rickcr42
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Rest in peace my good friend.
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Post by rickcr42 on Aug 6, 2006 21:14:00 GMT
again goes back to my opinion of there being NO universal headphone amps out there with most being voiced specific to the Senn house sound which is etchy amps or the cans sound rolled and dull but with Grados that are already articulate straight out of any headphone feed (even comprimised portables out).
Many times you can salvage the resolution while taming the jumpy in your face mids with a cap change if there are such in the signal path,with an increase in bias of the output stage or if a triode amp,with tube rolling but until we get very low gain smooooooooth amps designed specific to the Grado house sound any synergy is usually purely by accident and when it happens will mostly get the amp bad reviews since the HD-600/650 seems to be the reviewer cans of choice being better suited to poor solid state/digital sonics.
sucks but is what it is ;D
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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 7, 2006 20:06:50 GMT
Actually Rick, I like the HEED with the Grado 'phones...... I like it a lot! The WNA MKlll (which is renowned as being very good with the Grado series of 'phones) sounds positively synthesized compared to the HEED, the instruments are no way near as natural sounding, I can see why people like the WNA / GRADO combo but no way is it as organic and as real as the GRADO / HEED combo.
One of my favourite tracks shows that with the WNA / Grado the bass is rounded and tight but the same track with the Grado / Heed displays subterranean bass with beautiful, natural extension and just the right amount of decay. The WNA / Grado sound is positively pastuerised / synthesized sounding in comparison..... as I say, "nice" and easy to listen to but not real. Just listen to a violin through the WNA Grado and it sounds like an artificial violin (or a plastic violin) listen to the same track through the HEED and you can "see" the rosin flying off the violinists bow..... that's the way I like it!
Off to have an other in depth listen now and will report back (going to listen to some well known Floyd, Yello, Shpongle and Wynton Marsallis albums)
Mike.
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rickcr42
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Rest in peace my good friend.
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Post by rickcr42 on Aug 8, 2006 2:16:28 GMT
Grado bass is about as tight,articulate and detailed as headphone bass gets in my opinion.Gives me a taste of what I hear with live music be it acoustic instruments or electronic assisted instruments (miked drum kits) where other cans make"hi fi" bass which is to say sounds good,has zero relationship to anything performed in any venue live and why I am a Grado fan.I want recreation of the actual event as played by a living musician not sugar coated FM radio music for overage kids with a boatload of disposable income. I put such cans in the same category as the mini monitor where rather than have a full range sound that delineates smoothly to nothing with perfect pitch and note separation have that psychoacoustic "fooled ya" mid bass hump to make you THINK there is actual bass but which is chocolate covered syrupy Whoomps that you would be hard pressed to actually separate into individual instruments. As proof that most like this sound I remind you trhat many headphone amps have a bass upper centered around 100 hz,exactly where the mini monityor has its hump centered and is just as artificial even though pleasing to listen to. Where we get into trouble with Grado cans is when just like with a true full range loudspeaker system that tends to accurate rather than romantic any signal chain flaws in the mid to upper registers are maginified to the painful point.Most CLAIM they want accurate until they actually get it then they retreat to deception (romantisized electronics) rather than admit to system inaccuracy or weaknesses. That you say the HEED ads a bit of flesh and blood to the Grado signature is a good thing and one I would attibute to the class-a output stage and maybe good passive part choices,a tough trick to pull off,and if it also works well with the polar opposite in headphone sonics then an even harder trick to pull off. I still firmly beleive an amp needs to be specified to target what it will be used with so forinstance 600 ohm AKG studio cans and the K1000 would use one type of amp,the M.O.R. Senns and Beyers specced to use a 120 ohm amp output load with high voltage gain another type and the 30-60 ohm low Z cans such as the Sony V-6 and Grado line another. trying for a range from 30 to 600 ohms,have proper voltage gain to suit each PLUS the current reserves for the low Z vcans is a tall order for a single amp then when you toss in that the cans will range from "literal" accurate to lush romantic...well you can pretty much see anything that works for all the above must by design have comprimises from the start or be honest and say "meant to be used with XXXX headphones" then optimised for that end. Just my opinion but one based on screwing around with cans and amps since my first KOSS PRO4A driven by DIY a balanced bridged mode LM380 headphone amp way back in 1974 or so (....but again then I was also high as fk every day back then too sooooo...... ) .
