tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56952166676975131232023-11-16T03:42:52.948-08:00Headphone JourneyHeadphone Journey, a diary of my headphone listening and purchasing experiences.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-57122635168554975772017-07-29T22:01:00.000-07:002017-07-29T22:37:16.006-07:00Raspberry Pi<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYIAxAF58WYZ6YHhhDRMg67NEXb5SZJBhzEYzUKOKrkDlBVNEpm8TSH9PWPso_TzbREOypGeGUYGIJiwhYc_YeaDapq-d1WRtslz7mWNrvDnaDrSIOD9vo7x_bL1SaZasD00JR1fYzJE/s1600/audiophonics-i-sabre-dac-es9023-v2-tcxo-raspberry-pi-20-a-b-i2s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYIAxAF58WYZ6YHhhDRMg67NEXb5SZJBhzEYzUKOKrkDlBVNEpm8TSH9PWPso_TzbREOypGeGUYGIJiwhYc_YeaDapq-d1WRtslz7mWNrvDnaDrSIOD9vo7x_bL1SaZasD00JR1fYzJE/s640/audiophonics-i-sabre-dac-es9023-v2-tcxo-raspberry-pi-20-a-b-i2s.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Yesterday returned to Mexico with my J<span style="font-family: inherit;">LH 1969 Headphone Amp and </span>TDA1387 x8 DAC very excited to get the equipment setup. <span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<br />
First listen was <b>Sony MDR-7506 > JLH 1969 Headphone Amp > TDA1387 x8 DAC > MacBook Pro</b>. I was immediately disappointed the Sony MDR-7506 and MacBook Pro had a grounding hum that was bothersome.<br />
<br />
Next tried <b>Denon D2000 > JLH 1969 Headphone Amp > TDA1387 x8 DAC > MacBook Pro</b>. Same issue grounding hum, believe the Denon D2000 and Sony MDR-7506 impedance is too low for the JLH 1969 Headphone Amp.<br />
<br />
Then got Volumio working on Raspberry Pi 3. Listening directly out of the Raspberry Pi 3 was a disappointment.<br />
<br />
Then got <b>A</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>udiophonics</b><span style="background-color: white;"><b> DAC ES9023 V2 TCXO > Raspberry Pi </b>working, gone was the grounding hum. The sound quality was a large improvement, not as musical as TDA1387 but a big improvement. I miss the laid back sound of the DT770 and the TDA1387. Next will setup Digi + Pro with TDA1387.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">To do:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Set-up Digi+ Pro</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Assemble Ian Fifo</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Assemble 9028</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><br />
<b>In Order of Sound Quality (SQ)</b><br />
<div>
<ol>
<li><b>WiFi > Linn Jazz > Raspberry Pi 3 > TDA1387 x8 DAC > <span style="color: black;">JLH 1969 Headphone Amp </span><span style="color: black;">> Sennheiser </span><span style="color: black;">HD650</span></b><b style="color: black;"> </b> No grounding hum, wonderful musicality of the TDA1387. Hard to believe the ES9028 and the Ian Fifo will sound better than this ! </li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit;">HD650 300ohm > JLH 1969 Headphone Amp > Audiophonics</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b> DAC ES9023 V2 TCXO > Raspberry Pi </b>No grounding hum, not as musical as TDA1387 but grounding hum is gone </span></li>
<li><b style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">HD650 300ohm > JLH 1969 Headphone Amp > TDA1387 x8 DAC > MacBook Pro </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Maybe it is the electricity in Mexico, but more grounding hum than I remember </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit;">DT770 250 ohm > JLH 1969 Headphone Amp > TDA1387 x8 DAC > MacBook Pro.</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Sounds natural and easy, not the largest sound stage, not that large a range, great left / right separation, very musical.</span></li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit;">DT770 250 ohm > JLH 1969 Headphone Amp > iFi Nano > MacBook Pro.</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> More digital, sharper</span></li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit;">DT770 250 ohm > JLH 1969 Headphone Amp > HiFiBerry DAC+ Pro > Raspberry Pi. </b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Sounds small, not rich, compressed and confused, all the information is there, but not musical.</span></li>
</ol>
</div>
<br />
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-88259848788676152432017-07-16T21:14:00.002-07:002017-07-16T21:33:54.314-07:00An Update<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqW-_lMKK8i1gNv3A4WAC3206lLVyB7l7-tZtzjjgwAnD28SKWDG8g3o1kWg0ozSSrKutXoEZdKRBRrbbYt_651NnIfwaKReK1nUlKjlEJgCcCei_gw2ZfZbJHCHQDvSn8gJ9nAjMpZoU/s1600/s-l1600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqW-_lMKK8i1gNv3A4WAC3206lLVyB7l7-tZtzjjgwAnD28SKWDG8g3o1kWg0ozSSrKutXoEZdKRBRrbbYt_651NnIfwaKReK1nUlKjlEJgCcCei_gw2ZfZbJHCHQDvSn8gJ9nAjMpZoU/s640/s-l1600.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>In order of Sound Quality</b><br />
<div>
<ol>
<li><b>DT770 250 ohm > JLH 1969 Headphone Amp > TDA1387 x8 DAC > MacBook Pro.</b> Sounds natural and easy, not the largest sound stage, not that large a range, great left / right separation, very musical.</li>
<li><b>DT770 250 ohm > JLH 1969 Headphone Amp > iFi Nano > MacBook Pro.</b> More digital, sharper</li>
<li><b>DT770 250 ohm > JLH 1969 Headphone Amp > HiFiBerry DAC+ Pro > Raspberry Pi. </b> Sounds small, not rich, compressed and confused, all the information is there, but not musical.</li>
