purk

After hearing what these high-end DAPs can do it was an easy choice for me to make. Desktop systems always going to sound better, but something like the iBasso DX220 MAX and slightly modified Sony NW-WM1A/1A have really push the boundary on what portable/transportable DAP can do. It isn't that far behind the mini Dynalo and you can take it with you every where. AT cans are easy to power hence my recommendation. Agreed about buying used. However, one can buy the Black Dragon in bulk at $14/ft or buy DIY litz from Norne (better quality). I usually go with the Black Dragon (BD) because it is easy to work with and the BD does wonder on brighter sounding headphones such as the HD800S thanks to its warmer tonal balanced. Moon Audio also make many nice connectors (not cheap) but they are easy to work with. I also have a good success with Effect Audio 4.4 mm connectors. https://www.moon-audio.com/moon-audio-4-4mm-female-connector.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI67PDu-m77AIV9YJbCh1A3gIEEAAYASAAEgI2WPD_BwE https://www.moon-audio.com/moon-audio-4-4mm-trrrs-balanced-connector.html https://www.effectaudio.com/accessories/ea-4-4mm-connector.html https://www.moon-audio.com/black-dragon-headphone-cable-bulk.html https://www.moon-audio.com/furutech-fp-705m-r-4-pin-balanced-xlr-connectors.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoIzl5-u77AIViuzjBx0QCAMKEAAYASAAEgI5QvD_BwE http://www.norneaudio.com/litzheim/Norne-Audio-22-awg-occ-ohno-continuous-cast-ultra-pure-cotton-core-copper-diy-headphone-cable-wire-cables-wires-solder-ciem-iem-full-size-aftermarket-up-7-n-6-upgrade

I was once a member of a team 4 pin XLR, but earlier this year I reterminated all of my headphones from 4 pin balanced to 4.4 mm balanced. Many top end DAPs are approaching a really good desktop system hence my suggestion plus the L3000 is super easy to drive. You can always make an adapter going from 4.4 mm back to 4 pin XLR or whatever. Furutech makes really good 4.4 mm plugs and Moon audio make a high quality male and female 4.4 mm as well...same can be said for Eidolic. I think you guys will think the same once you give a 4.4 mm balanced a try. Even my HD800 is reterminated with a 4.4mm Furutech balanced jack. Sony NW-WM1A DAP actually do a good job driving the HD800.

Happy birthday!

Not difficult to recable the L3000 at all. Remove the earpads, screws (4 screws holding the earcups and another 3 holding the driver assembly in place), and you should get to the driver. I suggest a high quality silver cable to enhance the resolution, open up the soundstage, and tighten up the bass impact. I recabled my old pair with Moon SIlver Dragon Gen 1 but this was probably around 7 - 8 years ago before I sold it to a local friend. I recently recabled my 3000ANV with the left over SIlver Dragon and the work was not difficult at all. If you are handy with soldering iron, it can be done ..... just take your time and be careful. Take pictures before and after removing the driver holder assembly...you want to line up everything the same way. Here are some pics of my W3000ANV that I recabled last week. The internals are more or less the same as the W2002 & L3000. You can do it. While at it, get them reterminate with a 4.4 mm balanced connector. The L3000 isn't that difficult to drive and many top end DAPs of today can do wonder with these headphones. Plus, they do sound considerably better driving from a a balanced amp. They sounded spectacular out of my Balanced Gilmore Reference amp at that time.

Looking awesome! Get some Eidolic connectors, reterminate your cable for even more awesomeness.

Well the CD1700 actually does not have any weakness after the recabled work that I did. As wonderful as the Cd3000 with similar mod, the treble still can be annoying from time to time. I don’t encounter any issue with the CD1700. The presentation is actually effortless, relaxed, and analog sounding. If you guys come across one and willing to do a bit of DIY, you will be very pleased with the results. They can easily compete with any headphones under a grand and then some.

Circa 1996. Sony MDR-CD1700. I modified it recently for a balanced amplification. Stock is single-end only with wiring going into the left earcup. The CD1700 is seriously awesome after the mod. It is super efficient and sound better than ever. Modded with Moon-Audio Black Dragon and Furutech 4.4 mm plug.

Happy Birthday!

Was only joking. Again, not a fan of Hifiman as a company so I will not support their products. I admit loving the Susvara though.

Soon Hifiman HE-R10. 😭

Not the RAAL but I did try the Empy thanks to Justin. The sound is bassy and beautiful. I found them warmer than neutral but very refined; however, they still sound like most plannars to my ears and not transparent and airy enough. Hate to say it but I thought the Susvara was super wonderful sounding. It was transparent and very musical out of Justin’s GSX mini. Since I don’t like how Hifiman conducts their business, the Susvara is off the table for me. The SDR mod HD800 has really grown on me the last few years. They are very robust, durable, and sound really good out of my modified Sony NW-WM1A walkman. They are within the striking distance to the Susvara and the 009 when driven by Doug’s L3. This is same pair of the HD800 that bought from Justin for $900 back in 2010. I reterminated all of my headphones including the R10 with 4.4 mm balanced plug so I can use them with my Sony Walkman.

These days I spend more time listening to earphones more than my full size headphones. With less time for listening at home, I spend more time listening at work. I can use a full size cans at work but I prefer a more discrete device 1. Sony IER-Z1R. Seriously good sound for an IEM with really good isolation. Wearing comfort is a top notch to me. So a preferred choice while listen at work. 2. Sony MDR-EX1000. This is a really lovely sounding earphones. Isolation is rather poor so I use it a little less than the IER-Z1R but the sound quality is top notch. In many ways I do prefer them over the IER sound wise. I like both the EX1000 and the Z1R more than my JH13Pro....so the the old 13Pro FP isn’t used much anymore. 3. Senn HD800 reterminated with a Furutech 4.4 mm. Most top end DAPs are now very capable of driving the HD800 very well now.....so I listen to them more than ever around the house. Whenever possible, I fire up my ECP Ravenswood/DSHA-4 or L3 to really hear what they can really do. 4. Stax SR-009 is now forth on the list. I use it mostly with the Headamp Aristaeus for simplicity. I also listen to Wachara’s HE90 Clone as well.

Happy birthday!

Happy birthday!

Have a wonderful birthday!

Thanks!

Have a wonderful birthday man!

Have a wonderful birthday, Chris! Stay healthy!

Sure...I will participate as always!

See you next year then....

Paid. Thank you!

Pictures of this beauty please?

Love the HD580 but can't stand the Ety ER4s due to comfort issues. I also find the HD-58X from Massdrop a really good buy at $150 or so.

I would like partially assembled boards as well please. Thank you very much for doing this.

I love the Sony IER-Z1R. Tremendously musical and technical competence at the same time and it has full size headphones sense of width and depth.