It has been years since I have had the time to take time for myself and enjoy my music listening hobby. Kids are now older and covid has created some home time. I have some old gear worth noting; Grado sr325i (that needs some attention to the wires as you cannot move around in them), Sennheiser HD 590, Sony Mdr-1A and an original Airhead cheapo amp. Bluetooth includes; Samsung Buds+, Jabra elite 75t, (both primarily for exercising and cycling) and Sony WH-1000 XM4’s that I just pulled the trigger on an Amazon Prime day special. These new Sony’s are great in that they sparked that music listening spark in me again.
For my wired time I am looking for something new and different from the older gear. I think that I would like to remain with open back for that wide soundstage and for the ability to “see” where the instruments are and I would like this with some punch and slam in the lower end where the Grado’s and 590’s fall flat. Not for technical listening purposes, more for just enjoyment with a smooth warm texture that is not fatiguing. The XM4’s do this to a lesser degree in a bluetooth form and are extreeeeeemely comfortable. So comfort will be high on the list as well. Price wise I would like to be in the $500 ball park headphones/amp/dac included. Oh, also I do have a Soundblaster Z audio card in my PC. It does have a decent dac chip on it; Cirrus4398 I believe. With the older headphones I do not detect much noise from it and I do like the fact that I can play with the EQ in the software, however, I am no gamer so it would not be needed for that.
Based on the quotes above – and assuming you’re familiar with the Sennheiser sound – I would suggest sticking with your SoundBlaster and getting a HD660S. The trick here is waiting for the Black Friday coming weeks. You should pay around 4 Benjamin Franklins for it.
I just read about these on another forum. And they were recommended as well for my tastes. So I think that I will perhaps give them a shot. Do they need amplification to hit the low end?
Note that Sennheiser sound and low end kind of contradict each other. That’s a whole different discussion.
I’d say this though, depending on your listening levels, you should get satisfying performance out of a smartphone jacket with the HD660S.
And remember, DAC/Amp combos are getting cheaper and more powerful in these days. You’ll always be able to purchase them down the road for less than 1 Ben Franklin bill.
Suggestions for a good Tube phono preamp? Currently using VPI prime scout . Using with eddie current studio jr. amp , Focal utopia and He1k. Currently using Goldnote PH-10. For the first time heard tube and now don’t want to go back. with PH 10 i find the sound a bit thin . Would love a tube pre-amp with more body and warm tonality.
If you like the SR325i sound but want a bit more bass then you might consider one of the alternative drivers like TurbulentX, Symphones V9, Ypsilon S2 or G1 and Nhoord Red V2. Granted these are DIY builds but there are a few out there that build them to order and make some really nice looking wood cups to house these drivers. For comfort you can use G-pads or if you don’t mind the sound changing a bit then Beautiful Audio makes some really comfortable pads but for me it just altered the sound a bit too much over the G-pads which are still quite comfortable. Prices in the $250-400 range but it will depend on the drivers selected wood used for cups and other things like aluminum rod-blocks, gimbals and leather headband, or you can just use the set from the SR325i to hold the cups.
I have a VPI Classic and the Manley Chinook pairs great. I know a lot of users on the VPI forum are using them and they can be found under $1500 used. Another phono stage that works on the cheap, is the ifi black label3 under $600 and plays way above its price point…
I have a VPI Prime Scout, using an Ortofon 2M Bronze cart. The Musical Fidelity entry-level phono pre-amp has been both adequate and bulletproof. The V90-LPS, about $200 from the usual sources.
It’s not tube, but seems invisible. I’ve not seen many tube phono pre-amps that I would want until the $900+ price range.
hey all, I’m in the process of choosing between two Sennheiser products, specifically the momentum 2 over ears and the new momentum 2 true wireless in ears. Price isn’t too big of an issue and i prefer a bit more bass in my music, but sound quality is the most important. Which product sounds the best? Any insight is appreciated!
I’m certain that @Torq will be getting a few samples in for review, and will enlighten us on how that stereo the video mentions performs at the rated speed. And @TylersEclectic will get his, just as soon as that carbon fiber is available in purple.
I saw it too. I don’t think many outside China have much experience with it. I took it as a Loxjie P20 with Bluetooth instead of balanced output. It’s in the low-cost, low-distortion tube hybrid category…this sets an expectation in my mind. However, it is hard to go too wrong trying something sold at $90. Bluetooth pushes it mostly into the preamp category in my mind.
BTW, it’s only $99 at Amazon and available now (2 day shipping).
If you can go a little larger I would hit up @taronlissimore and see what he can do for you on a iFi IDSD micro black label! I liked the sound more than the XDSD but that is a good option too @SenyorC
