Comments on: Headphone Heaven http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/ by Mark Mayo Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:14:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: bregsanto http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-32419 bregsanto Thu, 06 Jul 2006 20:28:01 +0000 http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-32419 Mark, Glad to have brought something to your set-up. I don't think you'll be dissapointed with the Bling Bling. Let us know how you get on with it. Mark, Glad to have brought something to your set-up. I don’t think you’ll be dissapointed with the Bling Bling. Let us know how you get on with it.

]]> By: mark http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-32370 mark Thu, 06 Jul 2006 07:41:18 +0000 http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-32370 Thanks for the <a href="http://www.audiolineout.com/" rel="nofollow">AudioLineOut</a> reference! What a great selection of cables! I just ordered a the Silver Bling Bling to replace my mini-to-mini cable. I encode mostly at 160Kbps or 192Kbps AAC, and sometimes use 256Kbps MP3. I subjectively prefer AAC, but MP3's universal support is hard to wrong with... Thanks for the AudioLineOut reference! What a great selection of cables! I just ordered a the Silver Bling Bling to replace my mini-to-mini cable.

I encode mostly at 160Kbps or 192Kbps AAC, and sometimes use 256Kbps MP3. I subjectively prefer AAC, but MP3’s universal support is hard to wrong with…

]]> By: bregsanto http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-32282 bregsanto Tue, 04 Jul 2006 23:53:20 +0000 http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-32282 Mark, My setup is an iPod nano with music encoded at 128Kbps and 160Kbps AAC. AAC is better quality for the equivalently sized mp3's. Amp is a penguin amp with a similar spec to your Apheared and they are connected via the iPod's dock line out using one of Ken Ball's Silver Bling Bling AudioLineOut connectors. My headphones are all Sennheiser models. PX100, cx300 (in ear's wow!) and a pair of HD650's. What can I say but the setup sounds fantastic. It is hi-fi in the palm of your hand. I do feel sorry for those folks walking about with white earbuds in. They are missing a trick! Mark,

My setup is an iPod nano with music encoded at 128Kbps and 160Kbps AAC. AAC is better quality for the equivalently sized mp3’s. Amp is a penguin amp with a similar spec to your Apheared and they are connected via the iPod’s dock line out using one of Ken Ball’s Silver Bling Bling AudioLineOut connectors. My headphones are all Sennheiser models. PX100, cx300 (in ear’s wow!) and a pair of HD650’s. What can I say but the setup sounds fantastic. It is hi-fi in the palm of your hand. I do feel sorry for those folks walking about with white earbuds in. They are missing a trick!

]]> By: Kevin http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-11815 Kevin Thu, 11 May 2006 02:43:24 +0000 http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-11815 thanks alot mark, will do (the guy down the street from me has a pair of grado's, like R1 the highest of the high) but all ive listened to on them is jazz, which, i have to say, sounded awesome. ;) thanks alot mark, will do (the guy down the street from me has a pair of grado’s, like R1 the highest of the high) but all ive listened to on them is jazz, which, i have to say, sounded awesome. ;)

]]> By: mark http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-11814 mark Thu, 11 May 2006 00:43:26 +0000 http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-11814 Oh, as for will the Grados sound good with you music? That's easy. Take a few discs with you to Bay Bloor Radio and listen yourself! Compare with AKG, etc. That's the only way to know. I'd never buy a set of speakers or headphones "blind". Oh, as for will the Grados sound good with you music? That’s easy. Take a few discs with you to Bay Bloor Radio and listen yourself! Compare with AKG, etc. That’s the only way to know. I’d never buy a set of speakers or headphones “blind”.

]]> By: mark http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-11813 mark Thu, 11 May 2006 00:41:11 +0000 http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-11813 Hi Kevin, Bay Bloor Radio carries the Grados (and several other brands). I'd suggest checking with them. They have headphone amps too, but for under CDN$90 my guess is that you only have two options: 1) build a cmoy yourself 2) buy a cmoy off eBay. http://www.baybloorradio.com/ Good luck, -Mark Hi Kevin,

Bay Bloor Radio carries the Grados (and several other brands). I’d suggest checking with them. They have headphone amps too, but for under CDN$90 my guess is that you only have two options: 1) build a cmoy yourself 2) buy a cmoy off eBay.

