Mycenius Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 Some general musings - what have people's experiences been with having HPs recabled with longer & better leads? Use of Extension Leads? I know we touched on some of this 12 months ago when I was looking at HPs (and a couple of people have been down this road) - and extensions were generally not viewed very positively. Just musing over practicality of getting my RS1's modified with a longer lead (and if so do they have to go to the outfit in the US that does the RS1 customising), as the one frustrating thing is they have a fairly short lead (about 1.6m IIRC)... Appreciate any constructive feedback from anyone with experience or knowledge in this area...?
kaka Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 I've got the Grado RS1 extension cable (came with them) and its a disaster. Major loses the moment you click it on, so thats not a route I would recommend.
Citroen Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 A "disaster"? Sure, there's some loss, but I've personally not found it to be disastrous. IMHO, the 5m extension cable that came with my RS1 & RS1i's were quite serviceable. Guess it depends on how much you value the convenience over the "slight" loss in SQ. Also, I've found its dependant on which headamp (or headphone socket) I used, some being more "slight" than others The more revealing head amp not necessarily showing the greatest difference. But, yes, it was always downward adding the extension, rather than being neutral (unless the source was computer generated... )
40Hz Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 I use an extension cable with RS-1s and other grados, and to be honest I haven't noticed any particular degradation. Mine is a neutrik terminated mogami cable (I think, I'm away from home with work at the mo), and I have been pretty happy with it. The mogami cable is pretty well thought of, and it was certainly cheaper than the grado extension (looks just like this - http://cgi.ebay.com.au/20-MOGAMI-QUAD-2534-HEADPHONE-EXTENSION-NEUTRIK-GOLD-/370285605088?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5636bdf0e0 - but mine was from across the ditch and cost me AUD45 to land). I also had an accident with my HF-1 cable last year (2 year-old with scissors meets headphones), and had them re-cabled by Apuresound in the US. It's hard to compare the experience of listening to the re-cabled phones with the memory of the original set, but again I have no complaints and the product is very nice. The Furutech plug probably weighs as much as the phones do, and if I had a criticism it would be that if you happen to move whilst listening the new cable can be a touch microphonic...
Cooksferry Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 Throw away those horrible Grado things and get some proper ATs that come with a better length cable. Easy,problem solved.
Mycenius Posted October 27, 2010 Author Posted October 27, 2010 kaka;136795 wrote: I've got the Grado RS1 extension cable (came with them) and its a disaster. Major loses the moment you click it on, so thats not a route I would recommend. Cheers Kaka - yes I remember you telling me that last time actually - one of the reasons I reposed the question... Didn't you have a set of HPs recabled as well - your old RS1's or something? Or am I thinking of someone else...? Cooksferry;136821 wrote: Throw away those horrible Grado things and get some proper ATs that come with a better length cable. Easy,problem solved. ...and you would say that Cooks, wouldn't you! Seems I clearly remember you telling me over a year ago you needed to sell some of your HPs to help pay for those monstrous Mapletree Amps, & some associated horrendous shipping bill that was more than the cost of the amps, and that the RS1's were one of the HPs you WOULDN'T sell no matter what... or words to that effect?!
maxgate Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 mycenius;136789 wrote: Some general musings - what have people's experiences been with having HPs recabled with longer & better leads? Use of Extension Leads? I know we touched on some of this 12 months ago when I was looking at HPs (and a couple of people have been down this road) - and extensions were generally not viewed very positively. Just musing over practicality of getting my RS1's modified with a longer lead (and if so do they have to go to the outfit in the US that does the RS1 customising), as the one frustrating thing is they have a fairly short lead (about 1.6m IIRC)... Appreciate any constructive feedback from anyone with experience or knowledge in this area...? My Sen HD650s are fitted with Double Helix custom cable. I listen to them more than I did before the change. Why? I can't pinpoint sonic improvements in this or that area. I just want to listen and I want to keep listening. www.doublehelixcables.com
Mycenius Posted October 27, 2010 Author Posted October 27, 2010 Newbie;136803 wrote: A "disaster"? Sure, there's some loss, but I've personally not found it to be disastrous. ...Also, I've found its dependant on which headamp (or headphone socket) I used, some being more "slight" than others The more revealing head amp not necessarily showing the greatest difference. Care to elaborate more Newb? Last time I asked I think you, Kaka, & Cooks were the only people that had any significant comments? So you're saying now you think the 'better' the amp the less the degradation from the extension, or do you mean just specifically amps that are 'revealing' (I assume that refers forward/airy/open/detailed/etc)? 40Hz;136807 wrote: I use an extension cable with RS-1s and other grados, and to be honest I haven't noticed any particular degradation. ...The mogami cable is pretty well thought of, and it was certainly cheaper than the grado extension (looks just like this - http://cgi.ebay.com.au/20-MOGAMI-QUAD-2534-HEADPHONE-EXTENSION-NEUTRIK-GOLD-/370285605088?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5636bdf0e0 - but mine was from across the ditch and cost me AUD45 to land). Hhmmm - I'd be curious to know if anyone else is using these or anything similar...? What's so special about the Mogami? Pricing doesn't look too bad from ProAudio LA if that was the way to go...? AU$50 incl. freight for 20' (ex-USA I presume)... 40Hz;136807 wrote: I also had an accident with my HF-1 cable last year (2 year-old with scissors meets headphones), and had them re-cabled by Apuresound in the US. What did that set you back? And how'd you get around customs charges into USA and out of NZ...?
