Head Fi - The cheaper option?

reignofchaos schrieb:

Hey saachi didn't check the PM until today. I'll dig up the ckt diagrams once I'm done with a few conf submissions next week. They are there somewhere :P. Too bad the HD580 is gone now cos its a class act. BTW if you are looking for IEMs, look no further than the altec lansing IM716. For the price, they are killer.

Hi Soumyajith,

Not a problem.
Funny that you mention the Altec Lansings.
i came across a coupleof thread recommending them above the ER6i and even comparable to the ER4s on headfi.com.
The only problem that i could see was the volume control on the wire.
Wondering if this would introduce noise into the signal.
But, yeah, will seriosuly consider them.

Thanks again,
Saachi

I'm myself planning to get a pair soon. They are a step above the er4p and actually closer to the er4s design. For the price they sell at, they are an absolute steal. Funny thing is that I was quoted a price less than 5 grand in india :P. The volume control doesn't cause any issues and there's no signal degradation. Thats what most reviews say. The only issue it seems is that they are a bit hard to drive.

Looks like i got bit by the upgraditis bug sooner than i expected.

I decided to go for an amp as a stop gap measure till i get my Headphone amp from Arasu.

Just bought a used Headsave Classic amp+power supply adapter on headfi.com for 100$.

Can't wait for it to arrive.

Looks like the IM716 IEMs will have to wait a while.

Saachi

Savyasaachi schrieb:

Looks like i got bit by the upgraditis bug sooner than i expected. I decided to go for an amp as a stop gap measure till i get my Headphone amp from Arasu. Just bought a used Headsave Classic amp+power supply adapter on headfi.com for 100$. Can't wait for it to arrive. Looks like the IM716 IEMs will have to wait a while. Saachi

Sachi, does your amp run on batteries? I read somewhere that running a headphone amp on batteries eliminates noise from the mains power supply. But, I am not sure about the dynamics when running on a batttery.

Neutral schrieb:

Savyasaachi schrieb: Looks like i got bit by the upgraditis bug sooner than i expected. I decided to go for an amp as a stop gap measure till i get my Headphone amp from Arasu. Just bought a used Headsave Classic amp+power supply adapter on headfi.com for 100$. Can't wait for it to arrive. Looks like the IM716 IEMs will have to wait a while. Saachi Sachi, does your amp run on batteries? I read somewhere that running a headphone amp on batteries eliminates noise from the mains power supply. But, I am not sure about the dynamics when running on a batttery.

Hi Neutral,

While it is true that it would be much better to run on batteries than on AC mains, however, mine does not.
I use an external regulated 24V DC PSU.

A small update, Just got my borwndog adapters.
Can't wait to get rid of the OPA2777 and try out the AD797 and OPA637BPG.

Holy crap!..
just found out that i can check out CDs from my school library..
Got Gerry Mulligan Quartet with Chet Baker, Stan Getz plays and Duke Eliington with John COltrane for starters...

Wow! Never knew that libraries stocked such exotic music. Are Ella and Sarah Vaughan also in stock?

Neutral schrieb:

Wow! Never knew that libraries stocked such exotic music. Are Ella and Sarah Vaughan also in stock?

They seem to have some 5 or 6 Ella Cds and a couple of Sarah's.

They also have LPs.. Unfortunately, no way i can listen to one now.

If you are interested, here's a link to my university's library.
http://vikat.pdx.edu/
Just select Music form the drop down list and enter your search.

Savyasaachi schrieb:

Neutral schrieb: Wow! Never knew that libraries stocked such exotic music. Are Ella and Sarah Vaughan also in stock? They seem to have some 5 or 6 Ella Cds and a couple of Sarah's. They also have LPs..images/smilies/insane.gif Unfortunately, no way i can listen to one now. If you are interested, here's a link to my university's library. http://vikat.pdx.edu/ Just select Music form the drop down list and enter your search.

Sachi, do back up some of the best stuff. Your portable must be able to store: wavs, flacs, mp3s? I might have to search out a library in Chennai once I exhaust my friend's classical songs, but 'Duke Ellington', 'Miles', 'Herbie' - fairly sure that no such stuff will be available at a commercial library.

Well , actually, i don't think it is leagal in India anymore to circulate audio Discs.
There used to be a very good one on Malleswaram 8th cross which i used to visit regularly since i was in the 5th standard.
They closed down many years ago.
They had Lps too.

I guess these guys here pay some kind of royalty to the recording ocmpanies.