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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 18, 2006 21:15:26 GMT
I got the Heed CanAmp today! I have only been listening to it for a few minutes with the K340, K701, and RS-1. Bass is very impactfull and in your face. What surprises me is that it makes the music have more depth almost three dimensional, furthermore it almost has a reverb effect. I will see how it sounds as it burns in. Excellent Miguel! You know, the first thing I thought when I heard the HEED amp was "wow, extremely 3 dimensional, they must have incorporated some kind of weird device into the amp" Truth is, they haven't incorporated any type of processor into the circuit and this amazing three dimensionality is part and parcel of the amp itself. The more you listen to it you'll realise it's doing what many other amps can't do...... it's allowing the music through "as is". Switching over to, say, the V3 after listening to the HEED first impression is "compressed sounding". The more you listen the more it becomes obvious that the HEED is doing the right job ie "not adding or subtracting" anything....... yes, the effect is so pronounced (night and day even) that you immediately think some kind of cunning processor has been added to make the sound more 3D and airy, once you've listened for a while going back to another amp is like losing a couple of feet of soundstage..... good innit? EDIT: It's not "obvious" so make sure you've got the inputs connected the right way round..... Right channel is the top phono and left channel is the bottom one (the total opposite from the MF V3 which has right channel phono at the bottom and left channel phono at the top)
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rickcr42
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Rest in peace my good friend.
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Post by rickcr42 on Aug 18, 2006 23:16:43 GMT
you both really need to listen to the Szekeres one day just to see what a true minimalist single ended pure class-A zero gain amp sounds like.All the above and then some used on the output of a preamp or high output source such as a CD player.
Sounds like the Heed has also pulled off the single ended class-a mojo which is easier said than done when everyone tries to overcomplicate the simple just to say they created something even if that something is a step back in sonics
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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 19, 2006 10:08:10 GMT
That's a pity Miguel, you can try loosening the chassis mounted headsocket and then centre it and then retighten it so it grips on the chassis. It shouldn't be loose but is easy enough to put right, take the nut up finger tight and then tighten until the headsocket body can't move..... hold it in position with one hand whilst tightening with the other (looks like a 13mm nut so use a suitable socket to tighten the nut) These chassis mounted sockets are good as you can easily replace them / fit better ones without having to remove the board and desolder.... switchcraft do some very good sockets that will be ideal here.
Yeh, I see that! Mine aren't even marked "L/R" and my R is at the top and L is at the bottom...... I can't quite work out how this should be as the quad phono socket is PCB mounted but will have a good old look later ;D
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rickcr42
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Rest in peace my good friend.
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Post by rickcr42 on Aug 19, 2006 14:12:54 GMT
My thought on the TRS jack fiasco is that the need for PCB mounting industry wide lowered expectations,has ruined the connector itself as a truly reliable high quality option for audio use. The crap that passes for a quality part just because it has a precious metal contact is not even in the same class as the lowliest of open frame nickel plated Radio Shack phone jack connectors if it is contact integrity and long term relaibility that is paramount. Those shitty internal easily deformed press fit contacts are so damn wimpy (not to mention when they DO go south impossible to diagnose being totally enclosed and not easily fixed) they should be outlawed along with every other thin metal pressure contact audio connector.I put them in the same league as the loudspeaker spring clip and the RCA jack as ideas that somneone should have their ass whipped for no with the only mystery for me being just how many folks accept mediocrity without a whimper until the inevitable happens and the part lets you down then it is "What a rip ! Shoddy construction !" when all along it is the one that does NOT go south that is the exeption to the rule,not the one that does we have allowed ourselves to accept things in so called high end audio that twenty or thirty years ago would get you placed on the bargin shelf along with the boom boxes. not picking on the Heed amp,just making an observation in general on how so many are anal about what cap is in an amp or if the RCA jacks have gold plating then never bat an eye when those jacks are press fit crapola easily deformed if not outright ruined in normal everyday use Rant over.you may now continue
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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 19, 2006 16:42:59 GMT
As I said above Rick:
Totally agree with you on the build of these things but good that they can be replaced (ie, in this instance not board mounted) with something a lot beefier. The crappy little slivers of metal that pass for conductors are indeed attrocious and the open frame jobbies beat them hands down as far as mechanical integrity / longevity is concerned, I'm not sure they "sound" any better but they'll certainly last a lot longer that's for sure.
