Stormy
100+
Advocates putting smokers in a "Sin Bin"
Needs to learn to keep his big mouth shut.
Posts: 153
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Post by Stormy on Apr 21, 2006 19:09:06 GMT
My 1500uF Panasonic FMs FINALLY arrived the day before yesterday, almost 3 months after I placed the order for them with RS. I dug out my 10uF and 470uF non-polars and my remaining heatsinks for the difficult-to-reach-without-removing-the-1000uF-caps PSU transistors/voltage regs/whatever the hell they are, and got to work desoldering and soldering. Finished the job (finally! No more tweaks for a while.), and checked to see it was still working - sounded good. Listened to it for about 45 mins before bedtime, then hung my HD600s on one of the drawer knobs of my bedside cabinet in the usual fashion. Jumped out of bed this morning and landed on the cable, "tugging" it slightly. It didn't fall out or anything, but I now have no sound in my left earpiece. I've tried the phones with other headphone outputs and swapped the left and right plugs over. It's definitely the cable. A continuity test with a voltmeter revealed that it is the earth connection that has gone. The signal wire is still good. How the hell I managed that I don't know - I would have thought that the earth "wire" would be a screen over the signal wire. Maybe something has come adrift in the jack or the driver connector. Now to explain why this post is in the cables/interconnects section: Do I... a) Spend £27.00 on a replacement stock cable. b) Attempt to fix my existing one by cutting off small amounts of cable from the jack end and testing continuity until I find the break then fit a new 6.3mm jack. I can't go the other way because I have yet to find someone who supplies non-moulded Sennheiser plugs to solder on if I cut off the existing ones. c) Somehow bodge things by running a wire between the earth connections of the two drivers so that they "share" the same bit of cable (crosstalk problems?). d) Consider an "uprated" replacement cable, and if so, which? I know about the Cardas, Zu Mobius, Meier and Stefan AudioArt amongst others, and I remember reading something about one for £40 which is supposed to be surprisingly good but a pain to get hold of. The Cardas seems to be one of the easiest to find (there's a chap on eBay who sells them in the UK). e) If I CAN find some suitable connectors, make my own cable. I don't want to canibalise my existing connectors because they might have a broken joint, and you'd have to keep a small amount of the existing cable to solder the new one too, creating a sort of "bottleneck". Bugger, bugger, bugger.  |
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thegreatroberto
100+
The Great Roberto "himself" The real deal on a stick!
Posts: 157
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Post by thegreatroberto on Apr 21, 2006 20:13:52 GMT
Bolox is the word you are after
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Post by PinkFloyd on Apr 21, 2006 21:05:31 GMT
Yeh, bollocks to that Stormy (reminds me of the time I hoovered a headphone cable up.......) that's bloody typical  Are you good with a soldering iron? If so, may be worthwhile reterminating the cable but, if not, then probably best to buy another one. If it's at the "Jack" end I'd definitely say go ahead and reterminate in a new jack plug. If it's in the middle of the cable then you could splice, solder, heatshrink but be warned the conductors are thinner than a human hair and not too easy to solder together unless you're used to it... of course, you could twist and wrap with insulating tape but I assume you'd want to make a proper job of it and not some string and sellotape sling together? Not sure what replacement cables run at but I'm sure they're not "cheap" this punter on ebay wants £29.99 cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sennheiser-81435-Stock-Replacement-Headphone-Cable_W0QQitemZ9714374607QQcategoryZ3274QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemCould also be an opportunity to buy a secondhand Cardas cable or some other kind of after market souped up job. Not sure if Jan Meier is still selling the oehlbach cable may be worth hunting around for it, was very reasonably priced IIRC. Anyways, good luck! |
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Stormy
100+
Advocates putting smokers in a "Sin Bin"
Needs to learn to keep his big mouth shut.