One otehr possibility is that the jazz recordings are usually done by many small studios and they kinda 'encourage' the spread of the material.
So taht could be one reason why Jazz Cds are more prevalent here.
There is a live Jazz session tomorrow and the day after in my university. Will probably attend it.

Edit: I am backing stuff up. Will have a FLAC version and an MP3 version for my Archos(my DAP doesn't support FLAC, AAC )

Further EDIT:The artists playing tomorrow and the day after are Dave Frishberg and Rebecca Kilgore
For more see here http://www.lvuptown.com/

Sachi,
Good to see that you are having fun with music and live shows. Live Jazz is addictive
We have some live jazz happening at the Take five pub / indranagar once in a month atleast.
Got some guys called “acoustic control” doing whatever minimal sound system for the shows.
They do a good job.
If any Bangalore guys are interested in attending these, do send me your email ids and I’ll send you a
mailer whenever something happens. They usually start at around 8.30 pm.

Well i haven't been there yet, but am loooking forward to it.

Btw guys, Please PM me which you feel are the best albums by the following:
1>Chet Baker
2>Stan getz
3> Modern Jazz Quartet
4>Zoot Sims
5>Alan Cohn
6>Diana Krall
7>Ella
8>oscar Peterson
9>John Coltrane
10>Duke Ellington
11>Monty Alexander(the univ has a few of his albums)
12>Ahmad Jamal
13>Sarah Vaughn
14>Dave Brubeck
15>Gerry Mulligan

i know i have left out many others like Charles Mingus, T Monk, Latif, etc. PLease add them too and PM me.

Also add any of the Jazz compendiums or misc albums that were released titled like "Jazz classics", and what not..


ANd yes, like you rightly note square wave, i am a fan of
West coast Jazz. thanks to Jochen who opened me up to it.

AS you might see, i have not included Miles Davis in my list, simply becauise i did not like his mmusic. Probably because i love the sax.

Thanks for your inputs.
Saachi

p.s Will let you know Square wave

reignofchaos schrieb:

I'm myself planning to get a pair soon. They are a step above the er4p and actually closer to the er4s design. For the price they sell at, they are an absolute steal. Funny thing is that I was quoted a price less than 5 grand in india :P. The volume control doesn't cause any issues and there's no signal degradation. Thats what most reviews say. The only issue it seems is that they are a bit hard to drive.

Hey Reign,
guess what!!
Just bought the AL IM716 IEMs!
Can't wait to hear them.

Btw, mail me your contact number.
We'll try to meet up while u are here.
Cheers,
Saachi

AL IM716 IEM

I am off to Dubai tghis weekend, and a pair of IEM is high on my shopping list, for use with my ipod.

1. Did you buy the AL IM716 in India ? Where and how much did you pay ?

Would appreciate any recommendations / comparisions ..

My preferred budget is US $ 100 but could streatch it to US $ 200.

Any recommended shopping places in Dubai for In Ear Phones?

Thanks

Amp_Nut schrieb:

AL IM716 IEM I am off to Dubai tghis weekend, and a pair of IEM is high on my shopping list, for use with my ipod. 1. Did you buy the AL IM716 in India ? Where and how much did you pay ? Would appreciate any recommendations / comparisions .. My preferred budget is US $ 100 but could streatch it to US $ 200. Any recommended shopping places in Dubai for In Ear Phones? Thanks

Hey Amp Nut,
i bought them here in the US.
Got them second hand off a headfier on head-fi.com
Of course i will change the filter(2 new ones included) and ear tips(included in the deal) once i get them.
The price for a new pair is around 100$ here.
This is supposed to be one of the better IEms out there. Manufatured by Etymotic for Altec Lansing, these are almost equal to the Etymotic ER4S.

For 100$, check out the Shure E2C, E3C.
Etymotic ER6 and definitely the AL-IM716.
If upto 200$, then see if u can get the Westone UM-2 .
U could also try the ShureE500 in Dubai, though it is around 350$ something here.

I am completely new to IEMs but have been reading a fair bit about them for a while now.
Will be able to give a comparison review with respect to the KSC-75 and the Senn -HD580 once i get it.

AM clueless about shoppoing places in Dubai..never been there.

Saachi

MANY Thanks for your prompt & informative reply.

Happy Listning to you, on your AL IM716 IEM.

I currently use STAX earspeakers at home but am looking for someting more practical, to use outdoors with my iPod... and also to listen to at night, while falling asleep, without disturbing my wife !

