BradC

I hadn't seen the 823 before. That's one sharp looking demonstrator with an impressively reviewed nib, the amber one is moving onto my wish list (this forum will bankrupt me on more than just headphones). Odd that it's only in gold finish given that silver predominates the rest of the customs (74 and 92)...

So I'm 10 days late on this but I do like a nice ink... In addition to the other great inks people have mentioned, I would recommend checking out the Pilots iroshizuku inks as well. They clean up easily, and offer a lot of colours, but they are a bit pricey.... I'm using some shin-ryoku (forest green) right now. I'm also a fan of MontBlanc bottled inks as well, which are surprisingly affordable by brand standards.

Sorry, the last thing I want to do is contaminate this forum with annoying noise from my end. I do genuinely appreciated everyones feedback, and hope I haven't come across any other way. I was hoping that this was something I could blame the amp for (and maybe solve all my problems with one purchase), or solve with a simple cable swap (I am not very well versed in the headphone cable market) or filter. I guess I'll just chalk the lack of other people with this problem up to me being the only dumb ass that leaves their phone in their pocket near where their headphone cable sits at their desk. I did test moving my phone around (hence the couple of inches comment, which is directly from testing based on grawks suggestion not a snide retort), was saved form a potential ill-informed investement in balanced gear by nikongod, and ordered some of that nice looking sommer peacock mk II cable that riotvan pointed out for a cable building project. Anyway sorry for the interruption I'll be shutting up now. Brad

High output impedance is only really an issue when I want to listen to my IEMs or Momentums which sound kinda crappy without really low output impedance. For now I just use a hacked together voltage divider as the amp has more than enough power and I do love the sound when it's not buzzing.... On the other hand my HD650s sounds great off anything (I do like OTL tube amps..) Thanks for the info on balance connections. It's nice to know they aren't the magic some people suggest so I don't waste money on an expensive upgrade with no benefits. Particularly given the very impressive price tag on balanced headphone out amps. The interconnects on my amp are a shielded USB (I don't remember the brand as it was cheap, but it is a foil + braid shield), and for RCAs I use Belden 1694A Blue Jeans RCAs. I have disconnected the RCAs and USB and the interference is still a problem through the headphone cable. I'm pretty sure the toslink isn't to blame, but perhaps it needs demagnatizing This is far too accurate -> True, even a couple inches make a big difference.... It's sad that after more years of university education than I care to admit, that the best solution is probably the simplest "stop being a lazy whinger and move the phone"

Regarding the Sommer cables. Thank you for the info Riotvan. They do look really nice (and I might just make a cable up with some for fun as it's very reasonably priced). However, I think spiral shielding is generally not very effective in the high MHz range that cell phones occupy? If I understand correctly, only foil shields have low transfer impedance (aka good shielding) at frequencies in the MHz range? Grawk > I was worried that # 4 would be a popular choice, I do appreciate the KISS solution. However, continuing with my elevation of a first world problem to epic proportions. This is my workplace setup so I tend to leave my cell phone in my pocket as I get up and move around relatively frequently. At my desk my headphone cable seems to really like falling onto my lap and interacting with my cell phone in my pocket (maybe I should just make a shorter cable...). So it is a teensy bit more inconvenient to move the phone than it sounds. I am suspicious that any cable shielding effective in the cell phone bands will result in an unwieldy cable as you mentioned (last thing I can imagine anyone wanting is some cat5 connected to their headphones)...

Hi, After lurking here for a while and giving up on the advice at another forum, I thought I would try asking about a problem that has been bothering me for some time. I am having substantial problems with my cell phone pings being picked up by the headphone cable. I am running a nuforce HDP and HD650s in case someone else has experience with the same problem and setup. So I see a few options: 1) Shielded headphone cables. (Although the price scares me vs option 6) 2) Craft a EMI blocking filter (Perhaps with an inline Neutrix EMC series XLR pair or equivalent), or maybe a ferrite core? 3) A magical audiophile solution I am not aware of. Preferably not involving taping brilliant pebbles to the cord. 4) Move the damn phone. This isn't my favourite option but I foresee the suggestion. 5) Listen to more industrial music so the GSM pings blend in to the audio. 6) Just get a new amp. This would solve some of the other issues I have such as highish output impedance, a crap volume pot at low volumes. If I do go this route is a balanced drive amp my best bet or do some single ended systems have better RF rejection? Thanks for any advice, or just reading this far if you have nothing to say. Brad