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#1
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Pairing Good Headphones with the C1100
Hello,
I have a C1100 pre amp that I've had for about a year now, and I love it. I have never had a high-end set of headphones, but I am thinking of getting a set now to take advantage of the headphone amp. I would be interested in hearing from members on their experience pairing good headphones with this unit. I’m considering the headphones listed below, based on their reviews because I haven't had a chance to do actual auditioning yet. I realize the most important thing is for me to listen to any of them myself before I buy, but if anyone has any suggestions, as well as recommendations based on the technical characteristics of the C1100, I’d love to hear them. Thanks, I’m looking forward to your responses. Sennheiser HD800s MySphere 3.1 or 3.2 (is the C1100’s headphone amp output transformer-less? I can’t tell from the owner’s manual) Focal Stellia Audeze LCD-X |
#2
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Definitely recommend the McIntoch MHP1000 headphones. I was using a pair of Sennheiser HD800 and immediately noticed the Mac phones were far better in every respect. Not cheap around $2,000 in US and £2,400 in U.K. I was lucky bought a pair on the second hand market. Some of the reviews on Youtube etc are terrible so don’t take any notice just Mac jealousy. I absolutely love mine partnered with the onboard “high drive” headphone amp in my MA8000. Worth you having a listen IMHO.
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#3
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I've owned the HD800, LCD-X, and currently use the Focal Utopia. I can say that all of them have their own unique sound signature. I would highly recommend auditioning multiple headphones if you have the opportunity as everyone's preferences are different. I owned the HD800 and LCD-X at the same time because they were so different from each other. The two balanced each other well as they had their own strengths.
The question also comes down to what you are looking for in a headphone. The MySphere will give a completely different presentation than the LCD-X, which will in turn give a completely different presentation from the Stellia. One is basically an earspeaker, another an open-back, and the third closed.
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- Dan Headphone rig: Gustard X16, Topping A90, Hifiman HE6se, Audeze LCD2 2-Channel setup: Okto Research DAC8 Stereo, Bryston 4B³, Philharmonic Audio BMR Towers, Dual PSA S152 subs |
#4
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ditto I happen to own these too. HD800 and LCD-X All about the user, demo many then choose... Focal makes nice ones too and the new HD senns are nice, but I LOVE my Audeeeze with wireworld cables |
#5
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I have been considering something similar for my C22. You might take a look at RAAL Requisite Sr1a's--rave reviews now making their way around the interwebs--though they would plug into your power amp
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Clearaudio Ovation with Tracer Dynavector KARAT 17DX Naim Uniti Core Schiit Yggdrasil McIntosh C22/MC275 Wilson TuneTots B&W DB3D Nordost QKore/QBase/Frey 2 Transparent Super IsoAcoustics GAIA II Stax SR-009S with SRM-700T |
#6
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Bob ____________________________________________ Sources: Koetsu Onyx/Sumiko MCD800 "The Arm"/SOTA Star Sapphire with vacuum platter, electronic flywheel,and some update mods; MCT500 CD/SACD transport; OPPO 205; NAD C446 Internet Tuner; Nakamichi 670ZX cassette deck. Electronics: MacIntosh C2700 preamp w/DA2 and MC462 power amp. Speakers: Wilson Yvettes Headphones: MacIntosh MHP 1000 Interconnects: Transparent G5 balanced and speaker cables; MCT - MCT500 -> C2700.Power cords: Transparent (on preamp, power amp and transport). Surge protected. Record cleaner: Kirmuss KA-RC-1 ultrasonic. Last edited by Bob Bubeck; 02-29-2020 at 09:14 PM. |
#7
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I recently purchased headphones to go with my C1100. I started with Focal Elears and after a month went for the Focal Utopias. I do prefer the Utopias. I also paired a Woo WA22 headphone amp with the Utopias but didn't hear all that much difference than with the C1100. I switched then to a Ayon HA-3 Set Headphone Amp and that is what I am using now for my headphones.
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Paul Harbeth 40.3 XD, Sound Anchor stands w/ Stillpoints, Luxman M900 & C900, Aurender N20, Jay's Audio CDT3 - MK3 CD player, Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC, Shunyata Denali 6000/s V2, Altaira |
#8
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Thanks so much to you all for the replies. Looks I have some listening to do. Now the challenge is finding retailers in the area with with these headphones in stock so I can audition them. I'll post once I've had a chance to listen to a few of them. Talk to you soon.
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McIntosh C1100, MC2301s, Townshend Audio Rock 7 w/Helius Omega tonearm, Kiseki Purple Heart, Naim Uniti Core SSD, Benchmark Media DAC2, Magnum Dynalab MD90TSE, Anthony Gallo Reference 3.5s, Shunyata Denali 6000T |
#9
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Pairing Good Headphones with the C1100
Check out a CanJam near you if you don’t have a brick and mortar store with a lot of headphones to audition. I have the Audeze LCD 4 and they sound awesome. The headphone amp in the C1100 is very good but not great, so if you get hooked count on getting a dedicated headphone amp.
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
#10
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cans
I have Senns and love them , but wifey gets annoyed and turns up the tele on me. I went looking for some closed back cans and settled on the Audeze LCD2 closed back. They are a little lighter than the X-cans. I put a Moon cable on them and they sound great. But the situation is sometimes I like to lie down on the couch to listen. In that case they are big, heavy and awkward. Im looking for something else, maybe Aeon Flow,hd820s ?
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Main :Canton K3, Mac C2500 / MC452/ MCT450/ MR88/ Aurender N10 / BRYSTON BHA-1 /Add-Power/Shunyata /WireWorld / VooDoo Cable Office :Kef LS50 / Nad C368 / XA5400ES / Carver TX8r / Olive 04HD / Nordost / VooDoo |
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