Amp_Nut schrieb:

MANY Thanks for your prompt & informative reply. Happy Listning to you, on your AL IM716 IEM. I currently use STAX earspeakers at home but am looking for someting more practical, to use outdoors with my iPod... and also to listen to at night, while falling asleep, without disturbing my wife ! :)

Wow!..that must have set u back quite a bit.

I am buying these as the Senns disturb people all around me, especially my co workers.

And of course, the portability is a huge plus.

Be careful of the volume Sacchi. Hearing loss!

Savyasaachi schrieb:

I am buying these as the Senns disturb people all around me, especially my co workers.

My brother's Koss UR-40 are similarly problematic. They broadcast sound like speakers, thanks to an excessively open design. I never needed to play music when my bro was around

Jeeves schrieb:

Be careful of the volume Sacchi. Hearing loss!

Jeeves,

I originally thought the same, that putitng something into your ear is worse than extended periods of headphone listening.
In reality, it turns out to be the same.
Both are HARMFUL!.
However, the open design of my current headphones make me want to turn up the volume to overcome the external noise.

With the IEMs, i get a 25 db reduction in noise levels and can hence keep volume low without worrying about the noise outside, not to mention disturbing the people around me.
Will post a review once i have them.

Hey all,

Have had the AL iM716 for two days now.

Getting used to IEMs can take a while. I still feel like removing them every so often .
They kind of sometimes make my head feel heavy, nauseating if u will.

They can also get uncomforatble, even with the foamies.
I hope the comfort issue will go away with time.
Coming to the design:
I wish these were a bit smaller, they kinda stick out a litle and the white wire is not exatcly inconspicuous.

I did not like the volume control and the mode select/clip at all.
Wish it were just a simple wire.
The thing kinda simply hangs there.

The wire too can get a bit entangled once a while.

Sound Quality:
i was kinda disappointed when i first listened to it.
I guess, i needed to spend a bit more time with them.
Over the next couple of days, they gradually grew on me.

I finally have realised how wonderful these babies are.
The sound quality is absolutely phenomenal.
The sound staging has suffered a bit, not at all as open as the Senns.
Everything sems perfectly balanced with these IEMs when they are in HD mode.
In the Bass mode, they really get you going.
While the bass is not as good as the Senn HD580, they are pretty good.
There is some loose bass but only in some material, guess it oculd be with my MP3material. will check this again by comparing wav and Mp3 files.

They are all-rounder IEMs. They do a pretty good job of Trance and Rock. They excell in classical and Jazz.
Chants of India is pure ecstasy with these on. The percussion instruments though kinda lose out just a wee bit and makes you want to turn it up.

Regarding the Isolation, wow with these on, you would think that everyone else has gone mute!!
Fantastic!!

Only real problem i have against these are the microphonics. The damn wire picks up noise so very easily that jogging with these on or even touching the wire ever so slightly causes disturbance.

All in all a great buy for 50$.
New ones cost 110$.

I know one thing for sure, my friends are very happy taht i got these little wonders. The senns are getting a lot less of a workout now.

Oh yeah!..one more thing.
Headfi ain't cheap at all.
So far, the damage to my wallet has been around 500$.
And doesn't look like i am going to stop there.
Have my eye on a pair of Grado RS-1.
Will probably sell off the HD580 and the headphone amp for those. But that's at least 6 months away... Right now, am enjoying my IEMs..

God damn it!!Why am i such a sucker for audio gear??!!

An update on the headphone front.

I am so in love with the HD580s that i just ordered some mods for it.
I will be replacing the stock cable with the HD650 cable and also replace the stock grilles with the HD600 grilles.

I keep forgetting the fact that this headphone was the flagship for Sennheiser for close to a decade and only look at how cheap i got them for. Every once in a while look at them disbelievingly, but with admiration and feel lucky that i got such a great deal!

For those who are wodering , the mods cost me 35$ and will only get them first week of June as the cable is backordered.

I also had the chance to audition a pair of DT770s in my campus.
Saw a guy wearing them and reading up on something. Walked up and asked him if i could have a listen. Was fun talking to him, seems he has another pair back home along with a pair of HF1s and 325is
Talk about getting hooked!

The DT770s were the 80 ohm version and i found them to be very good, kinda sennheiser sound but with a more fun quotient added to it.
Next in line is the podectomy for my ALiM716s.
I had originally lined up a buyer only yesterday and pulled back from the deal after listening to them a few hours back.

Given all their flaws they just sound incredible and i feel lousy to let them go, especially ince you have to cough up 110$ or so to buy a new pair.

Another update is that i finally got back to my DIYing days. I hooked up a very nice mini to RCA cable using Switchcraft right angled mini and Neutrik Pro-Fi RCA conncetors with Canare Mini Star quad cable.

