Massdrop x Fostex TR-X00 Mahogany Headphones Discussions | Drop

Free Standard Shipping in the US on orders over $99

Massdrop x Fostex TR-X00 Mahogany Headphones

Audiophile

Showing 1 of 2751 conversations about:

Massdrop x Fostex TR-X00 Mahogany Headphones

batmanwcm

Feb 5, 2016

I just picked up a Modi 2 Uber based on Z-Reviews and everything else I've read on Head-Fi. Now to figure out is the Vali 2 is worth it to pair with the TH-X00's.

lvince95

248

Feb 5, 2016

batmanwcmDon't get the Vali 2. It's nothing special. Garage1217 offers a similarly priced hybrid tube amp that sounds better anyway. Besides, you would want a SS amp to pair with the TH-X00. Something like the O2 or Magni would be better.

Jay_F

Feb 6, 2016

lvince95Ivince... What sounds better to one is not what sounds better to another... That being said the Shiit Vali2 is an amazing Hybrid tube amp for the money, at $169 it is far less then the $229 at Garage1217 is charging for a built Starlight with aluminum "case" closes to the Vali 2 you can get (the like of the build design and looks are going to be subjective as far has having a fully enclosed case (shiit) or a DIY open case design (Garage1217)) . OK I am not knocking Garage1217 for their amps in anyway. The Starlight at is price range (starts at about $159 for a DIY, which makes in an awesome value). To compare the two amps is rather difficult, they are designed for two very different type of people. The Shitt audio amps are right out of the box ready to go, just plug play and enjoy. You will not have to mess with Tube rolling to get the best out of the amp. The Vali 2 uses only 6volt tubes so there is limitations on what tubes you can use anyway, but really you won't need to. Now "if you've owned a tube amp an your into the "tube" hobby grab the Starlight, an be ready to adjust your bias daily, an try at least like 10 tubes in a week to find the right one! Oh an don't forget about rolling the Op Amps to :D you'll need to customize that too once you find the right tube!" (Quote taken from the Head-Fi forum review of the Starlight vs Vali 2: http://www.head-fi.org/t/791955/schiit-vali-2-vs-garage-1217-starlight-comparative-review ). I own 6 headphone amps at this moment, some good some not so good. I have gone through 20 or so in he last 10 years trying to find the Holly Grail of amps. I can tell you that "sounds better" is extremely subjective and should never really be used to describe something when it comes to comparing audio equipment. "batmanwcm" I hope this helps with the whole "is the Vali 2 worth it" I have paired the Vali, Vali 2, the Valhalla 2 and I currently own the Mjolnir 2. A well built tube amp (hybrid or not) will make a the Fostex sing so nicely. A well built Solid State amp will make do great too, I prefer the sound of a tube amp, even if it is just added "distortion" in the signal path :P

lvince95

248

Feb 6, 2016

Jay_FSorry to burst your bubble buddy, but this hobby is mostly based on subjectivism.
I'm not sure why I should not describe something as better sounding when that is exactly what I feel and what my ears tell me when comparing the 2 amps. It's not like I'm asking you to agree with me , it's just my subjective impressions lol.

Jay_F

Feb 6, 2016

lvince95Yes you are right when you compare equipment for your own personal enjoyment, you should find what sounds better to you. However to be fair to someone else and to offer a better comparison between two completely different amps, since you were making a comparison using "sounds better" as the reason for going with Garage 1217 (by the way you didn't recommend a model so I picked the closest one that represented price range), but both amps sound nothing like the other. The Garage 1217 Starlight has a wonderful warm sound witch roles off on the highs at the top. Then of course you can change the tubes for any you want, which will make it sound different from stock form. The Shiit Vali 2 add very little "warmth" to the sound but does tame the highs at the upper limits of hearing range. This helps prevent that fatiguing sound some headphones can produce. The Fostex tend to be warm anyway on their upper end headphones though. Throwing a Solid State headphone amp at them would provide the power they need in order to play properly and sound amazing, but a Tube amp or Hybrid tube amp is never a bad way to go either. It all depends on what sound you want to get out of the headphones. Normally a Tube amp add warmth and depth, mostly in the mid range. With out boosting the highs and lows too much. Some even roll the highs off pretty drastically though. So it all depends on what you find as "good" will depend on what works for you. I recommend doing a hands on with something before buying. That is why getting stuff online can be a real pain in the butt. Brick and mortar places offer services that no online stores just can't. Like being able to try something before you spend you money. But you pay a premium at places like that due to that type of hands on ability. Usually it is no more then 10 dollars, but to some 10 bucks is a lot of money :D

