WayneWilmeth wrote: WOW Roman, I can't imagine!!!! I thought you were getting the Grados to use differently than HiFiMans. NOT as a step up.
My RS-1 Grados were their top of the line when I bought them, WAY expensive and were their best/reference headphone until not that long ago: headfonics.com/2011/05/grado-reference-series-rs1/

Even with a good amp they never came up to the standard of the ortho dynamics to my ears. So the HiFiMan HE 400i at $499 were cheaper and better to me, WAY better!!!! I suspect that the 400s phones at $299 are not quite as good as the i series, but I would think they are still really good.
That is why it surprised me to read what you wrote.
Do you have a good amp to run your HE 400s with? That could be a difference.
BUT it does not matter, to each his own, and as long as you are happy, that is great.
Whatever turns you on, happy listening,
God Bless,
Wayne

Actually run everything from my Audio card on my PC (link below). It is one of the best in the business. 124db Noise Floor, Drives up to 600ohm headphones with its dedicated headphone amp. It is a bit older Burr Brown DAC but has changable OpAmp chips. So pleanty of power to drive just about anything. Hopefully in the next few months going to upgrade to the Schiit Jotunheim amp with the optional DAC. (check out the reviews...stellar unit). The HE 400s are super easy to drive...even works on my Android (which I usually use the DragonFly Red with).

www.asus.com/us/Essence-Hi-Fi-Audio/Xonar_Essence_STX/

Both the Grado and my current HiFiMan are very easy to drive so not the issue. The RS2e has better bass, clearer throughout the entire range, and better treble. Its like someone took the HiFiMan and cleaned it perfectly with windex to let all the light in. Soundstage is the only area both are comparable at.

Roman

Guys,

I started a new thread this morning about the value of adding external DACs. I can also recommend listening to headphones via a good external DAC, rather than through the DACs which are built in to computers and most AV Receivers -- even if you use the external DAC's audio line out to drive the headphones.

My Grado SR 125 pair sounds better when listening through any of my three external DACs.

Happy listening,

Art

ArthurDaniels wrote: Guys,

I started a new thread this morning about the value of adding external DACs. I can also recommend listening to headphones via a good external DAC, rather than through the DACs which are built in to computers and most AV Receivers -- even if you use the external DAC's audio line out to drive the headphones.

My Grado SR 125 pair sounds better when listening through any of my three external DACs.

Happy listening,

Art

Hey, Art

I agree. Quality external amps are much better than most built-ins in computers, phones, etc. When I first got the SONY MDR 1A's, I played them through either the iphone's DAC, or the laptop's DAC. Nice, but not deep and rich in bass, so so on detail etc. etc.

Adding a Dragonfly Red amp/DAC, and then an Audioquest Jitterbug to squelch jitter, made a world of difference. Bass got clean, deep. Voices got more natural. Sound stage got bigger. Everything just sounded better.

So many pieces to the audio chain. They all make a difference.

Happy listening!

Rick

Just an update on this thread. I can add MrSpeakers AEON to this list, at a great price too.

I have the closed pair. These are planar magnetics.

So far in my journey of trying different headphones this is the closest so far.

Can't wait for news on GoldenEar's headphones.

I really hope it has the magic that the Triton's tweeter provides! And overall low distortion across all frequencies like the Tritons!