Sorry for the long post!

Cheers, Tom.

   Welcome to the family. Sadly, trying out headphones isn’t an option, or I’m sure that’s where the advice would go. The general rule here is to try things in your own home and decide for yourself. Your ears, your preferences, rather than chasing anything “absolute”. Through my Solo ULDE I’ve heard Jecklin Float Model 2, Sennheiser HD600, Hifiman HE-560, and Focal Elear, Elegia and Clear. I owned the first three, and friends brought over the others. I’m now using Focal Utopias. 

My feeling is that the Solo is consistently detailed with a really good soundstage. I know “valve like” is used a lot, but I’ve never had a valve amp to make the comparison. I do know that each of the headphones has sounded distinctly it’s own, so I suppose that means that the amp isn’t always just making its own sound and homogenising everything 

I think if it’s occasionally too bright it might be the Grados? I assume the RED is pretty well behaved. Is it possible for you to purchase a few different headphones second hand and sell what you don’t like?

Cheers,

Mick.

Thanks for the replies. 

Yes I think expirmenting with different headphones over time is the way to go. Just have to convince the wife it's a worthy investment 

The amp definitely seems to have settled in a little now and mellowed on some of those highs, or maybe the headphones  have now had a bit of burn in. I'm not sure if some fatigue in the higher frequencies is a sign that its time to replace the cartridge? 

So far really enjoying the amp and the detail it exposes. I think over time my intention is buy some more Slee gear, maybe the Reflex C to compliment. 

Just to second Ash's sound advice. I got some second hand headphones he refurbished and separately second hand Grado's to join the various new headphones I purchased before. Not only is second hand cheaper, you benefit from the experience of others who paid the full price.

I use a vinyl and headphone only system with a pair of sr325e. They did seem a little bright initially but that seems to have subsided, whether that's me or them I'm not sure.

The one thing I would say is they do leak a lot of noise so if you're in the same room as someone watching the tv etc they may not suit but my guess is your SR80s are similar.

To my old ears the solo/sr325e combo sounds pretty good and I've got a reflex m on order which should keep me satisfied for a while...hopefully.

Bottom line is I think the SR325e is great value for 250-260 but do leak.

Simon

Grado seem to be a favourite with GS headphone amp users is there some thing I am missing out on here ?? Are they a great combo it making me think that when I get around to changing my headphones that they are the ones to go for. there seems to be a lot of people out there that rate them highly.

Maybe the GS users are drawn to them because they are of a similar ilk ie handmade, no frills looks and all about the sound quality (maybe I've been had by the marketing man).

For £260 they make me smile...just if my missus asks they were just over £50.

Simon  

That's what I liked about GS and the fact they are made in the UK. It's just a pity you can't get headphones that are made here with the same sort of quality's.

As you can probably tell I like to buy British when I can. but that's hard to do now a days.

As for bass heavy music that's not what I am into that much (bass) but I do like a bit of UB40 and a touch more bass would be welcome.

Jonathan

I do like the first 2 UB40 lps and realised I'd not listened to them since getting the Solo. 

I have now and I can confirm the SR325e/solo combo makes the 45rpm from Signing Off sing. It's not brain shaking bass but definitely there in sufficient measures. They really bring out what a magnificent pressing this lp is.

I look forward to the Reflex/solo/sr325e combo.

 I originally intended to upgrade to a pair of headphones around £300 to £400 mark quite soon. However after spending some more time with the Solo ULDE and the Sr80e's I'm still being surprised by the stereo image and bass on offer. The treble seems to have mellowed from my initial thoughts. 

I've just bought the half speed master of Legend by Bob Marley and the bass and separation of the instruments is amazing. No doubt a lot down to the ULDE

So for now at least I think I need to explore some more music before my next upgrade. Unless I come across a 2nd hand bargain I can't turn down!

I have Grado GH1's and the pairing works well IMO, it is an exciting listening experience. The bass and midrange on my LCD-2's are exemplary, and the Solo ULDE works very well with them too.

