Post your headphones

[S.B.G]

Wow, the Vali 2 B-stock was like Keyser Soze ... and like they, they're gone ...

That was really quick, I noticed other sub-$300 items aren't going as quick (though a few more lower volume items are gone this weekend). I think the substantial discount was pretty motivating Also, Schiit doesn't do sales, doesn't sell on Ebay, doesn't have 3rd party resellers, so any discount is kind of a big deal. Didn't get a ship notice yet, but I went with USPS Priority, so I figure it will be here before the end of next week.

I was tempted to get in on the deal, but I decided to be content with what I have and not add anything new. I have too much **** already and am trying to reduce clutter. I am realizing that I have a problem. I like to buy too much stuff!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I was tempted to get in on the deal, but I decided to be content with what I have and not add anything new. I have too much **** already and am trying to reduce clutter. I am realizing that I have a problem. I like to buy too much stuff!

Yes, you have some lovely stuff, so why not enjoy it?

 

[S.B.G]

Yes, you have some lovely stuff, so why not enjoy it?

Yup. I'm quite happy with the Schiit setup I have now.

 

[D.T.]

I was tempted to get in on the deal, but I decided to be content with what I have and not add anything new. I have too much **** already and am trying to reduce clutter. I am realizing that I have a problem. I like to buy too much stuff!

Plus, a tube amp is whole additional slippery slope, "Hey, I bought a discounted tube amp for $100 and then spent $500 rolling tubes ..."

Some people are insane with this amp and their tube setups:

 

[S.B.G]

Plus, a tube amp is whole additional slippery slope, "Hey, I bought a discounted tube amp for $100 and then spent $500 rolling tubes ..."

Some people are insane with this amp and their tube setups:

View attachment 797075 View attachment 797076

View attachment 797077 View attachment 797074

Yeah, that's a slope I'm not willing to go down right now. It's cool looking and I bet a lot of fun messing with it, too.

 

[D.T.]

I think I have a couple (or three ) of tubes in storage (attic), not sure what models, compatibility (whether they need an adapter), but I might go spelunking after the amp comes in and I have some time with the stock tube - assuming they are in the attic and I'm not eaten by the attic monster. I think the nearly unanimous consensus is a tube swap is big improvement, even something like an Electro-Harmonix 6922 for ~$13

 

[S.B.G]

Anyone know how powerful an iPod Classic (5th Gen) is for driving headphones? I’m quite doubtful that they’ll drive the 650’s well, but it’d be nice to know what they can drive and still produce a quality experience.

Searching around so far hasn’t answered my question.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Anyone know how powerful an iPod Classic (5th Gen) is for driving headphones? I’m quite doubtful that they’ll drive the 650’s well, but it’d be nice to know what they can drive and still produce a quality experience.

Searching around so far hasn’t answered my question.

Until it died on me this time last year, my iPod classic (bought, if memory serves, when I was home on leave from Georgia in 2009) worked well more than well enough with my B&W P5s.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

Here is my current setup. Sennheiser HD58X and HD6XX powered by the Aune X7S amp and Massdrop Grace SDAC.

 

[S.B.G]

Decided to try it out with the Beyerdynamic DT880's and am duly pleased. I used them while I vacuumed the apartment, a task usually doled out to the wireless B&O H7's with the iPhone. The biggest difference was the 880's are semi-open backed while the H7's are fully closed, so much more of the vacuum noise entered in. But it wasn't too bad really. Now I'm listening to it (still) while it's quiet again in here. With the vacuum running I had the iPod on full volume and most songs sounded alright, given the circumstances. Some sounded kind of bad at max volume.

Now that it's quiet, I have the volume turned down to maybe 60% or 70% of capacity and it is sounding nice.

I haven't used this iPod in many years and recently found it in a bag in the closet. The battery is still in good shape too. I am glad I found it too, because I seem to have lost a certain Mozart violin concerto that is my most favorite rendition too. Now I have it again on this iPod.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Decided to try it out with the Beyerdynamic DT880's and am duly pleased. I used them while I vacuumed the apartment, a task usually doled out to the wireless B&O H7's with the iPhone. The biggest difference was the 880's are semi-open backed while the H7's are fully closed, so much more of the vacuum noise entered in. But it wasn't too bad really. Now I'm listening to it (still) while it's quiet again in here. With the vacuum running I had the iPod on full volume and most songs sounded alright, given the circumstances. Some sounded kind of bad at max volume.

