Wowzers! They look well made mateFretless wrote: ↑Mon Oct 24, 2022 9:00 am Just as an aside, this is the cable I got from Amazon. Calls itself: "6N OCC Copper Silver Plated Upgrade Audio Cable 3.5mm Jack and 6.3mm Adapter Compatible with Hifiman Sundara". Really smart with the wood-finished plugs and feels like a good-quality product. Sound Quality is excellent.
Expecting the Monolith M1060C later today.
Time to go Planar!
- George Hincapie
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Re: Time to go Planar !
Headphone Amplification
Linear Tube Audio MZ3
Headphones
HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)
Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0
Cables
Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt
Power
Farad • Tomanek
Sources
Roon • Tidal • Qobuz
Linear Tube Audio MZ3
Headphones
HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)
Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0
Cables
Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt
Power
Farad • Tomanek
Sources
Roon • Tidal • Qobuz
- Fretless
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Re: Time to go Planar !
Listening has commenced ...
- These users thanked the author Fretless for the post (total 2):
- George Hincapie (Mon Oct 24, 2022 9:23 pm) • Grumpytim (Sun Oct 30, 2022 10:21 pm)
Upstairs:
VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a {x2)
Little Bear MC2 + AQ NightHawk
Downstairs:
VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 & PSU - BMUAiyima A07 MAX + Arcam One
HP: Allo DigiOne + Sabaj A10d + AQ NightOwl
Office: Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith 887 + German Maestro GMP 450
- George Hincapie
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Re: Time to go Planar !
Very nice Mr!
Looking forward to your listening impressions.
Looking forward to your listening impressions.
Headphone Amplification
Linear Tube Audio MZ3
Headphones
HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)
Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0
Cables
Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt
Power
Farad • Tomanek
Sources
Roon • Tidal • Qobuz
Linear Tube Audio MZ3
Headphones
HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)
Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0
Cables
Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt
Power
Farad • Tomanek
Sources
Roon • Tidal • Qobuz
- Fretless
- Posts: 9348
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2014 12:15 pm
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Re: Time to go Planar !
Okay headphone fans, it is time for some thoughts and impressions on the above sets of cans while I am still discovering them.
The Monoprice M1060C, despite being considerably cheaper than the HifiMan Sundara, comes in a far more luxurious box which includes a seriously solid, round carrying case, nice! Packaging for the Sundara was rather minimalist & functional. Also the Monoprice cable would appear to be quite reasonable - haven't tried swapping it around yet, that will be an exercise for another day.
Some reviewers have also criticised the headband & mount on the 1060C as being very basic (cheap). Which, to be fair, it is - but you can't have everything. I have no complaints about it (certainly not for the price) and the money will hopefully have been spent on the drivers and enclosure - the real-wood backs look really cool and give an up-market, solid-chic feel to the cans. They are also quite a lot heavier than the Sundara and have nice thick pads that surround the ears in a pleasing way. Sound isolation is pretty good - better than the German Maestro GMP 450 that was in place prior to these.
Soundwise: the Monolith starts off as dark and enveloping, reminding me of the rather laid-back AQ NightOwl. Big, fat, weighty bass and smooth mids really wrapping you in an audio experience. After about 10 hours burn-in the treble came up to be very detailed but never harsh. Then you realise that these are planar drivers with that airy, spacious, effortless detail and a beautifully-defined soundstage that is remarkably wide and -out-of-the-head for closed-back headphones.
Did a comparison playing JMJ's 'Equinoxe' (latest remaster, WAV ripped from CD) which the 1060C gave major Oomph to in the bass, 'Monolith' is a good name for these as the bottom end is like solid marble: heavy, subtly-defined and smooth.
Switching to the Sundara's the first thought is 'Where's the bass?"- but it is there, only differently presented. The Hifiman planars excite in another way with razor-sharp detail, massive space and airiness and a velvety enveloping sensation that lifts them into a higher level. Both are involving, exciting and penetrate to the heart of the music.
I did give the very detailed GMP 450 a go as well but even that, a highly-revealing studio monitor, sounded dull, anaemic and flabby when put alongside the Sundara.
Bottom line, for now. The Hifiman Sundara is a serious audiophile delight of space and detail. The Monolith M1060C is a truly satisfying closed-back that combines the rich darkness of the AQ NightOwl with the sharp, wide-screen definition of the GMP 450.
The Monoprice M1060C, despite being considerably cheaper than the HifiMan Sundara, comes in a far more luxurious box which includes a seriously solid, round carrying case, nice! Packaging for the Sundara was rather minimalist & functional. Also the Monoprice cable would appear to be quite reasonable - haven't tried swapping it around yet, that will be an exercise for another day.
Some reviewers have also criticised the headband & mount on the 1060C as being very basic (cheap). Which, to be fair, it is - but you can't have everything. I have no complaints about it (certainly not for the price) and the money will hopefully have been spent on the drivers and enclosure - the real-wood backs look really cool and give an up-market, solid-chic feel to the cans. They are also quite a lot heavier than the Sundara and have nice thick pads that surround the ears in a pleasing way. Sound isolation is pretty good - better than the German Maestro GMP 450 that was in place prior to these.