http://www.baybloorradio.com/

Good luck,
-Mark

]]> By: Kevin http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-11811 Kevin Wed, 10 May 2006 23:45:55 +0000 http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-11811 Hi, great post. I am looking to buy an ipod nano and a really good pair of headphones to go with it. I am seriously considering a Grado (60 or up). I live in Toronto, Canada, and so far have been unable to find a store that sells them, so, three things. First, how do i get a hold of them. Second, I listen to mainly classical, old rock (like Guns and Roses, Aerosmith, Zeppelin etc.) and new indie. Are these cans good for those genres? Lastly, is seems pointless to get a pair of Grado's without an amp, so, where can i get one for under $90 in Canada. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks Hi, great post. I am looking to buy an ipod nano and a really good pair of headphones to go with it. I am seriously considering a Grado (60 or up). I live in Toronto, Canada, and so far have been unable to find a store that sells them, so, three things. First, how do i get a hold of them. Second, I listen to mainly classical, old rock (like Guns and Roses, Aerosmith, Zeppelin etc.) and new indie. Are these cans good for those genres? Lastly, is seems pointless to get a pair of Grado’s without an amp, so, where can i get one for under $90 in Canada. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

]]> By: mark http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-9933 mark Thu, 19 Jan 2006 05:06:01 +0000 http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-9933 Hi T. Yeah, the Grados at least come with the mini-plug connector which fits into computers, iPods, etc. They also come with an adapter to turn the connector into the larger "old school headphone style" connector for use with an amplifier/receiver. I'm assuming the AKGs would be the same, but just confirm the specs before you buy. What you're looking for is the 1/8" mini-plug. Hi T. Yeah, the Grados at least come with the mini-plug connector which fits into computers, iPods, etc. They also come with an adapter to turn the connector into the larger “old school headphone style” connector for use with an amplifier/receiver.

I’m assuming the AKGs would be the same, but just confirm the specs before you buy. What you’re looking for is the 1/8″ mini-plug.

]]> By: T. Sullivan http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-9931 T. Sullivan Thu, 19 Jan 2006 02:13:37 +0000 http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-9931 Hello Mark ....I have a Mac G4 and I am going to probably buy a AKG or Grado headphones. Will they all fit into my computer jack? Thank you. Hello Mark ….I have a Mac G4 and I am going to probably buy
a AKG or Grado headphones. Will they all fit into my computer
jack? Thank you.

]]> By: mark http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-9497 mark Sat, 19 Nov 2005 20:41:01 +0000 http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-9497 Reid: Get the Chaintech AV-710 soundcard. For $20 it's a no-brainer. Then consider a '47. I just connect the iPod with a little 4" long mini-RCA to mini-RCA cable. Adam: Cool! I'll check it out! I think any wallwart should sound just fine. It's not like 9V batteries are putting our perfect power anyhow! Reid: Get the Chaintech AV-710 soundcard. For $20 it’s a no-brainer. Then consider a ‘47. I just connect the iPod with a little 4″ long mini-RCA to mini-RCA cable.

Adam: Cool! I’ll check it out! I think any wallwart should sound just fine. It’s not like 9V batteries are putting our perfect power anyhow!

]]> By: AdamW http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-9494 AdamW Sat, 19 Nov 2005 06:55:50 +0000 http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-9494 Another few months pass, and...just thought I'd note that Superstore sells a rather handy DC wallwart which has a variety of connectors, including...one that mimics a 9V battery. I use one to power my Twinstarr Black, works fine. I'm sure the fine people at head-fi would tell me that I'm polluting my poor amp horribly by running it off this solution - it didn't cost $500, and there's NOTHING gold-plated involved! - but it sounds fine to my ears, so what the hell. :) Another few months pass, and…just thought I’d note that Superstore sells a rather handy DC wallwart which has a variety of connectors, including…one that mimics a 9V battery. I use one to power my Twinstarr Black, works fine. I’m sure the fine people at head-fi would tell me that I’m polluting my poor amp horribly by running it off this solution - it didn’t cost $500, and there’s NOTHING gold-plated involved! - but it sounds fine to my ears, so what the hell. :)

]]> By: Reid http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-8654 Reid Sat, 25 Jun 2005 18:43:53 +0000 http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-8654 Hey Mark, I've been looking for information about headphone amps, and your situation is the closest one I could find to mine: I use sr-80s, mostly on my computer and sometimes the wife's ipod. I was especially interested in the apheared 47 because it was supposedly designed with grados in mind. Your post was perfect!...Well, almost. I was disappointed to read that the 47 didn't improve the sound via computer. I'm pretty hooked on listening to music via the computer. The convenience and speed of selecting and/or changing songs is just too appealing to me. The grados also sound better on my pc than the ipod. But like you, I was wondering if it could sound better with an amp (never thought of improving the soundcard). The bithead was appealing, especially because of the direct usb connection. But it's a little more than I want to spend. What do you think would be a good alternate to the apheared 47? I'm sure you've heard of the pocketamp 2 v.2. I've been thinking of getting that, but I'm not sure if it's a great fit for the grados via computer. Btw, what do you use to connect the 47s to your ipod? Great thread. Hey Mark,

