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Slowely Upping My Game

Hey Goner's,

A while back, out of necessity, I decided to venture into headphones. At this point in the journey, I'm running Audioquest RCA interconnects from the tape outs on my ASR Emitter II power amp to a Schiit Lyr 3 with a Linlai Elite 6SN7. Somewhat of a mismatch I know! The headphones I'm currently using are a modified version of the Aurorus Audio Borealis. 

About two months ago, I purchased a pair of HEDD Audio HEDDphone D1's that are still on Back Order. I'm hoping to get these at the end of this month, we'll see. In a couple of weeks, I'll purchase a pair of Audio Sensibility Statement SE copper interconnects to replace the Audioquest Colorado IC's.

So the D1's impedance is at 32 ohm's. Pretty much anything can drive them. Which brings me to wonder whether replacing the Schiit Lyr 3 with a more expensive headphone amplifier can be justified. Looking around at various OTL headphone amplifiers, leaves me with the impression that a Feliks or Woo Audio would make sense for headphones at 300 ohm's but would be overpowering for a pair of 32 ohm headphones. 

So the endgame is to maximize the fidelity that's coming from the power amplifier. To test the clarity of what I currently have, I placed a Herbie's titanium tube damper on the 6SN7and I do notice a slight difference. My hopes are high for the D1's but admittedly, this post may be premature, given that I haven't had a chance to hear them yet. Onward through the fog.

Thanks!

goofyfoot
goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot OP
1,591 posts
 

@mulveling This is from the HEDD Audio website regarding the D1 disghram;

The D1 is the world’s first dynamic headphone with a Thin-Ply Carbon Diaphragm (TPCD). Developed with Swedish company Composite Sound, specialists in advanced audio diaphragms, the D1 combines HEDD’s 40 years of acoustic expertise with advanced material science.

The D1 is apparently the first and only headphone to incorporate this material. I wish I could comment on how it sounds but I’m still waiting for it to ship. But as far as electrostatic headphones are concerned, I have Quad 2905’s. So as much as I like my electrostatic speakers, I’m looking for something different in a headphone. As I mentioned before, I’ve yet to hear a planar that doesn’t sound agressive. Hopefully the D1’s will work for me. 

ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,467 posts
 

It isn't a question of getting sound out of them it is a question of current to drive them so the bass is tight but they are not aggressive. The 32ohm is just one variable and does not at all capture the requirements to drive them well. 

goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot OP
1,591 posts
 

@ghdprentice I have to respectfully disagree with your amp recommendation and your statement, that the D1’s need loads of power. Overpowering these headphones will likely create unwanted noise. If you read through the posts, then you’ll come across an email, that was sent to me by the designer of my power amplifier regarding highly efficient headphones. Also, please read about how I am connecting the headphone amplifier to my main system, via the tape outs of my power amplifier. 

ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,467 posts
 

Okey dokey. They must work differently than my understanding.

limomangus's avatar
limomangus
2,028 posts
 

Head phones will do in your hearing....stop using them.Yoir ears will thank you.

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