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Bust of J.S. Bach with the TTV set, Alessandro/Grado headphones, a Cmoy headphone amp, and CD Player
Newbie $150 Rig
This post, my first, might be a bit overboard for most. Delete at will.
I want to start this post by thanking Cmoy and all the other posters to the list; I've been searching the archives here and surfing the net for several weeks pondering a $150 headphone purchase. Now that it's all here and working, I wanted to post to the list and hare my experience.
Background: While I have been into HiFi for most of my life, I've only been a very casual headphone user. Most of the time, I don't need 'em. I'm lucky enough to actually have a decent stereo in my office. But I am starting a project that will require hours of analytical listening while my family is sleeping, and I wanted a decent setup.
So here was my scenario:
1. $150 or less
2. Ambeint noise and leakage not a problem
3. Source is varied: High-end consumer Yamaha stereo; small portable CD player w/ line out; PalmPilot mp3 player.
4. I listen to everything, but these 'phones will be used to listen to the complete works of J.S. Bach (172 CDs); some of these are AAD, many DDD; these vary from large orchestras and choirs to solo clavichord (probably one of the quietest instruments in history).
5. No time or talent to build Cmoy's famous amplifier.
I have really sensitive hearing, and I am picky as well. After hunting around, I figured my $150 go the farthest with the following:
- Alesandro MS-1 ($99)
- Basic cmoy amp from eBay ($48)
My impressions:
I like the Allesandros. I didn't listen to them side-by-side with standard-issue Grados or other 'phones. I've read about them being uncomfortable, but they actually fit me nicely without even minor twiddling. If, after the Bach project, I am hooked on using 'phones, I'll probably invest in a higher quality pair of Senns or similar phones and an amp. These are certainly the nicest 'phones I have ever owned, and I think they'll do me fine for some time.
The amp is very cool. They seem to be readily available on eBay for folks like me who couldn't find their soldering guns if their lives depended on it. In fact, I would encourage all of you who build these amps to consider selling them; there are probably lots of folks like me who don't have the time or talent to build one for themselves. This one is cleanly built.
It's certainly worth the $20 in parts and $30 in labor! You guys can help make Chu Moy the Linus Torvalds of audio!
I can definately notice quality enhancements with the Cmoy amp, as opposed to the on-board headphone amp in my Radio Shack CD player. This list abounds with reasons for this: I attribute it to the poor quality of the amp, as well as the lousy E-Bass circut. That and the fact that these Grados need more juice. The CD player is nothing special (purchased in a pinch while I was writing my Ph.D. dissertation in a different city), but it does have line out, which is the only reason I still have it. The amp has plenty of power--I seldom turn past the equivalent of a 2.5 or 3.5 on the volume pot.
The differences are subtle. I am listening to mostly Bach cantatas right now. I listend to a couple of different recordings of BWV 147. I can hear an appreciable difference in the clarity of string instruments and organ voices, particular around the "edges" (percussive organ tones, and string attacks, for example). I'll mostly use the amp for listening to Bach.
Contrary to some things I've read, these MS-1 'phones can deal with the CD player or mp3 player in my PalmPilot terribly well without the amp. The amp is definately better, with many enhancements. But I can picture using these 'phones without the amp; I don't think I'll bother taking it to work, for example.
Just had to pull out some recordings I know like the back of my hand:
- I couldn't resist listening to Bjork's "Headphones" from the Post CD. You know... "my headphones, they saved my life." Quite nice. Great imaging and separation.
- Because of the Grado's rep as a rock-n-roll 'phone, I had to load up some Led Zepplin. The tracks on the 1976 Presence just lit up on these things. Great definition on the bass guitar!
- I didn't enjoy listening to the 1957 "Groovin' at Smalls' Paradise" by Jimmy Smith on these 'phones, and it's one of my favorite organ recordings. Maybe I'd be disappointed by any organ trio on headphones.
- Bill Evans' 1961 live piano trio "Waltz for Debby" was a delight on these cans. Scott LaFaro's bass is so warm; there's no way the audience at the gig could hear it this well.
- "She's Lost Control" by Joy Division seems like it was designed to be listened to on Grados! Man, it's been years since I've really listened to this record!
- The bass on Derrick May's "to be or not to be" was a but much to deal with on these headphones; "icon" was a bit easier to deal with, but not breathtaking as it can be in a club or good home stereo. Not sure how much 80s Detroit Techno I'll listen to with headphones!
Well, there ends my long post. I'd recommend this set up for any newbie who has placed a $150 limit on themselves.
And thanks again to all of you for the quality posts and reviews.
Steve Robinson
MS-1 Alessandro/Grados, Cmoy
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