• 11-05-2009, 02:07 PM
    atomicAdam
    I'm getting a bug to buy these, tell me why not..
    AKG Acoustics K 701 - $269.95 from B&H

    Could plug them straight into my AVA Omega III pre-amp and listen to records as loud as I want. And maybe check detail, clarity, and stereo depth and accuracy of cart alignment.

    http://www.audioreview.com/cat/headp...2_2750crx.aspx

    Tell me why I shouldn't.
  • 11-05-2009, 02:08 PM
    poppachubby
    Great set, great price...c'mon, do it sissy boy!!!
  • 11-05-2009, 02:12 PM
    JohnMichael
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by poppachubby
    ...c'mon, do it sissy boy!!!


    He forgets that you can ban him. I do not like listening to headphones. My roommate kept suggesting I buy a pair. Then I bought the Krell S-300i and when it arrived I realized no headphone jack. As you can tell I have no real advice.
  • 11-05-2009, 02:15 PM
    atomicAdam
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by JohnMichael
    He forgets that you can ban him. I do not like listening to headphones. My roommate kept suggesting I buy a pair. Then I bought the Krell S-300i and when it arrived I realized no headphone jack. As you can tell I have no real advice.

    I do like headphones at times. At work I love them, and at home after 8pm I try not to make any noise. I'm a nice neighbor.
  • 11-05-2009, 02:31 PM
    poppachubby
    AA, keep in mind you'll need an amp to drive those suckers into optimum performance. From the AVA you'll be ok, but for comp or portable use, an amp would also be needed. Really, if you're thinking about it and have the budgeted funds, they are really a great set. I suppose you've read Ajani's legendary thread by now, if not, you'll be inspired by the end of it.

    I am a "headphone" guy, it's what brought me to hi-fi really. Still love to drift away with a solid set of cans. I can assure you, your wife will think it's the best purchase you've made yet.

    Quote:

    Then I bought the Krell S-300i and when it arrived I realized no headphone jack.
    Why do you suppose no headphone jack JM? I suppose Krell aren't alone in that endeavour...my Copland didn't either. I think they figure if a guy wants phones, he'll buy an amp.
  • 11-05-2009, 02:41 PM
    atomicAdam
    ordered... end of thread unless someone wants to start a monkey knife fight?
  • 11-05-2009, 02:57 PM
    JohnMichael
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by atomicAdam
    ordered... end of thread unless someone wants to start a monkey knife fight?



    We save those for fuses and the flu.
  • 11-05-2009, 03:06 PM
    atomicAdam
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by JohnMichael
    We save those for fuses and the flu.

    lol - yeah!
  • 11-05-2009, 03:53 PM
    poppachubby
    Congrats!! I'll be waiting for your "Atomic Adam's first impressions of AKG K701 and AVA" thread.
  • 11-05-2009, 03:57 PM
    atomicAdam
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by poppachubby
    Congrats!! I'll be waiting for your "Atomic Adam's first impressions of AKG K701 and AVA" thread.

    Thanks. I'm going to have a few of these to write soon.

    One on the 4 different cables I have. The MonoPrice, BJC, MicroPurl, Granite Audio

    (Just wrote up a bit of a long but short write up to JohnMichael on this topic last night)

    and now another one the K701 and AVA amp.
  • 11-13-2009, 12:06 PM
    atomicAdam
    just came in the office - can't wait to get home and plug in with the KingRex Headquarters headphone amp - and into the AVA Omega III pre-amp.

    damn i'm gonna have an awesome night of isolation.
  • 11-14-2009, 08:19 PM
    Happy Camper
    aA,

    The K70x need a good break in of several (3-4) hundred hours. Initial sessions will be light bodied presentation, some sibilance, no bass impact. They will do best with a hybrid or ss amp. They are very detailed with an artificial high and about the largest headstage out there. When broken in, the highs will smooth out and bass will gain accuracy and extend to about 30~. The headstage extends outside your skull. They do well with natural instruments and vocals. Not real engaging with high energy genre and bass heavy music.

