320kps downloading

Erik and I had a further discussion about this as well as further experimenting being done.
1... The superior sound quality for comes from playing a CD through my tube player with the stipulation that it is lossless. If I take 320kps files and transfer them to a CD and then play it on my player



http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/jolida-jd100_e.html

the quality of the sound is unacceptable. However, if I transfer a lossless file and play it then the quality is fine. The sound is far better listening that way as opposed to listening to the file on my computer.

I listened to two different CD Players (Philips & Sony) and comparing a CD, Computer, and Lossless file. The results were as follows. The sound from the lossless and the CD played through my stereo system were exactly the same. The sound from the computer was less than the players. I played the file through headphones and also my stereo system with and without headphones. My Grado pro headphones sound ok played through my system but the sound is nothing special at all through the computer, not much more than a bose radio unit. The Philips produced a slightly better sound than the Sony unit but neither came close to the jolida unit. The sound from the Philips was perfect if you like clinical and sterile. The jolida produces a warmer sound (it should for a $1000) but many people don't like it. I do.

My advice buy a jolida and you might be surprised at what you hear. And get those damn buds/phones off your ears and listen to a nice pair of speakers.
Thomas

320 files at least to my ear are like listening to a nice fm radio. you're selling yourself short my friend
thomas

If I listen to a 320 file or a CD on my computer through my headphones I can't hear the difference but put the CD in my Jolida and Klipsch horn corner speakers and you'll hear the difference. Ask D and he'll agree with me I think
Thomas

Well, depends. My studies have to do with studio monitors mostly and generally flat-response scientifically-acknowledged models which are far from the usually much-bass-much-treble-no-mid frequencies’ state of the home hi-fi systems. I am not familiar with Tom's setup, but if it's an audiophile setup it complicates stuff even further, as those systems sometimes use techniques which are departed from the usual industry standards. Generally speaking audiophiles is an area i don't ever want to step into; most of them are lunatic fanatics and know-it-all types, AGAIN I am not talking bout you Tom 

However, someone has to perform blind tests to you Tom and with repertoire you haven't heard before, i.e be as neutral and unbiased as possible, to see the real outcome; even that would still be subjective, but naturally less than what you get with your own tests that you perform at home for which you already know "the answer" before-hand.

I would really like to hear more about these so called pro headphones too.

http://www.gradolabs.com/product_pages/sr125.htm

those are the phones i'm using currently. for headphones they're adequate but i'm not a headphone person as you know. open to suggestions on an improvement.

http://tinyurl.com/2e5rrk4

also take a look at what i have now in the grado headphones

sennheiser does make sense as i once had a pair of them. i'll check them out for sure. i agree about taking my time. the key for me will be how do they sound on my antiquated system which is excellent but old other than the cd player which is 8 years old. i'll need a return policy or no deal.
Thomas

I own sennheiser's and we do at the studio as well. I am very disappointed from most of our models. If i was to buy new headphones now, i'd go for Beyer Dynamics, like these babes here which i've heard (i am extremely again blind-buys and if i don't listen to something i can't have an opinion on it, this is why i cannot comment on the set you linked Tom) and which sound very sweet. AKG's makes some good models too. All their series is pretty good though, stuff for all pockets. http://www.thomann.de/gr/beyerdynamic_headphones.html However, it's a matter of personal preference and i always prefer a good pair of speakers over headphones for my listening pleasure and mixing. Headphones creates a very specific localization and stereo impression within our heads, far away from the standard and norm, i..e what we've used to listen to normally. Plus, when you listen from speakers, you have the room contributing as well which can be a good thing as well, if the room has some good acoustic traits. And speakers are always more natural.

From what i know, the higher the ohms, the more professional equipment (consoles, mixers and such) you can connect your headphones to and the more expensive they are. For home equipment you are good with around 80ohms, it should be enough.

Tried the Beyer and found the Grado to be the far superior product. I'm going to evaluate the $300 Grado and compare them to the Beyer.
Thomas

i would if they were not so expensive. That amount of money for headphones is unrealistic imo. Tom my friend you should compare products of the same price range.

That's a way more reasonable price

I can report this to you. The Chandos 24bit/96kHz are really quality recordings. I'm listening to the Gunning right now and the clarity even from my $100 cans are superb. Compared to other stuff well there is no comparison. England is lucky to have Gamba and the BBC Philharmonic.
Thomas