Mike.
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xerxes
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Post by xerxes on Aug 19, 2006 18:00:43 GMT
I thought I'd take a look and see what I could find out about the Szekeres amp. I found this: www.headwize.com/projects/showproj.php?file=szeke1_prj.htm, it looks like the amp is optimised for Grado headphones, I have Sennheisers, but just for fun I looked for some of the components. It looks like the project falls down at the first hurdle as the IRF 513 mosfet doesn't seem to be available anywhere in the UK.
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rickcr42
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Rest in peace my good friend.
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Post by rickcr42 on Aug 19, 2006 18:02:56 GMT
It is not just the Heed but industry wide and amazes me that they get away with it ! The TRS and TS jacks are meant as a multiple insert/remove connector and why it uses self wiping contacts so imagine what is going on inside these POS plastic jacks from all the plugging in and unplugging of headphones. Take one of these closed jacks apart and you will see a recipe for disaster due to the easily deformed "spring" metal contact attached to an easily deformed plastic carrier and all because folks insist on having their gold or silver contact for a cheap price and the manufacturers knowing this are only happy to add the note of contact metal in the ad copy without ever mentioning the jack is a lightwright and will not stand up to any real world abuse. I can hear the "no big deal,I always leave my headphones plugged in anyway" to which I would reply " Oh yeah ? And just how much contact integrity do you think you actually have after a month of constant pressure on the springiness of the jack ? Add in the fact that the TRS/TS connector is not a gas tight connector since from the start it was designed to be in all day,every day,day after day,month after month,year after year continuous duty (telephone patch consoles before automation at first,later pro mics or guitar amps) means you WANT TO cycle the jack or it will build up a layer of contamination from in general air borne pollutants so that full time connection becomes less and less good over time while the "springy thingy" is losing tensile strength and developing a memory (I won't add how the TRS/TS shorts hot to ground on insertion......OOOPS ! ) Plastic housing phone jacks,the RCA connection in general,loudspeaker spring clip connections that BREAK what little wire they actually come in contact with (which is very little ) and all the while most knuckleheads are worrying about what caps are inside or if they can squeeze in a $200 stepped attenuator...................................... Yeah,I have a serious case of the ass against the crap audio device to audio device connections we are not only stuck with but pay through the nose for when even the worst D-sub or Molex Connector makes a far better,longer lasting,better sounding connection for quality audio and why studios use multipin connectors whenever it is an option (Elcos and such) and why I have to wnder what all the Consumer Electronics Standards controlling bodies (IHF etc) are THINKING or rather the lack of thought in general ! Is there really a human so inept they can not crank down a spade lug to a terminal strip or binding post that we need to have those goofy spring clips for speakers ? That could not plug in a multipin conector (ooops ! The DIN DID get tossed to the audio trash heap as a common audio connector don't get me started mikester ! HOLD ME BACK DAMMIT !!!!!
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Post by merton on Sept 15, 2006 20:26:33 GMT
what does the heed amp normally cost in the US (i found one distributor... but i don't feel like e-mailing them for the price at the moment... i guess i will anyway)?
can you compare it to a meta 42 with 627's using the sr 225?
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Cuppa
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Post by Cuppa on Sept 30, 2006 10:57:08 GMT
Mike, where did you get your HEED from? Was it UK sourced - if so, where? Also, did you see any modding possibilities when you opened her up?
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Post by choariwap on Nov 15, 2006 4:50:59 GMT
hi mike,
so with the latest diode upgrades, does the heed still beat the xcan v2 v3?
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rickcr42
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Rest in peace my good friend.
