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Post by krisno on Feb 15, 2008 13:30:18 GMT
Hi
I have the AKG K701 + X-can v3 w/little pinkie + x-dac v3.
Headphones is not for me, there is no 'stereo perspective' like on a speaker system.
I will keep the X-dac v3 (but sell the can + akg). But I also want a pair of good headphones which uses a simple 3.5plug which sounds GOOD without amplification!
What do you guys recommend? The B&O Form 2 headphones, anyone tried them?
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FauDrei
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Post by FauDrei on Feb 15, 2008 17:29:13 GMT
Portable? Koss KSC-75, Audio Technica ESW-9 Not so portable? Audio Technica ATH-AD900 (open), Audio Technica ATH-A900 (closed) Generally ATs are GOOD without amp, although sound best when properly amped. ...also take note that K701 have extremely long break-in period (400 - 500 h) and they are notoriously hard to drive... From my experience - K701 sounded too sssssparkly, without proper BASS and generally weird soundstage/positioning when amped through X-Can V2. But with Graham Slee Solo it was completely different story - everything was just "natural" and "right". Point being - if possible try a different amp with K701 before letting them go... they really are great headphones even though somewhat picky.
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Post by krisno on Feb 15, 2008 20:34:12 GMT
I just 'removed' the X-Can V3, and I coupled in these brand new Klipsch Promedia Ultra 2.0 speakers. The speakers has a 'headphone out'.
1: The speakers by themself, even these crappy, sounded better than the AKG K 701. Audio playing using a seperate tweeter, middle tone and bass, just is the best it seems.
2: I then connected the AKG's through the speakers, meaning I get full solid state running on the AKG's, bypassing the X-can v3 (though I presume the headphone output on these sucks).
Anyways. The AKG's sounded alot better, and positioning in 'movies' etc is just alot better. TUBES don't sound good on anything it seems, its just 'blurry'..
So, it seems, either i sell it all, except maybe the X-DAC V3(I want to keep that, a good DAC), OR I NEED TO GET a PROPER solidstate amp. Preferbly a little used.
What is the best to get?
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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 15, 2008 22:45:30 GMT
You're not having much luck Krisno..... you've mentioned everything here but your source, what are you using? The X-Can / K-701 combo should not sound bad (well, I know the x-can v3 / K-501 sounds superb) maybe you are expecting too much from your source?
As to sensitive headphones..... Senn PX-100, ATH - W1000, Grados.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2008 23:35:37 GMT
At last, some common ground ! Unfortunately, I can't help you with the choice of solid state amplifier, as I construct my own,but there should be more than a few members able to come up with their personal recommendations ? SandyK
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FauDrei
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Post by FauDrei on Feb 16, 2008 0:11:29 GMT
...OR I NEED TO GET a PROPER solidstate amp. Preferbly a little used. What is the best to get? β22 perhaps? ( www.amb.org/audio/beta22/)
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2008 0:41:21 GMT
RE : Beta 22 It may sound a little TOO tube like to Krisno because of all those FETs ?
SandyK
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Post by fanboi on Feb 16, 2008 1:44:00 GMT
Well, I have been known to say some unkind things about my K701 previously, but they now have over 800 hrs on them and I have been listening to them all morning through 2 different amps, one of them using valves (HA-02) and one SS (Solo) and also direct from one of 2 Terratec soundcards, a Phase 26 USB and a DMX6fire, both are 24/96. Listened to a wide range of computer based files (all lossless), a live RoIO recording of a Dire Straits concert, LP rips of Sabicas (flamenco guitar), Charlie Byrd (mono - guitar & trio), Ted Heath (swing Decca Phase 4 24 track recording), Stanley Turrentine (Blue Hour - Blue Note) Positioning seemed all as it should be regardless of combination. They sounded good with all combinations, with a slight preference for direct from the DMX 6 fire on the Dire Straits, the Solo sounding warmer than the Yamamoto. The DMX had more power to drive them than the Phase 26 (even when externally powered). With jazz, the Yamamoto sounded rich and powerful, the Solo a little more refined and polite. Short version, don't ditch the K701 too hastily. (and don't write off tube amps, many think them best with K701 - see the threads on the Doge amp at the other place)
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Post by krisno on Feb 16, 2008 12:05:36 GMT
I am using the X-DAC V3 as source! The source is excellent
The problem is twofold
1) Speakers are alot better than headphones in my opinion. That just cannot be changed
2) When using solid state, even extremly crappy headphone out on a pair of klipsch active speakers (dropping the x-can v3), the AKG's sounded more detailed, more 'alive', more forward maybe, but the difference in movies was just 'immense'. The positioning was just such a big difference.
