Better on headphones than the big rig!
amsco15 said Listening on the Sennheiser 650s. Not sure yet. First experience with "audiophile" headphones. Trying to find the soundstage. Very different experience,Headphones are an entirely different experience. There really is not a soundstage per se, but there is left to right placement. For me, it is as if the musicians have been pinned to a clothes-line strung between my ears. One adjusts after a while.
The Sennheiser 650 is an excellent headphone. I have a pair of both the 650 an 600 (among others) and these are among the best for the money.
There are ways to get a soundstage from headphone use. I have a Decware Taboo Mk III amplifier and there are two ācross feedā modes on this amp that use combining phase information from left to right to alter the listening experience. For some recordings this works admirably, for others it doesnāt work as well. For this model and its predecessors the mode is either āonā or āoff.ā There is a new edition, Taboo MK IV, which has the mode either on or off, and when on it is adjustable . . . that I think is going to really be āthe ticketā for headphone listening. This is designed for planar magnetic headphones, but works really well for dynamic headphones as well. I love my Mk III and have a Mk IV on order, so Iāll have the Mk IV in my main system and the Mk III for my upstairs headphone only system.
http://www.decware.com/newsite/TABOO.htm
I used headphones so much in the 'eighties for mixing and monitoring recordings of bands that I was playing in and a few others that I helped with recording and live mixing that I didnāt listen to them at all a few decades. But with this amp and the Decware CSP3 preamp with headphone output I am back into listening to them, and boy does it sound great.
Thanks for the headphone amp suggestion: pretty expensive (as most audiophile things) amp for headphones. Iām anxious to hear the headphone amp section on my newly purchased Cary SLP-05. Should sound better than my Rogueās headphone section (doesnāt have much oomph to drive the 300 ohm 650ās). Not expecting a forward located soundstage though. Might not get around to setting it up this weekend. Big crowd coming over tomorrow for Easter. Weāll enjoy the beautiful weather, music on the deck, companionship, and some fine Bourbon and Rye!
Yes, itās expensive but it sounds better than any headphone section of an integrated Iāve ever heard, and you wonāt have the soundstage expansion that the Taboo offers. It also can power efficient speakers and the sound is excellent via speakers as well. But I bet it sounds good, Iāve really liked the Cary amps Iāve heard (though obviously I prefer Decware as I have bought seven in the last twenty years!) Have a fun Easter, I have family coming in as well and my Dad will be so happy as all his kids are together for the first time since before Xmas. Wonāt be any drinking on my Easter though! (Dadās a retired minister and alcohol was never allowed in the house, and only one of us ever developed a real and refined taste, one of my brothers).
The various cross-feed circuits work with varying success, and those which are adjustable are great to play with. They all add artifacts to varying degrees and only the individual can determine whether they are worth it (I only find early Headroom processing circuits unlistenable). Binaural recordings specifically recorded for headphone listening are amusing as well. None provide a true forward soundstage, but this may well not be possible as we are wearing the transducers on our head.
I treat heapdhones as a separate, but equally delightful listening experience. The hyper-detail, lack of room colorations, etc. are great.
All music playback is compromise. Just focus on the music. Getting hung up on the limitations ruins the fun.
Oh I totally agree. Iām investing in and interested in really good playback because headphone listening has become a viable alternative to me in my married life, allowing me to get about 20 percent more listening time in without bothering my wife or impacting her activities. I donāt use the cross feed much right now, works well with well-recorded duo and trio recordings and Iāll engage it then. Looking forward to having the adjustable option in the future, I think that will expand its use. But Iām actually happy with the sound without it, especially as some headphones are better at creating a sense of āsoundstageā than others (the Audeze I have really surprise me in this regard).
Right now sound from the speakers though: Playing by request of my Lucinda, my lovely wife. My last one before I hit the road to visit my Dad and siblings.
Disc 1
While live at Filmore is recorded a bit hot, the music is really great. The band was cooking!! Happy Easter!
Yeah, great music and the āhotnessā doesnāt bother me on my system, Iām luckyāa lot of persons on the Hoffman forum seem unable to listen to some ācompressedā discs that present no real problem for me on my system.
Happy Easter back at ya! And to all. Be safe.
If I like the music, I can listen to anything. I am a confirmed music slut.
Safe travels!
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Deep Country. Not for everyone but how I love this music. Middle America in the 60s. Jazz fans, listen to Panhandle Rag: White Boys have some chops!!
George Jones was a monster. Regardless of your musical preferences one must recognize this level of talent.
Beautiful day, lots of good family, music and Bourbon. Little time before I call it a weekend. Love this compilation. Funky, Funky music!.
The beautiful Carolyn Hester. . . wanted to hear some playing by the recently passed Bruce Langhorne (here on the far left with Carolyn, Bob Dylan here and above at his first recording session, and Bill Lee, Spikeās dad).
Bingo Miki & The Inner Galaxy Orchestra āMontreux Cycloneā XRCD
This would have been a fun concert to see! 1979 appearance of Mikiās Japanese big band with American soloists Joe Beck, Jon Faddis and Bob Brookmeyer. Quite CTI-like.
A compilation of the first three Stereolab releases. Fun on headphones.
Lafayette Gilchrist āAsphalt Jungleā . . . wow this is a STOMPER.
Sony DSD remastered LP facsmile 2 cd set. Iāve always loved this music, was so surprised when it was released on LP.
The Analogue Productions SACD