Now that it's quiet, I have the volume turned down to maybe 60% or 70% of capacity and it is sounding nice.

I haven't used this iPod in many years and recently found it in a bag in the closet. The battery is still in good shape too. I am glad I found it too, because I seem to have lost a certain Mozart violin concerto that is my most favorite rendition too. Now I have it again on this iPod.

View attachment 797157

Excellent. Delighted to hear that.

My P5s aren't fully closed, but when using either my iPod Touch (which I bought last year to replace the classic which died), or my Astell & Kern SP1000, on long - sometimes transcontinental - flights, they work more than perfectly well.

 

[S.B.G]

Actually, this is truly the first time I've ever used this iPod with headphones or any personal listening device. I originally bought it for and used it as the source device to the stereo head unit I put in my pickup truck years ago. The iPod lived in the glove box the whole time except when I wanted to sync it with iTunes.

Then once I got a new vehicle and I was able to pair the iPhone to it with Bluetooth I stopped using the iPod and it got tucked away until now, some years later.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Actually, this is truly the first time I've ever used this iPod with headphones or any person listening device. I originally bought for and used it as the source device to the stereo head unit I put in my pickup truck years ago. The iPod lived in the glove box the whole time except when I wanted to sync it with iTunes.

Then once I got a new vehicle and I was able to pair the iPhone to it with Bluetooth I stopped using the iPod and it got tucked away until now, some years later.

When I am abroad, I find it (the iPod) absolutely brilliant; brilliant in my room in the evenings (and on such deployments, one spends a lot of time by oneself in the evenings, even when there is quite a decent social life - besides, I'm somewhat introverted and don't care to socialise too much), and brilliant on long distance flights.

 

[S.B.G]

When I am abroad, I find it (the iPod) absolutely brilliant; brilliant in my room in the evenings (and on such deployments, one spends a lot of time by yourself in the evenings, even when there is quite a decent social life - besides, I'm somewhat introverted and don't care to socialise too much, and brilliant on long distance flights.

Much agreed. On the scale of extroversion to introversion I am clearly more toward the introversion end. Perhaps that is why I enjoy music and time to myself so much.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Much agreed. On the scale of extroversion to introversion I am clearly more toward the introversion end.Perhaps that is why I enjoy music and time to myself so much.

One of my red-lines when working abroad is a room of my own; the days when I could share such space with anyone else - even for a short time - are long over. I value my privacy and private space and time, and need extended periods of time on my own to recharge.

Indeed, I make it clear to colleagues that there are days when I shall retire to my room after work and not be seen until I emerge the following morning and would welcome if I was not interrupted.

Exactly: I get this very much - music and time to myself. Both are very necessary - actually vital - to me, and I now realise that I am a rather pronounced introvert by nature.

Indeed, while I can live without TV for months on end, I cannot live without music.

 

[S.B.G]

One of my red-lines when working abroad is a room of my own; the days when I could share such space with anyone else - even for a short time - are long over. I value my privacy and private space and time, and need extended periods of time on my own to re-cahreg.

Indeed, I make it clear to colleagues that there are days when I shall retire to my room after work and not be seen until I emerge the following morning and would welcome if I was not interrupted.

Exactly: I get this very much - music and time to myself. Both are very necessary - actually vital - to me, and I now realise that I am a rather pronounced introvert by nature.

Indeed, while I can live without TV for months on end, I cannot live without music.

I feel exactly the same. Though I no longer go on deployments, but when I leave the office, I generally do not like to be disturbed until I return. My off time is my recharge time, too.

This photo is quite telling of my general attitude when not on duty. Someone took this photo of me in the late 1990's (long before selfies where a thing) while deployed to South Korea. Clearly it was "my" time if there was such a thing in the US Marines, while we weren't tasked with doing .... things.

I was listening to some music on my Sony MZ-R55 minidisc player (on my right thigh) with undoubtedly junky headphones at the time. I really loved that MD player and carried it with me everywhere while I was on active duty.

(Not my photo of the MD Player)

 

[bigpoppamac31]

Decided to try it out with the Beyerdynamic DT880's and am duly pleased. I used them while I vacuumed the apartment, a task usually doled out to the wireless B&O H7's with the iPhone. The biggest difference was the 880's are semi-open backed while the H7's are fully closed, so much more of the vacuum noise entered in. But it wasn't too bad really. Now I'm listening to it (still) while it's quiet again in here. With the vacuum running I had the iPod on full volume and most songs sounded alright, given the circumstances. Some sounded kind of bad at max volume.

