tkam Posted February 28, 2006 Report Posted February 28, 2006 Does anyone have experience with balanced RS-1's? What improvements have you heard vs single-ended rs-1's?
hirsch Posted February 28, 2006 Report Posted February 28, 2006 Does anyone have experience with balanced RS-1's? What improvements have you heard vs single-ended rs-1's? Yep Short version: Improved detail, improved bass, improved imaging, cleaner frequency response, huge increase in PRAT. I've still got a single-ended pair also, and love it a lot but IMO it's not in the same league. The two headphones I normally listen to balanced are the Qualia 010 and the RS-1, and IMO the RS-1 is more fun. (I need to get some more listening time with balance HD-650 though, and balanced R10 is coming soon). On reading this post, I think I need to get a life
PsychoZX Posted February 28, 2006 Report Posted February 28, 2006 and balanced R10 is coming soon Please keep us informed on this one. I wonder how much the R10s will scale when balanced.
tkam Posted February 28, 2006 Author Report Posted February 28, 2006 Hirsch, would you say the RS-1's improvement is as drastic as the 650s when balanced? Or even moreso? And yes tell us about those balanced r-10
CD44hi Posted February 28, 2006 Report Posted February 28, 2006 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.
tkam Posted February 28, 2006 Author Report Posted February 28, 2006 No need for Grado to do a custom one, I'll just have them recabled or have the stock cable reterminated.
CD44hi Posted February 28, 2006 Report Posted February 28, 2006 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.
GoRedwings19 Posted March 1, 2006 Report Posted March 1, 2006 cd44hi>Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
hungrych Posted March 1, 2006 Report Posted March 1, 2006 cd44hi>Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Who else totally saw that coming. I'm also wondering how a balanced Headphile HF-1 would fare.
CD44hi Posted March 1, 2006 Report Posted March 1, 2006 cd44hi>Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 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.............)
GoRedwings19 Posted March 1, 2006 Report Posted March 1, 2006 Yep Short version: Improved detail, improved bass, improved imaging, cleaner frequency response, huge increase in PRAT. I've still got a single-ended pair also, and love it a lot but IMO it's not in the same league. The two headphones I normally listen to balanced are the Qualia 010 and the RS-1, and IMO the RS-1 is more fun. (I need to get some more listening time with balance HD-650 though, and balanced R10 is coming soon). On reading this post, I think I need to get a life I am suprised that the Rs-1 scales this high. I know the 650's scale well with balanced amps aminly SS's. But does balancing the Rs-1 sacrifice it's warmth? Funny you mention the Qualia as you are the second person who has metioned that the increments in performance are small when ran in a balanced configuration. Maybe it is not as scalable as the 650?
mjg Posted March 1, 2006 Report Posted March 1, 2006 i heard the bling with balanced rs1's at the last NY meet. It really blew me away... I've also had the pleasure of hearing them with the new blockhead.... It was my favorite "system" with the wadia 861 as the source... wasn't much of a fan of tyll's music taste, but it was really something else. I preferred it to the balanced 650's he also had available there.
Rob N Posted March 1, 2006 Report Posted March 1, 2006 I own a pair of RS1 but they are of the older golden letter/brown headband vintage, so those are staying put ( sorry goredwings ) I have a pair like this.Have you got the first version of the wooden box?
ayt999 Posted March 1, 2006 Report Posted March 1, 2006 I want to see better high resolution pictures of both of your RS1's. stop holding out on us dudes. mine's apparently a second gen RS1.
CD44hi Posted March 1, 2006 Report Posted March 1, 2006 I want to see better high resolution pictures of both of your RS1's. stop holding out on us dudes. mine's apparently a second gen RS1. 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...
CD44hi Posted March 1, 2006 Report Posted March 1, 2006 I have a pair like this.Have you got the first version of the wooden box? Rob, what's the difference in the wooden box...?
Xanadu Posted March 2, 2006 Report Posted March 2, 2006 The original wooden boxes have dove-tailed corners and a different latch.
CD44hi Posted March 2, 2006 Report Posted March 2, 2006 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
Xanadu Posted March 3, 2006 Report Posted March 3, 2006 The latch is bigger and plenty adequate compared to the wimpy music box type latch on the later version.
Grand Enigma Posted March 3, 2006 Report Posted March 3, 2006 I hear the little latch box sounds better then the bigger latch... something about it being more delicate.
CD44hi Posted March 3, 2006 Report Posted March 3, 2006 well.. I can see that,... but the box with the bigger latch sounds "tighter" to my ears.... after a haircut of course
thrice Posted March 3, 2006 Report Posted March 3, 2006 Just to put in my two bits. yeah the balanced RS-1s are a different beast...of course everything balanced I've heard out of Hirsch's SDS-XLR is a different beast.
Grand Enigma Posted March 6, 2006 Report Posted March 6, 2006 Just to put in my two bits. yeah the balanced RS-1s are a different beast...of course everything balanced I've heard out of Hirsch's SDS-XLR is a different beast. I shall be seeing for my self by the end of the week
darkless Posted March 9, 2006 Report Posted March 9, 2006 I shall be seeing for my self by the end of the week I guess you didn't like them that much, considering you now have a F/S add up with a balanced pair?
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