JimP

would be great if this puppy had balanced XLRs...to run something like hd580/650 balanced direct. Only have a macmini at home, but if in future I were to get a Macbook, this would be sweet compliment, maybe velcro it to back of Macbook screen.

I have two K271S, as I needed closed solution at various locations, however, one's just been lying around collecting dust. If you could pull it off, that would be awesome, miniDAC XLR out to balanced K271S -- a real compact, transportable and rugged system -- maybe get a camera type case to lug it around location to location. Not sure how it would sound, but I'm willing to sacrifice one of the pups. Hardwiring and drilling holes would be OK. will PM you. btw happy new year everybody

Still enjoying my Hd580 wired for direct balanced out from XLR out of my miniDAC, find it useful to move around from room to room in the house. Couple of questions: 1. You always see threads about HD580/600/650 used in this manner to good effect - just curious, any other headphones that respond well to running direct XLR out of these type of DACs? 2. Typical full-size HP's terminate in 1/4" plugs - are there such extenders that are female 1/4" (to plug the normal headphone into) to 2 x 3 pin XLR (to connect direct to DAC)? 3. Would like to try balanced on my k271s. It has detachable mini XLR at headphone end. Possible to replace this with balanced cables that go to 2 x 3 pin XLR? No intention to harm the stock cables on my L3000/W5000/K1000, but I thought it may be fun to fiddle with my HD650/K271s (HD580 was acquired with balanced cable hardwired.

Damn you, GPH you may have just nudged me over the line. I have an old pair of Ety's sitting in the drawer (literally haven't used in about a year). Stupid question, but do you send in the Ety's for recabling or user replaceable? Too lazy to look up the manual (I vaguely remember cables are detachable?), or I don't know where the manual is.

I've had the headphiled HF1 and RS1 at the same time - found that I was reaching for the RS1 a lot more than HHF1. For me, I enjoyed the greater detail and fulsome mid-range of RS1, so eventually HHF1 was sold. Currently my LIIIXP (also DHA3000) happen to have bass control adjustments, so I just crank that up with the RS1 and therefore negating any advantage the HF1 may have on RS1, ie bass.

FWIW, balanced out is not really a drawback. I use an XLR to RCA set of cables to good effect with my DAC1 or miniDAC (I don't have a balanced amp...maybe in distant future).

I've tried Indigo Echo DJ, 0404USB and SBv3, etc. In the end, I've sold the others and kept SBv3. Running SBv3 to miniDAC to XLR out HD580 or SE out to K271S. This is proving to be a great compact/remote system that I can lay out in the living room. It depends on your usage profile. eg, if you're glued to your laptop 24/7 whereever you go, Echo DJ fits the bill. 0404USB needs PC to feed or other digital source -- highly flexible device -- but ultimately tethers you to the source or PC. The operative word for SBv3 is 'remote', ie untethered. Works flawlessly for me, and as others have noted, using the SB interface itself (with remote control) is near idiot proof in simplicity. I'm on Win XP system btw.

The B60R is 60watts per channel 8 ohm, I'm listening comfortably loud for my taste at 9-10 o'clock on volume. Above that, the wife throws things at me because she can hear it from across the room.

thanks for all the various suggestions, but I'm going to have to go slow to figure out what all my options are, but more importantly cash = 0. Only day 3 with this, and novelty hasn't worn off. Even my wife, who has zero interest in this stuff -- after calling me a dork and doofus (is that correct spelling? haven't used that one in ages) seeing me with the K1000 on my head, tried it briefly and commented this one is "interesting". That's huge, because her comments to date on all the other phones including L3000 was "So what's the point?" I could say same about her shoes/bags but that's how battles begin, so in my magnamious maturity, I just do this to my spouse: *

btw...when do I lose the newbie tag. I feel inferior...

tkam: this is a 10 yr old Bryston B60R integrated amp. That chunky thing on top of the DAC1 is the volume remote for the amp. Literally haven't used it in the last 5-6 years (used a toothbrush to clean the amp speaker contacts which were looking a bit nasty from being mothballed for so long), glad I still have it around or else I could not use the K1000's now.

OK my previous thread rambling about HD650/580 was in essence about burning out a bit and cynicism creeping in with respect to this hobby (ie, is it worth it...). I snagged a K1000 finally after a long period of hesitation -- and while I've only had it days and and running from an old Bryston integrated amp -- it's like a shot of newfound entusiasm for headphones (or new 'fro-age O0 ). This is my last significant acquisition, I have no money now. The Bryston will have to do for awhile in terms of amp. Will be playing with my current portfolio longterm to see what stays/what goes. I know many of you have already been there, but this K1000 has fired me up again. My current lopsided tower:

