.... Also, this seems to be very amp dependent I've found. Think K340 type of amp dependent.

They are K340ish in their amp dependence but as of now the amp(s) that I prefer for each is not the same. i.e. I prefer the GSX (SE or balanced) over the AA for the K340 but just the opposite with the LCD-1 (only SE right now). The new guy hasn't been here long enough for a non ipodbj opinion.

Really? I think I prefer it with my balanced gilmore reference over the BA, though... it kinda depends on driver tube.

The BA is the new guy and I am one of the slow types to determine preferences so it is not in the mix at present. Plus it is not balanced yet so that could definitely throw a monkey in the wrench.

Wow, about the last word that would come to my mind would be "veiled." Sounds pretty damn fast and clear to me, although the tone was off and fit was terrible.

I liked them and the build quality was better than I expected. My only complaints are 1) I felt like they sounded a bit veiled and 2) price.

The stock Yamaha YH-100 sounds like it's under water to me. Once I put those drivers into a properly damped Donut housing the transformation was nothing short of amazing to my ears.

Not only was there no veiled, layed back quality, but I'd actually characterize them as a bit forward sounding. Also crystal clear and extremely smooth sounding, so I have to think that better damping would change the character of your pair Monkey.

Those were morphsci's to which I was referring, but atothex thinks I'm crazy.

I'm on the lookout for a Yamaha ortho (you bastards), but I want one that's essentially NOS.

I'm on the lookout for a Yamaha ortho (you bastards), but I want one that's essentially NOS.

welcome to the dark side hahhahaha ( REJ voiceover) ..dB

ps for what it's worth, my YH100 in stock cups sound anything but veiled

The stock Yamaha YH-100 sounds like it's under water to me.

Agreed.

ps for what it's worth, my YH100 in stock cups sound anything but veiled

Then everything else must not be stock.

Want. Donut. Badly. (of the ortho variety, not Britts)

Want. Donut. Badly. (of the ortho variety, not Britts)

Then everything else must not be stock.

I wonder if it has anything to do with the grado driver I used ?

or maybe it's the Yh100 pretending to be a grado ??

craziness abounds

..dB

Do they sell the drivers solo? I'd sooner pay to put them in wood and wire coathanger than deal with the awful donor frame.

To me, they offered to sell the drivers for the same price as the LCD-1.

I think their original plan was to sell drivers but there is much conflict of interest for their long term business plan. I would be surprised if we see loose drivers on the market..dB

or they will sell them as described above

I hate to reveal my secrets, but secretly I think the LCD-1 sounds fantastic. Cheap headset and all. (and all of it for less than a D2K here)

But then I haven't heard that giant YH100 ortho-in-a-grado-frame.

I hate to reveal my secrets, but secretly I think the LCD-1 sounds fantastic. Cheap headset and all. (and all of it for less than a D2K here

no need to hide this, I thought it sounded pretty damned fantastic too ..dB

I still find the YH-100 drivers to be my favorite. They must, must, must be removed from those crappy stock frames though.

I wonder if it has anything to do with the grado driver I used ?

That was a good one.

or maybe it's the Yh100 pretending to be a grado ??

In other words, not stock cups. At all. Very nice work, how does it sound?

well there are 2 - one highly modded stock cups ( no holes drilled ) and the gradoesque yh100 - both sound very good but the transplant takes the lead due to its expansive soundstage ..dB

The LCD-1 headset isn't pretty, but it seems to be made to last. There is no fancy wood or anything, but the grilles appear to be metal, and the rest of the construction seems sturdy as well. (I haven't conducted any destruction test, except for receiving them in a too large post package where the bag could slide back-and-forth inside.). They are quite comfortable too on my head.

(And if it would break anyway, then there are (currently) other cheap headphones using the same headset to take spare parts from.)

Recabled and ready

Marc sent me his pair to play with and I have to admit, I thought they were kind of alright when I first got them. Having just had the pleasure of his T50v1, I knew that these paled in comparison. They were a little better on the top end perhaps but they were not such an improvement over most of the vintage planars i own. In fact, I preferred my YH100s.

The weakest link was identified early on and I won't rehash it. BUT this has to be said, the baffle is very well made, solid feel, non-resonant etc and it is then bolted on top of this thin plastic frame and held in place with 2 measely screws. What's with that? This frame is holding back the potential of these drivers.

Modding - they respond well to modding as I had presumed they would. One of the most important things is to try and seal in the back wave from leaking out of the sides of the driver, I have not fully succeeded but I am hoping I have 98% of it blocked. In ortholand this backwave leak is much like the dysenteric ooze - it doesn't take much to spoil everyone's fun. The drivers are capable of tremendous bass but it is being cancelled to some extent by this leak. I used a thin neoprene gasket wedged under the edge of the pad to add some additional sealing but this is not airtight as I would have liked it to be.

I damped the driver additionally without losing the soundstage ( to my ears ), once Marc has them back and he approves, I will post the specifics of the mod for any interested. Personally I think it takes them to a different level. Bass is not as present as I would have liked but they are not bass shy - using my test tones, they are audible from 25Hz (lowest tone) right up to 20kHz without significant change. Possibly a little roll off between 40Hz and 25Hz but nothing to get excited about.

Other comments:

Pads - very delicate, be very careful when working with your headphones. The velour is not as big a problem as I anticipated but a thin leather pad would have been nice.

cables - they are sonically competent but a real PIA to use as they are neither supple nor light.

..dB

a few earlier images for those who don't browse the HF ortho page.

screw locations to open up the headphones

nice work!

with regard to the pads, I'm assuming there aren't any off the shelf substitutes around?

It's not off-the shelf, but vintage Pioneer (p)leather pads from the SE-205 series fit.

Photos of that mod would be nice )

Is the dark stuff in front of the drivers just a thin layer of open cell foam?

And perhaps a bass lens would help, since the velours are fairly thin and probably don't keep in the bass too well.

cables - they are sonically competent but a real PIA to use as they are neither supple nor light.

Just curious if you're referring to the stock or uhhh aftermarket cable?

Just curious if you're referring to the stock or uhhh aftermarket cable?

hehe - would i dare to critique the work of a master

..dB

Did you do anything about the cable exit hole?