</ol>
<div>
Also tried all of the above using the Sony MDR-7506, small soundstage, brittle sounding, too close</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-39076727900671209372012-06-27T14:28:00.001-07:002012-06-27T14:30:40.437-07:00Closed Headphone Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/innerfidelitys-wall-fame-full-size-sealed"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IRnQ8InlDtIp_mndhtiKvKHGt90nKPBRm-GeTciRcSesnIYYvdxr0Z-IGwqCrrPWalBCl3J1xdRH9JPoKUnsyPH-z0oshJRmdXUnnqVZ-jTX7ubsg5-8VVcXipaHGZ9zFNoCrd7CShk/s640/WoF_Photo_FullSealed.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Great review on Inner Fidelity of <a href="http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/innerfidelitys-wall-fame-full-size-sealed">Closed Headphones</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-42213150628127296292012-06-18T16:17:00.002-07:002012-06-18T16:18:24.349-07:00iBasso D7 vs. HRT Music Streamer II<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgIIQrEK-NfG8LGykkqpURslG8dRW-idaWGk9XAqwqccJAaLRLSGfF0AwrbTJDvB9WbBlGu_naD4a98ljVB1V31PPXOMNQLkVxCPZHAsl4h6unY4x0DXvMG0nGBmaEYKMC4DSlMRS2qM/s1600/iBasso_D7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgIIQrEK-NfG8LGykkqpURslG8dRW-idaWGk9XAqwqccJAaLRLSGfF0AwrbTJDvB9WbBlGu_naD4a98ljVB1V31PPXOMNQLkVxCPZHAsl4h6unY4x0DXvMG0nGBmaEYKMC4DSlMRS2qM/s640/iBasso_D7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">iBasso D7 on left, HRT Music Streamer II on right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
iBasso D7<br />
<ul>
<li>Darker sounding than Music Streamer</li>
<li>More engaging, more musical, higher resolution</li>
<li>very "black" background</li>
<li>Asynchronous</li>
<li>24bit/192khz</li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">HRT Music Streamer II</span><br />
<ul>
<li>Slightly larger sound stage</li>
<li>Asynchronous</li>
<li>24bit / 96Khz<span id="goog_2063551863"></span><span id="goog_2063551864"></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
Winner iBasso D7. A surprise, the D7 is much smaller than the Music Streamer II, I would have thought the Music Streamer the better DAC, but the D7 is just more engaging. The deciding factor is the "black background" of the D7, just love the quiet </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-37814967830043107392012-06-13T14:10:00.002-07:002012-06-13T14:27:32.171-07:00iBasso D7 vs. D4 with Topkit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuW7otT08aqWhA-yjzREDkhartdJbN8EWBy1yyF_tM7q75WZy4ACw0LyWOhpZElMatoZVcDro8I107n9f5intNf1miR_cEAC_lTJ7l7puz_xBiSD7DQD2goYNVDd6TPvazd8KRKdY23tU/s1600/iBassoD7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuW7otT08aqWhA-yjzREDkhartdJbN8EWBy1yyF_tM7q75WZy4ACw0LyWOhpZElMatoZVcDro8I107n9f5intNf1miR_cEAC_lTJ7l7puz_xBiSD7DQD2goYNVDd6TPvazd8KRKdY23tU/s640/iBassoD7.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">iBasso D7 on left, D4 with Topkit on right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Really didn't expect the D7 to sound so much better than the D4 with Topkit. Listening side by side, the D7 is so much quieter. The back ground is dead silent compared to the D4. Before listening to the D7 had not realized how much "noise" there was in the quiet passages of the D4 or the headphone jack. The D7 the quiet and sound stage is bigger and the instruments more detailed than the D4.<br />
<br />
iBasso D7<br />
<ul>
<li>Quiet background</li>
<li>Large soundstage</li>
<li>Very detailed, with "space" between instrumentation</li>
<li>Have to restart computer to "sync" asynchronous</li>
<li>Only USB power 5V</li>
<li>Error Message of "drawing too much power.." </li>
</ul>
<div>
D4 with Topkit</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>More headroom than D7 when used with 9V</li>
<li>Noise in quiet passages</li>
<li>Smaller soundstage</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-40493507252615542712012-06-13T14:09:00.002-07:002012-06-13T14:27:51.332-07:00DT770 vs. ATH A900x vs D2000<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHIWI0OscM_98NOynAVsDgrdKkk6wNP3Gfb2rtcs0Rti1AQsoyEZAs-eYRvIXlJoEdLQowngy5Qa_LMlcsqmDDpkKb0sVlj-bmS2XP5PZ32g6-MvA2t-i7fmE1q503V2VLTr3ZyCQOiM/s1600/DenonD2000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHIWI0OscM_98NOynAVsDgrdKkk6wNP3Gfb2rtcs0Rti1AQsoyEZAs-eYRvIXlJoEdLQowngy5Qa_LMlcsqmDDpkKb0sVlj-bmS2XP5PZ32g6-MvA2t-i7fmE1q503V2VLTr3ZyCQOiM/s640/DenonD2000.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Denon D200 on left, ATH A900x on right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Beyerdynamic DT770 250ohm</div>
<ul>
<li>More of a monitor style headphone, great for critical listening. The sound is a little "dead" a recessed distant sound, easy to listen for multiple hours</li>
<li>Love the fit, easy to wear for a long period</li>
<li>Comes with travel bag</li>
</ul>
Audio Technica ATH A900x 42ohm<br />
<ul>
<li>More of a "fun" style sound quality</li>
<li>I find the "wings" bothersome the headphone keep sliding down</li>
<li>Very large and detailed sound stage</li>
<li>Too heavy on the head</li>
<li>Better isolation than D2000</li>
</ul>
<div>
Denon D2000</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Wonderfully made</li>
<li>More musical than 900x</li>
<li>Not as large a soundstage as 900x, but more musical and accurate</li>
<li>A joy to use, so well made</li>
