[Bonzodogdick]

Hi & Happy new year.

Its time to replace my knackered old Sennie HD 414 SL's, if for no other reason than the jack is goosed and the pads are worn.

Any demo recommendations?

Budget around a max of £150, and music tastes are Radiohead, Floyd etc etc.

Thanks

Bonzo

[G a f f e r]

richer sounds has a selection of £150ish sennheisers for £50-£75.
try http://www.richersounds.co.uk

[StevieDvd]

£150 would easily buy you a set of HD600s but since you don't mention where you would mainly use them it's hard to recommend.

Also, there is a thread here of HD25s being sold (have ordered a set myself) for around £35.

With the higher end Sennheisers you would probably need a Haadphone amp as well.

[Bonzodogdick]

Cheers Stevie,

Yeah, Ive spotted the HD600's for £150. I havent heard them, but a mate who now lives overseas swears by 'em.

HD25's. Seen them advertised on the forum. How do they rate?

Their use would totally be for loafing on the sofa at night. (The only time I get any peace & quiet and Im unable to use the speakers to full effect! Grrr its hard being a family man )

Thanks for your advice guys.

Bonzo

[StevieDvd]

The HD25-SP are here http://www.avforums.com/forums/showt...9&page=7&pp=15 I have not got mine yet. Was recommended by an audio specialist to try them - will be addiing velour earpads and shortening the cable (both recommended to me).

The HD600s can be got for £139 let me know if you want the suppliers name/web link.

I have the HD590s, HD600s and HD650s and they are all great phones. The HD590s are the most comfortable and can be used with most sources though a headphone amp does improve them. The 600/650s really benefit from being amped and the 600s are almost as good as the 650s - whether you'd think they were worth an extra £100 is a personal choice but I think it means the 600s are more of a bargain.

If you can get to London the Turnkey shop has most models on demo see www.turnkey.co.uk

Originally Posted by Bonzodogdick

Hi & Happy new year.

Its time to replace my knackered old Sennie HD 414 SL's, if for no other reason than the jack is goosed and the pads are worn.

Any demo recommendations?

Budget around a max of £150, and music tastes are Radiohead, Floyd etc etc.

Thanks

Bonzo

Bonzodogdick, what kind of music are you going to listen to and what setup will you use them with?

[TameRacingDriver]

I'd recommend the HD600 as well, its a well designed headphone with a sound that closely mimicks speakers, and is kind and unfatiguing on the ear. Even if you had to add an amp later on, it might still be worth it if you are powering from an integrated, as they still sound quite good when used as such.

[Bonzodogdick]

[QUOTE=StevieDvd]

The HD600s can be got for £139 let me know if you want the suppliers name/web link.


Yes please Stevie,

Originally Posted by ipodstudio

Bonzodogdick, what kind of music are you going to listen to and what setup will you use them with?

Ipodstudio, My system is: Linn Axis T/T through Arcam 8R Integrated (hopefully soon to add a P amp), and Arcam Alpha 7SE CD throuh KEF Q35.2's. (I will maybe consider a can amp at a later date if it will benefit).Various other bits & pieces for AV duties, but thats the music side. I like well produced music, like Floyd, Radiohead, Super Furry Animals, Genesis, Coldplay, Zep. etc.

Thanks for your tips chaps.

Bonzo

Originally Posted by Bonzodogdick

Ipodstudio, My system is: Linn Axis T/T through Arcam 8R Integrated (hopefully soon to add a P amp), and Arcam Alpha 7SE CD throuh KEF Q35.2's. (I will maybe consider a can amp at a later date if it will benefit).Various other bits & pieces for AV duties, but thats the music side. I like well produced music, like Floyd, Radiohead, Super Furry Animals, Genesis, Coldplay, Zep. etc.

Thanks for your tips chaps.

Bonzo

In that case I'd say HD600s at least. I know you've set a limit but the HD650s can be bought from the US now for just a wee bit more than that if you can avoid the import tax. I ran HD650s from an Arcam FMJ CD33t until not long ago and it was a decent combo together with my headphone amp. I've changed source since but still kept the HD650s...

[StevieDvd]

Ask and you shall receive (pun intended)

http://www.askdirect.co.uk/uview?cal...351&topcatid=7

I bought mine there, the shop matches the web price if you print out the page.

