deepak

The HD650 cable is unshielded. Say the thread is the wire I assume this what you mean Solder after you pass the wire through the back endcap?

Thanks. A few websites (and Audiogon dealers) mentioned they'd only sell if you didn't have a dealer near you. I'm still going to check if there are any near the Boston area, might make it easier for warranty reasons.

Thats cool. That Bottlehead stuff is sexy (pun intended) As I undestand these can't be ordered online? Rega only allows you to buy from local dealers?

Just thought I'd bump this thread. I've so far amassed about 20+ pieces of nice vinyl I think I'll be ordering either a P1 or MMF 2.1 Pretty nice for a "budget" audiophile turntable to be made in England.

I think we've finally reached a stage where games are actually really taxing the processor. I used to run an overclocked Athlon XP before this with a nice video card, but it just didn't hold up. Yeah Gothic 3 is pretty fun. Make sure you buy the US version as the Euro is riddled with bugs. I would play them in order just to see how the games evolved. Gothic 2 is probably the best. You can get Gothic 2 Gold (with expansion) in the bargain bins. They're like the Elder Scrolls games in that they're free roam, completely open. But the games are much less politically correct being a German dev team and all. For example you see prostitutes, you can kill women, kids, etc. Oblivion is an awesome game I just don't like the auto-balance where you're placed on the same level as your enemies. Also the NPCs are really dumb. The Gothic series start off a shit load harder than the Elder Scrolls games in that you're a weak human and you'll get raped by most enemies (including wildlife) at the start of the game. But as you level up you can basically become a god and rape entire towns. In Oblivion you'll be lucky if you ever kill a guard :'(

I have all my parts and finally have some free time to balance the HD650 stock cable with 2 female XLR connectors. I have done some searching and these two threads in particular were the most helpful: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=205655 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=89411 My knowledge of balanced configurations is limited so I'll try and compile all the information I've gathered tonight:

I won't lie my E6400 @ 3.1 GHz is pretty sw8, and Oblivion takes a toll on my 7800GTX as well. But seriously you should start playing Gothic 3 (if you haven't).

Damn I think every stand of his just looks better than the last. Nice one.

Is it possible to get more bass from a bass lite pair? I've decided to keep my NOS pair stock. Also is it easier to change the sound of a bass heavy set or bass lite set? Right now the second pair doesn't have the low end or boosted bass for orchestra music. For example tympani drum hits aren't as profound as the HD650.

My last and final update for anyone that cares Most of this listening was done with the NOS pair since I haven't replaced the elastics on the second pair, and I'm unable to get a good fit with them yet. So far I've played all 6 of the Star Wars soundtracks. For the original Star Wars Saga I have the deluxe editions which were each 2 discs, making for a total of 9 Star Wars CDs (and I still need to add Episode I's Ultimate Edition to my collection) Dynamics on both pairs is superb, topped only by the K1000. Even the HF-1 can't compete with these, and my thoughts on the HD650's dynamics are that they're very mediocre. The Star Wars soundtracks contain loads of dynamic passages ranging from very quiet to explosive. So far the soundstage is impressively large, even though the headstage is average size. I attribute the small headstage to giving them an intimate sound. I'm able to perceive sounds coming from left/right/front/back and images are placed accurately. If anything it's lacking some vertical soundstage that the K1000 handles with ease. I learned a lot about these terms from Darth Nut's fantastic Omega 2 review (I strongly urge any classical music fans to read the essay), and so far I would say the K340 is exceptional with all four depth cues. It was genuinely creepy to hear Princess Leia

Did some more searching this morning it looks like the Darkvoice will lend itself to lower volume listening better if I use more detailed tubes. I still think this is how I'm leaning. I had a friend that built my M3, but he's way too busy with life to start another project now.

Found the thread where Larry had inside pictures: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=102220&page=15&highlight=akg+k340

I just searched around, the Aikido build is beyond my capability

Thanks will give it some thought. I'm going mod/recable this second pair first.