<li>Left / Right separation, incredible, "outside the head" experience</li>
<li>Reproduces lower bass than 900x</li>
<li>Quieter than 900x</li>
</ul>
Winner D2000, returned the 900x and going to sell the DT770 250ohm<br />
<ul>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-6529209399275406632012-05-29T16:32:00.001-07:002012-06-10T05:53:25.825-07:00Mingo's in Hong Kong<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDHv9-8DSaUe4_ZGrP9XbfcHzGmyxFUPRh0cGqEA7G_gugLWID3QsIqbbV2waiSuF39dAcLfVrJbNU498HJsXyJ33J_zSXKBvzzIZzAtAqOaUlgr6wFBtMnFxJcwon7QH04Ab6X7cYQI/s1600/Mingo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDHv9-8DSaUe4_ZGrP9XbfcHzGmyxFUPRh0cGqEA7G_gugLWID3QsIqbbV2waiSuF39dAcLfVrJbNU498HJsXyJ33J_zSXKBvzzIZzAtAqOaUlgr6wFBtMnFxJcwon7QH04Ab6X7cYQI/s320/Mingo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
I was in Hong Kong for a few days of meetings, googled "Headphones Hong Kong Kong"and found Mingo's:</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Mingo's, Hong Kong</div>
<div class="p1">
Shop No 115, 1/F Sim City</div>
<div class="p1">
47-51 Shantung Street</div>
<div class="p1">
Monbkok, Hong Kong</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
What a place! Amazing! They have four stores, I spent time in both the portable headphone store and the home headphone store demoing headphones, what I found:</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Home Headphones:</div>
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">Audio Technica Art 900x, great sounding closed headphones, better than DT770, bought a pair</li>
<li class="li1">Grado SR80 Great sounding </li>
<li class="li1">Stax entry level, thin sounding</li>
<li class="li1">Headfiman HE-300 Muddy sounding</li>
<li class="li1">Beyerdynamic 990 no sound stage</li>
<li class="li1">Dac Magic looks well made</li>
<li class="li1">Audio Technica ATH-TAD300<span style="background-color: transparent;">inexpensive great sound inexpensive open headphone, not as good as Grado SR80</span>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="p2">
Portable:</div>
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">Ray Sammuels, SR71B first time I have seen one</li>
<li class="li1">Shure SE535, no where near ACS T1 sound quality, Westone UM3X better</li>
<li class="li1">Etydynamic MC5, thin sounding and brittle</li>
<li class="li1">iBasso PB2 sounds great, great range, great soundstage, addictive, 2500HK, also listened balanced with balanced cables</li>
<li class="li1">iQube, not as large a sound stage as PB2 or the dynamics</li>
<li class="li1">Miu Audio lit portable tube amp, looks and feels cheap</li>
<li class="li1">iphone dock to 3.5 silver strand LOD, opens up soundstage</li>
<li class="li1">Listened to Demo version of JH8 Audio, better sounding than UE16, muddy sounding, ACS T1 still better</li>
</ul>
<div class="p2">
While in HK also visited Kingsound, not as good selection as Mingo's and can't demo. If you are in HK, check out Mingo's !</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-9194245358309502322012-03-13T13:23:00.000-07:002012-03-13T13:23:29.243-07:00Westone UM3X vs. ACS T1<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpfMDRs2gnuQcTAdaUoj4LCN4ExNp6jfAtwe4fC-M84vTNj_lP4b3-KBUs2XSrCNAxzbYNmmVRrC0MgzOGwMXmND95Xd_k6mbE9rd2cJ5AsPU9mlaQWa7kM58210Du7g7RJwQ5EL1HkE/s1600/ACS_T1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpfMDRs2gnuQcTAdaUoj4LCN4ExNp6jfAtwe4fC-M84vTNj_lP4b3-KBUs2XSrCNAxzbYNmmVRrC0MgzOGwMXmND95Xd_k6mbE9rd2cJ5AsPU9mlaQWa7kM58210Du7g7RJwQ5EL1HkE/s320/ACS_T1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ACS T1 - Silicon, Three Balanced Armatures IEM</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I have been looking forward to this comparison. How does a $950 IEM compare to a $350 IEM?<br />
<br />
At first, going back and forth between the two, I was disappointed in the T1. I missed the bright lively sound of the UM3X, then I realized that the UM3X were overly bright. <br />
<br />
The T1 is musical, reproducing the music as it was recorded, where as the UM3X makes almost any music sound good. There is a noticeable straining of the T1 to have clean separation between the three armatures. Going between the two, I wanted to go back to the T1, it might not be as fun sounding, but it is a really rich musical experience. With the T1I feel like I am sitting in a leather chair, oriental carpet on the floor, listening to my Thiel speakers. Hard to believe the sound quality is coming from an in ear monitor. After listening to the two, I would say the T1 is an in ear monitor and the UM3X is an earphone. It is amazing, that with the T1 I can hear Coltrane's fingers on the keys of his sax!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Comfort</b><br />
It is easy to put in and take out the UM3X, comfortable to wear. The T1 is a pain to get into my ear and take out, but once they are in my ear I forget about them, amazing comfort.<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Sound Quality</b><br />
The UM3X is really fun, great for listening to music, but not a piece of reference equipment. When I put in the T1, feel as if I am listening to a performance.<br />
<br />
<b>Isolation</b><br />
I now realize that isolation has big impact on sound quality, if you can separate the listener from the ambient sounds, you can create a more musical experience. The T1, has amazing isolation, the UM3X fair to good.<br />