I’ve been looking for information about headphone amps, and your situation is the closest one I could find to mine: I use sr-80s, mostly on my computer and sometimes the wife’s ipod. I was especially interested in the apheared 47 because it was supposedly designed with grados in mind. Your post was perfect!…Well, almost. I was disappointed to read that the 47 didn’t improve the sound via computer. I’m pretty hooked on listening to music via the computer. The convenience and speed of selecting and/or changing songs is just too appealing to me. The grados also sound better on my pc than the ipod. But like you, I was wondering if it could sound better with an amp (never thought of improving the soundcard). The bithead was appealing, especially because of the direct usb connection. But it’s a little more than I want to spend.

What do you think would be a good alternate to the apheared 47? I’m sure you’ve heard of the pocketamp 2 v.2. I’ve been thinking of getting that, but I’m not sure if it’s a great fit for the grados via computer.

Btw, what do you use to connect the 47s to your ipod?

Great thread.

]]> By: mark http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-7635 mark Mon, 02 May 2005 05:25:47 +0000 http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-7635 The crossfade circuit mixes a little of the left channel into the right, and vice versa. It makes some "stereophonic" music with extreme left / right channel seperation sound more natural on headphones. A lot of 60s jazz where they were playing with phasing a lot fits into this category, for example. The crossfade circuit mixes a little of the left channel into the right, and vice versa. It makes some “stereophonic” music with extreme left / right channel seperation sound more natural on headphones. A lot of 60s jazz where they were playing with phasing a lot fits into this category, for example.

]]> By: John http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-4951 John Wed, 06 Apr 2005 15:37:12 +0000 http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-4951 What does the crossfade circuit do? Thanks! What does the crossfade circuit do? Thanks!

]]> By: mark http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-4724 mark Tue, 05 Apr 2005 08:54:55 +0000 http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-4724 One thing I'll mention is that if you listen to a lot of 60's jazz, as I do, you'll probably really wish you had an amp with a cross-fade circuit of some sort. Like the BitHead and friends... Also, the lack of a DC wall-wart option on the Twinstarr has been more annoying than I had hoped. Otherwise, I've been happy with the Twinstarr. It's been in my back pack since I got it, and I've gone through about a dozen sets of batteries. It's held up well and continues to sound great. One thing I’ll mention is that if you listen to a lot of 60’s jazz, as I do, you’ll probably really wish you had an amp with a cross-fade circuit of some sort. Like the BitHead and friends… Also, the lack of a DC wall-wart option on the Twinstarr has been more annoying than I had hoped. Otherwise, I’ve been happy with the Twinstarr. It’s been in my back pack since I got it, and I’ve gone through about a dozen sets of batteries. It’s held up well and continues to sound great.

]]> By: John http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-4697 John Tue, 05 Apr 2005 03:04:07 +0000 http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-4697 Good blog! I just order a pair of Grado SR-60's for my iPod, and I was definately considering getting the Twinstarr Black amp. You definately won me over. Thanks. Good blog! I just order a pair of Grado SR-60’s for my iPod, and I was definately considering getting the Twinstarr Black amp. You definately won me over. Thanks.

]]> By: mark http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-886 mark Sun, 14 Nov 2004 20:24:26 +0000 http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-886 Wow, that's great news. Back in August I couldn't find a single shop that could even order it in, except one place back in Toronto that wanted $90 for it. I just placed an order with NCIX for my home PC. It's hard to go wrong for CAN$30. At work, the source problem has been eliminated by the introduction of a 40GB iPod. :) That's been a real pleasure. The next step, of course, is looking for an alternative to the supplied buds for use on the go.. Ah.. the joys of audio gadgets.. Wow, that’s great news. Back in August I couldn’t find a single shop that could even order it in, except one place back in Toronto that wanted $90 for it. I just placed an order with NCIX for my home PC. It’s hard to go wrong for CAN$30.

At work, the source problem has been eliminated by the introduction of a 40GB iPod. :) That’s been a real pleasure. The next step, of course, is looking for an alternative to the supplied buds for use on the go.. Ah.. the joys of audio gadgets..

]]> By: DaveH http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-885 DaveH Sun, 14 Nov 2004 15:31:21 +0000 http://www.vmunix.com/mark/blog/archives/2004/08/22/headphone-heaven/#comment-885 you mentioned that Chaintech AV-710 and not being able to get it here - it's on sale right now for $30.00 Canadian at NCIX.com http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=12624&promoid=1031&affiliateid=162547 you mentioned that Chaintech AV-710 and not being able to get it here - it’s on sale right now for $30.00 Canadian at NCIX.com
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=12624&promoid=1031&affiliateid=162547

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