Smooth interconnects?

Discussion in 'Hi-Fi and General Audio' started by amazingtrade, Sep 15, 2003.

  1. amazingtrade

    amazingtrade Mad Madchestoh fan

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    I have a bit of a dilema my speakers are different sounding to my headphones. My current Ixos Gamma 1002 helps give my speakers a bit more life (though they currently sound a tad boomy, I know have ideas to stop this though, blu-tac!). My headphones sound very lively and almost bright though, they are musical and very detailed, but I would like a just a touch more smoothness, I think the vocals could do with a just a bit more depth.

    The vocals sound fine on my turntable, so I know the CDP is at fault some where, however sibiences are a bit too obvious on my turntable. I can't win! I love my headphones too peices and sound so musical most of the time, they certainly put my old Senhiesers to shame, but after a few hours listening it starts to sound like the vocals are a bit fake but only on my CDP

    My headphones are the HP890.

    I know the Gamma 1002 can be a bit bright sounding so I think replacing that with a £30 smoother cable will do the trick. Does anybody know of any good ready built DIY ones that are ready built?

    I don't want to pay £30 for a QED Quenex 2 because I know 2/3 of that cost is marketing, the cables probably cost about £5 a pair to make. When I had these for demo I wasn't impressed with the quality for the money, although they did sound good. My Ixos cables sounded much better through the speakers and this why I bought them, oh and they were 50% off.

    P.S I am noticing this problem more on a 1992 double CD album of Elton John's greatest hits, is this compilation particulary bright?
     
    amazingtrade, Sep 15, 2003
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  2. amazingtrade

    Rory satisfied

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    that Elton John CD is quite poorly produced and quite bright,
    and
    those Ixos i/cs are also very bright

    have a hunt around for some old Sonic Link Violet i/cs- been quite a few pairs on HFC in the last few months and certainly my set are quite smooth and forgiving. Can find them for £30 (retail was £90-100). i'd personally save another £15-20 and you can get some VDH d102 mk3s which imo are the best i/cs you can get sub £100 (i haven't really tried DIY cables as my soldering isn't up to much :( )
     
    Rory, Sep 15, 2003
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  3. amazingtrade

    zanash

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    Why not try the "Zero cost" ic ?

    These are made by wrapping enamelled copper wire round a former, for signal and return.....just a dab of solder at either end.

    You can buy a roll of the wire from maplins for £5-00 28awg 1km approx. If you want more construction details pm me, or look it up in the DIY section. I might even be pursuaded to make the cable for you !!
     
    zanash, Sep 16, 2003
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  4. amazingtrade

    amazingtrade Mad Madchestoh fan

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    Thanks, how much I am looking at in total if you made them? Also would these be smoother than my Ixos Gamma 1002? You can PM the info if you like.
     
    amazingtrade, Sep 16, 2003
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  5. amazingtrade

    PBirkett VTEC Addict

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    Unfortunately, that is the way the HP890's are. I am not sure whether an interconnect will help too much here, and there arent many truly great headphones around for a reasonable price, so you may either:-

    A) Try and experiment with cables, and hope for the best.
    B) Get a headphone amp with a warmer, smoother sound, but thank kind of thing is a risk that it may make the bass sound too much, and they arent cheap.
    C) Get some different cans.
     
    PBirkett, Sep 16, 2003
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  6. amazingtrade

    amazingtrade Mad Madchestoh fan

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    Yep the headphones sound fine on most cds, and they are fine on vynil so I think its currently a combination of my headphones, amp, cable and bad CDS. The cable is the cheapest way of solving it, and they are well known for being bright.

    I can always use my Senhieser's for listening to bright CDs, until I decide to replace my philips, replacing them just isn't a financial option right now though.
     
    amazingtrade, Sep 16, 2003
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