Mycenius Posted October 27, 2010 Author Posted October 27, 2010 maxgate;136830 wrote: My Sen HD650s are fitted with Double Helix custom cable. I listen to them more than I did before the change. Why? I can't pinpoint sonic improvements in this or that area. I just want to listen and I want to keep listening. www.doublehelixcables.com Hey Max - but the Senn's allow you to fit the cable yourself right? Rather than need to send them away?
maxgate Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 mycenius;136832 wrote: Hey Max - but the Senn's allow you to fit the cable yourself right? Rather than need to send them away? Yes, recabling is a ten second job. I still couldn't be bothered going back to the original cable to clarify my listening impressions. But the new was and is better than the old. Because, in many aspects of our lives, this truism is a falsehood I'm relieved.
Cooksferry Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 mycenius;136829 wrote: ...and you would say that Cooks, wouldn't you! Seems I clearly remember you telling me over a year ago you needed to sell some of your HPs to help pay for those monstrous Mapletree Amps, & some associated horrendous shipping bill that was more than the cost of the amps, and that the RS1's were one of the HPs you WOULDN'T sell no matter what... or words to that effect?! True to my word- the RS1s are still hanging at the end of my bed, and all the ATs are still there as well. Amazing where you can find extra cash when you need to.
Citroen Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 mycenius;136831 wrote: Also, I've found its dependant on which headamp (or headphone socket) I used, some being more "slight" than others The more revealing head amp not necessarily showing the greatest difference. Care to elaborate more Newb? Last time I asked I think you, Kaka, & Cooks were the only people that had any significant comments? So you're saying now you think the 'better' the amp the less the degradation from the extension, or do you mean just specifically amps that are 'revealing' (I assume that refers forward/airy/open/detailed/etc)? Sorry, by "more revealing" I meant "better". What I was trying to say was that I personally found much more of an effect with my $100 headamp than I did with my $2000 one. I would've thought that it would've been the other way around. So YMMV depending on what amp you use. None of the amps I've used the Grado extension cable with has been significantly bad, but certainly its been much more convenient!
Mycenius Posted October 27, 2010 Author Posted October 27, 2010 maxgate;136839 wrote: Yes, recabling is a ten second job. I still couldn't be bothered going back to the original cable to clarify my listening impressions. But the new was and is better than the old. Well that certainly makes things easier... Cooksferry;136840 wrote: True to my word- the RS1s are still hanging at the end of my bed, and all the ATs are still there as well. Amazing where you can find extra cash when you need to. Hahaha - yuurrrpp! Newbie;136843 wrote: Sorry, by "more revealing" I meant "better". What I was trying to say was that I personally found much more of an effect with my $100 headamp than I did with my $2000 one. I would've thought that it would've been the other way around. ... Cheers Newb - that's what I thought you meant - but wanted to be sure...
kaka Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 mycenius;136829 wrote: Cheers Kaka - yes I remember you telling me that last time actually - one of the reasons I reposed the question... Didn't you have a set of HPs recabled as well - your old RS1's or something? Or am I thinking of someone else...? No, my phones are all on their original cables I'm driving them with a ß22 3 channel amp (one channel is active ground) with a separate σ11 power supply, so I have tons of drive. I am losing out noticeably on detail and dynamics if the extra Grado cable is added in - it is very long which must come into play. I think they have subsequently moved to a thicker cable which may help.
