Question Sennheiser HD 600's Audio Cable Replacement

[A Stunned Wookie]

Wondering if anyone has any experience regarding replacement audio cables for the HD 600's. Currently mine are bugging out and breaking out when moving at certain angles(11 months since I bought the headset).

I see a lot of replacement cables on Amazon but i'm wondering are there any in particular that are trustworthy aftermarket cables. I'm not an audiophile but would appreciate quality products.

Headphones: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004SY4H/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Currently looking at these on Amazon(Replacement Cables): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FSCCDZV/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=AJ2PJNO98VCDO&psc=1

Currently using this DAC: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HRMC4NQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Just get the stock HD650/HD660S replacement cable. It's better built than the stock HD600 one. The only difference is the ends aren't color coded.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0028PGXRE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm not familiar with the DAC. What are you using for a source now? Class A amps and OTL Tube amps are magic with the HD600/HD650.

Great headphones BTW. One of my all time favorites. Make sure to keep the pads changed when they start to wear. They'll last through a couple of years of regular use. You'll be amazed at how good they are with new ones. And never use anything but stock pads on Sennheisers.

 

[A Stunned Wookie]

What are you using for a source now?

I don't know exactly what that means, but if you mean what i'm powering them with i'm basically just using that DAC(USB) to my computer and powering them like that. I've seen tube amps but I was not sure which ones are good, let alone what tubes to use them with.

I've always wanted to get a tube amp so I could get the most out of these headphones as that's what i've read from peoples personal experiences.

As for the cables thanks for linking me them! I've ordered them and should expect them in two days.

If you can point me in the right direction with links I would greatly appreciate it for taking your time to help me out!

 

[Deleted member 217926]

As a new audiophile you need to be familiar with Massdrop ( they changed the name to Drop, I refuse to call them that ). They are known for their collaborations with companies like Sennheiser and Fostex and Focal and in some cases making revised versions of existing stuff better and cheaper. For instance the Massdrop X Sennheiser HD6XX is an HD650 with a different finish for $220.

https://drop.com/audiophile/drops

I'd recommend something like this X1S as a great place to start. It's a new ( 2020 ) version of a great product. It has a very, very good ESS Sabre DAC combined with a Class A amp section. The old version wasn't Class A. Class A just means the amp is always at 100% power. There is absolutely 'something' about it. I have a Class A Aune X7S as my main headphone amp.

https://drop.com/buy/aune-x1s-2020-edition

Review and Measurements of Aune X1S DAC & Amp

This is a review and detailed measurements of Aune X1S DAC and headphone amplifier. It is a kind loan from a member who has waiting for its review since last fall! The X1S seems to be have been out for a while, having found a review of it going back to 2015. It is still available though and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Get a decent solid state amp first. Then start looking at tubes. Most but not all tube amps will need the tubes they come with replaced for the best sound. The standby for value/sound with tubes is the Darkvoice 336. Massdrop has it about every other month for about $199. Xduoo is also making a name for themselves with tubes and their line is worth considering. This one just happens to be an active drop right now.

https://drop.com/buy/xduoo-ta-03s-tube-dac-amp

There are literally dozens of good amps and DACs on the market that would pair well with the HD600 so don't think you have to listen to me but I'm steering you towards the right path.

 

[A Stunned Wookie]

Thanks for the lengthy response @anort3 ! I've known about massdrop but I never bought anything because I never knew what was compatible with the 600's. I see both are all in ones, but just to clarify is it to buy both? As for the amps, both are generally affordable and not that expensive, just clarifying before the investment.

Regarding the price difference of $6 between those two and in the case I only needed to buy one, should I go with the xduoo? Unless I need both, then you can disregard the question.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Your current DAC is pretty good but it lacks connectivity options. I don't see a way to connect it to a desktop amp. Personally I recommend a good solid state amp before tubes. Tube rolling, changing tubes to find that 'perfect' sound, is a deep rabbit hole. I'd get the X1S and start reading up and if this is a hobby you want to pursue further then get a tube amp.

The HD600 is 300ohms which makes it on the harder to drive side of things. The more power you give the 6 series the better and they scale up in sound with better equipment.

If I could only have 2 pair, one open back and one closed back the open back choice could be the HD600 and I'd be totally happy. I like it better than the HD650.

 

[A Stunned Wookie]

I don't like waiting weeks/month for something to come in and the x1s 2020 edition(i imagine the one currently on amazon is not as good since it's not the 2020 edition) is not on amazon which gives me free one day shipping.

They have plenty of Schiit products, any from that list you have experience with or highly regard? @anort3

 

[Deleted member 217926]

The 10th Anniversary Edition of the X1S might actually measure better than the new one. It's a GREAT match with the HD600/HD650.

The only downside is Massdrop will have it for less then $200 pretty regularly and that's cheaper than Amazon by quite a bit. A very good review.

Review and Measurements of Aune X1S DAC & Amp

This is a review and detailed measurements of Aune X1S DAC and headphone amplifier. It is a kind loan from a member who has waiting for its review since last fall! The X1S seems to be have been out for a while, having found a review of it going back to 2015. It is still available though and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[A Stunned Wookie]

I don't see a way to connect it to a desktop amp.

With the x1s couldn't I just use a RCA to 3.5mm audio cable to connect it to my DAC?

Been reading up a lot and i've found the x1s to the best option. 2 hours left on the massdrop, might as well put in an order and rejoice a month later when it comes in.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

The X1S has an amazing DAC integrated though. That's part of why it's such a good value.

I don't want to spend your money for you. I'm just trying to give you the best possible experience for the least money and the X1S is a step up from the O2 ODAC/Schiit Stack that most people start with for about the same money if not even less when you use Massdrop.

If you wanted to use your existing DAC with an adapter then you'd want just an amp. I mostly use an Aune X7S ( class A, 1w out of the 6.3mm and 1.7w out of the 4in XLR ) paired with a Topping D30 DAC and I haven't felt the need to change that for a year and a half. The X7S will be on Massdrop every month or so for $179? I think the price dropped a little and that's the usual price now. I paid $199 for mine there. It's not a great pairing with high sensitivity IEMs but it's amazing with most full sized headphones including my 25ohm Fostex TH-X00s.

https://www.amazon.com/Aune-Acoustic-Guitar-Amplifier-X7S/dp/B01FLIX5DE

Review: Aune X7s - shooting the moon

For 249$, just about everything else is groovy. Purists may decry its use of a phase splitter rather than an IN-OUT dedicated balanced circuit. The Aune X7s

www.headfonia.com

Review and Measurements of Aune X7s and Arcam rHead Headphone Amps

This is a review and detailed measurement and comparison of Aune X7s and Arcam rHead headphone amplifiers. I purchased the Aune X7s from ebay for $250. I bought the Arcam rHead used from a member in UK who also bought it used. The total cost to me shipped was £98.55 or $127. The retail...

www.audiosciencereview.com

This is a deep rabbit hole. How much do you want to spend? lol

 

[A Stunned Wookie]

I'd say around $250 tops for now.

Well I managed to get the drop on the Aune x1s but I tried to do some research on them and went to the company website but I couldn't find it listed there? http://en.auneaudio.com/ Neither on Amazon as well.

I found http://en.auneaudio.com/index.php?s=Home/Article/detail/id/463.html but that's "Aune x1s pro" which seems different.

Any insight on that?

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Yeah looks like they discontinued the last version. The 10th Anniversary Edition was the one that was previous to the Pro. It looks to me at a quick glance like the 2020 Edition from Massdrop and Pro are the same. They changed to a newer DAC and made the amp section Class A. There absolutely is 'something' to Class A amps.