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Post by rickcr42 on Nov 16, 2006 0:21:14 GMT
.....or is it maybe that the X-Cans just looks so damn cool ! In my not usually humble opinion the X-Cans are and always have been (all the way back to V1 round cans) particularly attractive audio devices even though nothing really fancy.A combination of "get the damn job done and no more" but with an understated elegance that would not be out of place in any system no matter how mutch added glitz the electronics are wrapped in. BTW-Mong-X V1 X-Cans front end mated to the Heed SE Class A buffer/driver stage with the discrete transistor bolted right to the back panel of the X-Cans for heat sinking.For Grado use switchable -10dB pad (also rear mounted) or better yet a front end bypass
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Post by sometrolls2 on Dec 20, 2006 13:35:39 GMT
Where are they actually selling the Heed in the UK? There seems to be few suppliers with little/no stock.
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Cuppa
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Post by Cuppa on Dec 20, 2006 20:37:21 GMT
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Feb 15, 2007 10:35:26 GMT
Hi,
Yes, I've been living with the Pinkie modified Heed CanAmp for a good few weeks now.
Coupled with some Cardas cabled, Sennheiser HD650's the jury has found it guilty of making some distinctively, swinging musical sounds.
The LM4562 is my preferred silicon chip of choice & I've also replaced the captive mains lead with something a little more exotic.
What we have is a weighty, engaging sound. The old drums & percussion sound very realistic. It can play exemplary bass tunes as well, a fully paid up member of the horizontal earth sect. It even makes poor sounding CD's enjoyable! A veritable bargain of an amplifier, I can imagine it will snap at the heels of some serious big hitters.
Any downsides? Well, I had to play around to find some complementary sounding interconnects. Linn's black analogue proved too much of a good thing. The bass became too imposing. It began to smear the proceedings, although good on bass light recordings, a bit like a cup of coffee with way too much sugar. My old Cable Talk references are currently doing the job very nicely though, providing some serious, long, listening sessions.
I must mention the sound-stage as well, I find it less wide & not as well defined as the Chiarra but it seems to possess real depth. I'm not saying the Heed ain't got any width to it's sound-stage but it's as if the width has been squashed to provide depth.
I don't want to put any as yet, undecided, unbelievers off though. This is seriously good, extraordinary value for money kit. I've only heard a handful of headphone amps, Chiarra, Rega Ear, Musical Fidelity X-Cans, Sugden Headmaster, Naim Headline, the Can Opener. Once settled & fettled, this is one of the best.
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Feb 15, 2007 19:40:53 GMT
I can't understand why the amp has no earth cable though, surely part of the enclosure is metal?
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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 15, 2007 23:00:45 GMT
I can't understand why the amp has no earth cable though, surely part of the enclosure is metal? Live and Neutral go straight into the encapsulated transformer which is class 2 rated. Class I = single insulation which requires three core mains cable with earth whereas Class II = double insulation which requires no earth. Of course you can fit 3 core mains cable and clamp the earth onto the metal chassis of the amp should you want to, you could also (if there's room) fit an IEC inlet filter with the live and neutral going to the primaries of the transformer and tag an earth wire to the chassis of the amp. So you're liking the LM4562 in the HEED? Quite a versatile chip that and seems to give good results in quite a lot of amps.... sounded particularly good in the Graham Slee Solo.
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Feb 16, 2007 9:04:04 GMT
Cheers Mike. I might try & fit IEC connector when I get a chance.
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Feb 16, 2007 17:13:29 GMT
Any CanAmp owners leave their Heed switched on 24/7? I usually switch mine on in the morning & turn it off when retiring at night.
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rickcr42
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Rest in peace my good friend.
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Post by rickcr42 on Feb 16, 2007 18:42:04 GMT
I wouldn't even though it will likely take around 1/2 hour of warmup to sound right.Pure Class-a on the output stage means it is running full out 24/7 so while not a drain on your electrical bill due to the currents involved in a headphone amp will likely shorten the life span of the output devices and worse,they will likely get noisy as they age
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Post by hemos on Feb 21, 2007 0:45:31 GMT
Would it be possible to mod this amp to be better with Grados and Goldring phones ?
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on May 7, 2007 13:52:09 GMT
I think the head-fi thread is coming to its natural conclusion. I guess the CanAmp is no longer flavour of the month.
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Post by dc on May 7, 2007 14:15:25 GMT
i'm still loving mine more and more each day in fact i think everything that needs to be said has been said the folk over @ h43d-f1 have just started receiving theirs and are still stirring the pot though
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