<br />
<b>Westone UM3X</b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>Okay isolation</li>
<li>Noticeably brighter than the T1</li>
<li>Nice full sound</li>
<li>Good bass</li>
<li>Very good sound stage for an IEM</li>
<li>Comply foam tips comfortable, but fall off</li>
<li>More of a fun sound</li>
<li>More fatiguing </li>
</ul><br />
<b>ACS T1</b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>Richer sound</li>
<li>Much fuller sound</li>
<li>More musical</li>
<li>Larger soundstage</li>
<li>Less bright than UM3X</li>
<li>Less like I am wearing IEMs, I forget I have them in my ears</li>
<li>A little muddy, lower frequencies to the lower mid range</li>
<li>More of a reference sound than UM3X, "notice more of the music"</li>
</ul><div><b>Equipment:</b></div><div>UM3X or ACS T1 > iBasso D4 > 6" Monster USB > MacBook Pro > Pandora</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-10904711772611528432012-01-25T10:32:00.000-08:002012-02-21T09:34:26.209-08:00Custom IEMs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtr_Io1KMry9QBfaJJ87vdegFWQyUejxv9xAk5ELOQCUuzIPXesyH9oQpGnL1AisDfY4P4zuFUcRY3YldChmkNdeJC8Iu74jnUVzJAecLmJt84GvcVCM2vVCLoHJTaPfnlgmLdinHvM5M/s1600/WestoneES5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtr_Io1KMry9QBfaJJ87vdegFWQyUejxv9xAk5ELOQCUuzIPXesyH9oQpGnL1AisDfY4P4zuFUcRY3YldChmkNdeJC8Iu74jnUVzJAecLmJt84GvcVCM2vVCLoHJTaPfnlgmLdinHvM5M/s320/WestoneES5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Today I took the plunge and ordered custom In Ear Monitors. Visited Dr. Craig A. Kasper of <a href="http://www.myhearingexpert.com/craig-a-kasper-audiologist.php">Audio Help Hearing Centers</a>, very nice guy and very knowledgable. I had planned on ordering the <a href="http://www.westone.com/music-products/Custom-Fit-Pro-Audio/ES5">Westone ES5</a> in clear with 50" black cable for $950. Dr. Kasper said IEMs are in two camps hard silicon and soft silicon, the Westone ES5 are of hard silicon, although they have a soft silicon coating on the ear canal section. He expressed concern about Westone and the recent sale of the company.<br />
<br />
After some conversation Dr. Kasper recommended the <a href="http://www.hearingprotection.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=58&Itemid=113">ACS T3</a> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">£249 ($388USD), he feels five </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">armatures</span><span style="line-height: 20px;"> is too many and only muddies the sound, saying the seal is more important than the number of </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">armatures</span><span style="line-height: 20px;">. The T3 is a three armature IEM and does not have a removable cable, although the cable is made of a kevlar coated material. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">ACS is a British company with offices on Long Island.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Saying it is not possible to have five </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">armatures</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">separate</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"> the </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">frequencies</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">, and one, two or three armatures is better than five or more. He </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">offered</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"> to order both the ACS T3 and the Westone ES5 and let me decide between the two.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"> <br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;"> I found Dr. Kasper through an article in </span><a href="http://www.stereophile.com/content/etymotic-research-hf2-hf5-ear-headphones-etymotic-custom-fit-earmolds" style="line-height: 20px;">Stereopile</a>, by Wes Phillips. <span style="line-height: 20px;"> I was told to request an open jaw impression as the ear canal changes shape with an open jaw and the fit will be better with an open jaw. Dr. Kasper recommended an open jaw for the ES5 and a closed mouth for the T3.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;"> Al Jarreau and Dave Matthews are clients of Dr. Kasper, being a musician, he enjoyes working with musicians. We spoke about Etymotic and their "reference sound" and the mistake that is Dr. Dre Beats. We talked about Headfi and the flying opinions and the lack of transparency. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;"> Will go back in a couple of weeks to try the two different IEMs and make decision</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><a href="https://www.editorsguild.com/FromTheGuild.cfm?FromTheGuildid=176">Very nice comparison of ES5 and ACST1</a></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-19719239577675918102011-08-10T21:59:00.000-07:002011-08-10T22:04:21.433-07:00HEAD-DIRECT HiFiMan RE-262<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgdx7eMGUoHjb5xbVlHpLonsmIHBN2lEkClht3jwpM5DN5PEJgFIQITajHP9HL51IKyYupgjfWikQvbVPx65evPVsGIDP4bCwrtf8moMmQEzSJpVL_cxBLDOhWlVaNtsQ4OY4umCElec/s1600/hifiman_re-262.