My 2019 Update Thread - My final system I think.

[CageyH]

I have been waiting about a week to find somewhere suitable for that one.

[CageyH]

Very nice, Gary.

I still think 45 rpm 12 inch singles can just beggar belief sonically on a good setup.

I think I need a Mana Acoustics table like I used to own many years ago. I might start looking around for one. Or something similar. TBH making something is probably pretty easy so I might explore that.

There is one that has just popped up for sale on PFM.

[User211]

Yeah collection in London and it looks like it's been swiped. Amazing deal, there, though.

[Gazjam]

Finally got the Headphones setup sorted.

Dipped my toe in the water before with a pair of Meze Audio 99 Classics, but my preamp at the time used valves, and it wasnt the quietest background, especially as the valves wore out.
The background hiss took away from the "insight into the music" good headphones were supposed to bring so sold them on.

Change of Preamp, change of Dac, a new start.

Felt the 99 Classics weren't at the level of the new Pre and Dac, so picked up a pair of their better sounding bigger brothers, the Meze 109 Pros a while back.
Unfortunately the supplied cable is a standard 4.4mm jack which doesnt work with my Preamp, so the 109s have been sitting on the wall looking pretty for months, but never used.

Finally got a cable sorted for them
Well, two cables.
My Holo Serene Preamp can act as a headphone amp, but through one pair of its XLR outputs and NOT from a traditional headphone socket?



Output XLR 1 is an extremely low 3 Ohm impedance, 3 watts, 32 Ohm output, which can drive headphones.
(The other XLR output has a more standard 40 Ohm impedance, better suited for larger power amps)

So TWO cables were needed:
1.
2 x 3 Pin female XLR > 4 pin female XLR (presenting a "standard" balanced headphone input socket)



2
and a "standard" 4 pin female XLR to 3.5mm TS
(Though the Meze Audio earcups needed extra long jacks, a lot of off the shelf cables wouldn't fit them properly





Not really an off the shelf way to do it?

so read about and there was a company I found that did custom cables specifically for my headphones.
Very well thought of too, lots of positive threads on HeadFi and Audiogon.
So reached out to them to make a couple of cables up for me.

I went for silver plated copper for the Adapter cable (don't want any detail not passed across "at source") and the OFC Copper for the main cable.
Reckoned this would be a good "blend" as the 109's in some systems can have a sharper treble, I didn't want to put all silver in there just in case.

Highly recommended if you need a custom headphone cable - they do cables for a lot of different manufacturers.
https://oidiosound.co.uk/meze
https://oidiosound.co.uk/meze/109-pro/mongrel-meze-99-classics

Got them in the other day, I'm very impressed with them, build quality is terrific, the cable very light and easy to forget is there when your listening on headphones.
Ideal and what you want?

Headphones never used as is the cable, so would expect the sound will improve a bit over time.
Enjoying headphones a LOT more than last time I tried them, with the lack of background hiss from the Serene preamp I finally get what all the fuss is about with a good headphone setup.

Very happy with this and glad I gave headphones another chance.

[Jimbo]

Hey Gary, I use a cable from Oidiosound for my headphones. Really well made and customized for my Philips Fidelio X2 headphones. They look and feel great too.

[Gazjam]

Good cables ain’t they Jim?

Sounding a bit muffled out the box though, but the headphones have never been used either, so some time needed I think before it all opens up.

Running them playing Radio Paradise during the day when I’m at work to help things along a bit.

[Jimbo]

Good cables ain’t they Jim?

Sounding a bit muffled out the box though, but the headphones have never been used either, so some time needed I think before it all opens up.

Running them playing Radio Paradise during the day when I’m at work to help things along a bit.

I am sure they will both sound better when you get a good few hours on them?

[Gazjam]

Opening up nicely Jim,

having them on during the day when I’m at work,
Just let them simmer away for a few days then check in again.

[Gazjam]

Just noticed the IMG Hosting site I used after Imgur has went belly up, loads of pictures disappeared in this thread.
Thats a bummer.

Supposed to be working on “technical difficulties” but might just be gone.
Still have the pics, and will find another hosting Site.

[Gazjam]

I’m other News…

Incoming