[Bonzodogdick]

Originally Posted by ipodstudio

In that case I'd say HD600s at least. I know you've set a limit but the HD650s can be bought from the US now for just a wee bit more than that if you can avoid the import tax. I ran HD650s from an Arcam FMJ CD33t until not long ago and it was a decent combo together with my headphone amp. I've changed source since but still kept the HD650s...

That is one gorgeous lookin headphone amp! Does it sound as good as it looks?

Go on tell me. How much was it?


No on 2nd thoughts dont. Its only tempting fate!

[Bonzodogdick]

Originally Posted by StevieDvd

Ask and you shall receive (pun intended)

http://www.askdirect.co.uk/uview?cal...351&topcatid=7

I bought mine there, the shop matches the web price if you print out the page.

Cheers again Stevie. Bang on mate.

Originally Posted by Bonzodogdick

That is one gorgeous lookin headphone amp! Does it sound as good as it looks?

Go on tell me. How much was it?


No on 2nd thoughts dont. Its only tempting fate!

LOL! Thanks, yes, it fits real well with the Arcam. It cost me £1000 pretty much exactly but it sounds absolutely wonderful. Very detailed and fluid. I may consider parting with it soon, actually, as I'll be getting a new custom amp from Larocco shortly, I hope..

[Crocodile JD]

Bonzodogdick wrote:

Ipodstudio, My system is: Linn Axis T/T through Arcam 8R Integrated (hopefully soon to add a P amp), and Arcam Alpha 7SE CD throuh KEF Q35.2's. (I will maybe consider a can amp at a later date if it will benefit).Various other bits & pieces for AV duties, but thats the music side. I like well produced music, like Floyd, Radiohead, Super Furry Animals, Genesis, Coldplay, Zep. etc.

I have a very similar set up i.e. Arcam Alpha 7SE into Alpha 7 int and 8p power (bi amped). I also have the Senn HD580s (virtually same as HD600) and the HD590s. I have tried both cans into both amps and the 580s don't like the Arcams, the 590s sound much better. The 580s sound marginally better via my HC amp, but I've just ordered a headphone amp for them.

IMO If you don't intend to by an amp any time soon, go for 590s or the newer 595s as opposed to the 600s

Croc

Croc, you could be right, there. I never got to listen to the FMJ CD33t unamped...Why? The darn CD33t doesn't have a headphone jack!! You MUST have an headphone amp to use headphones with it...

Originally Posted by Crocodile JD

Bonzodogdick wrote:

The 580s sound marginally better via my HC amp, but I've just ordered a headphone amp for them.

Croc

Forgive me for my intrusion into this thread but as someone waiting to take delivery of a pair of HD580s I'd welcome a bit of advice from a knowledgeable person.

My equipment and ambitions are far more modest than yours, a Denon DHT 500SD all in one system integrated with a PC. Headphones are very important to me as I find listening to music whilst I work very helpful. I mangle language and logic for a living!

My musical tastes are very broad, tending toward the classical but taking in blues to bluegrass to, intelligent rock. (I am also a member of a sinister movement planning a final solution for folk singers ). Opera tops my pops.

I'm a relative newcomer to audio and as such I've struggled to get the headphone component of my system to my taste and comfort. I bought a pair of Grados after reading reviews. I've had them for a couple of weeks but they hurt my ears after an hour or so and I find them harsh in their delivery. There's too much bang in percussion and I find the bass a trifle boomy, in short I don't like them. I have a pair of Bose triports for PC games and they're terrific for this.

I've ordered a set of HD580s as the reviews suggest that they meet exactly the problems my (eccentric!) ears have with the Grados. I've seen many references to the advantage of using a headphone amplifier with the HD580s. I've gone so far as browsing around to see what's available. However, this appears a trifle forbidding. I've looked at some headphone amps ranging from between fifty and a hundred and fifty pounds. These appear to range from misshapen blobs of plastic with a couple of connectors, to units with 747 control panels.

Bearing in mind the limitations of my more modest system, I'd welcome your advice. I'd hate to throw an unsuitable headphone amp into my "might come in useful one day cupboard" along with the Grados!

