'module' that can compensate a headphone. This amplifier is called Kameleon (Dutch for Chameleon). Info is found in the Kamelen amplifier threadThank you. I'll look into that now.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jul 13, 2014 21:54:55 GMT
Basically, the filter flattens out the frequency response of the headphone so that they are close to flat. The hd650 adjusts really well and I'm very jealous!!!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2014 7:38:15 GMT
Is flat desirable? I bought my 650's specifically for its warmth and realistic treble. I've been looking for a valve amp but I have similar worries in that pairing warm headphones with warm amplification might be disastrous. Having said that everyone who's tried it says the Bottlehead Crack is made for the 650's.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jul 14, 2014 9:55:55 GMT
Well... that depends.
For me ONLY flat headphones are desirable (my speakers are also very flat) but others may prefer a much more bassy or bright sound (or U shaped).
Coloured headphones/speakers may serve a purpose and could be desirable for many people who prefer lifted bass or treble. If one feels the DT990 is perfect than they might no like a flat sound like from the DT250 or HD600.
Some 'flat' headphones are found boring.. Point is these probably aren't flat at all but skewed in a to them desirable way or have peaks or dips in certain frequency bands. People just say they consider them flat while they may have never heard a really good headphone that is EQ'ed flat They might not even know what really flat actually sounds like as they may never have heard it. There are no really flat headphones around, just a few come close such as the HD600 and DT250. But these too aren't completely flat but do sound 'tonally balanced'. The HD800 and grado's and AKG's and Hifiman/Audeze and TH900 are all very far from flat and all sound very different.
EQ'ing a crappy headphone flat doesn't mean it is going to sound good at all, maybe just a bit better to some.
Only headphones that are already close to flat AND can be corrected apply for the job to become stellar.
So IF you have a HD650 but feel the real subbass (lowest organ notes for instance) are just a bit too soft, and feel the HD650 is a bit too warm and could use just a tiny bit more clarity and cymbals could just use a little extra shimmer but like the sound very much than... Kameleon will make it sonic bliss. IF you feel it does eveything exactly right as it is then just use it as it is. The HD650 won't turn in a HD600 (which some find boring) with it's lack of bass extension and slightly higher distortion. Nope it will disappear and you end up with realistic instruments/voices on WELL MADE recordings. Crappy recordings will sound crappy though where these same crappy recordings may sound good on U shaped headphones for instance.
So I keep flat and coloured headphones around but if I really want to enjoy sound quality flat is the only choice for me.
My P.O.V. though and may certainly not apply to everyone. All I can say that those that heard my EQ'ed HD650 or T50RP's all say it sounds phenomenal. That may account for something and more or less proves (to me it does) that flat is ... well... perfect.
The 'warming up' of headphones by tubes is highly exaggerated and subtle at best (depends on the design as well) and may be in the placebo realm even. The differences the Kameleon makes is anything but subtle.
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