Soundwise: the Monolith starts off as dark and enveloping, reminding me of the rather laid-back AQ NightOwl. Big, fat, weighty bass and smooth mids really wrapping you in an audio experience. After about 10 hours burn-in the treble came up to be very detailed but never harsh. Then you realise that these are planar drivers with that airy, spacious, effortless detail and a beautifully-defined soundstage that is remarkably wide and -out-of-the-head for closed-back headphones.
Did a comparison playing JMJ's 'Equinoxe' (latest remaster, WAV ripped from CD) which the 1060C gave major Oomph to in the bass, 'Monolith' is a good name for these as the bottom end is like solid marble: heavy, subtly-defined and smooth.
Switching to the Sundara's the first thought is 'Where's the bass?"- but it is there, only differently presented. The Hifiman planars excite in another way with razor-sharp detail, massive space and airiness and a velvety enveloping sensation that lifts them into a higher level. Both are involving, exciting and penetrate to the heart of the music.
I did give the very detailed GMP 450 a go as well but even that, a highly-revealing studio monitor, sounded dull, anaemic and flabby when put alongside the Sundara.
Bottom line, for now. The Hifiman Sundara is a serious audiophile delight of space and detail. The Monolith M1060C is a truly satisfying closed-back that combines the rich darkness of the AQ NightOwl with the sharp, wide-screen definition of the GMP 450.
- These users thanked the author Fretless for the post (total 2):
- antonio66 (Fri Oct 28, 2022 6:04 am) • George Hincapie (Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:06 am)
Upstairs:
VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a {x2)
Little Bear MC2 + AQ NightHawk
Downstairs:
VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 & PSU - BMUAiyima A07 MAX + Arcam One
HP: Allo DigiOne + Sabaj A10d + AQ NightOwl
Office: Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith 887 + German Maestro GMP 450
- Fretless
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Re: Time to go Planar !
Heads-up for anyone who might be interested in the Monoprice planar headphones.
The 30% sale prices end at midnight tonight.
https://www.monoprice.uk/collections/headphones
The 30% sale prices end at midnight tonight.
https://www.monoprice.uk/collections/headphones
- These users thanked the author Fretless for the post (total 2):
- Grumpytim (Sun Oct 30, 2022 10:22 pm) • George Hincapie (Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:07 am)
Upstairs:
VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a {x2)
Little Bear MC2 + AQ NightHawk
Downstairs:
VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 & PSU - BMUAiyima A07 MAX + Arcam One
HP: Allo DigiOne + Sabaj A10d + AQ NightOwl
Office: Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith 887 + German Maestro GMP 450
- Fretless
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Re: Time to go Planar !
Damn special offers!
Monolith M1070 for (only) €308.
Monolith M1070 for (only) €308.
- These users thanked the author Fretless for the post:
- George Hincapie (Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:07 am)
Upstairs:
VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a {x2)
Little Bear MC2 + AQ NightHawk
Downstairs:
VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 & PSU - BMUAiyima A07 MAX + Arcam One
HP: Allo DigiOne + Sabaj A10d + AQ NightOwl
Office: Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith 887 + German Maestro GMP 450
- George Hincapie
- Posts: 321
- Joined: Wed Aug 21, 2019 7:46 pm
- Location: Buckinghamshire, England
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Re: Time to go Planar !
Excellent write up Fretless! They look like really nice headphones - enjoy
- These users thanked the author George Hincapie for the post:
- Fretless (Mon Oct 31, 2022 8:34 am)
Headphone Amplification
Linear Tube Audio MZ3
Headphones
HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)
Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0
Cables
Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt
Power
Farad • Tomanek
Sources
Roon • Tidal • Qobuz
Linear Tube Audio MZ3
Headphones
HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)
Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0
Cables
Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt
Power
Farad • Tomanek
Sources
Roon • Tidal • Qobuz
- Fretless
- Posts: 9348
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2014 12:15 pm
- Location: Somewhere in Holland
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Re: Time to go Planar !
M1070 now down to €243 (was €440)
I don't know if I can put it off any longer.
Resolve crumbling ....
I don't know if I can put it off any longer.
Resolve crumbling ....
- These users thanked the author Fretless for the post:
- George Hincapie (Fri Nov 04, 2022 6:43 pm)
Upstairs:
VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a {x2)
Little Bear MC2 + AQ NightHawk
Downstairs:
VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 & PSU - BMUAiyima A07 MAX + Arcam One
HP: Allo DigiOne + Sabaj A10d + AQ NightOwl
Office: Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith 887 + German Maestro GMP 450
- TheMadMick
- Posts: 437
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Re: Time to go Planar !
It's a pity I've got tinnitus. I can't hear properly through headphones. The hash drowns out the music. Ughhh!
Blusound Vault 2, P50SA, A80's, BMU, TIS, LS7, MA PL200, Meridian 506 (18 bit).
- Fretless
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Re: Time to go Planar !
Sorry to read that Mick. I get a lot of pleasure from headphones and from time-to-time they are my main listening source.
- These users thanked the author Fretless for the post:
- George Hincapie (Wed Nov 02, 2022 2:33 pm)
Upstairs:
VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a {x2)
Little Bear MC2 + AQ NightHawk
Downstairs:
VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 & PSU - BMUAiyima A07 MAX + Arcam One
HP: Allo DigiOne + Sabaj A10d + AQ NightOwl
Office: Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith 887 + German Maestro GMP 450