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System upgrade (part 1)
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miT View Drop Down
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    Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 11:04pm
Hi all,

After a few years away from headphone audio I'm finally getting back into it. Long story but let's just say life got in the way and caused some ludicrous decisions, like selling my Solo II SRG... Anyhoo, I'm back. My current system comprises of Auzentech Prelude > Cambridge Audio Azur 740C (thanks Miguel) > Novo > AKG K701 (thanks Graham) but I want to reach the nth degree.

All my music is on PC but a smaller DAC would be welcome as half of my desk is taken up by the 740C even though I don't listen to CDs anymore but I will create a part 2 in the DAC section to discuss that.

I'm looking for the most natural sound possible; I cannot stand colouration of any kind so it has to be clean. I also need them to be analytical though as my hobby involves music production and I need to hear flaws clearly. My music tastes cover literally everything but I prefer to let acoustic and classical music absorb me into an emotional rollercoaster. I do have Etymotic ER4s which can be used for the analytical side but would prefer an on-ear pair for home usage.

Graham has had my complete trust since I stumbled across GSP Audio years ago so a Solo ULDE is a no-brainer. But what headphones can you all (and especially Graham) recommend for me? I'm going to Highend Headphones soon so I should have access to pretty much everything...

Thanks in advance guys.


Tim


P.S. I'm in the UK.
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Having tried a number of hi-end headphones (and having similar preferences to you, also finding the ER4s overly-analytic) I think you will do very well with a pair of legacy senns. Personally I highly rate the HD250 mark I or II which is exceptionally clean, but with the deep bass which adds all the venue ambience which for me is essential for an absorbing listen with acoustic music. You'd also be able to use them for your hobby as they were designed as studio headphones, are closed-back and offer excellent noise rejection without bose-style active electronics.

I believe Graham used the HD250 in the development of his amps and for me at least the combination of Solo UL + HD250 at home and Voyager + HD250 on the move is a setup which I never tire of enjoying or worrying about upgrading from.

Getting hold of a pair may be tricky but others on this forum rate other senn models equally highly and know where to get them. For me the problem with these alternatives is that they are open-backed which doesn't work for my purposes.
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Yes, they were made obsolete in the interest of progress...

I also designed the ULDE using a couple of cheap pairs of Grados - they seem to like them enough to keep one in Brooklyn and take them on the road in the UK.

I try to make headphone amps to work with the broadest range of headphones. I hope they do.
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miT View Drop Down
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I was after a set of HD250s since the first time but still no joy.

Thanks Graham. Don't get me started on the "progress" trash we're always being spoon fed! I find that Grados sound great but are too uncomfortable due to the small ear pads (for my ears) and headband so never tried past the 80s. What do you currently use (by choice) Graham?

I've read good things on here about the Audeze LCD2/3/X and Hifiman HE-6 but what would be an upgrade from my K701s? And how do the K712 or 812s compare?

Btw, has anyone tried OPPO's PM-1/2/3s by any chance?
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Ash View Drop Down
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Points: 4360 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ash Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Feb 2015 at 11:07am
If your circumaural headphone of choice needs to be a sealed closed-back, I can't help you. But if it doesn't, I have something you might like. I haven't had chance to extensively compare them to K701 though so you might be better off keeping what you've got already.

If any of my customers are able to compare K701 and HD540II over an extended period of listening time, I'd be interested to read your impressions. Pretty sure K701 has the larger size drivers of the two (larger stereo image then probably) but this doesn't necessarily mean that they'll sound better overall.
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miT View Drop Down
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I'm only interested in them being outstanding. Open/closed/planar... None of that matters as much as the sound quality and (reasonable) comfort to me.

HD540s ay? Are they "below" the 650s?
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Ash View Drop Down
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Points: 4360 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ash Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Feb 2015 at 11:41am
Well, I already go on like a broken record so I should probably let others answer this question, if they would like to.
We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.
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