Headphone options for a Novo?

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   Hi all.

I just ordered a Novo amp, so I finally join the audiophile headphone brigade!  Now for the hard part: choosing a good set of headphones to compliment it.

My set up is:
Oppo DV-983 SACD player (would a dedicated Marantz CD6002 sound much better?)
Novo
Cusat50
Grado SR80 (I love the upper clarity but hate the lack of comfort and bass)
Shure SE530
Westone 3 (in the post)
(the IEMs are for travelling only)

My music taste is literally everything (dance, pop, rock, soul...), but the Novo will be mainly for my chill out sessions with classical, jazz, OSTs and "vocal" artists (i.e. Ray LaMontagne, Nora Jones, Portishead...). I also do a lot of audio producing and editing as a hobby, although the Novo won't get used for this.

Due to the mix of my tastes and my hobby, I think it would be best to get a linear set that could take care of the harder stuff (dance, etc) as well as my producing? In full agreement with Graham's statement about the hifi world today (going on what they think the correct SQ is rather than audio engineers who know what it is), I tried to find some Sennheiser HD250iis. Nada! Graham, have you got any other suggestions? Anyone else as well...?

For me the quality only really matters for my "chill out" genres as listed above, and I mean REALLY matters! I want to feel the emotion behind every note the artist sings, behind every chord he plays. I want to feel like I have a front row seat at my own personal concert, to hear everything so crisp and refined that everytime I listen I forget to breathe...  

Sorry, I'm a BIG music fan, but you get the idea. What headphones out there that will work with the Novo and my kit but will help me to acheive this goal?

Budget wise, I'd say sub £200 for the "studio" set and sub Grado GS1000/Denon D7000 for the decent set? For the latter I'm not particularly bothered between open or closed, just the overall package...

I agree with the "demo first" idea but I don't know anywhere to start (I live in South-East London).

Everyone's help is greatly appreciated. 

T

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miT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 07 Jan 2009 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 890	Post Options Post Reply Quote miT Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Headphone options for a Novo? Posted: 07 Jan 2009 at 11:39pm
	Hi all. I just ordered a Novo amp, so I finally join the audiophile headphone brigade! Now for the hard part: choosing a good set of headphones to compliment it. My set up is: Oppo DV-983 SACD player (would a dedicated Marantz CD6002 sound much better?) Novo Cusat50 Grado SR80 (I love the upper clarity but hate the lack of comfort and bass) Shure SE530 Westone 3 (in the post) (the IEMs are for travelling only) My music taste is literally everything (dance, pop, rock, soul...), but the Novo will be mainly for my chill out sessions with classical, jazz, OSTs and "vocal" artists (i.e. Ray LaMontagne, Nora Jones, Portishead...). I also do a lot of audio producing and editing as a hobby, although the Novo won't get used for this. Due to the mix of my tastes and my hobby, I think it would be best to get a linear set that could take care of the harder stuff (dance, etc) as well as my producing? In full agreement with Graham's statement about the hifi world today (going on what they think the correct SQ is rather than audio engineers who know what it is), I tried to find some Sennheiser HD250iis. Nada! Graham, have you got any other suggestions? Anyone else as well...? For me the quality only really matters for my "chill out" genres as listed above, and I mean REALLY matters! I want to feel the emotion behind every note the artist sings, behind every chord he plays. I want to feel like I have a front row seat at my own personal concert, to hear everything so crisp and refined that everytime I listen I forget to breathe... Sorry, I'm a BIG music fan, but you get the idea. What headphones out there that will work with the Novo and my kit but will help me to acheive this goal? Budget wise, I'd say sub £200 for the "studio" set and sub Grado GS1000/Denon D7000 for the decent set? For the latter I'm not particularly bothered between open or closed, just the overall package... I agree with the "demo first" idea but I don't know anywhere to start (I live in South-East London). Everyone's help is greatly appreciated. T

mrarroyo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 28 Jul 2008 Location: Miami Beach, FL Status: Offline Points: 1401	Post Options Post Reply Quote mrarroyo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Jan 2009 at 1:55am
	I do not care for the Grado GS1000, even though I am a Grado Fan. I love the Denon AH-D5000 and I can recomend it highly, great bass, separation, detail, and involvement. Good luck. Edit: I forgot to indicate that if you want a Grado the RS-1, RS-2, or even the SR225 are in my opinion better sounding than the GS1000. FYI, the reason I do not care for the GS1000 is that it has lots of bass and highs but no mids. Edited by mrarroyo - 08 Jan 2009 at 1:57am
	Miguel