Now that it's quiet, I have the volume turned down to maybe 60% or 70% of capacity and it is sounding nice.

I haven't used this iPod in many years and recently found it in a bag in the closet. The battery is still in good shape too. I am glad I found it too, because I seem to have lost a certain Mozart violin concerto that is my most favorite rendition too. Now I have it again on this iPod.

View attachment 797157

I have one of those iPods. I just wish the drive was faster. I've thought of putting in an SSD inside but I don't want to ruin the iPod by taking it apart.

 

[S.B.G]

I have one of those iPods. I just wish the drive was faster. I've thought of putting in an SSD inside but I don't want to ruin the iPod by taking it apart.

I came across an article today while searching around that showed how to add an SSD and change the battery. The article pretty much made it clear that one will, in fact, ruin the back when doing the upgrade and recommended buying a new back before starting.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I feel exactly the same. Though I no longer go on deployments, but when I leave the office, I generally do not like to be disturbed until I return. My off time is my recharge time, too.

This photo is quite telling of my general attitude when not on duty. Someone took this photo of me in the late 1990's (long before selfies where a thing) while deployed to South Korea. Clearly it was "my" time if there was such a thing in the US Marines, while we weren't tasked with doing .... things.

I was listening to some music on my Sony MZ-R55 minidisc player (on my right thigh) with undoubtedly junky headphones at the time. I really loved that MD player and carried it with me everywhere while I was on active duty.
View attachment 797164

Lovely picture.

I know that feeling, too.

Even when I am away attending meetings for a day, my briefcase contains actual note-books - usually, Leuchtturm1917 (German and excellent - far better than what Moleskine produces nowadays) in A5 size, fountain pen cartridges, (my fountain pens are on my person), Olbas Oil and Tea Tree Oil, tissues, water bottle, my phone (an iPhone SE), and either my iPod Touch or Astell & Kern SP1000 with my B&W P5s. And my MBA.

If I stay overnight, the respective chargers for these devices come with me as well.
[doublepost=1540151211][/doublepost]

I have one of those iPods. I just wish the drive was faster. I've thought of putting in an SSD inside but I don't want to ruin the iPod by taking it apart.

I came across an article today while searching around that showed how to add an SSD and change the battery. The article pretty much made it clear that one will, in fact, ruin the back when doing the upgrade and recommended buying a new back before starting.

The iPod Touch has a SSD battery - and, these days, it also comes with a memory of 128GB.

 

[S.B.G]

Astell & Kern SP1000

That's a very high-end device if I'm not mistaken. How often do you find yourself enjoying its use?

 

[bigpoppamac31]

The iPod Touch has a SSD battery - and, these days, it also comes with a memory of 128GB.

Yes but it's also a touch screen. In that case I can just use my iPhone as it would be the same thing. The iPod had the uniqueness of the scroll wheel which can never be truly replicated. I loved the iPod as a dedicated music player and how it worked. I wish Apple still made one just with an SSD, retina screen and USB-C. Plus it would be nice if Apple had full support for FLAC files. Yes they have ALAC which is basically the same but if one were to download music from high quality sources it's usually FLAC as the file type.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

That's a very high-end device if I'm not mistaken. How often do you find yourself enjoying its use?

Surprisingly frequently. Such as tonight. I love using it.

I didn't bring it with me to Bosnia a few weeks ago, but then, I was travelling an awful lot within the country - several nights of only staying one night in a place - and brought the iPod Touch with me instead. However, if I am away for a month or two - or longer - it definitely travels with me.

When I returned from central Asia in 2014, Apple were threatening - or had just done so - to discontinue the iPod classic. And I wanted a device that was and is a dedicated music player; this suits my needs and personality.

Now, at the time, I had a perfectly functioning one, (which died last year), but I detest the Cloud rentier model of music, I want my music - bought as CDs - on a device I own and that I can take and play as I like and need and wish.

Anyway, on my return, I asked around for recommendations for some sort of robust and well made (and excellent from an audio perspective) device to eventually replace my iPod classic.

