No problem Nigel, I do this all the time for bypassing and SMD components are really rather good these days. isnt it in parallel to the zener? could you not forget about wires and just solder it directly across the zener leads? should be about the right size for that.
the ibuds have the most crap bass response going around, they are an earbud that does not seal at all. They also lead to hearing damage, because often people will pump up the volume to overcome this apparent lack of bass and loudness, when really they are perfectly loud, but just simply cannot be heard properly. even some Koss KSC75 which are found on ebay rather cheaply (10-15 dollars) , will beat the crap out of the ibuds and respond rather well to good amplification.
the ibuds have the most crap bass response going around, they are an earbud that does not seal at all. They also lead to hearing damage, because often people will pump up the volume to overcome this apparent lack of bass and loudness, when really they are perfectly loud, but just simply cannot be heard properly. even some Koss KSC75 which are found on ebay rather cheaply (10-15 dollars) , will beat the crap out of the ibuds and respond rather well to good amplification.
You're right - I can't get any useful info without better phones, so I'll resist the temptation. Tweaks, SMD or otherwise, can wait.
Cheers
Nigel
if you are even slightly DIY inclined, you are much better off buying D2000 and modding them including aftermarket woodcups and a new cable. results in a much better headphone IMO. stock D5000 bass is rather loose and the mids recessed. frame and drivers are common between the 2 models, so you end up with a headphone closer to D7000 for about the same money as stock D5000 if you can DIY. I think my denons are fantastic, but even after modding, not what I would call neutral and maybe better for a second pair of headphones if you are looking for a reference set of cans. depends on the music you are wanting to listen to, they are pretty much polar opposites, with only cans like DX1000, DT990, sony R10 having more bass (up to 5 times the budget or more at current used R10 prices)
but yes denons are slotted in right in the sweet spot for this design as far as impedance etc. should sound fantastic and fun
but yes denons are slotted in right in the sweet spot for this design as far as impedance etc. should sound fantastic and fun
On the other hand if you don't like to mod and have plenty of money you could go straight to the D7000.
Otherwise you might like to mod the D2000 as qusp mentioned. I am not sure you will save a lot of money though, because there are often very good discounted sales on the D5000, and at least you know what you are getting if you demo them, which you won't know upfront if you decide to mod the D2000 until you have spent your time and money modding them.
My advice about this is demo as many headphones as you can in the same shop on the same day with music you actually enjoy listening too. Don't be persuaded by hi quality demo cd's if you don't listen to demo cds.
I went through this process recently, and found that there are big differences between companies.
I found that the AKG's sound fantastic on well recorded music (ie most modern recordings) and ordinary on older recordings. While the Denon 5000 sounded fantastic on older recordings but the bass was a bit too much on some modern recordings.
For me if I could only have one headphone it would be the Denon, mainly because it sounds best with the music I listen to most.
I use to be a Sennheiser fanboy from an experience I had when I was a boy listening to some open cup sennheiser headphones (yellow foam ear pads). I had a chance to buy those at a very cheap price back then (they were something like 70% off). Well I didn't buy them, and I am still regretiing it today. I wish I could remember the model number.
Anyway to get to the point, I can tell you the Sennheiser HD600 which I listened to on that demo day did not appeal to me at all when compared to the AKG and the Denon, which was quite a shock, since I had such a great experience with Sennheiser when I was a boy,
The message here is demo as many as you can before you buy, and don't trust reviews.
Otherwise you might like to mod the D2000 as qusp mentioned. I am not sure you will save a lot of money though, because there are often very good discounted sales on the D5000, and at least you know what you are getting if you demo them, which you won't know upfront if you decide to mod the D2000 until you have spent your time and money modding them.
My advice about this is demo as many headphones as you can in the same shop on the same day with music you actually enjoy listening too. Don't be persuaded by hi quality demo cd's if you don't listen to demo cds.
I went through this process recently, and found that there are big differences between companies.
I found that the AKG's sound fantastic on well recorded music (ie most modern recordings) and ordinary on older recordings. While the Denon 5000 sounded fantastic on older recordings but the bass was a bit too much on some modern recordings.
For me if I could only have one headphone it would be the Denon, mainly because it sounds best with the music I listen to most.
I use to be a Sennheiser fanboy from an experience I had when I was a boy listening to some open cup sennheiser headphones (yellow foam ear pads). I had a chance to buy those at a very cheap price back then (they were something like 70% off). Well I didn't buy them, and I am still regretiing it today. I wish I could remember the model number.
Anyway to get to the point, I can tell you the Sennheiser HD600 which I listened to on that demo day did not appeal to me at all when compared to the AKG and the Denon, which was quite a shock, since I had such a great experience with Sennheiser when I was a boy,
The message here is demo as many as you can before you buy, and don't trust reviews.
