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Van Damme Audio Instrument & HD 6XX Cables
01 / 09
Van Damme Audio Instrument & HD 6XX Cables
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822 requests
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105 Sold
Product Description
Used in recording studios the world round, Van Damme instrument cables are known for being some of the best you can get. And with the Silver Series, the company lives up to its reputation Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downFreakshow
12
Oct 29, 2019
Why did ANYONE keep these if they arrived like this? I would have immediately sent them back. I'm always tempted to buy things from Drop but it's posts like this that dissuade me from doing so. No manufacturers warranty? HA! Legit scam IMHO.
gonzoznog
96
May 31, 2018
This was my 2nd purchase from md, 1st being the hd6xx. Got this "audiophile grade" balanced cable for my Jotunheim. Sad to say, I've had the same experience as others: It arrived in a defective state, the heatshrink was done very poorly, leaving wires by the connectors exposed. It was way too tight getting it connected, to the point where I thought it would not fit. At first, the sound from the right would occasionally fade out, but worked most of the time. Unfortunately, it gradually got worse. It now spazzes out at even the slightest movement of the cable or my body. After only moderate use [10-15 hours/ week] for the 2 months I've had these, these essentially broken. The right channel crackles, often dropping in and out. I can visably see the exposed wires. The connection needs to be re-saudered and sealed with heatshrink correctly, something that should have been done before I bought it.
***Completely Unacceptable [at any price, but especially @ $70!!!]***
Basically, this quote from another user sums it up perfectly: "My cable is defective on arrival, the right channel keeps dropping out upon slight movements (when turning my head or touching the cables)." The HD6XX is great, but I will never, ever buy cables from Massdrop again.
***VERY, VERY DISAPPOINTED***
***Completely Unacceptable [at any price, but especially @ $70!!!]***
Basically, this quote from another user sums it up perfectly: "My cable is defective on arrival, the right channel keeps dropping out upon slight movements (when turning my head or touching the cables)." The HD6XX is great, but I will never, ever buy cables from Massdrop again.
***VERY, VERY DISAPPOINTED***
gonzoznog
96
Jun 19, 2018
gonzoznog***WARNING TO PROSPECTIVE BUYERS***
Update: 2018-06-19. These are now completely broken. After contacting Massdrop via email, I received the following reply: "Hello,
Thank you for contacting Massdrop Community Support.
This particular drop did not include a manufacturer's warranty. If a product includes a warranty, it will be listed in the "Included" section of the drop page. For products that do not have an included manufacturer's warranty, members have 30 days from the date of delivery to report an issue.
After reviewing your transaction, it appears that the time-frame for reporting an issue has passed, which means we are not able to provide a replacement or facilitate a return.
Thank you for your understanding of this policy. If we can help you with anything else in the future, please contact us.
Regards,
Gwen"
***I FEEL I WAS MISLED AS TO THE QUALITY OF THE ITEM. THE CABLES FAILED ATER A TIMEFRAME FAR TOO SHORT FOR A PRODUCT AT THIS PRICE. DISGUSTED W. MASSDROP***
***I FEEL I WAS MISLED AS TO THE QUALITY OF THE ITEM. THE CABLES FAILED ATER A TIMEFRAME FAR TOO SHORT FOR A PRODUCT AT THIS PRICE. DISGUSTED W. MASSDROP***
RayF
22218
Apr 8, 2018
Not total crap, but pretty close to it.
Bought the blue one with the balanced connector upgrade to pair with a Schitt Jotunheim. First off, I hear no difference between the stock single-ended Sennheiser cable and the balanced Van Damme cable--zip, nada, nothing. If there is a measurable difference of some kind that my analog ears can't hear, I still claim that difference isn't worth $70.
