Setup: I bought THX 789 for the massive output of idk 6W/32ohms, but whenever I try to use my Sundara/Modhouse Argon/HD600/Arya V2/...whatever, I cannot reach decent listening levels in terms of db without getting this scratching/hissing noise in the background ... I think it's distortion. (DAC I use: Geshelli labs - J2, set to max volume) Settings: With an XLR output, gain setting level at 2/3 and the volume knob set to 2-4 o'clock, hearing distortion from a 250-350$ THX amp shouldn't be a thing, should it? With somewhat hard to drive headphones, I'm not reaching 70db, but I can already hear this godforsaken noise on all tracks without a constant stream of sound. If you dare to up the volume past 4 o'clock, or past 12 on gain setting 3/3, this noise becomes so loud, it might as well be an additional instrument Music: The tracks I usually listen to involve so few instruments, that you don't have a constant stream of sound. (e.g. Creep - Lena Hall) I'd love to get some feedback!...
Jun 5, 2024
It's not a bad combo, just the bare minimum. The T1 need a much better amp to (barely) justify its high price tag of $850 (MSRP is a joke).
I think the DT880 @ 600 will be a much better value for your gear.
P.S - I had the E7+E9 when I got my DT880 , upgraded the amp in less than 2 weeks. Stated exactly why in my previous post.
Cable is a big improvement. not because it's balanced, but because beyerdynamic screwed up with the Neutrik connector !!!
http://www.head-fi.org/t/509021/beyerdynamic-t1-cable-connection-mod Read this , I recommend anyone with basic electronics/soldering skills to try out this simple mod.
His suggestion for a relatively cheap thing was the Audio-GD NFB-11, external DAC/Head amp,
http://audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB112014/NFB112014EN.htm
website was kind of sketchy, won't lie. Lots of badly translated things. But the head-fi forums generally has their crap together.
There is no point in buying $1K headphones just to have them sound like a $300 headphone...
The DT990 are super fun headphones, but they are V-shaped so recessed mids is the tradeoff for extended lows and highs. Still love 'em though, decided to keep them even though my 'endgame' headphones being the T1 .
P.S - The AC 1-2 soundtracks are awesome, as well as all soundtracks made by Jesper Kyd.
The T1 are very flat, neutral, revealing and detailed heaphones. The Crack is warm and tube-ey sounding amp. more laid-back (especially without the speedball!) and is a better match for the HD600/HD650 than for this type of headphones with similar sound signature as the T1.
I do sometimes enjoy my Crack with the T1 for modern rock music, but for classical and acoustic music this combo just doesn't sound right. It makes the T1 sound too warm and bright, and the instruments don't sound natural at all.