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgdx7eMGUoHjb5xbVlHpLonsmIHBN2lEkClht3jwpM5DN5PEJgFIQITajHP9HL51IKyYupgjfWikQvbVPx65evPVsGIDP4bCwrtf8moMmQEzSJpVL_cxBLDOhWlVaNtsQ4OY4umCElec/s400/hifiman_re-262.jpeg" width="276" /></a></div><h1 class="indexable" id="yui_3_3_0_7_1313038584289115" style="color: #82502a; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 26px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</h1><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b>Head-Direct HiFiMan RE-262, Purchased from Head-Direct $149</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">Great IEM, best I have heard. Only lasted two weeks, then left ear stopped working and returned. A few cool features, wired for balanced amplifier, comes with extra cables for non balanced play back. Also can be worn over the ear or with wire coming down.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">Great review of RE262</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://www.avguide.com/review/hifiman-re-262-ear-headphone-playback-42">http://www.avguide.com/review/hifiman-re-262-ear-headphone-playback-42</a></span> </span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-64396400916614320742011-07-07T08:07:00.000-07:002011-07-07T08:11:38.300-07:00PLCC Extraction Tool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeTz452oXAeL0f1O2_MABycxA3JZQETy8Z91wHUYyrHrBuOVJlbfXPCOKLx01pp1G10EX4A-Knt4_HrKGJhKJWwLt22gce16sFZXdlERyIeenxfeMfFVYjAyks49BXQ-_fzmJhKYz_co/s1600/plcc-ic-chip-extractor-removal-puller-tool-20-to-84-pin-1086-1241716.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeTz452oXAeL0f1O2_MABycxA3JZQETy8Z91wHUYyrHrBuOVJlbfXPCOKLx01pp1G10EX4A-Knt4_HrKGJhKJWwLt22gce16sFZXdlERyIeenxfeMfFVYjAyks49BXQ-_fzmJhKYz_co/s320/plcc-ic-chip-extractor-removal-puller-tool-20-to-84-pin-1086-1241716.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Square IC PLCC Extraction Tool, $9.99, Radio Shack</b><br />
<b> </b>Have started opamp rolling in the iBasso D4, need to use an PLCC Extraction Tool to remove the opamps.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-48050484291141589392011-07-05T20:55:00.000-07:002011-07-05T20:56:42.950-07:00D4 Topkit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50mnqawkDuh6X_3LE6G66gwTt0hvXu5-RAj922QsQjmyomXi0v8Zod-ma2RCq42Mgtmn7yUTXTIozw5rOnx3QPx3aTCMTgWeAVypTgJDjswA9B36j0RgsUEl1Ic_KE6e3t2VZ9m9WiNU/s1600/D4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50mnqawkDuh6X_3LE6G66gwTt0hvXu5-RAj922QsQjmyomXi0v8Zod-ma2RCq42Mgtmn7yUTXTIozw5rOnx3QPx3aTCMTgWeAVypTgJDjswA9B36j0RgsUEl1Ic_KE6e3t2VZ9m9WiNU/s400/D4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgO8tFavv96P6eLBi2Ac428q7xW5Xr-ZvtF5antjB6F4yi-Wn36UowVa01Im75NtEB9ZrWAQMvCVHBmeOMgJKdyulhjY6WQFWRyLxEovZgAvQU86P1K1KdnBUjGUhJg-OP8zviBCFUyw/s1600/D4+Topflight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgO8tFavv96P6eLBi2Ac428q7xW5Xr-ZvtF5antjB6F4yi-Wn36UowVa01Im75NtEB9ZrWAQMvCVHBmeOMgJKdyulhjY6WQFWRyLxEovZgAvQU86P1K1KdnBUjGUhJg-OP8zviBCFUyw/s400/D4+Topflight.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<b>iBasso D4 Topkit, $60 purchased from HiFlight on Headfi.org</b><br />
Purchased D4 Topkit with optional L/R opamps. Sound Quality has a larger soundstage, seems more powerful than before and "natural sounding", like the sound opened up and more musical. Still need to try the optional L/R opamp.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-3245557765162730892011-06-25T16:29:00.000-07:002011-06-25T16:29:52.855-07:00Behringer UCA 222<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQWgMXCGUSGQyeY6JLMSkJeYikTUl0DumZOzO0yqMXsCgawRQkyxyo8G-YXvu-P7-vgD98_Q4uHUqTyJ77wCRjevhoXE_FRHsogieTPtradsvz2EfHA1VPlZ3Ee5mavGIXaJLB94dW6Y/s1600/behringerUCA222.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQWgMXCGUSGQyeY6JLMSkJeYikTUl0DumZOzO0yqMXsCgawRQkyxyo8G-YXvu-P7-vgD98_Q4uHUqTyJ77wCRjevhoXE_FRHsogieTPtradsvz2EfHA1VPlZ3Ee5mavGIXaJLB94dW6Y/s320/behringerUCA222.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">Behringer, $30.63, Purchased from Amazon, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">Returned, Refunded</span></span></span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><b>Behringer UCA 222</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"> - For $30 what a great deal! The Sennheiser HD201 and UCA 222 may be the perfect $50 setup. Not very loud and not as musical as the uDAC, but detailed and fun. Not as powerful as iBasso D10, not as detailed, not as spacious, but a 10th the cost, pretty darn good!</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-51618615259762829802011-06-25T15:21:00.000-07:002011-06-30T16:56:07.372-07:00iBasso D6<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZJUPvSPyf1WS8EPPuFPJd_Aa1JIlBptDMMpb9aWjq-fOKC2sd2WVBUQYi2JwfD9fmeJP81zwLqA_Yss-6_vMu4SIR9_AeoYMmfEaGSzVIBz97VmYzx4fMCsa_o8wV9USQh4wXmRqfUE/s1600/iBassoD6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZJUPvSPyf1WS8EPPuFPJd_Aa1JIlBptDMMpb9aWjq-fOKC2sd2WVBUQYi2JwfD9fmeJP81zwLqA_Yss-6_vMu4SIR9_AeoYMmfEaGSzVIBz97VmYzx4fMCsa_o8wV9USQh4wXmRqfUE/s320/iBassoD6.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><b>iBasso D6, $275, Purchased from iBasso, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">Returned</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">Refunded </span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><b>iBasso D6</b> - Silver, still deciding if I like the silver, I ordered in black and silver arrived. Switches more solid feeling than the D4. Potentiometer quiet on turn on, Gain and Battery / USB switches quiet. On first listen, D4 sounds more powerful with more air than D6. Smaller soundstage than D4, more intimate sounding. More analytic sounding than D4 and a little "brittle" sounding.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-25014447579441942512011-06-22T23:07:00.000-07:002011-06-23T16:04:41.421-07:00ibasso D4 vs. D6<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEw6buZxLEkxxCMSytVZ-wwicsuB2Ba7rjxJ9K5A-ahge6z0MYBdWbe2U-M6p-yL6GUel50hW9O-AP557yZRadcpduDKxb0cCBrtG9ynwSeL2I8E5CEDH14FJ5g8QOuVvnlDQX6VRRQo0/s1600/D4D6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEw6buZxLEkxxCMSytVZ-wwicsuB2Ba7rjxJ9K5A-ahge6z0MYBdWbe2U-M6p-yL6GUel50hW9O-AP557yZRadcpduDKxb0cCBrtG9ynwSeL2I8E5CEDH14FJ5g8QOuVvnlDQX6VRRQo0/s400/D4D6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