miT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 07 Jan 2009 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 890	Post Options Post Reply Quote miT Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Jan 2009 at 8:24am
	Excellent, thanks for the reply mrarroyo (Miguel?). I have to admit, I have noticed the D5000's becoming a favourite in the different communities. Well done Denon! I do like Grado's but feel the lack of comfort a bit a bit hard to justify at the price, which is a real shame. My current favourites are the Denon D5000s and Grado SR325is (obviously the comfort issue meaning I shouldn't go for those). But I know very little bit about Audio Technica, AKG, Ultrasone, Stax (and people said Grado's look odd)... And the Sennheiser HD650s are supposed to be great if you change the cable, but surely you shouldn't have to do any mods to a "top of the range" product to get it to sound great out of the box...?

Darren/Audio Elevati Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Location: South Yorkshire Status: Offline Points: 144	Post Options Post Reply Quote Darren/Audio Elevati Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Jan 2009 at 9:16am
	miT - I think I recognise you!! We have spoken a couple of times in the last week - thanks for buying the Novo/Cusat50 combo from us. This is a great place for advice/feedback from people who are really into their headphone listening so I'm sure you'll be pointed in the right direction. I'll PM you about maybe loaning you some Sennheiser 650s. regards Darren
	Audio Elevation - taking your hi-fi to another level.

tg [RIP] Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Location: Sydney Status: Offline Points: 1866	Post Options Post Reply Quote tg [RIP] Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Jan 2009 at 9:22am
	miT, normally I use either a "green" Solo or Yamamoto HA-02, my preferred headphone is the ATH-W1000 although I also own and use K701. When reviewing the Novo as part of the beta testing program, I recall noting with some surprise its ability to convey the emotion when using the AT's with it, I could not state categorically that it was better in that respect than the Solo, but it certainly seemed adept at raising the hackles on a number of tracks - IIRC Eva Cassidy singing "Over the rainbow" was one such. Might be worth a listen if you can - I changed the earpads to the leather ones from the W5000 and that was good from a comfort perspective.

miT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 07 Jan 2009 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 890	Post Options Post Reply Quote miT Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Jan 2009 at 9:42pm
	Yes Darren, it was me. I changed my mind (again ) and settled for the Novo over the Solo. I decided I could live without the 2nd input... Also, thanks for the HD650 offer. When the burn in is complete, I shall definitely go for a demo. I got my Novo today (YAY!) and have started the 500hr burn in process (). As a side point, what is the best way to do it? CDs on repeat (I have heard the suggestion of bass-heavy music?), pink (or white) noise, or just plugged in? And how long for burning in the Cusat50? Thanks tg (freaky, that's my initials!). That is exactly the sort of experience I'm looking for! I was hoping that Graham would have added some suggestions by now... And anyone else out there...?

mrarroyo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 28 Jul 2008 Location: Miami Beach, FL Status: Offline Points: 1401	Post Options Post Reply Quote mrarroyo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jan 2009 at 12:36am
	There are many school of thoughts on how to burn in a piece of gear. I use a radio as a source so as not to wear out the moving components on a cd-player. Then I always put a load (headphone) unto the headphone amp. By the way I had my D5000 modded by MarkL plus a new set of custom bubinga wood cups. Here are a couple of pics.
	Miguel

Headphone options for a Novo?

Cadman Enterprises Limited
7 Kirkstall Close
South Anston
Sheffield S25 5BA
England

+44 (0) 1909 568739
+44 (0) 7947 107188

john at gspaudio.co.uk

Headphone options for a Novo?

Cadman Enterprises Limited7 Kirkstall CloseSouth AnstonSheffield S25 5BAEngland

+44 (0) 1909 568739+44 (0) 7947 107188

john at gspaudio.co.uk

Cadman Enterprises Limited
7 Kirkstall Close
South Anston
Sheffield S25 5BA
England

+44 (0) 1909 568739
+44 (0) 7947 107188