Coming from the 'objective' club i must concede that i could disticntly make out a huge improvement in the SQ over the previous junk cable. The Senns are suddenly more brighter(making them lot mroe fun now) and the bass is tighter with a sharper roll off.
Next up is to make a Senn cable using the CAnare Star Quads and a recable of the Koss KSC-75s..

Cheers,
_Saachi

Saachi, any recommendations on a pair of good, noise cancelling headphones?
My brother would be travelling to the US later this month so he would be able to pick up a good cindition used pair thru Ebay/if that option is not workable for the 15 odd days he will be there , then what would be the cheapest option to buy those headphones?
Would appreciate an early reply.

Hi Sachi,
Even I have a query....is it true that PA2V2 is one of the best sounding headamp within $60 ? Please dont suggest DIY route, I am looking for a straight forward off the shelf solution..

Kamal schrieb:

Saachi, any recommendations on a pair of good, noise cancelling headphones? My brother would be travelling to the US later this month so he would be able to pick up a good cindition used pair thru Ebay/if that option is not workable for the 15 odd days he will be there , then what would be the cheapest option to buy those headphones? Would appreciate an early reply.

Kamal,

When you talk about noise canceling headphones are you referring to active noise canceling ones or noise isolating ones like closed cans or IEMs(In ear monitors).

If it were the former then it would be tough to get one for a small bugdet. Active noise canceling cans are pretty expensive..at least the ones that work are. and i don't think they are good for stereo. They are made for use in places like a motorrace track, aircraft carrier, etc..
If it is closed cans then do take a look at the AKG K26P which is very nice but i feel the bass is bloated as it would be in most closed headphones. Other options include the Senn CX300, V Moda Vibe(not fully isolating), Etymotic ER6i, Shure E2C.

Hope that helps.

abhi.pani schrieb:

Hi Sachi, Even I have a query....is it true that PA2V2 is one of the best sounding headamp within $60 ? Please dont suggest DIY route, I am looking for a straight forward off the shelf solution.. :)

I haven't heard one myself but the general idea is that it is a very very good buy for the price. U can pick one up used for 35$ including shipping on headfi.com

I prefer to think that my Headsave Classic is a very good amp as it is extremely minimalist with as few components are possible in the signal chain and uses arguably the best opamps for the gain stages.
You might want to check out the GOVibe amp as well(maker of my HEasdsave classic).

Cheers,
Saachi

Hi Sachi,
How do I buy the PA2V2 from head-fi ? Is there a "buy and sell" section there ? A link will be very helpful buddy.

yep..there's a buy and sell section..u either need to PM the seller or post a follow up on the thread expressing ur wish u make the purchase....
don't know if there is one on sale now though...so u might want to keep checking from time to time.

Hey...I bought a PA2V2 pocket headamp for $56 including shipping to India. I bought it brand new directly from Gary, the designer of the amp

abhi.pani schrieb:

Hey...I bought a PA2V2 pocket headamp for $56 including shipping to India. I bought it brand new directly from Gary, the designer of the amp :)

hi abhi,

are you pairing this one with your MS-1?

Yes buddy ....

Thanks, Saachi.
If youwere to name only one, which one would it be?
Preferably one that you've experienced yourself.
Also, if one was to forget abt the noise cancelling aspect, then which one would you recommend?
Approx price for your recommendations & the cheapest way to pick it up?

Voodoo_CHild schrieb:

abhi.pani schrieb: Hey...I bought a PA2V2 pocket headamp for $56 including shipping to India. I bought it brand new directly from Gary, the designer of the amp :) hi abhi, are you pairing this one with your MS-1?

abhi.pani schrieb:

Yes buddy ....

Review pending

Am making an impulse purchase on an MS1 ..Hope i don't regret it.

Getting it cheap ?????

The other day I again heard the Hd-650....Man, its heaven.
I really doubt if any Grado would beat it.
I am yet to hear full fledged head-fi, with proper CDP + head amp + headphone...so cant go too far commenting. But what was coming out of the headphone out of a marantz int amp through the hd-650 was superrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Sachi, I truly wish you buy it sooner than later.

I dunno man...guess i am going to put off buying the MS1 now...Gonna wait till aug18th...headfi meet in Portland. But so far, no HD650. Modded HD580s, SR225, Beyers 770,880 ,990, AKG, 701,501

I was getting the MS1 for 85 shipped and that too mint with receipt. The other i am looking at is the Equation Audio RP21..