iBasso D4, $199, D6, $275 purchased from iBasso<br />
<br />
iBasso D4 - Potentiometer a little "squeaky", makes a mechanical echo noise on turn on, as if something is vibrating inside the case. Gain and Battery / USB switch throw too long and feel cheap. Slightly thinner case than D6. Larger soundstage, more air, blacker background than D6. Non rechargeable 9V battery<br />
<br />
iBasso D6 - Silver, still deciding if I like the silver, I ordered in black and silver arrived. Switches more solid feeling than the D4. Potentiometer quiet on turn on, Gain and Battery / USB switches quiet. On first listen, D4 sounds more powerful with more air than D6. Smaller soundstage than D4, more intimate sounding. More analytic sounding than D4 and a little "brittle" sounding. <br />
<br />
Tested with Beyer Dynamic DT770 Edition 250 ohmUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-20705697893026156282011-06-17T16:11:00.000-07:002011-06-17T16:11:19.792-07:00Case Logic Case<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqypEi1bLGD9HS6hIVinXcabVldYKAtWp2MkNIgxgf3-DhONQLLwnvKJW-F2-KzjPWDCWyaVZDSMxHINKAknybJGJ5Cc_vy3M7JDd3-zwYJtlA9xJIEeSKBP5SOchzGBSemIKCEpWK3dk/s1600/Caselogic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqypEi1bLGD9HS6hIVinXcabVldYKAtWp2MkNIgxgf3-DhONQLLwnvKJW-F2-KzjPWDCWyaVZDSMxHINKAknybJGJ5Cc_vy3M7JDd3-zwYJtlA9xJIEeSKBP5SOchzGBSemIKCEpWK3dk/s320/Caselogic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHB53Qn_dqVMIzONgQ6RcO4XqbR8CmpMJBug1mg9rSCSMZr24OHP5M0EaoQ2WXawC3sBLmIeyNroeOdDLHZZcr0OdGdoFR2xDGK1idkhbF4yOQXDirA2Sn7Xu34UpCbS9GGuf6w2w9u9g/s1600/Caselogic.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHB53Qn_dqVMIzONgQ6RcO4XqbR8CmpMJBug1mg9rSCSMZr24OHP5M0EaoQ2WXawC3sBLmIeyNroeOdDLHZZcr0OdGdoFR2xDGK1idkhbF4yOQXDirA2Sn7Xu34UpCbS9GGuf6w2w9u9g/s320/Caselogic.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Case Logic Nintendo Case, $9.99<br />
Wonderful hard sided case, will fit Nuforce uDAC or iBasso D4 & D10 perfectly. I keep my 6" USB in the cable compartment.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-36141104637738474032011-06-16T16:21:00.000-07:002011-06-25T15:17:52.094-07:00iBasso D10<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5230784169578073961" style="position: relative; width: 676px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDb4L31bI7dVw2Qe37z-FGxrVF8QGyRgZoMETfH_Zfn1UZEq9w4USy6fPndpieOmJUs048WZq8X8TgdpbNlzfNH6sDC2QMaz7B9vhWo5fDOWnchF0Ths3zeVNm0m8qj9Lie1sRtXq347U/s1600/ibassoD10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDb4L31bI7dVw2Qe37z-FGxrVF8QGyRgZoMETfH_Zfn1UZEq9w4USy6fPndpieOmJUs048WZq8X8TgdpbNlzfNH6sDC2QMaz7B9vhWo5fDOWnchF0Ths3zeVNm0m8qj9Lie1sRtXq347U/s320/ibassoD10.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9nubXHxATH7h6_56YpK9Dz0cckXRhLvJMnf6_8KNijE6bxxf_u3xZsZkGjx1E5tChSNsYBORnok8ZMrrHHukUp1_bFZKGF9SSD3smnDksxUVlOr-EsVNvdUPwDkln4K0sgzif2HIP-M/s1600/ibassoD10-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9nubXHxATH7h6_56YpK9Dz0cckXRhLvJMnf6_8KNijE6bxxf_u3xZsZkGjx1E5tChSNsYBORnok8ZMrrHHukUp1_bFZKGF9SSD3smnDksxUVlOr-EsVNvdUPwDkln4K0sgzif2HIP-M/s320/ibassoD10-2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.4; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.4; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">iBasso D10, $245, iBasso, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">Returned</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">Refunded</span></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 1.4;">Good amp, but not as good as the D4. Don't need optical in, thought it was </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 22px;">important</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 1.4;">, but not needed. The soundstage is not in the same league as the D4. </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">Build Quality - 6.5, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">potentiometer</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;"> a little funky, not as well made as uDAC</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bass - 7</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mid Range - 6, mids a little recessed</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Treble - 6, a little bright</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rating 1-10, 10 being the best</span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4;"></div></div><div class="post-footer" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1.5em;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-52307841695780739612011-06-16T16:16:00.000-07:002011-06-25T16:31:20.372-07:00Beyerdynamic DT770 32 ohm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1iqvO6YcL9u093Nfndx4YAHojVIeoh8Gd0xm6eQMgViEIwN9BQ5eBiXuGwpxf6xAYpSTlvH-49hblKqE2g-pDG_SVk0sHyTb0c0xKR-5ZJSyTGhKhfMWCBBtZ2ksxeurqsAj2nhxSZk/s1600/DT770.