Some time back, I mentioned my entry into the foray of headphones and headphone amplifiers, now that I have an ipad and iPod (and also a iPhone 5 since yesterday). In the last few weeks, I managed to buy not one but three headphones, a Sennheiser HD-598, Audio Technica M-50 (which now my son uses with his iPod) and a Shure SHR-940. The AT M-50 was the cheapest, around $200, the Senn close to $250 and Shure nearly $300. I also acquired a Fiio E-11 with a LOD. I ripped a large collection of CD's, Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi and English songs from CDs, both old and new to my new iPad, the latest being the Skyfall Adele song.
It has been a fascinating experince listening to the same music with the different headphones, without and with the amplifier, through the iPad. There is no doubt in my mind that the amplifier makes the music more refined (though all headphones are low-impedance). The AT M-50 is very good but rather bass-heavy, the Senn is leaner in bass but with a great soundstage and midrange clarity, and the Shure somewhere between though giving a real body to the music. All are great to listen to and very difficult to rank. The best I can say is that I would rather use the AT M-50 for some real fun and great bass, the Shure for serious listening for a short while, and the Senn for a more relaxed listening over a longer period. The latter is the most convenient to wear whereas the AT and Shure become a little uncomfortable for long listening periods.
The Fiio, no doubt, is an excellent perfomer. Not that it increases loudness but makes the music more lively and more 3-dimensional.
What next? I don't aspire for better headphones as of now, there are plenty around. However, a combined DAC+amp is under consideration. The Fostex HP-P1 looks interesting but appears overpriced whereas the Leckerton Audio product looks tempting. Any thoughts? I don't want to carry too many equipment like separate DAC, separate amp etc and also need something that is compatible with iPad family. Suggestions?
So, will I dispose of my Ayre-ARC-Aesthetix-Vandersteen combo? Never. That is a different world. The good news is that I finally managed to sell off my old VTL 5.5 line-stage and Vandy 2Ce Signature speakers during my recent visit home. Only the Ayre V-5 remains with a question-mark (though I use it in my HT setup to drive the center speakers) whether to sell or not. At the same time, I was again unsuccessful in getting a latest Marnatz or |Onkyo AV processor, so have no option but to buy one from "here".
cheers.
murali
It has been a fascinating experince listening to the same music with the different headphones, without and with the amplifier, through the iPad. There is no doubt in my mind that the amplifier makes the music more refined (though all headphones are low-impedance). The AT M-50 is very good but rather bass-heavy, the Senn is leaner in bass but with a great soundstage and midrange clarity, and the Shure somewhere between though giving a real body to the music. All are great to listen to and very difficult to rank. The best I can say is that I would rather use the AT M-50 for some real fun and great bass, the Shure for serious listening for a short while, and the Senn for a more relaxed listening over a longer period. The latter is the most convenient to wear whereas the AT and Shure become a little uncomfortable for long listening periods.
The Fiio, no doubt, is an excellent perfomer. Not that it increases loudness but makes the music more lively and more 3-dimensional.
What next? I don't aspire for better headphones as of now, there are plenty around. However, a combined DAC+amp is under consideration. The Fostex HP-P1 looks interesting but appears overpriced whereas the Leckerton Audio product looks tempting. Any thoughts? I don't want to carry too many equipment like separate DAC, separate amp etc and also need something that is compatible with iPad family. Suggestions?
So, will I dispose of my Ayre-ARC-Aesthetix-Vandersteen combo? Never. That is a different world. The good news is that I finally managed to sell off my old VTL 5.5 line-stage and Vandy 2Ce Signature speakers during my recent visit home. Only the Ayre V-5 remains with a question-mark (though I use it in my HT setup to drive the center speakers) whether to sell or not. At the same time, I was again unsuccessful in getting a latest Marnatz or |Onkyo AV processor, so have no option but to buy one from "here".
cheers.
murali
