The Oppo PM3s which have served me well seem to have given up the ghost and I will be on the look out for a replacement. In normal circumstances I would have a listen to a number of models in shops, but not during a pandemic. I therefore have to go on reviews, recommendations and a return option, should I not like them. I have looked on line and wireless/bluetooth seems all the rage now. I do not want the associated SQ compromise.
I am looking for suggestions. The brief is:
They cannot be closed as they will be used exclusively outside the house. (Use open Grados at home).
Portability is an important consideration as they will always be going with me when I consider it safe to travel again.
Efficiency is not an issue as the AQ DF Red / USB Audio Player Pro they will be partnered with is not short of power.
Will need to sound good with rock, much of a heavy nature.
Fire away. Thanks.
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Lindy cat 6 US ethernet cable
Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ
Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Black
CN211276 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 10, 2020 11:54 am
The Oppo PM3s which have served me well seem to have given up the ghost
I am looking for suggestions. The brief is:
They cannot be closed as they will be used exclusively outside the house. (Use open Grados at home).
Portability is an important consideration as they will always be going with me when I consider it safe to travel again.
Efficiency is not an issue as the AQ DF Red / USB Audio Player Pro they will be partnered with is not short of power.
Will need to sound good with rock, much of a heavy nature.
Fire away. Thanks.
Two questions if I may.
1. You say Open but the Oppo PM3 is a closed back design I assume this is a deliberate change?
2. Do you have a budget?
These users thanked the author Geoff.R.G for the post:
CN211276 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 10, 2020 11:54 am
The Oppo PM3s which have served me well seem to have given up the ghost
I am looking for suggestions. The brief is:
They cannot be closed as they will be used exclusively outside the house. (Use open Grados at home).
Portability is an important consideration as they will always be going with me when I consider it safe to travel again.
Efficiency is not an issue as the AQ DF Red / USB Audio Player Pro they will be partnered with is not short of power.
Will need to sound good with rock, much of a heavy nature.
Fire away. Thanks.
Two questions if I may.
1. You say Open but the Oppo PM3 is a closed back design I assume this is a deliberate change?
2. Do you have a budget?
1. My silly mistake. I meant can't be open.
2. £100 - £250, but will stretch should I think it worth it.
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Lindy cat 6 US ethernet cable
Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ
Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Black
Upstairs: VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d NVA: Cube2 + LS6+ Sabaj A10a (2) + Little Bear MC2 Downstairs: VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC NVA: P50 (phono)Aiyima A07 MAX (2) + 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 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 10, 2020 3:20 pm
CN, I think you will really like the Meze 99 Neo.
Closed-back with a clear and punchy character very similar to the Grado sound.
In your budget as well.
Good reports about the SQ on Head-fi, but unfortunatly they do not meet my portability requirements. At a similar price the Beyerdynamic Aventha Wired do and receive similar positive Head-fi SQ reports, with some of the music from Metallica. When I bought the Grados for the main system I also auditioned a pair of Beyerdynamics. It was a close call and the two, to my ears, were well ahead of the others I auditioned. At the moment the Aventhas are top of my list.
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Lindy cat 6 US ethernet cable
Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ
Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Black
My personal out-and-about headphones are the Bowers & Wilkins P7.
Big, full sound, plenty of detail, sound great with a wide variety of musical genres and I mainly listen to Rock with them.
Not sure if they are still made, could be some on Ebay.
... and they are really comfortable to wear and stay put on your head.
Upstairs: VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d NVA: Cube2 + LS6+ Sabaj A10a (2) + Little Bear MC2 Downstairs: VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC NVA: P50 (phono)Aiyima A07 MAX (2) + 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
Upstairs: VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d NVA: Cube2 + LS6+ Sabaj A10a (2) + Little Bear MC2 Downstairs: VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC NVA: P50 (phono)Aiyima A07 MAX (2) + 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