1. grawk, thanks for the quick deal on the balanced HD580s -- that's what's got my underwear all bunched up (headphone induced wedgie = HIW...) because it sounds so good direct xlr out of miniDAC and DAC1 2. n_maher, thanks for suggestion to reterminate the RAL. Problem is this RAL started it's life as a 3M cable that I sent back to RAL to create a 1.5M HD650 cable and a 1.5M K271S cable (both results which I like very much over respective stock). Also, I don't want to chop down further even if it's bits at the end -- next thing I know, I'll end up with a stubbie cable and will have to resort to strapping the miniDAC or DAC1 to my chest (man-bra-DAC) 3. I'm slow but I figured out the anti n_maher diatribe are really recommendations, so I'll contact n_maher off-line to see what can be done. I'll be away on business for a week, and will ping you when I get back. 4. continuing with the HIW theme, ie my-ears-must-suck doubting audio mode, I dusted off my Bryston B60R integrated amp (this thing must be over 10 years old), connected the miniDAC, and damn, my phones sound pretty good out of the Bryston headphone out. Maybe I should have just fired this puppy up 24 months ago instead of $$$ in various other amps... BTW, the Bryston's brought back to service in preparation for new headphone arriving that needs to run off the speaker terminals. This is probably the last significant thing I wanted to try, before reconsolidating again over the course of next year. stay tuned.

would be great if you recommended someone who can do some cable work for me. I posted on HF for recommendations, no input so far. Wanting to get some balanced cables, some pigtails, etc

Now I've had a "Soylent Green Is People!" moment. I've acquired a used Apogee miniDAC and a used HD580 hardwired with Oracle balanced. This was intended for an office setup, running direct out XLR from the DAC. Maybe it's new toy-syndrome, but the result is nothing short of outstanding! (punchy, visceral, detailed, and intimate are the adjectives that come to mind). Same result running direct out XLR from my DAC1USB as well. I need to do some long-term listening/testing, but some immediate thoughts: --I've blown $$$ to get to my DHA3000/L3000 -- I still consider this to be an ultimate aural plateau (at least for me) -- but you can get ~90% there at a fraction of the outlay. --This is undermining what I thought was a hard-earned education over the last 18-24 months (trial and error with various phones/amps) --to boot, separate from the HD580 direct XLR out, the mini-DAC sounds fantastic with the RS-1 and K271S direct headphone out (did not get this wow factor direct headphone out from DAC1USB, will have to more sustained A-B comparison) --or maybe my ears suck; I've already crossed the inflexion point where better gear is wasted on me. This has now scrambled where I go next -- not that I'm going to dump all my other gear tomorrow -- but I'm going to have to do some sustained listening with permutations of what I have now. One small practical step I'll do is -- given how much I like the HD580 run balanced -- to get a replacement balanced cable for my HD650. No more for the moment currently I am

thanks for your OK to my zero calorie post...means a lot to me

HD650s - the Rodney Dangerfield of headphones?? When I first borrowed them earlier this year, I was underwhelmed (compared to PS-1 (sold) and L3000, etc). I bought a pair to putz around with my Lisa IIIXP and DAC1, but these phones have grown on me...to the point I'm reaching for them half the time. OK I've recabled them with RAL and defoamed them and rubbed them with barbecue sauce. If I were to cut objectively - no BS - to THE SOUND - these HD650s would hold their own, certainly be tops for 'bang-for-buck'. Running them out of my DHA3000 and LIIIXP/LLP for reference. So what's my point...nothing. maybe I could easily be happy without blowing my wad on silly expensive gear. Always been curious when it is appropriate to use , but HD650 (with proper amping) = Gratuitous money shot of LIIIXP/LLP system used to run HD650 to good effect...

thanks for all the inputs...a lot for me to look into. Going used makes sense, although 220-240v requirement severely limits what comes up for sale.

SP's line up is confusing...any specific model that you recommend?

OK, getting right to the point: My experience has primarily been solid state amps to date, but I am itching to get a tube amp into my portfolio. My headphone stable has been whittled down to: L3000 (my pinnacle...erhh Barry Bonds??!!) w5000 (sold first pair, then reacquired 2nd...yes assinine behavior but I like the w5000...) HD650 (initially unimpressed, but really impressed the longer I use them) RS-1 (my first intro to hi-end headphones, sold off all other Grados including PS-1 and HHF-1, but still attached to RS-1...) few other phones, but they're secondary Of course, there isn't a "one-shot" magic solution, but any suggestions on a complimentary tube amp? Right now, I'm leaning towards an Yamamoto HA-02 or a Woo 6 or MAD HD1 or 2. I don't want to go off the deep end with tube amps, just ONE for change of pace. Any input would be appreciated.

To Purk and Fing: As to DHA3000 for L3000, I'm extremely pleased with result. Previous to this, I had PS-1 which was amazing...but ultimately I had fit/comfort issues. The DHA3000/L3000 combo gets me back to the jaw-dropping experience I had with the PS-1, with great comfort. This is digressing from thread topic, but I've found the DHA3000 extremely versatile in long-term usage. I like the fact that it has (subtle) tone control - bass and treble. Philosophically, I think more amp manufacturers should include some form of tone control -- what's wrong with dialing in the 'right' sound with specific headphones? eg, W5000 with bass maxxed on DHA3000 is just right. (Also, my Lisa III XP has a suble bass boost, which is great for certain headphones). Also, have you tried HD650 on DHA3000 with high impedance setting? With a little treble and bass tone tweaking, the result is quite amazing! I had acquired the HD650 to diddle around with the Lisa III and/or DAC1USB, but I'm using it a lot out of the DHA3000. Unfortunately the DHA3000 is a niche product with certain limitations, but the paradigm - including tone control - is compelling for other DAC/amp manufacturers to consider.

Elephas, Just curious what amps are you using with your ATs, or which do you find optimal - especially with your L3000 and W5000?