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Johnnnnnnnnnny
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Mar 21, 2018
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FromOnHigh
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Mar 23, 2018
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JohnnnnnnnnnnyThe combination of a Schiit Modi 2 Uber DAC with the Valhalla 2 all-tube amp makes the Sennheiser 6XX's sound like honey. Fresh out've the box, and that means they're only going to get way, way better. I also listen to a pair of Sony MDR Z7's on the same rig, and being closed back with 70mm drivers, it's a not as expressive as it is when connected to a completely solid state amp (Sony PHA3, Audioquest Dragonfly 1.5 Black). That's when the Z7's show their clinical detail and round sumptuous bass topped off with a sprinkling of incredible mid-to-high detail.
But yeah, I also have a pair of Senn 598 SE's, which also excell with the tube, and sound great (but not as round and plump) when using solid state circuitry. Also the Modi 2 Uber DAC uses Analogue Devices, while Sony and Audioquest opted for the ESS Sabre DACs. There's tons of reading on those two DACs, but generally the AD's are warmer and rounder--great for that Hammond B3, Medeski Martin and Wood style--while the ESS Sabre's emphasize more bass, have a pretty flat mid and pick up again with the highs.
But yeah, I also have a pair of Senn 598 SE's, which also excell with the tube, and sound great (but not as round and plump) when using solid state circuitry. Also the Modi 2 Uber DAC uses Analogue Devices, while Sony and Audioquest opted for the ESS Sabre DACs. There's tons of reading on those two DACs, but generally the AD's are warmer and rounder--great for that Hammond B3, Medeski Martin and Wood style--while the ESS Sabre's emphasize more bass, have a pretty flat mid and pick up again with the highs.
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1)HD 6XX IPhone listening I plugged the 6xx to IPhone 6SE. I was possitively surprised. The sound is really good event with the IPhone and the maximum volume was exactly on point with my preferred listening level. I would say It's good enough level if you are in relatively quiet environment but without any headroom.
2) Open vs Closed (HD 6XX vs ATH M50X) First I have to say that 6XX is just a different league - really. The biggest difference between the two is the open/closed design. With 6XX it sounds like you are in the room with the musicians and with M50X you are there too but all the walls are made of foam. 2nd biggest difference is that 6XX react faster to bass frequencies as if the membrane gets faster back to the default position - maybe better description is that M50X sounds a little compressed compared to 6XX. 3rd difference is that 6XX just sounds more natural overall and the instrument separation is just better. Conclusion: I'll always go for the 6XX if the noise isolation is not a problem but I'll still keep M50X for this situations.
3) AMPS - Roland UR22 audio interface vs. MAGNI 3. The volume on both units is more than enough. It took a lot of A/B switching to spot the difference between the two amps even for my relatively trained ears. There is definitely something going on with the bass and low mids. The difference is really small though. The best way to describe it is: MAGNI's sound is easier on the ears than the UR22. The 6xx seems to breath little more with the MAGNI and the whole frequency range seems to join together little better. Conclusion: I slightly prefer MAGNI but if you invest those 100 bucks to higher-end headphones it may be a better investment. If the sound quality difference between 6XX/M50x is 40% then the amp difference is less than 8%.