Thanks for your attention

[alexs2]

Originally Posted by Leporello

I've ordered a set of HD580s as the reviews suggest that they meet exactly the problems my (eccentric!) ears have with the Grados. I've seen many references to the advantage of using a headphone amplifier with the HD580s. I've gone so far as browsing around to see what's available. However, this appears a trifle forbidding. I've looked at some headphone amps ranging from between fifty and a hundred and fifty pounds. These appear to range from misshapen blobs of plastic with a couple of connectors, to units with 747 control panels.

Bearing in mind the limitations of my more modest system, I'd welcome your advice. I'd hate to throw an unsuitable headphone amp into my "might come in useful one day cupboard" along with the Grados!

Thanks for your attention

In most cases,the sub £100 amps really arent that great,and I'd say that it's worth looking above that if you want something you won't put in the cupboard.
In that price range(either new or used),you could look at the MF X-Cans in their various incarnations,and the Creek also.
There are a wide range of kit based amps(the WAD and Slee spring to mind there)and above this,the price range accelerates rapidly.
If you do a lot of H/p listening,it's certainly worth considering a more expensive amp,but take a good look throught this area of the forum,plus iPod's site( www.ipodstudio.com ) and also a look at www.head-fi.org which is US based but an amazing variety of amps and reviews on the topic.

A good H/p and amp setup can give levels of detail way beyond speaker/amp systems costing several times as much,but requires as much care in choosing the parts.

[StevieDvd]

The usual route is to buy or make a cmoy (around £30 to do yourself if you have tools already). Then you buy/make the next range up (Mint or PPA).
Then your wallet starts to hurt.

I would have said get a Headsave Classic as they are very good for the price, others here have them, me included. But Headsave a one man operation by a nice guy called Norm has decided to withdraw from the diy market.

Have a look at the head-fi.org forums for loads more info on the types of Headphone amps, there are lots available from the US but not so many from the UK.

I have a couple of cmoys, a Mint, Headsave Classic, White Noise (A UK one), Porta Corda II (German small & portable) and have tried the Ant Amber (UK).

The White Noise and Ant Amber are reviewed over at head-fi.org but can cost £150-£250 depending whether you build yourself.

I know it's confusing at first but read up a little before you start spending or you'll hurt your wallet, mine's anorexic!

[Crocodile JD]

IMO the 580s may not like being run from the jack of an all in one system. It doesn't like my fairly well respected Arcam integrated either. You mention a PC and clearly you know how to use one so how integrated is it i.e what sound card and are you using analogue or digital out etc? Here is a thread with some ideas and options for work based music (If the link works properly)

Cheers

Croc

[alexs2]

Originally Posted by StevieDvd

Then your wallet starts to hurt.

I would have said get a Headsave Classic as they are very good for the price, others here have them, me included. But Headsave a one man operation by a nice guy called Norm has decided to withdraw from the diy market.

Have a look at the head-fi.org forums for loads more info on the types of Headphone amps, there are lots available from the US but not so many from the UK.

I have a couple of cmoys, a Mint, Headsave Classic, White Noise (A UK one), Porta Corda II (German small & portable) and have tried the Ant Amber (UK).

The White Noise and Ant Amber are reviewed over at head-fi.org but can cost £150-£250 depending whether you build yourself.

I know it's confusing at first but read up a little before you start spending or you'll hurt your wallet, mine's anorexic!

I fully agree with the wallet comments,plus the withdrawal of Headsave from the market.

The US end of the market is very well served at all price levels,and with the pound Vs dollar being very good at the moment,it makes importing one from the US quite attractive.

As Stevie rightly says,the choice is bewildering....tubed Vs solid state....single ended Vs PP etc etc....
Take plenty of time,try as many as possible,and read as much as possible also.
I've been very happy with my Earmax,and remain so since upgrading the tubes in it,and changing the interconnects,so it does make a lot of sense to find one you like,and even if it's more expensive initially,it may be sensible in the long run...my next thing is going to be a WAD H/p amp with vishays and black gates funds if it measures up well against the Earmax.

[extremelydodgy]

The HD650 is a very good headphone. Worth buying even if this is at the upper end of your budget IMO. I think it's the second best value high-end headphone. The best value high-end phone is the Beyerdynamic DT880, but for some it can be an acquired taste. The 650 is a little sleepy, but it does present 'well produced music' very well.