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1iqvO6YcL9u093Nfndx4YAHojVIeoh8Gd0xm6eQMgViEIwN9BQ5eBiXuGwpxf6xAYpSTlvH-49hblKqE2g-pDG_SVk0sHyTb0c0xKR-5ZJSyTGhKhfMWCBBtZ2ksxeurqsAj2nhxSZk/s320/DT770.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Beyer Dynamic DT 770, 32 ohm, $249.00, Amazon, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">Returned, Refunded</span></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Great headphones, would keep except the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Beyer Dynamic DT 770 250 is more dynamic. The the felt covered ear cups. A little big for bringing to the library, but would rather deal with larger headphones with great sound quality.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Build Quality - 7, Plastic hinge seems a little delicate</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Comfort - 8.5, very comfortable, ear cups fully cover ears</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bass - 9, Tight, rich bass</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mid Range - 7, mids a little recessed</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Treble - 8, balanced treble </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rating 1-10, 10 being the best</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-20185734559891993882011-06-16T16:06:00.000-07:002011-06-25T16:36:38.303-07:00Audio-Technica ATH-A700<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxgcCefCQwm0LJsjPJJiAkR2IGeJb9Dgrf9eWN0-Cm5HFZaN669WJbTAF8NqUdE_MZ8ZQdmB_846mlufzW6SsT30FPLlEhyphenhyphenFO6AMQC_JB7OTGEADWIkBPGgMdnzuM92nVOTNyxw6prFs/s1600/ATH-A700.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxgcCefCQwm0LJsjPJJiAkR2IGeJb9Dgrf9eWN0-Cm5HFZaN669WJbTAF8NqUdE_MZ8ZQdmB_846mlufzW6SsT30FPLlEhyphenhyphenFO6AMQC_JB7OTGEADWIkBPGgMdnzuM92nVOTNyxw6prFs/s400/ATH-A700.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Audio-Technica ATH-A700, $127.34, Amazon, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">Returned, Refunded</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stereophile rates the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700 "Class A". The Audio-Technica ATH-AD700 is an open headphone, while the Audio-Technica ATH-A700 is a closed headphone. Maybe the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700 is very different is character than the Audio-Technica ATH-A700, because the Audio-Technica ATH-A700 is not in the same league as the Sennheiser HD800 or HD650 (both also rated "class A").</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hoping that the Audio-Technica ATH-A700 was an inexpensive closed headphone in the league as the DT770 32ohm, but no such luck. The soundstage is small and compact, sounds like the instruments are right next to my head.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Build Quality - 6, Lot's of plastic, doesn't feel like they will last very long</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Comfort - 6.5, large ear cups fully enclose ears, the headphones feel as if they are falling down my head </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bass - 5, thin sounding bass</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mid Range - 6, Realistic sounding </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Treble - 6.5</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rating 1-10, 10 being the best</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-56739401227143789752011-06-15T17:00:00.000-07:002011-06-17T16:16:10.430-07:00Beyerdynamic DT770 32 ohm vs 250 ohm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-8rtCA6ZfurQqm1HlxTeP91RqSFF_ZGTCUe1jfP0_Q_t33FnccbejGZcEupaVFQVUB_k8WM0q_Xrpue4S2AuPV-sHcVsgtI-zYKZir0ooh6l-9IJhE0PweNZzYZgzP8WZ4YiftCj83s/s1600/DT770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-8rtCA6ZfurQqm1HlxTeP91RqSFF_ZGTCUe1jfP0_Q_t33FnccbejGZcEupaVFQVUB_k8WM0q_Xrpue4S2AuPV-sHcVsgtI-zYKZir0ooh6l-9IJhE0PweNZzYZgzP8WZ4YiftCj83s/s400/DT770.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<b>Beyerdynamic DT770 32 ohm vs 250 ohm</b><br />
Started with the DT770 32 ohm, the best sounding closed headphone to date (except the Denon 2000). Then compared to the DT770 250 ohm, larger soundstage and dynamic range. Will return the DT770 32ohm<br />
<br />
Compared with the iBasso D4Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-62086388264750912482011-06-11T20:39:00.000-07:002011-06-11T20:40:17.179-07:00Chinese BBQ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZSClRXlsF4Ye3io0LiTizBLVJnBBoavRK1enG_lXkl-Igv07C9i-TrdLhJeZzy-cKkOTIE7Vvq6zmPn80HC9desktx7M3UTA3_lh4srQ8Q610oqU2xkPvk8vunLl12YMxyKVQ7oNNgU/s1600/chinese-bbq.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZSClRXlsF4Ye3io0LiTizBLVJnBBoavRK1enG_lXkl-Igv07C9i-TrdLhJeZzy-cKkOTIE7Vvq6zmPn80HC9desktx7M3UTA3_lh4srQ8Q610oqU2xkPvk8vunLl12YMxyKVQ7oNNgU/s320/chinese-bbq.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
When I bought the D10, I plugged in the unit and got a strong smell of electrical circuits. Now I understand some of the "Chinese BBQ" comments on HeadFi. The iBasso D4 is a great unit, but it does not have the fit and finish of the Nuforce uDAC.<br />