Only thing i am worried about is that by going to the meet, i would be tempted to buy some headphone costing hundreds of $$.

Only thing i am worried about is that by going to the meet, i would be tempted to .....

Nothing ventured .... Nothing gained...

Amp_Nut schrieb:

Only thing i am worried about is that by going to the meet, i would be tempted to ..... Nothing ventured .... Nothing gained... ;)

From Leather on my shoes- Chris De Burgh...aaah what a great song..heheh...

however, i dunno how much i will gain...one thing is for sure, my wallet's gonna curse me to hell...

Savyasaachi schrieb:

Amp_Nut schrieb: Only thing i am worried about is that by going to the meet, i would be tempted to ..... Nothing ventured .... Nothing gained... ;) From Leather on my shoes- Chris De Burgh...aaah what a great song..heheh... however, i dunno how much i will gain...one thing is for sure, my wallet's gonna curse me to hell... :P

And that is the exact same reason I didn't go to the Head-Fi Meet in San Jose. Wallet Damage! I was in San Jose at the time

vjcritic schrieb:

And that is the exact same reason I didn't go to the Head-Fi Meet in San Jose. Wallet Damage! I was in San Jose at the time :(

oh!..but to that meet i would surely have gone...

Are you still in San Jose?

Savyasaachi schrieb:

vjcritic schrieb: And that is the exact same reason I didn't go to the Head-Fi Meet in San Jose. Wallet Damage! I was in San Jose at the time :( oh!..but to that meet i would surely have gone... Are you still in San Jose?

Yes still in San Jose. My wallet is surely thanking me. If I had gone and heard the RS1s I am sure I would be short by $600 now.

I had the opportunity to listen to the RS1s for a week or so..
I too am tempted to just go all the way once and for all. After all a well maintained one will cost about 500$ on headfi.com.

Would save myslef a lot of heartache and trouble.

The thing that baffles me is that my dad says "Go for it!"

and i fear i might!!

Savyasaachi schrieb:

I had the opportunity to listen to the RS1s for a week or so.. I too am tempted to just go all the way once and for all.

A note of caution: Junia gave me a demo of the RS1 followed by a demo of the Senn HD600. After listening to the Senn, I didn't want to listen to the RS any more!

Trust u will do an ABC comparison before opting for any headphone.

I did compare them with my HD580, same headsave classic amp and all.
Jut changed the headphones.
The difference between the two were not as great as to justify the price.
When i took this view to headfi.com they say that it is because of the comfy pads that i was using the RS1 with. With Flat pads or even bowls they are supposed to be completely new beasts.

I would love to listen to the RS1s again with different pads..

Savyasaachi schrieb:

I did compare them with my HD580, same headsave classic amp and all. Jut changed the headphones. The difference between the two were not as great as to justify the price. When i took this view to headfi.com they say that it is because of the comfy pads that i was using the RS1 with. With Flat pads or even bowls they are supposed to be completely new beasts. I would love to listen to the RS1s again with different pads..

It is all about musical preferences I guess. I have listened to HD 600 and AKG 701 and I prefer my SR 225 by a huge margin. I found the other phones to be dull and fatiguing.

SR 225 had much more punch to the bass and it was more musical. As far as pads. I have listened to comfies, bowls(normal and reversed) and the yellow 414s. I prefer bowls and once in a while the reversed bowls which really brings out the bass.

I have no issues with comfort atall. I don't like the grip of the Sennheisers.

Hey all you guys....Just listen to a HD-650 once and you will have a different level of respect for Senns.

Even I am a Grado fan...but once I heard the HD-650 ahhhh!!! I knew this is too good.

abhi.pani schrieb:

Hey all you guys....Just listen to a HD-650 once and you will have a different level of respect for Senns. Even I am a Grado fan...but once I heard the HD-650 ahhhh!!! I knew this is too good. ;)

I felt exactly the same way with Grado compared to the HD 600.

I have heard HD 600 and I own the HD280. I didn't like either so unless HD 650 has a radically different sound signature compared to the above two I am not going to like it. But I might get a 650 in the future once its price comes down like its predecessor the HD 580.
Grado is not very good for classical / Electronic music. Almost painful.

Buddy Vjcritic,
I have listened to HD-580 but I anyday prefer my MS-1 over it (amplified or not doesnt matter). But the same MS-1 was a "chota bachha" infront of HD-650. So you see, the 650 is a huge step ahead of the other Senns. Do listen to it. Its an awesome all-rounder unlike the other Senns and Grados. It plays any genre of music with superb musicality. Please listen to it at the earliest opportunity