The guy in the best music store - where they also had a smaller high end audio store - recommended Astell & Kern. His boss had one. The boss - to my astonishment - pressed his device into my hand and told me to take it home with me for a week or so (they made a point of putting some of the music from my MBA onto it - no point in handing me a top end device with music I cannot abide) to see what I thought of it.

This was the old Astell & Kern 120; I was blown away and when I returned it, I promised myself that on my next deployment, I would treat myself to one of these devices, and that then, I would mourn the passing of the iPod classic somewhat less.

When I was home on leave earlier this year - I hadn't been home for Christmas - I made a few enquiries; frankly, I had been about to order one of the top-end but slightly older models, (such as the AK 240, or 380) but learned that they were no longer available and had been discontinued. So, as the SP1000(the new flagship model) had become available, I thought to order it.

It is a very solid piece of work and beautifully engineered. Actually, it is like a small, exquisitely engineered metal brick.

The audio is stunning, and the memory (256GB) very welcome. Shortly after I bought it, I bought a second charger and cable for it, so that I can have one permanently at home, and travel with one. It carries a decent charge, (transcontinental flights are no trouble to it, it will still have 50% or 40% capacity left), but it can take a while to recharge.
[doublepost=1540153953][/doublepost]

Yes but it's also a touch screen. In that case I can just use my iPhone as it would be the same thing. The iPod had the uniqueness of the scroll wheel which can never be truly replicated. I loved the iPod as a dedicated music player and how it worked. I wish Apple still made one just with an SSD, retina screen and USB-C. Plus it would be nice if Apple had full support for FLAC files. Yes they have ALAC which is basically the same but if one were to download music from high quality sources it's usually FLAC as the file type.

Oh, yes, so did - and do - I; I loved the fact that it was a dedicated music player - I didn't want anything else.

Indeed, I truly grieved when Apple made the regrettable decision to discontinue it.

But, my iPod Touch is used solely as a music player.

 

[S.B.G]

Surprisingly frequently. Such as tonight. I love using it.

I didn't bring it with me to Bosnia a few weeks ago, but then, I was travelling an awful lot within the country - several nights of only staying one night in a place - and brought the iPod Touch with me instead. However, if I am away for a month or two - or longer - it definitely travels with me.

When I returned from central Asia in 2014, Apple were threatening - or had just done so - to discontinue the iPod classic. And I wanted a device that was and is a dedicated music player; this suits my needs and personality.

Now, at the time, I had a perfectly functioning one, (which died last year), but I detest the Cloud rentier model of music, I want my music - bought as CDs - on a device I own and that I can take and play as I like and need and wish.

Anyway, on my return, I asked around for recommendations for some sort of robust and well made (and excellent from an audio perspective) device to eventually replace my iPod classic.

The guy in the best music store - where they also had a smaller high end audio store - recommended Astell & Kern. His boss had one. The boss - to my astonishment - pressed his device into my hand and told me to take it him with me for a week or so (they made a point of putting some of the music from my MBA onto it - no point in handing me a top end device with music I cannot abide) to see what I thought of it.

This was the old Astell & Kern 120; I was blown away and when I returned it, I promised myself that on my next deployment, I would treat myself to one of these devices, and that then, I would mourn the passing of the iPod classic somewhat less.

When I was home on leave earlier this year - I hadn't been home for Christmas - I made a few enquiries; frankly, I had been about to order one of the slightly older models, but learned that they were no longer available and had been discontinued. So, as the SP1000 had become available, I thought to order it.

It is a very solid piece of work and beautiful engineered. Actually, it is like a small, exquisitely engineered metal brick.

The audio is stunning, and the memory (256GB) very welcome. Shortly after I bought it, I bought a second charger and cable for it, so that I can have one permanently at home, and travel with one. It carries a decent charge, (transcontinental flights are no trouble to it, it will still have 50% or 40% capacity left), but it can take a while to recharge.
[doublepost=1540153953][/doublepost]

Oh, yes, so did - and do - I; I loved the fact that it was a dedicated music player - I didn't want anything else.

Indeed, I truly grieved when Apple made the regrettable decision to discontinue it.

But, my iPod Touch is used solely as a music player.

Excellent post.

Its nice the shop owner was trustworthy like that to give up his personal device to a customer for a trial, and to load it with your favorite music too. We don't have too many people around that willing to offer something in order to make a potential sale. Although my local Lincoln dealership was a bit like that.