Damn can't edit the last post, but can the Aikido be tube rolled to give a warmer sound with more emphasis on the low/midbass? That was my initial attraction to the Darkvoice was the ability to tube roll and change the sound a bit for my different versions of the headphones. I really enjoy the sound from both, and wouldn't be opposed to finding a third pair in the future.

Whats the estimated cost to build?

It could very well just be the dampening material making a difference in my two pairs. I hope the "fix" is that simple

And I think there was a thread that dated back past 2005 that had a ton of pictures of the insides of all the versions. I want to say Larry made the thread but I can't remember. Also people claim theres a difference between the K1000 below and past the 4000 SN with the K1000, so it's not that far fetched that theres different versions.

From a minimeet you and aerius had: Old thread but some of the pictures still work: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=114105 And from looking through the stock grills on both my pairs one has is a copper color the other is silver. I assume these are the covers for the electret driver. I'm no expert in tube design, but I have a rough idea that hell of a powerful driver tube + incredibly popular gain tube would be a nice match for the K340. Likewise I'm sure the SP Extreme works really well. I just can't afford it now that the intro pricing is gone.

I think Fitz did that with an external adapter. Is using NOS tubes in a non-adjustable biased amp detrimental to their longevity?

From everything I've read I would agree with you. Excellent midrange, and treble, and the bass is in no way overbearing on the rest of the spectrum...leaving me to think it's the neutral version. I'm positive I'm going to keep this set stock and mod my second pair. I'm thinking medium gauge copper recable then fool around with the dampening. And new elastics. I've settled on the Darkvoice, which is going to be a pain in the ass to tube roll (6SN7) $ wise. I've received quite a few suggestions so I'm going to start with the cheaper options first.

K340 second pair arrived: Good thing for Fridays, and nice staff I just picked up my second pair of K340 from Fedex. This pair is not NOS. Looks: This pair says "electrostatic-dynamic systems" on the earcups. Also the headband has the AKG logo on the top, the first pair doesn't, but both have stock headbands. The coiled cord has a few tangles. The headband and earpads are in excellent condition. The elastics on this pair definitely need to be replaced, the fit is really loose. Sound: I've only had them for an hour so far and I've only played Massive Attack's Mezzanine to really get a feel for the bass and midrange. This is really strange but this pair actually requires more power to drive properly! At 30 on my Lavry Black, the NOS pair is louder than this second pair. I switched multiple times during the same track to make sure it wasn't placebo. This might have something to do with the looser fit, but to get it to the same volume as the NOS pair I have to turn it up to about 33/34. Damn these headphones are hard to drive! At those levels it would be uncomfortably loud with the HD650, and the Grado HF-1 is always used under 10. So far I think that these may be the bass light version and my NOS pair either the bass heavy or the neutral (if such a third variation does exist, I tried to do my homework and came across an interesting thread showing the insides of the various versions). The midrange once again is very pleasing to the ears. I can't make any comments just yet about treble extension, but it sounds very similar to the NOS, if anything this pair is ever so slightly a bit brighter (noticeable in fast switching). Onto the bass: definitely do not dig as deep as the NOS pair. Briefly tried with my bass sweeps and it rolls off around 35 Hz. Below 30 Hz it's silent. On the NOS pair I get excellent tone at 20 Hz. Aside from the extension the overall bass volume is also less. Playing back all of Mezzanine the bass isn't as fleshed out as the NOS. It's still there and very enjoyable, had I never heard the NOS I wouldn't have found any fault in this pair. Volume wise if this comparison can be made the NOS pair's bass is like the HD650, the second pair more like the HD580/600. From a non-audiophile point of view: I had my friend come by to pick up some books, but he likes the Sneaker Pimps and Portishead more than Massive Attack (stone him!) I let him try on both sets, and he just sat there listening without saying anything. Finally he said something like "woah that sounded good, where can I get these?" (this is with the NOS) He switched back and forth a few times, and to him the only thing he noticed was the first pair had more bass, and didn't move around as much.

Nothing... Catcher in the Rye, oh man haha

Oh god

The song My Violent Heart was leaked. It's all over the net, it's a damn good song too. Very Pretty Hate Machine era-ish.