Tubes is not for me, and I will never get it again. Even on headphones, I really like the extra detail, and confinement.
But I will loose money on the X-can sale, but I want to keep the x-dac v3, so again, I need a good SS amp for it, but I want it cheapish.
What you guys think of the Meier amps, the smallest one, with built in psu. Very clean... Probably it is good enough?!
So the Heed Canamp guys were probably right, X-can v3 atleast, is crappy for the AKG, even though I really enjoyed some jazz on it. It 'really' comes alive sometimes, but most often its just soo much TRANSPARANCY and DETAIL getting lost . But well, SS is 'harsher'.
Anyways I am fed up with all the cables on a MF x-dac/x-can system. Maybe I sell it all, and get the top model from Meier Corda series with built-in DAC.
BUT the x-dac v3 with littlie pinkie probably is and extremly good dac, compared to the built in Meier Corda one.
Kristian
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Post by krisno on Feb 16, 2008 20:39:03 GMT
I will keep X-dac v3 as I bought this Littlie Pinkie
I think I will crawl to the cross,and get either
Meier Corda Arietta (anyone know this), or the Heed Canamp? The former is the cheapest, but has this nifty crossfeed feature.
Which of these 2 would you guys get when using x-dac v3 as source and AKG K 701 headphones??
I know Heed is highly regarded but the quality seems 'flimsy', and its more expensive! What you guys think?? Is Heed good with other headphones also, or only AKG?
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FauDrei
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Post by FauDrei on Feb 16, 2008 21:55:08 GMT
...if I recall it properly, Mike said somewhere in Solo evaluation thread that Heed is somewhat inferior to Solo... so - what about Solo?
As for Arietta... methinks Corda Cantate, if affordable to you, would be a better option. It has crossfeed and even a rudimentary DAC.
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Post by krisno on Feb 16, 2008 23:12:28 GMT
Will that Corda Cantate USB DAC, work as a souncard for games also??
I see now that I probably should have gotten something like that. Small, easy to use, simple, built in PSU. But well, now I got all these components, and they don't seem easy to sell. Atleast in norway.
So I thought maybe I could make it easy. Put the Little pinkie on the x-dac v3, then sell the x-can v3, and get the the Corda Arrietta, OR the Heed Canamp... The Solo is just too expensive, and it has an external psu.
Do you guys think one will hear much difference one the DAC in the Corda Cantate, or Corda Opera vs the external MF X-DAC V3??? I would have thought this MF dac really is the best, and you would hear it, but I don't know. What you guys think???
maybe sell everything, and get the corda stuff. or Corda Arriette will suffice + xdac v3. The really interesting thing is the 'hybrid' balanced thing that the Corda is doing.
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FauDrei
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Post by FauDrei on Feb 17, 2008 23:04:49 GMT
Yes, but no HW acceleration features and/or special effects (EAX & co.) available in games.
Cantante has very basic DAC so there WILL be a difference between Cantante and X-DAC in the favour of the later. Opera do have a "proper" dedicated DAC section and we can only speculate which DAC is better (X-DAC vs. Opera DAC).
...and yes, this "single balanced" Meier stuff is really interesting. Something like the 3 channel β22 topology.
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toad
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Post by toad on Feb 19, 2008 18:46:44 GMT
Is this the same Krinso that said: ah.... at last! I connected a $100 sony DVD player, using as CD source with nordost solarwind (silver coated) interconnect: 1) I can turn the X-can v3 dial to MAX, and its now DEAD quiet! No hissing what so ever.... so the cheap computer cable is the cause of that. 2) We suddenly have bass.... enough of it. I have seldom heard jazz better than this, and this is crappy DAC in cheap DVD player!! 3) There is some hiss/crackling, but very little.... more burning in might fix it. 4) THE RECORDINGS ARE ALIVE! Alive I tell ya!!!! finally... The source and cheap cable might be the problem... I just can't wait for the x-dac V3! I am sure that the computer will be as good as transport as a meridian cd player. Jazz sounds just soo good... and that saxophone..... so well placed..... my god, Miles Davis never been better.... and even on such crappy dvd player... and the amp is totaly quiet.... just black black black. except noisy recording. Wonder what the DAC will do too 320kbits mp3. the x-dac has some nice upscaling with it...
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2008 19:43:42 GMT
Toad Naughty! Naughty! Most of us, including our fearless leader, are sometimes guilty of over exuberant initial impressions . SandyK
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toad
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Post by toad on Feb 19, 2008 22:11:00 GMT
Toad Naughty! Naughty! Most of us, including our fearless leader, are sometimes guilty of over exuberant initial impressions . SandyK LOL true.
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