When we were searching for the car I wanted, the salesman asked me how I was on miles in my current lease. I said I was fine, but asked why he wanted to know as we were walking outside to get a car to test drive. He told me that if I were close or over my allotted miles on the current car, a Ford, that he would give me a Lincoln that day to drive the rest of the week until we found the car I wanted. Color me impressed.

It's good to hear you're quite happy with the A&K and that it was certainly a great investment for you.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Excellent post.

Its nice the shop owner was trustworthy like that to give up his personal device to a customer for a trial, and to load it with your favorite music too. We don't have too many people around that willing to offer something in order to make a potential sale. Although my local Lincoln dealership was a bit like that.

When we were searching for the car I wanted, the salesman asked me how I was on miles in my current lease. I said I was fine, but asked why he wanted to know as we were walking outside to get a car to test drive. He told me that if I were close or over my allotted miles on the current car, a Ford, that he would give me a Lincoln that day to drive the rest of the week until we found the car I wanted. Color me impressed.

It's good to hear you're quite happy with the A&K and that it was certainly a great investment for you.

Well, I will say that I had earlier bought a few rather good things in that store - the B&W Zeppelin speakers for one - but, yes, I was astounded (and thrilled, and touched) that the manager would see to it that I got to take his own personal device away for a week's trial.

Actually, I was more terrified of losing or damaging that device - I babied it, far more than I ever do with my own devices, which get taken to some of the craziest and most dysfunctional places on the planet at the drop of a proverbial hat - and - much though I loved it (I even debated offering to buy it from that manager), I was also very pleased to be relieved of the responsibility for it. At the prices of the time, that thing wasn't far off $1,000, or £1,000 or €1,000; but I do recall the sheer class of the audio as I listened to it on the train.

Re the music, they were originally just going to give me the device, until a glance at his choice of music signalled that this wasn't what I much cared for. Bless him (and his young colleague) - well, I am middle aged and female - they went to great pains to ensure that I would actually enjoy using it. Their relief when they realised I had my MBA with me (complete with music library) can hardly be described.

The only drawback is that this is not iTunes (I mean the flawless and almost braindead ease of use of the old style of iTunes; the modern versions are a horror show); this is a more complicated system of music transfer, which requires focus and concentration. Anyway, they showed me how it worked, it is computer hard drive stuff, not iTunes.

But - as with serious headphones and equipment - the astonishing quality and exquisite engineering on this - for example, (as with the device they gave me) the bevelled knob for volume control is itself a sheer joy to twist and turn.

 

[S.B.G]

Well, I will say that I had earlier bought a few rather good things in that store - the B&W Zeppelin speakers for one - but, yes, I was astounded (and thrilled, and touched) that the manager would see to it that I got to take his own personal device away for a week's trial.

Actually, I was more terrified of losing or damaging that device - I babied it, far more than I ever do with my own devices, which get taken to some of the craziest and most dysfunctional places on the planet at the drop of a proverbial hat - and - much though I loved it (I even debated offering to buy it from that manager), I was also very pleased to be relieved of the responsibility for it. At the prices of the time, that thing wasn't far off $1,000, or £1,000 or €1,000; but I do recall the sheer class of the audio as I listened to it on the train.

Re the music, they were originally just going to give me the device, until a glance at his choice of music signalled that this wasn't what I much cared for. Bless him (and his young colleague) - well, I am middle aged and female - they went to great pains to ensure that I would actually enjoy using it. Their relief when they realised I had my MBA with me (complete with music library) can hardly be described.

The only drawback is that this is not iTunes (I mean the flawless and almost braindead ease of use of the old style of iTunes; the modern versions are a horror show); this is a more complicated system of music transfer, which requires focus and concentration. Anyway, they showed me how it worked, it is computer hard drive stuff, not iTunes.

But - as with serious headphones and equipment - the astonishing quality and exquisite engineering on this - for example, (as with the device they gave me) the bevelled knob for volume control is itself a sheer joy to twist and turn.

Just excellent customer service, I must say. Too bad there aren't many places like that.

Since I found the iPod I discovered that iTunes or the Mac will not "see" it. I'm using an old third-party cable to charge it and that works fine. I ordered, from Apple today, an official 30-pin to USB cable which should arrive in a few days. I sure hope this will allow me to get some music from it and then be able to remake all of the music and playlists on it to what I'm currently listening to.