uDAC and NFB-12

Starting at Zero
Returned the Audio gd NFB-12, finding that the Sennheiser HD650 need more amplification than I thought and the 20 watts of the NFB-12 is not doing it.  Also curious about tube amps and Orthodynamic headphones.  Once the return has gone through going to try a tube amp.

Sold the uDAC, as much as I loved this amp sold it for $40.  Curious about he difference between the uDAC and the uDAC -2.  Going to try a comparison between the uDAC-2 and the iBasso D10 and see which I like better.

MDR-7506 vs. MS400 vs. HD201 vs. HD 25-1 II

Really interesting comparison.  Bought three sets of headphones to compare to the HD201 and returned all three of them.  It came down to comfort and fit.  The MS400 and the HD 25-1 II sound great, but not comfortable for more than an hour.  Of the four the HD201 is still the most comfortable and although not the same class as the other three, comfort wins.  


1. Sony MDR-7506 - Best fitting of the the three. Very dry analytical sound, with limited sound stage.   The analytical sound is fun!  If I was to keep one of the three this would be the pair to keep.   Would swap out the coil cable for a straight cable.
2. Phiaton MS 400 - Fun involving sound, the most musical of the four, also the most colored.  Found the fit bothersome, they sit on the ears instead of around the ears.  Loved the hard side case!
3. Sennheiser HD201 - Okay soundstage, fairly neutral sound quality.  Very comfortable, the ear pads rest around the ears. 
4. Sennheiser HD 25-1 II - Best sounding of the four, but the low comfort puts them in last.  Hurt my ears, others have said you need to give them time, but after two days of hurting ears I called "uncle". 

Sennheiser HD448

February 16, 2011
Sennheiser HD448, $99.95, Purchased from Amazon
I keep trying, I love the laid back Sennheiser sound, but it seems only certain headphones have the sound.  HD201 have it, HD650 have it, HD600 have it, the HD448 don't.  The HD448s sound forward and bright, like Sennheiser is trying to be Grado.

Sennheiser HD595

February 4, 2011
Sennheiser HD595, $126.88, Purchased From Amazon
The trouble is I listened to the HD650 and HD800 before I listened to the HD595.  In comparison the HD595 sounds thin and less dynamic.

Hearing magic

 It is a very special moment, you put on a new pair of headphones and listen.  Where do the headphones take you?  Are you transported?

Yes, it happens.  I was sitting in a stereo shop, tried on a pair of HD 650s played through a PS Audio GCHA and magic happened, I was transported.  It was like my head opened up and in came music.

Sony MDR-7506

May 10, 2011
Sony MDR-7506, $97.21, Purchased from J&R
Maybe the most accurate headphones I have heard.  Hear every sound, although not necessarily musical, but wow, accurate.  Very black background, going between 7506 and MS400, the MS400s sound muddy, with lots of background noise.  Small soundstage, like the sound is coming from the center of my head.  Fold down to a small package.  Very well made, red for right, blue for left.   If I keep them would want to change out cable for non coiled.  At $97.21 they are a good value.  Tiring to listen, clearly made for sound editing.

Phiaton MS 400

May 9, 2011
Phiaton MS 400 (Black), $187.99, Purchased from Amazon
Okay I am spoiled, between the Sennheiser HD 650s and the Sennheiser HD 25s, I have gotten used to very high sound quality.  The Phiaton MS 400 are very nicely made and and have a great travel case and sound really fun!

But..the sound is sloppy, like I don't know where to listen, find myself searching for the instruments.  The bass is over boosted and sloppy.  Going back and forth between the HD 25s and the MS 400s, the HD 25s sound like the treble is over boosted (but I think it is the opposite, that the MS 400s bass is sloppy).   Even with the sloppiness, they are very musical.   More than the sound, its the fit on my head.  Although they are "Circumaural", they sit on the ears instead of around the ears.  Love they way they pack up in the travel case, but the fit on my head doesn't work.

NuForce Icon uDAC

September 7, 2010
NuForce Icon uDAC [Refurbished], $74.25 Purchased from Nuforce estore
I can't listen to headphones without the uDAC, the uDAC separates the instruments, creates a larger soundstage and makes the sound more musical.

Sennheiser HD 201

June 11, 2006
Sennheiser HD 201, $33.90 Purchased from Headroom
These cheap unassuming headphones have been my benchmark.  They are lightweight, comfortable, good soundstage, no over boosted bass, hard to beat!  I keep a pair in my bag all of the time.

Sennheiser HD 650

March 15, 2011
Sennheiser HD 650, $359 Purchased from Headroom
Besides the Sennheiser HD 800 these are the best headphone I have heard !  Comfortable, dark sounding, big soundstage.  Love 'em.

Audio gd NFB-12

May 2, 2011  
Audio gd NFB-12 $237 Purchased from Pacific Valve
I love this amp, small enough for my desktop, very detailed, very large sound stage.  Friends are right the 8741 does seem to be the most musical.

Sennheiser HD25-1 II

Sennheiser HD25-1 II, $199.95 Purchased from J&R Music
I love these headphones!  Maybe the best sounding of all of the headphones I have heard, big soundstage, very detailed with a little of the "Sennheiser veil".  They just aren't comfortable, this is the second time I have bought these phones.

Audio Technica M50s

May 6, 2011
Audio Technica M50s, $119.00 purchased from B&H, RETURNED
Returned the headphones today.  Too heavy and over boosted bass.  Like the looks and build quality of the headphones and except for the HD-25 II, they are my favorite sounding closed headphones to date (the Denon 7000 sound better, but not going to spend $1000 for closed headphones).  But too heavy on my head and too bulky to carry in my bag.