The ULDE is designed to pair well with a wide range of headphones, from 32 Ohm Grados to 300 and 600 Ohm Sennheisers and Beyerdynamics. I have the older Ultra Linear (non DE) and have used it with all of these and more. Headphones are such a subjective choice, and as you've heard, take time to get to know properly. 

I will say that I don't get on well with the cheaper Grados at all. The GS1000e was glorious though and I regret selling it. Currently I use mainly HD650, LCD2F and Fostex TH-X00 Mahogany. All are sublime to my ears driven by the UL.

My best advice? Skip a lot of to and fro and start with an HD650 as your baseline.

It will save you a fortune and once you experience them you'll recognise anything better you might hear, and can quickly discount the lesser cans.

Or you could live happily ever after, if you're a lucky one and don't slide down the rabbit hole...

I have HD600 2019s but I did think of the HD650 but at the time they were a bit out of my price range as I had just put a order in for the Solo with PSU1. I then signed up for the Sennheiser news letter on line and found out by doing so I could have got a discount which would have put them with in my budget (I always seem to miss out on discounts) GETTING to my point do you know if there is a big difference between the two? I have heard that the 600s had better mid range but the 650s had more bass. the reason for asking is that I could do with a touch more bass for when I am listening to UB40 (Reggae) but I don't want to forsake the mid range in doing so.  

Jonathan   

Hi Jonathan,

I've previously owned 2 pairs of HD600 but not the Solo SRG, which I assume you have? Based on experience with my UL there is a distinct difference between the twins and it does boil down to the 650 being the "warmer" (more mid bass, slight treble roll off) of the two. Mids are still sublime, vocals even better than 600 IMHO. It does take a very good amp to extract what the two have to offer, so no problem there! I would say the 650 would suit genres like Rock and Reggae better than the 600, which is the more neutral can. Try and snaffle a pair to listen to for a day or two - shouldn't take that long though.

PS Consider the HD6XX from Drop.

PPS I'm now seriously considering another HD600...

I have the HD600 the V 2019s and are happy with them but like I said could do with a touch more bass. I am also considering something from the Grado range they seem to go down well with GS headphone amp users, But it's interesting that both of you like HD600, the reason I got them was that the old HD600s had a good reputation and I thought that the 2019s would be some what better and I'm not disappointed with them I do like the over all sound quality and IMO they are well made.

Ether way I have to start saving and stop buying new music, I have several vinyl records on order. The lockdowns have been good for my record collection but not my bank account and I do miss going to record shops, I tend to spend less when handing over my card (online is dangerous one click and you have spent ££££) So the next few mouths or so I have to be hard on myself and stop going to online record shops

I have just today ordered on loan the Lautus cables, They are on their way.

My need for a bit more bass had me talking to a mate whom I know likes his Bass and he sent me his old interconnect for me to try out, it did not go well in fact it made things worse (BASS) When I spoke to him about it he said that was the reason he replaced them and he wanted to show me what cable can do. I know I am only using them between the Amp and my solo headphone amp but his old cables did make a difference but as I said, Not for the better. So I have high hopes for the Lautus cables. I will let you know how I get on with them.

By the way my mate is a BASS junkie. He has 2 subs in his set up and that's just for his HiFi. He is into Drum & bass and Raggae. 

got the Lautus cables. John had to make a pair up for me to borrow. well by Friday this week I contacted John to ask to keep them, So he sent me the bill and I made payment on them. I got a small improvement on the bass that I was wanting to improve on BUT it was treble that impressed me the most, on a lot of music that I play especially when playing CDs it can be vary harsh when listening throw my headphones which makes listening for long periods hard work and some times I'm having to turning down the volume. NOT GOOD. So even though I am only getting a small BASS improvement I am enjoying my music a lot more when listening with my headphones on. So IMO that is money well spent. I still think a headphone or headphone amp up grade will give me more bass that I want,  but for the time being I am happy.

Thank You John C for the work you done.

From a very happy Lautus cable owner 

Jonathan