    I'd suggest a hybrid amp with a digital source and an ss amp with analog. A full tube amp would be expensive because of the power supply needed to run the well. I'd suggest an output of at least 500 mw. The K70x are 64ohm but not very sensitive. AKG says 200mw max power rating but experience is complex material needs more reserve current. The K70x will scale well with better front ends and are ruthless on poor recordings.

    A couple of things to help the break in. Wash your pads a couple of times (notice the position of the donuts before removing them as the thicker part goes to the back). This will get the foam to conform to your skull quicker. This will help the bass. Positioning is important to get the best bass too. They respond well with pink noise at moderate volume.

    And after doing all that, you may not like them. Re-sell on these are around $190. If you do like them, responses have been favorable on a re-cable. They get another level of clarity and speed. I don't think I'd re-cable unless perhaps a silver coated copper with an analog source.

    Negatives include plastic sounding mid-highs that throws off the natural timbre and pitch of stringed instruments. They have no bass impact and present everything in an airy presentation. Little weight in the mid-lows down. Many people have problems with the headband bumps on their heads. A little leather conditioner and a hard fold at the crown of the headband will loosen them up quicker than just wearing them.

    And the worst thing is you can never wear them in public. They look to some like toilet seats.
  • 11-14-2009, 08:28 PM
    poppachubby
    Ok Adam, here's a pink and white noise gen with freq. sweep also. I've given this to a few guys on here who have dug it. http://www.burninwave.com/
  • 11-14-2009, 11:54 PM
    atomicAdam
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Happy Camper
    aA,

    The K70x need a good break in of several (3-4) hundred hours. Initial sessions will be light bodied presentation, some sibilance, no bass impact. They will do best with a hybrid or ss amp. They are very detailed with an artificial high and about the largest headstage out there. When broken in, the highs will smooth out and bass will gain accuracy and extend to about 30~. The headstage extends outside your skull. They do well with natural instruments and vocals. Not real engaging with high energy genre and bass heavy music.

    I'd suggest a hybrid amp with a digital source and an ss amp with analog. A full tube amp would be expensive because of the power supply needed to run the well. I'd suggest an output of at least 500 mw. The K70x are 64ohm but not very sensitive. AKG says 200mw max power rating but experience is complex material needs more reserve current. The K70x will scale well with better front ends and are ruthless on poor recordings.

    A couple of things to help the break in. Wash your pads a couple of times (notice the position of the donuts before removing them as the thicker part goes to the back). This will get the foam to conform to your skull quicker. This will help the bass. Positioning is important to get the best bass too. They respond well with pink noise at moderate volume.

    And after doing all that, you may not like them. Re-sell on these are around $190. If you do like them, responses have been favorable on a re-cable. They get another level of clarity and speed. I don't think I'd re-cable unless perhaps a silver coated copper with an analog source.

    Negatives include plastic sounding mid-highs that throws off the natural timbre and pitch of stringed instruments. They have no bass impact and present everything in an airy presentation. Little weight in the mid-lows down. Many people have problems with the headband bumps on their heads. A little leather conditioner and a hard fold at the crown of the headband will loosen them up quicker than just wearing them.

    And the worst thing is you can never wear them in public. They look to some like toilet seats.

    Well - you obviously have had a pair or know what the hell you are talking about.

    Sound stage is small and dynamics are tight right now. Listening to simple vinyl recordings sounds good but Darkside of the Moon was horrible at parts.

    Right now I've got the AVA Omega III pre-amp and the KingRex Tripath Headphone amp and have been switching between the two. The AVA puts out better bass, fuller body, no punch, but I've got to turn the volume almost all the way up. The KingRex sound ok in the mids highs to highs. Lacking lower mids and upper bass. Which is a critique i've read in a 6moon review of the Tripath T2020-20 chip. But who knows.

    I'm supposed to have a Trends Audio T10 tube amp on the way, that might not cut it for these.

    I'm going to run them on the pinknoise all day tomorrow - thanks puppachub - I saw that link before and d/l that app. But I can't find now.

    The head strap doesn't bother me too much, but the ear muffs are a bit hard. Washing machine? Really? Would a hand wash be better?

    So far I don't here the shhhhh sounds and they did really pretty well with NIN FDTS - though not awesome. Was going to try Massive Attack soon. But good to know the bass will get better. If it does it sounds like it will be perfect for me.