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Hi Guys,
Well, as much as modding headphones sounds like fun, as I posted above the heapamp and phones are for use while on sabbatical leave, and I won't be able to do much diy until I come back. Patrick clearly recommends the AKG 701s with the DAO amp; I am planning on getting the AKG K702s, which are apparently the same thing as the 701s with some cosmetic changes, although I'm open to other suggestions. Is there anything in the Grado line that I should be considering for use with this amp? (The AKG702s appear to be around $350 at sale prices... please don't suggest something hugely more expensive - it'll only make me sad I can't afford it...)
Cheers
Nigel
Well, as much as modding headphones sounds like fun, as I posted above the heapamp and phones are for use while on sabbatical leave, and I won't be able to do much diy until I come back. Patrick clearly recommends the AKG 701s with the DAO amp; I am planning on getting the AKG K702s, which are apparently the same thing as the 701s with some cosmetic changes, although I'm open to other suggestions. Is there anything in the Grado line that I should be considering for use with this amp? (The AKG702s appear to be around $350 at sale prices... please don't suggest something hugely more expensive - it'll only make me sad I can't afford it...)
Cheers
Nigel
I am glad someone agrees with me here.
The denons are a perfect match for the DAO, but you still need to demo them.
I agree with all of Salas comments. The AKG can be very dry and uninvolving in quite a few recordings. They also sound fantastic on good recordings.
You really need to demo both with the type of music you actually listen to.
The denons are a perfect match for the DAO, but you still need to demo them.
I agree with all of Salas comments. The AKG can be very dry and uninvolving in quite a few recordings. They also sound fantastic on good recordings.
You really need to demo both with the type of music you actually listen to.
I am not Salas but they are all around 98dB/mV and 32 Ohms, so they are all suitable.
You have 2000mV rms (2800mV pk) on tap from a cd player. I think that will be enough to drive them to deafening levels.
I have not personally listened to Grado so I can't comment, however quite a few people like them.
You can pick up Grado SR325is for $295
You can pick up Denon ah-d5000 for around $400
You have 2000mV rms (2800mV pk) on tap from a cd player. I think that will be enough to drive them to deafening levels.
I have not personally listened to Grado so I can't comment, however quite a few people like them.
You can pick up Grado SR325is for $295
You can pick up Denon ah-d5000 for around $400
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Grado are the popular instantly likeable semi open headphones. Full American flavor, gutsy with full bottom. The Denon are Mercedes construction and comfy sonics, refined, the Grado are more rock like. Punchier, not hard. Of course closed type isolation is to be forgotten. Both cans are not sterile Euro stuff non the less. YouTube - Grado 325is Unboxing and Hands On Review
Thanks for all the suggestions. I listen almost exclusively to "classical" music, meaning orchestral, vocal and chamber music of all periods, including a lot of modern stuff, and a little jazz. From the discussions I've read here elsewhere the AKG K701s (or 702s) would be a good fit for the amp and my tastes, although the massive sale they had on has apparently ended.
The Sennheiser HD595 seems to be higher impedance, so maybe not as good a fit with the DAO amp, right? The Denon D2000 or 5000, and the Grado 325is seem to be more or less in my price range and worth a look. Also, while no-one has mentioned it, there is the issue of comfort - Everyone has a slightly different head, and if I'm going to use cans a fair bit they'd better be comfortable, so best to try them on before buying...
Cheers
Nigel
The Sennheiser HD595 seems to be higher impedance, so maybe not as good a fit with the DAO amp, right? The Denon D2000 or 5000, and the Grado 325is seem to be more or less in my price range and worth a look. Also, while no-one has mentioned it, there is the issue of comfort - Everyone has a slightly different head, and if I'm going to use cans a fair bit they'd better be comfortable, so best to try them on before buying...
Cheers
Nigel
hd595 are mostly available in 55 ohm or so if i m not mistaken, and confort is a bit better than k701 which clamps better and a lot better than grado sr-x25 which are supra-aural. the sound is pretty neutral, a bit like the k701, but with a lesser soundstage, detail, treble detail and bass extension. however for one reason or another scene depth seems better than with the k701 ( known to be a soundstage beast) to a certain degree depending on the stuff you feed it with. it also responds very well to good amplification, alot better than grados in this regard. this is my opinion of course.
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For isolation, comfort, and full bodied sound, I would say the Denon. Senns I find much better than AKG, mellower. But relatively to Jap and American cans non involving, distant. Supra aural are not best bet for comfort or for classical. Low passages etc. long unfolding, like classical is, need isolation and full mellow tone plus ambience retrieval.
never heard denons but i probably will someday. i find it s true the hd600/650 are uninvolving and distant to a certain extent, but the hd595 are more grado-ish i might say, more upfront. IMO, truly solid all around headphone that is hd595. but dont get me wrong, it does not quite have all the bells and whistle of a 300$+ headphone, but for the price...
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