Citroen Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 kaka;136795 wrote: I've got the Grado RS1 extension cable (came with them) and its a disaster. Major loses the moment you click it on, so thats not a route I would recommend. Newbie;136803 wrote: A "disaster"? Sure, there's some loss, but I've personally not found it to be disastrous. Whoops, just remembered I did have one disaster with any extension cable with one head amp. Microphonic as hell! Amps fault rather than cable. Myce, would be very interested in the results if you ever do go for a recable. pm me if you'd like to borrow my extension cable. Hmmmm "Grado guarantees no degradation of sonic quality with Grado headphones while using their extension cable".
Citroen Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 kaka;136846 wrote: No, my phones are all on their original cables I'm driving them with a ß22 3 channel amp (one channel is active ground) with a separate σ11 power supply, so I have tons of drive. I am losing out noticeably on detail and dynamics if the extra Grado cable is added in - it is very long which must come into play. I think they have subsequently moved to a thicker cable which may help. The extension cable that came with the RS1 is the same thickness as the one that came with the RS1i. Both aren't as thick as the actual headphone cable of the newer one. You're using PS's as well, right?
kaka Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 PS1000s - that's right My RS1s are 7 or 8 years old so I thought things might have moved on re the extension
Mycenius Posted October 27, 2010 Author Posted October 27, 2010 kaka;136846 wrote: No, my phones are all on their original cables. I'm driving them with a ß22 3 channel amp (one channel is active ground) with a separate σ11 power supply, so I have tons of drive. I am losing out noticeably on detail and dynamics if the extra Grado cable is added in - it is very long which must come into play. I think they have subsequently moved to a thicker cable which may help. Right. I guess the PS1000's don't help either with noticing the degradation? Although that's kinda reverse of Newb's experience by the sound of it? Does that amp put out much heat? Newbie;136849 wrote: Myce, would be very interested in the results if you ever do go for a recable. pm me if you'd like to borrow my extension cable. Will do and would definitely appreciate that - at this stage I will concentrate on deciding about Transport/DAC/Amp changes - as soon as that's done I'll be keen to borrow extension - as then I can determine if having a recable (with a longer as well as upgraded lead) is worth the effort... If I can detect degradation from extension I'll be looking to upgrade lead instead if not too cost prohibitive... Newbie;136849 wrote: Hmmmm "Grado guarantees no degradation of sonic quality with Grado headphones while using their extension cable". Umm, yeah... :rolleyes:
kaka Posted October 28, 2010 Posted October 28, 2010 mycenius;136862 wrote: Does that amp put out much heat? Not hugely even though it is class A. Headphone outputs are not exactly megawatts. I have just got the Grado extension out to test it again. I've been playing the first few tracks off "Keb Mo" and there is a hint of a ringing effect, and the fidelity is down. My memory needed refreshing - the loss isn't the disaster I remembered, but it I don't think the extension is a winner. The extension must be 5 metres so that the combined length will be something like 6.5m, must just be too much.
Mycenius Posted October 28, 2010 Author Posted October 28, 2010 kaka;136957 wrote: I have just got the Grado extension out to test it again. I've been playing the first few tracks off "Keb Mo" and there is a hint of a ringing effect, and the fidelity is down. My memory needed refreshing - the loss isn't the disaster I remembered, but it I don't think the extension is a winner. The extension must be 5 metres so that the combined length will be something like 6.5m, must just be too much. Okay - cool. Good to know...
kaka Posted October 28, 2010 Posted October 28, 2010 The whole chain has been playing for a couple of hours now and I've just added the extension cable back in playing into the PS1000s. One of the Hendrix remasters has just changed from tight and musical, to having a range of sonic artefacts messing it up. That cable is heading downstairs.
Ernie1553552694 Posted October 28, 2010 Posted October 28, 2010 If you are chucking the extension cable in disgust, you might as well chuck it on TM. I'm sure there are worst things to inflict upon the buying public than a next to new and "improved" Grado extension cable.
Mycenius Posted October 29, 2010 Author Posted October 29, 2010 Ernie;136988 wrote: If you are chucking the extension cable in disgust, you might as well chuck it on TM. I'm sure there are worst things to inflict upon the buying public than a next to new and "improved" Grado extension cable. ...or give us a loan so I can try it out and see (and compare it to Newb's non-Grado one)...
Citroen Posted October 30, 2010 Posted October 30, 2010 mycenius;137089 wrote: ...or give us a loan so I can try it out and see (and compare it to Newb's non-Grado one)... Mines a Grado one, but maybe the older version. Would've thought that the RS1i would come with the latest version though.
Ernie1553552694 Posted October 30, 2010 Posted October 30, 2010 Newbie;137181 wrote: Mines a Grado one, but maybe the older version. Would've thought that the RS1i would come with the latest version though. It's a pre "i" version.
Recommended Posts