<br />
After comparing the D10 to the D4, shipping back the D4, first I got a price of $108 for shipping to China using UPS, no way. Then priced USPS, $64.58, still expensive, but within my "hobby budget". <br />
<br />
I don't want to add up all of my shipping costs, afraid what I might find. A down side of the hobby is many of the vendors are in Asia and shipping back and forth is expensive!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-73159009472703651802011-06-11T17:25:00.000-07:002011-06-11T20:52:01.754-07:00iBasso D10 vs. iBasso D4<b>iBasso D10</b> - Sort of a pain to charge, the D4 is simple remove rear cover and insert 9V. Compared to the D4, sounds distant and shallow. Optical input improves soundstage width, but still not a match for the D4 soundstage, too much in to small a space? If the D4 sounds better through USB, no reason to get D10. Not sure how else to say it, the optical has more air than the USB, but D10 sounds distant.<br />
<br />
<b>iBasso D4</b> - Bigger soundstage than D10, also more power more authority. Running from 9V seems to have more authority than USB. Plenty of power for HD650, always want more but boy do they sound sweet, not sure what people were talking about "can't use D4 with HD650". Simple easy headphone amp/DAC, more authority and dynamism than D10. Curious about the Topflight kit, will order. Will order short USB.<br />
<br />
Comparison with:<br />
Sennheiser HD650<br />
Beyerdynamic DT770 32ohm<br />
Sennheiser HD201Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-585165107877765252011-06-04T11:03:00.000-07:002011-06-04T11:03:57.222-07:001000 PaintingsI had an Art teacher, one day she said to the class, "a student asked me, "how do I know a good painting?", and I answered go see 1000 painting and you will know". <br />
<br />
Don't know if I will make it to 1000 headphones.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-10874693036626014722011-06-04T11:01:00.000-07:002011-06-04T11:01:57.795-07:00Portable Amps<div><b>Portable Amps</b></div><ol><li><b>iBasso D10</b> - Smaller than imagined, Chinese BBQ smell, a little unnerving, also the potentiometer makes a click when turning on that sounds like something is loose. Not as well made as I imagined, potentiometer does not track well, from 6 to 9 seems out of proportion to 9 to 1. Makes me appreciate the uDAC craftsmanship. More detailed than 222, but not as spacious or detailed as NFB-12, makes me want to try Nuforce HDP. Curios about USB vs. optical. Black background.</li>
<li><b>uDAC-1</b> - Not as detailed as D10, not as powerful, not as detailed. But for half the price pretty damn close.</li>
<li><b>Behringer UCA 222</b> - For $30 great deal! HD201 and UCA 222 may be the perfect $50 setup. Not very loud and not as musical as the uDAC, but detailed and fun. Not a powerful as D10, not as detailed, not as spacious, but a 10th the cost, pretty good.</li>
</ol><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695216667697513123.post-58429765395225923512011-06-04T10:46:00.000-07:002011-06-04T11:02:56.568-07:00HD650 vs DT770-32 vs DT250-250 vs HFI-780 vs HD201<div><b>$100-$400 Headphones</b></div><ol><li><b>Sennheiser HD650</b> - Sound Dark with the D10, blow away the DT770 32ohm (not fair comparing open HD650s to DT770s). Love these phones, curious about comparison to HD600, less dark sounding? Listening at about 1 o'clock on the D10, USB. Made in Ireland.</li>
<li><b>Beyerdynamic DT770 32 ohm</b> - So far my favorite closed headphone, comfortable, musical, good soundstage. Big to carry in my bag. Well made and easy to listen to all day. Made in Germany.</li>
<li><b>Beyerdynamic DT250 -250 ohm</b> - Remind me of the Sony MDR7506, very detailed and but not engaging. Think they would get tiring for a full day of listening. Smaller soundstage than DT770 32ohm. Very dry, just sound right. Engineered for mixing, not recreating music. Comfortable, not as comfortable as the HD650 or DT770. Eat cups a little small, don't sit around ears. Toughest to drive of the four, need to change high gain and turn up volume. Made in Germany </li>
<li><b>Ultrasone 780</b> - Smaller soundstage than DT770 32ohm, funny sound stage, pianos above my head? Music from the middle of my head?, almost an IEM sensation. Like the form factor, ear fold flat and ear cups fit over ears. Doesn't sound musical or engaging, like the sound is being played in the next room. Soundstage opens up with D10 compared to UCA 222, more detail, but funny soundstage, not 180 degrees, more left right sounding. Weird soundstage, drums coming from right then left, drums are directional. Making me nauseous, like someone running around room with the microphone. Too bright sounding. Made in Taiwan. </li>
<li><b>Sennheiser HD201</b> - Still amazing $20, going from HD650 to the HD201, big difference, but the HD201 are still without major fault. Would like to try rewiring. Made in China.</li>
</ol><div><b>Notes:</b></div><div><ol><li>All listened to through iBasso D10, USB</li>
</ol></div><div><b>Next steps:</b></div><div><ol><li>Order DT770 250 ohm, compare to DT770 32 ohm</li>
<li>Return Everything except HD201</li>
<li>Order iBasso D4</li>
<li>Order uDAC-2</li>
<li>Try Fostex</li>
<li>Order case or bag for DT770</li>
<li>Order Topflight kit $60</li>
<li>6" USB to mimi USB</li>
</ol></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0