Posts: 153
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Post by Stormy on Apr 21, 2006 22:41:32 GMT
That was the £40 one! That saves me a few hours on Google, lol. If I can find one I think I might do that, as it's hardly any more than a replacement stock cable. I'm not too bad with a soldering iron these days, but as you say the conductors are very thin in modern headphone cables (any good reason, btw?), and I hate watching all the varnish and insulation burn off in a puff of smoke when you "try" to solder the things, making it even worse. Getting the strain relief on something like a Neutrik jack to work effectively with such thin cable could also be interesting - I think I might just give it a miss. I do prefer a neat appearance, so splicing and insulation tape or heatshrink are really out of the question! I think the Zu Mobius Senn ( www.zucable.com/mobiussenn/index.html) wins on the Audio Candy front, but it's sodding expensive. I can't see the Oehlbach cable on the Meier site any more - I'm going to email them to be sure they haven't stopped making it. |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Apr 21, 2006 22:46:20 GMT
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Stormy
100+
Advocates putting smokers in a "Sin Bin"
Needs to learn to keep his big mouth shut.
Posts: 153
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Post by Stormy on Apr 21, 2006 22:55:38 GMT
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rickcr42
Fully Modded
Rest in peace my good friend.
Posts: 4,514
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Post by rickcr42 on Apr 25, 2006 15:31:32 GMT
If there is anything that requires patience (something I have in very short supply ;D ) it is reparing headphone cables which 90% of the time use wires with an enamel coating-a recipe for intermittant connections.I have a box full of headphones waiting for me to repair one day and considering I have had many of them for over a year i think they may end up Antiques before any repairs take place  Kimber does more things right than wrong until you get up into the higher priced models.I don't blame the manufacturer for wanting to exapnd a model lineup nor do I blame anyone for wanting "in" to the high priced cable market but the reputation was made on the simple geometry/good sound/reasonable price models because simple IS good more often than not and everything else is usually a product searching for a market and why all such companies feel a great need to make the cables into "art" by adding wood and gold or other precious metals and uniques cable coverings. Sure we all want our cables to look good but to pay those prices for "looks" seems to be coming at the product end use backwards cionsidering the word "Audio" means sound and "Visual" looks. For a headphone cable I think Kimber would not be high on my list even though on technical merit and SQ would be fine.Fixed installation connections can be fragile and "wimpy" for the simple reason that once in place they stay there doing the job but a headphone cable,like a guitar or microphone cable is a "dynamic" connection in the mechanical sense.always in motion by the nature of the wire/device/human interface. Unless you sit with your head dead still,a condition that would give you one hell of a stiff neck I would think,you need something a bit more substantial than the "three wire twist without jacket" I think though teflex and such coverings are off the list being microphonic with headphones.something with a supple "hand" and that can take a daily use beatin' aqnd that says PVC jacket more often than not. the Cardas are a good bargain in the lower end models and use common sense construction methods.if you want to try your hand at a DIY cable look to the mogami Neglex (my fave in a headphone extension cable) or Canare Star Quad OR even a good quality balanced microphone cable with a proper termination connector at the headphone end (from your old cable).A very cost effective cable,one that will give you as good at the performance level as so called dedicated "headphone" cables that if you shop around can be found in damn near any color you desire. choices bro,why DIY is so cool  |
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StevieDvd
<100
Superman of Stevenage
Posts: 15
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Post by StevieDvd on Apr 26, 2006 0:09:17 GMT
Stormy,
I have a couple of those old Oehlbach connectors in my junk box, the ones Jan Meir sent out that were cut off just below the 'y' joint.
If you want a freebie pair drop me a pm and I'll pop em in the post.
Steve
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Stormy
100+
Advocates putting smokers in a "Sin Bin"
Needs to learn to keep his big mouth shut.
Posts: 153
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Post by Stormy on May 1, 2006 9:57:36 GMT
That's very kind, but does that mean I'll still have to solder cable to cable, rather than cable to connector?
I hate to say it, but looking at the prices of some of the posh replacement cables, I have actually been tempted to splash out on a pair of HD650s instead. I could (hopefully) put the cable from the HD650s onto the HD600s if I ever get a better cable for the new ones.
Does anyone have any opinions on the 650s compared with the 600s? One of my friends has just got a pair, but I don't want to compare 600s that have been worn in for 4 1/2 years with brand new 650s.
Otherwise I think I'm going to be spending the £30 on a stock cable, as Jan Meier wrote back to tell me that the Oehlbach is no longer available.
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Stormy
100+
Advocates putting smokers in a "Sin Bin"
Needs to learn to keep his big mouth shut.