    You have some recommended amps to pair with? Ajani suggested Musical Fidelity XCan V8 and Benchmark DAC1 (or maybe just the Benchmark H1).

    Thanks -

    -aA
  • 11-15-2009, 12:09 AM
    atomicAdam
    seems like the KingRex should be a good match in power - at 360mW at 60ohm.

    the TrendsAudio is 3.0 Watts per channel on 33 Ohm Headphone

    1mW = 1thousandth of a watt - so 3.0 Watts would be 3,000mW. Looking at the KingRex stats - it appears that as Ohms go up mW go down. Help me if my math is wrong, or logic - but if the K701 are 64Ohm than about double the 33 of the TA so about 1.5Watts per channel. Which would mean 1,500mW. Or do I have one extra zero? and it is 150mW. Which is a bit under what is recommended. So a good test would be to see if it has issues with large complex musical pieces.
  • 11-15-2009, 12:36 AM
    atomicAdam
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Happy Camper
    aA,

    I'd suggest a hybrid amp with a digital source and an ss amp with analog. A full tube amp would be expensive because of the power supply needed to run the well. I'd suggest an output of at least 500 mw. The K70x are 64ohm but not very sensitive. AKG says 200mw max power rating but experience is complex material needs more reserve current. The K70x will scale well with better front ends and are ruthless on poor recordings.


    .

    Specs around the web for the K701 are

    Frequency Response: 10Hz to 39.8k Hz

    Efficiency: 105 dB SPL /V

    Maximum input power: 200 mW

    Impedance: 62 Ohms
  • 11-15-2009, 10:47 AM
    Happy Camper
    Hand wash/air dry.

    Mine are on my head as I type.

    Looking at your gear says you are familiar with quality sound. FR & such are marketing gimmicks. No way a hp will give you sub bass in the 10~ range. Not too many subs will get that low. Throwing sub freq. sweeps at them will give you an idea of how accurate they stay until the bass starts to fall apart. If no source gives more than 22k (human threshold), what does having an upper range twice as high do to make it sound better?

    I agree with you about your amp being a good match. Others are the Heed Canamp, Dark Voice 336SE, Millet Hybrid, Woo 6 maxxed, Singlepower Extreme (certified used), Beta 22, Bijou. If going full tube, the extra spent under the hood (quality parts) is critical to getting everything out of the headphone and perform with impedance mismatches if using multiple hps. I've been able to tuberoll some bass and an even larger headscape to the presentation.
  • 11-15-2009, 05:14 PM
    poppachubby
    It's almost like a formula, for every 100/150 dollars added to the MSRP they will open the range a bit on each end.
  • 11-30-2009, 09:43 AM
    atomicAdam
    well - went on vacation last week - left the headphones burning in with pink noise for the whole 9 days and today - back at the office - they sound great!

    will go into more detail later - but am so glad to get these sucker burned in.
  • 11-30-2009, 11:03 AM
    Geoffcin
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by atomicAdam
    well - went on vacation last week - left the headphones burning in with pink noise for the whole 9 days and today - back at the office - they sound great!

    will go into more detail later - but am so glad to get these sucker burned in.

    Wow, 9 days of pink noise??? Those suckers are burned in for sure!
  • 11-30-2009, 11:10 AM
    audio amateur
    Perhaps a little too extreme for me...
  • 11-30-2009, 12:39 PM
    Geoffcin
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by audio amateur
    Perhaps a little too extreme for me...

    I'm not a headphone guy, but I wouldn't be surprised that it could take a hundred hours or more to break them in. Certainly my Sennheiser's sounded better (especially the bass) after a couple months of light use. But then I never did do a burn in to them. More power to Adam that he had the guts to leave them cooking and unattended for 9 days.
  • 11-30-2009, 01:10 PM
    poppachubby
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Geoffcin
    I'm not a headphone guy, but I wouldn't be surprised that it could take a hundred hours or more to break them in. Certainly my Sennheiser's sounded better (especially the bass) after a couple months of light use. But then I never did do a burn in to them. More power to Adam that he had the guts to leave them cooking and unattended for 9 days.

