CD44hi

damn. I thought there was no end to that barrel of pretzels.....

well.. I can see that,... but the box with the bigger latch sounds "tighter" to my ears.... after a haircut of course

That helps GE, thanks! You know, I wonder... The Ergo 2, also have the two grounds (one per channel.) Incidentally, with respect to the K701s, when balanced the Ergo sound a bit more dynamic, but the effect isn't as profound as with the HD650s. I wonder if by having the 2 independent grounds they are having the advantage already, even on single ended mode...

Oh, btw tkam, why this specific brand/model vs, lets say the Monster AVS2000 that is a power regenerator (??) as well? or PS Audio stuff like PS300/600?

Are these the ones that UnderWood Wally raves about? I have been curious myself, but not curious enough try to fork out the $$$ these units cost... The other power conditioner I am intrigued by is the Running springs. However, this are not power regenerators, which is what you are looking for. So in short, I wish I could be of more help..., but have you searched the audio asylum, I seem to remember some mixed comments over there about the APC regenerators. But the complaint was mostly related to the long wait for a refund from a purchase of the APC unit. IIRC...

BTW, For the ATH-L3000 what cable did you guys use as a replacement for the balanced mods? Ah, of course, has anyone done a complete reclable on the K701? THat would be a much more elaborate project I guess. I mean, would it be better to convert it in to a double entry headphone? drill a hole and such? hum.....

Grand Enigma, Could you elaborate on the change on the HD600 vs HD650 going balanced? Are they less dynamic? Thanks!

To the best of my knowledge, first hand and from other fellow users, it seems that some headphones benefit more from going into a balance configuration than others. I thought it could be helpfull to have a thread where we can cross-reference personal experience with cans that you have had the chance to seriously evaluate in single ended mode and also in balanced mode. The ease of cable switching in the Sennheiser makes them an ideal cable rolling headphone. Should we bother to try to balance a specific headphone? This is were your input becomes valuable. I just asked whether it makes a similar difference in sound to balace the HD600 vs balance HD650. From the response I got (thanks tkam!), it seems the HD600 isn't as good balanced. How about Audio Technica ATH-L3000? or AKG K701 (it seems this ones don't benefit as much? but I have 1st hand experience yet). Sony MDR-SA500? I'll start by pointing out that at the beginning I thought the MDR-sa5000 did not benefit that much from balancing them. But the longer I listened with them, I realized I was having no fatigue (which used to be a big issue with this headphones in my experience). Also, to my ears, bass response has tightened up with this headphone. I need to find out what specific cable rockhopper audio used to balance them, since this would be important. Listening amplifier was SinglePower Maestro XLR. So please share with us your personal experience with headphones you have had the chance to seriously evaluate in single-ended and in balance configuration, which amplifier(s) did you use for your listening sessions, which cable is or was on the headphones and finally, and more importantly, should we bother to balance the headphone under scrutiny!! Please be as extensive in your thoughts as you would like. Cheers!

thanks for the input tkam. Actually, I am going to start a thread so that we can discuss further about differenced in single ended to balanced for different headphones. I don't want to derail the topic on this thread about the GS-X But, bhd812, where are those impressions! I think we are eager to hear how do you like the new toy!

Billy, that is one of the nicest amps I've seen around! Congratulations. What headphones will be your main ones? I noticed you have the hd600 and hd650.... I am interested in your impressions on how they compare. I want to try the hd600 balanced...(I have tried the 650 and I like what I hear) I wonder if the hd600 will sound any different to grant having'em both

Hey mjg, those are going to be some nice looking cans. Congrats! I would have picked the same configuration, silver screen. Please post some shots once you get them, and enjoy!

The box does have the dove tail corer. I have no idea how the different latch would look like. Pics? please keep in mind that I will not be able to reciprocate pic until next week

Rob, what's the difference in the wooden box...?

Ok man, I promised those a while back to you. I will take a few shots next week when I get the digital camera back. I should buy my own one. I keep borrowing my wife's. The thing is that she frequently takes it along on her trips. She should be back early next week. talk to you later tonight @ IM...

Dear Sire, no, not to worry! those vintage RS are staying mint, untouched. I need to get a different pair balanced (in the future, not right now though). I swear, I rather give'em to you* than harm them in any way he he. (*right.............)

right. last time I communicated with Larry, he would not recable RS1 cans because of the risk of damaging the wooden cups. He proposed the alternative of re-terminating the cable. I am sure there is someone out there that would try and open the cups, but I agree with Larry, the risk of damage is high. In my case, if I am getting a balanced RS1, it will be re-cabled. And for this option, I would try to get Grado to do it. I own a pair of RS1 but they are of the older golden letter/brown headband vintage, so those are staying put ( sorry goredwings ) So that is what I was refering to when I mentioned recabling by Grado. There are many ways to go about making XLR-ready RS1, some more elaborate than others.

I'll take a crack on the bat at trying to answer this... yes!. At least out of the SDS XLR and out of the Maestro XLR. I am going to try to get one (not right now, but it is in my wish list). I don't know how easy would it be to persuade Grado to do a custom RS1. Maybe we'll know soon enough right tkam? The hd650 becomes very spacious and traces of "veil" are wiped out in balanced mode to my ears. In the case of the balanced RS1, changes are wide soundstage, dynamics are increased, bass is more controlled, cymbals extend more. Seems like a complete different headphone with the two amps I listed above. I wish we had them at the NJ meet where I could have tried them with the balanced dynamight.

My all time favorite was a ceramic "Coca-Cola" yo-yo. I had about four of those. One had to be really careful with those, because if the cord was to break during use, then it would most likely chip out from the impact with the ground.

Pretzels here... I have a "funny" Trader Joe's Chocolate covered pretzel story. My wife will only eat a pretzel if it is covered (read really smothered) with chocolate. And the TJ's are [*were*] one of her favorite ones. One day we stroll into trader joe's and I see my wife smiling bringing a huge plastic container full of pretzels to the cart. They were advertized as chocolate pretzels...(they were sealed and non-visible) well, once we get home, she opens the thing. only to find out that they were chocolate cookies shaped as pretzels. I swear, the look of disappointment on her face was one to remember. I laughed so hard, oh man... Upon inspection there was a very fine print with the description "chocolate pretzel-shaped cookies" at the bottom of the label. Finally when she calmed down, she says "What has the world come to, when even Trader Joe's tries to short-change you!" I have not seen her look for chocolate-covered Pretzels at TJ's again Now she rolls her one ones at home in a small fondue thingy... Me, on the other hand, I can eat chocolate covered pretzels, but in all honesty, I prefer them undisturbed

Actually, when I was "jounger," I was pretty good at yoyo's.... Maybe I should get a yoyo again, to see how I do, now these days.... or maybe I shoudl get two, and do "balanced" yoyo tricks. that be something, wouldn't be it?

checking in... Hi All!!