In my case, the HD650 (with Zu cable) is the least used phone, but that it does a creditable job in this company is commendable (Phones in picture: Qualia 010 at top, Stax SR-007 Omega II at right, Audio-Technica ATH-W2002 at centre).


Take a look at A.N.T.Audio (www.ant-audio.co.uk) for a basically presented amp that will nevertheless sonically match (or, if I was being undiplomatic, better) amps costing £500 or more (or even £1000 in some cases ). It's a great partner for the HD650. It's around £250.
The PIMETA from JMT audio (www.jmtaudio.com) is also a reasonable entry level amp, which will do a good job with the HD650. $150 and above.
Bit of British DIY tubing? http://www.worldaudiodesign.com/wadproducts/hd83mp.html World Audio HD83... surprisingly capable, and an excellent match with the HD650 too.

[Crocodile JD]

Luckily I ordered my Headsave just before Norm threw the towel in and I received it today . The only problem is that it came with the wrong opamps : so I'm hoping he will ship the correct ones soon.

Croc

[StevieDvd]

When I get my act together I'll be selling my Headsave Classic + Mascot psu and my least used headphones HD590s. I'll proabably advertise here to let a UK user get the benefit of the Headsave & psu.

This will either fund a Zu Mobius cable or I'll but the Ant Amber amp which I had for reviewing but since I was ill most of the time did not give it a good test - though good enough to want it back! The down side was that it showed me that I needed to upgrade my CD - so I've now bought a Creek CD50 mk1 - so Nad 521BEE will soon be up for sale as well.

Told you it hurts the wallet.

Originally Posted by Crocodile JD

IMO the 580s may not like being run from the jack of an all in one system. It doesn't like my fairly well respected Arcam integrated either. You mention a PC and clearly you know how to use one so how integrated is it i.e what sound card and are you using analogue or digital out etc? Here is a thread with some ideas and options for work based music (If the link works properly)

Cheers

Croc

Thanks for the comments re: the HD580s. I have my PC linked to the Denon system via an Audugy 2zs using a coaxial digital link. This works well enough for games, watching TV through a Nebula DigiTV card and occasional DVD movies. I understand that as yet, the link between AV and PCs is still very much in its infancy so I use the term "integrated" with my PC rather loosely. If I want to listen to music seriously I turn off the PC and listen through the Denon DVD player.

[Bonzodogdick]

Originally Posted by alexs2

The US end of the market is very well served at all price levels,and with the pound Vs dollar being very good at the moment,it makes importing one from the US quite attractive.

As Stevie rightly says,the choice is bewildering....tubed Vs solid state....single ended Vs PP etc etc....
.

Is there such a thing as an inexpensive tube headphone amp, and at the lower end of the market, how does it compare?

[StevieDvd]

If interested I have put my Headsave Classic & mascot psu up for sale in the classified section.

Sadly I am the guilty recipient of a one month trading ban here so there's no point in looking at your ad. The World's a cruel place for we international criminals.:-(

[Stanleh]

Hi sorry to hijack this thread, but i myself am about to buy a pair of 650's but i have a question. I am the very proud owner of a denon a1sra, now how much would i have to spend on a headphone amp to better the one built into my denon ?
Thx !

[StevieDvd]

Leporello, sorry to say the Headsave has sold now.

Stanleh, with the HD650s I'd say it would benefit from a good amp but you need not go too overboard. From my own usage I would have said Headsave Classic, WNA and Ant Amber in ascending price range. Spending more than those cost would benefit only if you have or intend to get some high quality source.

The Classic will only be available used now. The WNA can be built or purchased pre-built and the Ant Amber pre-built only.

Check the links above and persue the head-fi.org forum. If you are UK based the choice without importing is limited, importing and it gets very complicated.

My listening is mostly via headphones so the amp is important, if you use them infrequently then see how you like the sound unamped.

If you can get to hear them through an amp from a friend or on trial basis I'd say go for it.

I believe Alex Nitkin from ANT has some pre-production Amber amps for sale at £150, that's a big £100 saving over the normal price; it sounds very, very good and should be a great match for the Sennheisers