    You would be correct sir. 9 days at 24 hours = 206 hours. Perfect Adam!! My AKG K66 are still getting better. There was a distinct 2 month period, I estimate around 5-600 hours, where the improvements were so audible, I was excited to wear them.

    So Adam, I have a tube tech in the wings. I have joined the Golden Tube forum. I have begun searching for speakers. I have bought a Kenwood Basic C1 preamp (classic BTW).
    All I need is a Golden Tube Audio SE-40.
  • 11-30-2009, 01:39 PM
    atomicAdam
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by poppachubby
    You would be correct sir. 9 days at 24 hours = 206 hours. Perfect Adam!! My AKG K66 are still getting better. There was a distinct 2 month period, I estimate around 5-600 hours, where the improvements were so audible, I was excited to wear them.

    So Adam, I have a tube tech in the wings. I have joined the Golden Tube forum. I have begun searching for speakers. I have bought a Kenwood Basic C1 preamp (classic BTW).
    All I need is a Golden Tube Audio SE-40.

    Yep - I did some box hunting today at the office and will do my best to pack it up tonight. Otherwise off the the box store.
  • 11-30-2009, 01:43 PM
    atomicAdam
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Geoffcin
    I'm not a headphone guy, but I wouldn't be surprised that it could take a hundred hours or more to break them in. Certainly my Sennheiser's sounded better (especially the bass) after a couple months of light use. But then I never did do a burn in to them. More power to Adam that he had the guts to leave them cooking and unattended for 9 days.


    Well - they were at the office. So I left the computer on, and KingRex Headquarters Amp and the headphones. We have servers running 24/7 so why not a headphone amp. Put them a bit out of the way as to not bother anyone in the office last week.

    The soundstage is amazing at this point. The sound also seems more together, smoother, and has more flow. Bass is punchier and while working today, several times, I've stopped and listened and thought....oh that sounds cool. I'm going to take it all home tonight and play CDs though it, maybe some vinyl.
  • 11-30-2009, 02:25 PM
    Geoffcin
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by atomicAdam
    The soundstage is amazing at this point. The sound also seems more together, smoother, and has more flow. Bass is punchier and while working today, several times, I've stopped and listened and thought....oh that sounds cool. I'm going to take it all home tonight and play CDs though it, maybe some vinyl.

    Glad to hear it!

    Not to go off topic, but I'm about ready to drop some change on a new cart. Seems my old Shure V15 type III is non-salvagable. I see that your using the Shure 97xE, and that's one of the carts that is on my short list. If you've got a recommendation for it let me know.
  • 11-30-2009, 02:47 PM
    atomicAdam
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Geoffcin
    Glad to hear it!

    Not to go off topic, but I'm about ready to drop some change on a new cart. Seems my old Shure V15 type III is non-salvagable. I see that your using the Shure 97xE, and that's one of the carts that is on my short list. If you've got a recommendation for it let me know.

    I wish I could say I'd recommend it, but it is something I'm about to upgrade I fear. Though I'm going to post in the vinyl room some of my issues. But quickly enough, combined with my gear, over all, it all seems a bit warm and like there isn't enough headroom and dynamics.

    But i'm about to start a thread on this to get some opinions.
  • 11-30-2009, 06:09 PM
    poppachubby
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Geoffcin
    Glad to hear it!

    Not to go off topic, but I'm about ready to drop some change on a new cart. Seems my old Shure V15 type III is non-salvagable. I see that your using the Shure 97xE, and that's one of the carts that is on my short list. If you've got a recommendation for it let me know.

    Ortofon 2M Red or Blue
  • 11-30-2009, 06:11 PM
    poppachubby
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by atomicAdam
    Yep - I did some box hunting today at the office and will do my best to pack it up tonight. Otherwise off the the box store.

    Saaweeeeeeeeeeeetttt!!!!
  • 12-01-2009, 09:40 AM
    atomicAdam
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by poppachubby
    Ortofon 2M Red or Blue

    what about this one http://www.needledoctor.com/Ortofon-HMC20-Cartridge
  • 12-01-2009, 09:56 AM
    Geoffcin
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by atomicAdam

    Looks like it could be a contender, but I think more for your rig than mine. My rumbly old Marantz just ain't going to do it justice.