Posts: 153
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Post by Stormy on May 16, 2006 18:54:16 GMT
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Post by PinkFloyd on May 16, 2006 21:38:47 GMT
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Stormy
100+
Advocates putting smokers in a "Sin Bin"
Needs to learn to keep his big mouth shut.
Posts: 153
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Post by Stormy on May 22, 2006 18:47:20 GMT
I've replaced the broken HD600 cable with a non-broken (aka new) HD650 one from the above eBay link. I can't remember the "sound" of the old cable well enough to compare the two, and some might argue that this one has not been burnt/bedded/worn in properly yet (!), but from a purely practical point of view I'd say it is a huge improvement.
The cable is much thicker, with chunkier connectors at both ends (6.3mm at the jack end - no more adapters! I never use mine for 3.5mm duty anyway, so I don't miss the adapter that comes with the HD650, which would have been a separate part and more money), has a proper moulded plastic collar at the "Y" split, rather than heatshrink, and generally seems much more robust than the stock HD600 cable.
Well recommended if you want to save yourself a tenner, or even if you don't. I still don't understand why it is cheaper...
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vixr
<100
face it, if lightsabers were real, you would have cut off part of your body by now...
Posts: 71
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Post by vixr on Nov 15, 2006 3:04:07 GMT
I enjoyed this post a lot, but am confused on a few points... What's a "punter" on ebay? Sodding expensive? Pop em in the post? Save a tenner?
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rickcr42
Fully Modded
Rest in peace my good friend.
Posts: 4,514
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Post by rickcr42 on Nov 15, 2006 3:08:06 GMT
Welcome to the Machine The first time I talked to Mike AKA Pink Floyd on the phone I had no idea what he was saying for the first few minutes even though I THOUGHT we both spoke the same language. Being me I covered up my lack of translation skills (combined with a healthy dosage of ego that would not let me beg mike to slow the fk down so i could understand him ;D ) by taking the lead and doing most of the talking until I could sort it all out.in the end we kinda sorta communicated but was a damn close call there for a bit
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xerxes
Been here a while! 
Posts: 1,115
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Post by xerxes on Nov 15, 2006 10:44:47 GMT
Punter = Customer/Client - as in someone who takes a punt on something. A punter, originally from betting/gambling as in "I'll take a punt on that horse" - "I'll take a bet on that horse" Sodding Expensive = Very Expensive, bloody expensive. Pop em in the post = Pop th em in the post, put them in the post. Save a tenner = Save 10 pounds fiver (Lady Godiva): £5.00 tenner (Ayrton Senna): £10.00 score (apple core): £20.00 pony : £25.00 monkey : £500.00 grand : £1000.00 More: www.aldertons.com/money.htmAs you can see, here in England, we have slang words for slang words.  No my old china*, you speak American. * china = china plate = mate = friend Here we see so many American movies and TV shows that we're pretty much bi-lingual by the age of ten. |
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rickcr42
Fully Modded
Rest in peace my good friend.
Posts: 4,514
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Post by rickcr42 on Nov 15, 2006 12:54:29 GMT
Guess I need to watch more BBC America for my English training,not that it would help at my age ;D
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vixr
<100
face it, if lightsabers were real, you would have cut off part of your body by now...
Posts: 71
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Post by vixr on Nov 15, 2006 20:12:45 GMT
well my old china, I guess that makes me septic...
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 15, 2006 20:15:16 GMT
Guess I need to watch more BBC America for my English training,not that it would help at my age ;D You sounded like a diamond geeza when we spoke on the dog Rick, I could understand you no problems mate as I used to watch a lot of Kojak on the box "who loves ya baby?" you sound quite a lot like Woody Allen, so very easy to understand. We must get together for another rabbit on the blower one of these days, I'll give you a buzz one of these nights mate. |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 15, 2006 20:27:05 GMT
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xerxes
Been here a while!
Posts: 1,115
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Post by xerxes on Nov 15, 2006 21:37:50 GMT
I'll have to remember that if my 650 cable ever develops a fault. |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 15, 2006 23:33:55 GMT
I'll have to remember that if my 650 cable ever develops a fault. Probably best to just order up 10 of them as spares  Off for a tom tit. Mike. |
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xerxes
Been here a while!
Posts: 1,115
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Post by xerxes on Nov 15, 2006 23:58:26 GMT
Whoooa! Too much information.  |
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rickcr42
Fully Modded
Rest in peace my good friend.
