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Thread: Headphone advice

  1. #1
    Join Date: Jul 2008

    Location: Surrey

    Posts: 782
    I'm Paul.

    Default Headphone advice

    Hi guys

    I've been totally oblivious to the world of headphones since I bought my first Naim kit in the early 90's, but earlier today a mate of mine mentioned he had a pair of Stax and how good they were. In the interests of keeping my neighbours sweet I've come round to the idea that some audiophile headphones might be a worthwhile investment.

    I've done a little research and so far I'm looking toward either getting a Naim Headline amp and pairing it with...? or going down the Stax route - (just seen a s/h Stax Classic SRS-3030 System II ).

    If anyone's got any advice or recommendations - that would be much appreciated.

    Ta

  2. #2
    Join Date: May 2009

    Posts: 219

    Default

    Be very interesting to hear the Stax, I've never heard a pair of Stax phones in my life. I always see people saying having Stax headphones is like having loudspeakers strapped to your head

    Good luck.

  3. #3
    Join Date: Feb 2008

    Location: http://www.homehifi.co.uk

    Posts: 6,288

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    Give the Sennheiser HD800 a try. Not sure about the Naim as a headphone amp however.

  4. #4
    Join Date: Jul 2008

    Location: Surrey

    Posts: 782
    I'm Paul.

    Default

    apologies to admin for posting this thread in the wrong section. I didn't see this before - i'll check out some of the previous headphone posts

    thanks stan, i'll check out the HD800s

  5. #5
    Join Date: Apr 2009

    Location: Sheffield

    Posts: 2,026
    I'm Confused.

    Default

    While this post is still open, can I ask the same question but limit the choices to 'closed' type headphones, so as not to upset the 'neighbour' (wife) sat in the same room.
    Thanks for any advice.
    Cheers,
    DaveK.

    My System:
    Power: Belkin PF40, Custom.hifi.cables Hydra and DC PSUs.
    Sources: Self built HTPC with Xonar ST sound card, NAD T585 multi disc player, Sony BDP-S350, Squeezebox Touch, Techncs SL1210 (mod'd) + Nagaoka MP30, Thomson Sky HD box.
    Amps etc.: 2 x Mini-T amps, MF-X10D Valve buffer clone, StanDAC 7520/Caiman (mod'd).
    Speakers: Mission 774s with added super tweeters
    Cables: best I can afford and likely to change except Homar's RF attenuated co-ax's and Mark Grant USB and HDMI cables. I also like silver i/cs and speaker cable.

  6. #6
    Join Date: Feb 2008

    Location: http://www.homehifi.co.uk

    Posts: 6,288

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave&Sue View Post
    can I ask the same question but limit the choices to 'closed' type headphones...
    Sennheiser HD280 or Denon AH-D2000. That's if you are after quality reproduction on two shoestrings.

    Stan

  7. #7
    Join Date: Mar 2009

    Location: The New Forest

    Posts: 1,855
    I'm Steve.

    Default

    I mucked around with various amps and phones - easy to buy and get posted and sell on...
    My phones / amp history.
    Grado SRS-125's with Creek amp

    Senn HD-650's with Creek, Chineese J1, Little Dot 2 amps.
    Equation 3 RP-21 with MF X-cans V3 inc Rock Grotto mods.

    Senn HD-650 with Graham Slee Solo inc PSU upgrade.
    AT ATH-W1000's (the woodies) with amps above

    STAX SRS basic Earspeakers with SRM-310 amp combo.
    I've listened to other higher range models and with everything it is the law of diminishing returns.

    Blew everything else I've tried / owned in to the weeds to be honest... Cheap too as a combo 2nd hand. Less than 2nd hand HD's or the ATH's with the Slee.
    Sound wise it is clearer, focus, full and with less distortion or sound the other make that I feel should not be there = distortion in my world.

    For closed I would say push the boat out and get the recently introduced Stax closed phones. Not at all cheap though - that's what I'll be doing if they pay us a bonus this year...

    I've auditioned the new Senns HD800's. Hard to tell in an audition but TBH I'm not hankering after a pair for that sound for that money.
    Last edited by Magna Audio; 04-07-2009 at 20:59.
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  8. #8
    Join Date: Apr 2009

    Location: Sheffield

    Posts: 2,026
    I'm Confused.

    Thumbs up

    Hi Stan,
    Thanks for that - you've made my day, probably even my month !!! Perhaps my ears are not so clothy after all. A couple of months ago I went to visit my local Richer Sounds (OK, not the best place but they let me audition every headphone they had, with my own music, for about an hour), and I came away with the Senn HD280 Pro, and I'm happy with them. I just wondered if a little more cash could have got me anything much better - it's reassuring that the answer is probably "No". The fact that you are happy with them, and presumably that means when used with the 7520, means that my teaming the two is fortuitous - great !!

    Hi Steve (Speedy),
    Thanks for your input too - unfortunately I'm not in the closed Stax market, budget wise, but if you care to start a collection going for me, maybe .......

    Cheers both,

    PS Stan
    Anything further to add to our exchange yesterday (?) re the active sub-woofer?
    DaveK.

    My System:
    Power: Belkin PF40, Custom.hifi.cables Hydra and DC PSUs.
    Sources: Self built HTPC with Xonar ST sound card, NAD T585 multi disc player, Sony BDP-S350, Squeezebox Touch, Techncs SL1210 (mod'd) + Nagaoka MP30, Thomson Sky HD box.
    Amps etc.: 2 x Mini-T amps, MF-X10D Valve buffer clone, StanDAC 7520/Caiman (mod'd).
    Speakers: Mission 774s with added super tweeters
    Cables: best I can afford and likely to change except Homar's RF attenuated co-ax's and Mark Grant USB and HDMI cables. I also like silver i/cs and speaker cable.

  9. #9
    Join Date: Feb 2008

    Location: http://www.homehifi.co.uk

    Posts: 6,288

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave&Sue View Post
    PS Stan
    Anything further to add to our exchange yesterday (?) re the active sub-woofer?
    Haven't come up with anything concrete yet. I'll send you a PM.

    Stan

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