    Right now I can get a Shure 97xE delivered to my door for about $60. On a TT that's worth about $100 that makes sense to me. Plus there's the condition of my 30 year old vinyl to consider. None of which was "audiophile" grade even when it was new. Did they even make a 180 gram pressing of "Deep Purple's Greatest hits" anyway?! HA!! :4:
  • 12-01-2009, 09:58 AM
    atomicAdam
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Geoffcin
    Looks like it could be a contender, but I think more for your rig than mine. My rumbly old Marantz just ain't going to do it justice.

    Right now I can get a Shure 97xE delivered to my door for about $60. On a TT that's worth about $100 that makes sense to me. Plus there's the condition of my 30 year old vinyl to consider. None of which was "audiophile" grade even when it was new. Did they even make a 180 gram pressing of "Deep Purple's Greatest hits" anyway?! HA!! :4:


    Oh - yeah - sorry - I meant for me.
  • 12-01-2009, 12:36 PM
    frenchmon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Geoffcin
    Looks like it could be a contender, but I think more for your rig than mine. My rumbly old Marantz just ain't going to do it justice.

    Right now I can get a Shure 97xE delivered to my door for about $60. On a TT that's worth about $100 that makes sense to me. Plus there's the condition of my 30 year old vinyl to consider. None of which was "audiophile" grade even when it was new. Did they even make a 180 gram pressing of "Deep Purple's Greatest hits" anyway?! HA!! :4:

    I had a tt back in the 80's. I knew nothing about 180 grams back then and dont now....so what is that any ways.

    frenchmon
  • 12-01-2009, 12:38 PM
    frenchmon
    How often do you have to change needles on a TT these days?

    frenchmon
  • 12-01-2009, 12:40 PM
    atomicAdam
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by frenchmon
    How often do you have to change needles on a TT these days?

    frenchmon

    Every hundred thousand miles isn't it? That is what my Scion says at least.
  • 12-01-2009, 12:45 PM
    frenchmon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by atomicAdam
    Every hundred thousand miles isn't it? That is what my Scion says at least.

    lol...I didn't know you changed needles on a Scion.

    Forgive my ignorance but do they still call them needles these days?


    frenchmon
  • 12-01-2009, 12:58 PM
    atomicAdam
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by frenchmon
    lol...I didn't know you changed needles on a Scion.

    Forgive my ignorance but do they still call them needles these days?


    frenchmon

    I'm not expert on what things are called - I was just making fun the changing things on cars and turntables. Saw an importunity, and took it.
  • 12-01-2009, 01:50 PM
    Geoffcin
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by frenchmon
    I had a tt back in the 80's. I knew nothing about 180 grams back then and dont now....so what is that any ways.

    frenchmon

    Back in the day I never really thought about "designer vinyl" either. Now you can get specially pressed high quality records. Think about it like a coin. There's the regular grade for circulation, and what's called a "Proof" version of the same coin that's pressed with extra care and force to make it as perfect as possible. 180g and 200g vinyl pressings are the record equivalent.
  • 12-01-2009, 02:22 PM
    poppachubby
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by frenchmon
    I had a tt back in the 80's. I knew nothing about 180 grams back then and dont now....so what is that any ways.

    frenchmon


    Here's a conversation that Adam and I had a while ago, might answer a couple things for you Frenchy. Of course, there's alot of opinion mixed in...

    http://forums.audioreview.com/analog-room/opl-cd-crawl-hold-while-i-do-opl-lp-crawl-31663.html
  • 12-01-2009, 02:46 PM
    Ajani
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by atomicAdam
    Well - they were at the office. So I left the computer on, and KingRex Headquarters Amp and the headphones. We have servers running 24/7 so why not a headphone amp. Put them a bit out of the way as to not bother anyone in the office last week.

    The soundstage is amazing at this point. The sound also seems more together, smoother, and has more flow. Bass is punchier and while working today, several times, I've stopped and listened and thought....oh that sounds cool. I'm going to take it all home tonight and play CDs though it, maybe some vinyl.

    Sorry to interupt the vinyl discussion guys :ciappa:

    Adam, Congrats on the decision to try out some headphones.... even if you don't use them as your main source, they are definitely useful for late night listening sessions...

    So have you had a chance to listen to the phones at home yet?