Headphones and Amps and DACs... Oh My!

[klyrish]

Received a balanced HD650 cable from Corpse Cable on eBay last night and finally gave it a listen...I can't believe how much better the HD6XX sound with this cable over single-ended. I recently upgraded my Schiit Vali 2 to a Jotenheim and am blown away by the additional detail and clarity this amp provides. The Modi Multibit continues to impress me so much. It's the best DAC I've ever heard and it's hard to believe the Gungnir Multibit (my next upgrade) is even more precise and detailed. NIN is especially wonderful to listen to with all of the little details and layers to discover. I can't believe how many new things I've heard since upgrading my audio game over the last year.

[Jon]

Received a balanced HD650 cable from Corpse Cable on eBay last night and finally gave it a listen...I can't believe how much better the HD6XX sound with this cable over single-ended.

Did you end up with the GraveDigger make or one of the "older" ones? Interconnects are an upgrade most people scoff at until they hear a balanced setup.

[klyrish]

Did you end up with the GraveDigger make or one of the "older" ones? Interconnects are an upgrade most people scoff at until they hear a balanced setup.

I just got a stock 650 cable modified to terminate in a 4-pin XLR connector. It was only $60 on their eBay page and I figure, for now, that'll do. I was eyeing the Black Dragon and Silver Dragon cables but folks at SBAF recommended against them for now. I'll get more out of my money with a better DAC than by spending $300+ on a cable, but I definitely do intend on getting to that point someday.

The upgrade from Vali 2 > Jotenheim and then single-ended to balanced for my headphone cables has been enormous and I'm looking forward to just enjoying this for the time being while constantly thinking about a Gungnir Multibit...