Posts: 4,514
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Post by rickcr42 on Nov 16, 2006 0:57:32 GMT
I speak "Rickanese street slang sprinkled with a bit of "R" rated color for shock value" from too many years on construction sites though there was a time when I could spout the most beeeutiful linguistics fooling most into mistaking me for someone with an actual education I live in Connecticut which is sandwiched between the BIG 2 of Boston Mass. and Ny,NY.,both of which have very strong local accents.So strong that when I moved up here from NY the local yokels had a tough time understanding me. Over the years (unlike soooo many transplants) I totally lost my accent and when I was in Basic Training (US Army),was asked "where you from nightmare" and upon responding Southern Connecticut would always get the "but you talk just like us ? I thought all you yankees had an accent ?" The stereotype then was ALL from New england spoke as they do in Boston,something perpetuated by TV which has put out more disinformation about class and/or groups than any other single source.CT speak is bland until you go into the poor areas where they speak the universal "cool" every generation modifies or to a construction site where they mostly swear at each other or swear at the job or swear it is too hot or too cold or too muddy or too dry or the GC or architect is an asshole or the customer is a fkn idiot or............ (these days in spanish ) another wise ass....but a cool wise ass.......like me to funny man.that is the "shock of rick" that is sooo devestating.When in "I'm cool,everything is cool,is it not a nice day ?" mode I am very soft spoken even if a bit "colorful".I even look "soft". Then some knucklhead is stupid enough to wake the monster and like a friggin' grizzly I rear up,puff up,ROAR loud and deep enough to send fear into mere mortals and in general let it be known "let the monster sleep or deal with it in full wake up mode" and if I see a "should I take a shot ?" lookin that persons eyes pounce like a fkn panther to that persons everlasting dismay for A-Thinking the cover is the story (book) B-being polite and soft spoken is a sign of weakness Never started a physical altercation since my late teens but never ran from one either and because I will not be insulted and because I will not tolerate disrespectful assholes who THINK they are tough guys had average more actual all out fights per month from the age of 20 to 40 than most adult males have in their entire life and the truth is went a ten year stretch without a single loss and in fact when my now wife went on a date with me (second or third date I beleive) witnessed 8 fights in a row at the pub we were in and all 8 were knocked out cold while I never even recieved a slap On those occasions when the local gestappo showed up and put the rickmeister on ice I would revert to "mild mannered clark kent" in court which would convince the authorities I was just an innocent victim of circumstances and so would invariably walk free. now ? Old and feeble so I carry a fkn club tell that to one of my 1K+ ex girlfreinds.They never understood sh*t and why they ended up "ex" instead of "I'm with Rick" I doubt my wife understands me but she does know how to deal with me so considering together for 20 years good enough for horseshoes and hand grenades ;D absodamnlutely mate ! Just contact me here first to make sure I am A-home B-recognizing the call.i screen all calls and if i don't know the person or don't want to talk with them pass them to the answering machine OUR main problem is time zones.Your early evening is my mid day and my after work your beddy bye time so will take some planning but ACT-ll of "THE CALL FROM HELL" way over due from my perspective rickmeister |
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rickcr42
Fully Modded
Rest in peace my good friend.
Posts: 4,514
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Post by rickcr42 on Nov 16, 2006 1:02:02 GMT
In MY country the expression "tits on a bull" is used to describe someting totally useless as in "cows at least give milk but bulls don't give shit so why the tits huh ?" Flip to humans and same deal.A womans breasts are not only functional but damn pleasant to look at too while the male "tit" is boring and no more than a waste of skin.I mean jeez ! I had bigger zits on my forehead at 15 than most mens nipple size yet no one felt a pressing need to suck on my forehead |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 16, 2006 18:55:50 GMT
In MY country the expression "tits on a bull" is used to describe someting totally useless as in "cows at least give milk but bulls don't give shit so why the tits huh ?" Flip to humans and same deal.A womans breasts are not only functional but damn pleasant to look at too while the male "tit" is boring and no more than a waste of skin.I mean jeez ! I had bigger zits on my forehead at 15 than most mens nipple size yet no one felt a pressing need to suck on my forehead Hehe...... a "tom tit" is slang for a shit man so..... "I'm off for a tom tit" has nothing to do with nipples or breasts |
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