My New Portable Audio System (Headphone Based)

[A Y]



Andre,
I'm using my ears because in my experience measurements do not do an adequate job capturing sound differences. But in any event, M-Audio or RMAA are not really the last word in test equipment so my doubts remain how flat the iPhone really is.
If you go to Head-Fi, a large number of people do not find the sound quality to be very good at all. I find this opinion valid based on my own experimenting with various sources from iPods to hirez files>dacs>amps.

My ears tell me the iPhone is fine for what it is, and there is certainly no midrange suckout. If anything, with typical headphones, there is a midrange boost between 2.5 and 2.8 kHz.

The M-Audio and RMAA software are more than sufficient for capturing gross errors like frequency response errors. How would a frequency response error hide from measurement, especially ones that are so obvious audible? We are not talking about jitter or anything that's especially hard to measure here. And what are your EQu settings?

As for Head-Fi ... no comment on their listening judgment or abilities.

 

[montyharding]

I see the battle between the sensible and the hopelessly deluded still rages on.

Perhaps it's because I'm insulated to / seen too much BS-addled audiophile types, but the first post didn't actually make me burst out in laughter. Grados? Check. Almost-useless-in-reality amp? Check. iPod hooked up to likely a Mac? Check. Lossless files which you won't be able to tell the difference with using a phone which provides zero (and arguable in the case of Grados negative) isolation? Check.

Enjoy your rig

 

[Artisan Fan]



I see the battle between the sensible and the hopelessly deluded still rages on.

Perhaps it's because I'm insulated to / seen too much BS-addled audiophile types, but the first post didn't actually make me burst out in laughter. Grados? Check. Almost-useless-in-reality amp? Check. iPod hooked up to likely a Mac? Check. Lossless files which you won't be able to tell the difference with using a phone which provides zero (and arguable in the case of Grados negative) isolation? Check.

Enjoy your rig

For the record I use lossless files with an iPod Classic but if you listen closely you can hear the difference with the AAC or MP3 version. Not everyone cares about that but I and many others do.

As for isolation, the open nature of the Grados is really only an issue on a plane but even then it works decently enough. However, I also use iMetal 590s for travel and soon hope my buddies at Cardas send me a pair of their soon to debut IEMs.

An amp is not useless in reality as it makes both my Grado RS-1s and my IEMs sound better. All one is doing is substituting a better amp for the one in the iPod and same for the Cypher Labs Solo dac.

You should listen to the ALO/Cypher Labs combo as it really sounds amazing. I think once you hear it you will see why many carry around a small stack of iPod/ALO amp/Cypher Labs DAC.

For business travel or leisure travel, having a compact, high end portable system is a nice luxury.

 

[MikeDT]



For the record I use lossless files with an iPod Classic but if you listen closely you can hear the difference with the AAC or MP3 version. Not everyone cares about that but I and many others do.
As for isolation, the open nature of the Grados is really only an issue on a plane but even then it works decently enough. However, I also use iMetal 590s for travel and soon hope my buddies at Cardas send me a pair of their soon to debut IEMs.
An amp is not useless in reality as it makes both my Grado RS-1s and my IEMs sound better. All one is doing is substituting a better amp for the one in the iPod and same for the Cypher Labs Solo dac.

How do you go about explaining the amp and your little package to the TSA goons?

Also when you're using the Grados on a plane, are you sat up front in first class where it tends to be quieter, away from the noisy engines?

TBH I certainly couldn't be using open cans back in economy, wouldn't be able to hear my music, I wouldn't be able to tell if it was lossless of not in that situation.

Same thing goes for trains. I don't wish to be hearing the prick sat next to me bellowing into his cellphone all the time. I like sound isolation.

 

[montyharding]



How do you go about explaining the amp and your little package to the TSA goons?
Also when you're using the Grados on a plane, are you sat up front in first class where it tends to be quieter, away from the noisy engines?
TBH I certainly couldn't be using open cans back in economy, wouldn't be able to hear my music, I wouldn't be able to tell if it was lossless of not in that situation.
Same thing goes for trains. I don't wish to be hearing the prick sat next to me bellowing into his cellphone all the time. I like sound isolation.

First or next to the rear toilets is not going to make a difference, Grado-wise.

As for isolation, the open nature of the Grados is really only an issue on a plane but even then it works decently enough.

Now I know you're deaf.

 

[A Y]



First or next to the rear toilets is not going to make a difference, Grado-wise.

I can't even imagine using any open-back headphones on an airplane and being able to care about or even tell quality. When I travel, IEMs are the only thing I use.

 

[Artisan Fan]

First or next to the rear toilets is not going to make a difference, Grado-wise.

I can't even imagine using any open-back headphones on an airplane and being able to care about or even tell quality. When I travel, IEMs are the only thing I use.

It's not ideal but it works alright. IEMs are certainly better but the midrange of the Grados is so good I like to use them, especially when on a quieter plane like the 777.

 

[MikeDT]

The inevitable screaming babies on flights tend to be quite midrange as well.

 

[Artisan Fan]



The inevitable screaming babies on flights tend to be quite midrange as well.

Very true. Any screaming babies and I pull out the iMetal IEMs. Most of my flights have business people more often than babies so this is less of an issue. Really my routes are more business routes than leisure routes so perhaps that helps.

 

[Jr Mouse]

F do you buy Monster cables?

 

[Artisan Fan]



AF do you buy Monster cables?

No, I don't find they sound very good. I tend to like Cardas Golden Reference and Clear and Kimber Kables. Right now I am testing Black Cat Cables by Stereolab which is made by a friend of mine. They are fantastic for the money. $127 a meter pair.

http://blackcat75.ning.com/