Next point: I have the same problem described by others, the terminations on the "R" and "L" connections were done fast and sloppy--there is a noticeable gap between the heat shrink and the plug, revealing exposed conductor. Additionally, the connectors are too difficult to connect to the headphones. Evidently there is a polarity requirement (makes sense) but there is no visual indicator to guide you as you attempt to plug them in. Assuming you figure out the direction, in my case there is an annoying twist to the right channel cable (in other words, the two sides weren't lying flat and parallel when the heat shrink was applied at the spilt). I suppose that can be "worked" out, but for the price, I would have expected better.
Another point: the connectors do not fit securely; there is no perceivable "click", no way to know you've made a positive connection--and half the time I didn't--the connector just slipped out of the headphone. By contrast, the stock Sennheiser connectors have directional indicators, and plug right in smoothly and securely--first time, every time. Not sure why the Van Damme connectors can't do the same thing?
Last point: the cable is long and heavy--as in very heavy. The weight is similar to those outdoor extension cables you might use for a leaf blower. That may be a "feature" for some, but it's uncomfortable lying across your body/neck/shoulders and exerts a lot of downward force on those feeble connectors I mentioned above. By the way, it's worth adding that I have no issues with the other end of the cable, the male XLR connects easily and securely to the corresponding connector on the Jot--no problem there.
So, closing thoughts: as to the Snake Oil qualities associated with balanced cables, I'll leave that determination for another day (but I will say, to my eye (ear), the emperor is clearly butt-naked). In terms of overall value, I'd say save your money. Seventy bucks isn't the end of the world, but I'd rather have spent it on better source material, where the sound quality (and value) are much easier to hear.
(Edited)
kenwstr
121
May 26, 2018
If your making your own unbalanced extension leads, I use high quality balanced microphone cable as it has 2 conductors. You can get cable where each conductor is inside it's own braid. This is probably theoretically better at reducing channel cross talk than the cable that has both conductors in the same braid. It is hard to find good in line TRS sockets. My local electronic supplier only stocks plastic body ones. I am in Australia where element14 is a good online source for connectors in various quality levels. I generally go for nickel plated connectors as they match most gear and are robust. Gold is not as wonderful as some think and can react badly with some dissimilar metals that you may be plugging to. In any case, Deoxit is a good contact maintenance product.
Buzzroll
19
Mar 27, 2018
Hey Lerrens - sorry to hear about your cable dropping out. Actually your termination looks better than mine do, but the cutting out is crazy. The Massdrop support is very good - I would suggest getting your money back...
Lerrens
33
Mar 26, 2018
My cable is defective on arrival, the right channel keeps dropping out upon slight movements (when turning my head or touching the cables)
See my video: https://goo.gl/Fp8aUa
Really disappointing drop.
Buzzroll
19
Mar 21, 2018
As I mentioned they sound great (same internal wiring as my Harbeths), but the workmanship is sub-par and not as advertised..
Better termination from the pics:
Better termination from the pics:
Dreams-Visions
50
Mar 21, 2018
Got mine yesterday. Very nice quality, great sound. I have no complaints thus far. I wanted a relatively inexpensive XLR termination cable for my Violectric V281 and I got one.
Dreams-Visions
50
Feb 16, 2021
Dreams-VisionsNecro update: mine fell apart just today. But I really had not used the cans since I got the cables, as my LCD-4's are my daily driver. Because I hadn't been using them, I didn't follow the conversation and was not aware of the issues with these cables that I see everyone had. I still like the cables themselves. I'll see if I can find someone local to re-do the termination connections and wrap job.
Buzzroll
19
Mar 21, 2018
Ok received the headphone cables - definitely a sound improvement (HD 600/Jotunheim combo). Compared to other balanced cables that I’ve tried, these are much heavier, but I don’t mind the bulk (I also have a couple Grados which have a very heavy cord, so I’m used to it). One other thing to note is the pictures are misleading. The connectors on the earpiece end aren’t nearly as nice as the ones as advertised in the pictures - they’re actually the worst that I’ve seen so far on aftermarket cables...
Dreams-Visions
50
Mar 21, 2018
BheerPretty sure the connector is the exact same as the one pictured; it's just covered in a black wrapping.
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