View Full Discussion

PRODUCTS YOU MAY LIKE

Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX Headphones

$199

Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee Headphones

$169

Massdrop x Sennheiser PC37X Gaming Headset

$99

Drop + HIFIMAN HE4XX Planar Magnetic Headphones

$149

Massdrop x Koss Porta Pro X Headphones

$29

Drop + EPOS PC38X Gaming Headset

$169

Massdrop x Koss KSC75X On-Ear Headphones

$20

Massdrop x Meze 99 Noir Closed-Back Headphones

$199

Drop + EPOS PC38X Yellow Gaming Headset

$139

Drop BMR1 Nearfield Monitors

$79

Trending Posts in Audiophile

itsamepe

Sennheiser PC37X randomly goes bad after disconnecting the cable ?

Greetings, Yesterday I was using my headset like normal with my macbook, just listening to music and on a call with people like usual, and the headset was perfectly fine. The stock wire that came with the headset is extremely long and yesterday it annoyed me very much that it kept getting tangled with itself, so I decided to see if the cable is replaceable. I pulled out the cable from the headset and saw the adapter, and looked online for a replacement. Upon plugging it back in, the audio sounded extremely muffled and washed out. Im not sure what I did wrong to make it mess up like that as I've always taken good care of it, ive had it for about 2 years and its always just been chilling on my desk, but anywho I thought the cable just went bad and ordered a replacement. The replacement came, and the issue is still persistant, so I am not sure what the issue is I've tried multiple different headsets and the issue is not with the port, and I also tried it with my windows laptop and...

Apr 23, 2024

Audiophile

Questions

Vote

MrChiSox

Big changes coming to my tiny little music room, I've recently purchased a new stack. Currently figuring out where to locate it all and ordering up the necessary cables, it won't be too long before I'm up and running. I am now the proud owner of a brand new stack. It's a European brand called Earmen. Amp, DAC, Streamer & Linear Power Supply. It won't be long!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB15yM4UptQ

Apr 23, 2024

Audiophile

General

Vote

Briankan

Recommendation for my next headphone set? I have Koss 95x

Hey all, What would you recommend I get next and why? I have Koss ESP-95x electrostatic massdrop headphones. These are my first and only audiophile set. I love them. I think my only real requirements is $500 or less for the headphones and that they have a little more low end. I don’t need thump but these are really light on lows…but the experience is still awesome. Also any recommendations on an amp? I only have my electrostatic thingy. I am using the Topping D50 DAC. thx!!

Apr 22, 2024

Audiophile

Questions

Vote

Simthaniel

Rigs

Modded headphones with qudelix at the core

When I received the Qudelix 5K, I had already modified a pair of Superlux HD-681 headphones. I previously soldered my own balanced connections to the drivers, providing multiple ways to connect and...

Apr 14, 2024

Audiophile

Rigs

brothamike

A decent set of IEMs

I am in the midst of a 300 hour burn-in but, I will say I am enjoying how this set sounds so far. Before I received these which was btw late by a few weeks, I purchased a Sony/Kimber Kable MMCX...

Apr 12, 2024

Audiophile

Photos

merrick97

Should I exchange the PC38X for better headphones?

I bought the PC38X headphones FOR GAMING and they are great, but I have NO use for a Microphone since I don't do competitive gaming and I was wondering if there were better headphone options at a similar price without a headphone, where (presumably) more of the cost was put into making it sound better. I also find that my PC38X don't get quite as loud as I would like and I was wondering if a cheap amp like the iFi Go link would draw a little more volume out of my phones. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BN6MM822?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details I went with the PC38X since it was considered the best bang for buck headphones. I care most about using spatial apps like DOlby Atmos and DTS Headphone:X. Suggestions are welcome.

Apr 11, 2024

Audiophile

General