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AKG k501; the k501 appreciation thread.
Topic Started: 15 Oct 2006, 10:03 PM (4,704 Views)
ahdui
Member Avatar
aux!
i've finally own 1 set for myself to enjoy and not for sales.

the reason to buy it so late is because im so busy i wouldnt have time to enjoy it till today, then theres finally some freetime for me to enjoy this pair of cans.

this is a smooth pair of can which also provide sufficient soundstaging.
was superb for classical indeed.
Transportable: iRiver h120(2300mAh)→Sysconcept Optical Cable→AOS Electornics Co. Piccolo DAC→ahdui's CryoFreeze™ TCu IC→ahdui's Enfo PA-1→Custom Shure SE530
Backup: AMB y-1 DAC (MisterX Mod)


Cycling: Sansa Clip 4GB→Philips SHS3200 Earhooks
Portable: Rio Karma→UltimateEars Super.Fi 5eb
Backup Rig: RedWineAudio 40GB iPod Photo→ahdui's CryoFreeze™ RBT IC→iBasso P3 Heron(ahdui Mod) →Custom Shure SE530
Home: "Upgrading In Progress"→Alessandro MS Pro/JVC HP-DX1000
Desktop: PC→Belden 1505F→CityPulse DAC 7.2x II→Belden 89207→KRK Rokit Powered 5



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huangyong
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K501 smooth meh?? the sound is a bit coarse.. edgy sound.. though the soundsatge is wide, but sound no weight... hmm..tt's wad i think after yrs of use
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ahdui
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aux!
its quite smooth for its price. compared to ms2 of cos its coarse lol.
the soundstage is very wide if i havnt tried akg k1000 and HE90 Orpheus.
too bad i tried them both and now i think the soundstage is okok..decently good. :(
Transportable: iRiver h120(2300mAh)→Sysconcept Optical Cable→AOS Electornics Co. Piccolo DAC→ahdui's CryoFreeze™ TCu IC→ahdui's Enfo PA-1→Custom Shure SE530
Backup: AMB y-1 DAC (MisterX Mod)


Cycling: Sansa Clip 4GB→Philips SHS3200 Earhooks
Portable: Rio Karma→UltimateEars Super.Fi 5eb
Backup Rig: RedWineAudio 40GB iPod Photo→ahdui's CryoFreeze™ RBT IC→iBasso P3 Heron(ahdui Mod) →Custom Shure SE530
Home: "Upgrading In Progress"→Alessandro MS Pro/JVC HP-DX1000
Desktop: PC→Belden 1505F→CityPulse DAC 7.2x II→Belden 89207→KRK Rokit Powered 5



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huangyong
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wad u use to drive ur 501?? it's very difficult to drive to its best. very demanding cans
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ahdui
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aux!
yea very difficult to make it perform superbly.
im using my ld2+ (wish to use that 8BK sumthing amp which u mentioned last time when we chatted)
Transportable: iRiver h120(2300mAh)→Sysconcept Optical Cable→AOS Electornics Co. Piccolo DAC→ahdui's CryoFreeze™ TCu IC→ahdui's Enfo PA-1→Custom Shure SE530
Backup: AMB y-1 DAC (MisterX Mod)


Cycling: Sansa Clip 4GB→Philips SHS3200 Earhooks
Portable: Rio Karma→UltimateEars Super.Fi 5eb
Backup Rig: RedWineAudio 40GB iPod Photo→ahdui's CryoFreeze™ RBT IC→iBasso P3 Heron(ahdui Mod) →Custom Shure SE530
Home: "Upgrading In Progress"→Alessandro MS Pro/JVC HP-DX1000
Desktop: PC→Belden 1505F→CityPulse DAC 7.2x II→Belden 89207→KRK Rokit Powered 5



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gradesm
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Driving mine with a marantz sr5400... warm enough for me....
Adhui, how does it sound on the LD2+? Been thinking of trying tubes for quite some time now... B)
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ahdui
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aux!
just a decent simple boost in firm-ness of the sound and tightness in bass.
details are open up more and sounds more "filling".

sorry for my weak explanation.
Transportable: iRiver h120(2300mAh)→Sysconcept Optical Cable→AOS Electornics Co. Piccolo DAC→ahdui's CryoFreeze™ TCu IC→ahdui's Enfo PA-1→Custom Shure SE530
Backup: AMB y-1 DAC (MisterX Mod)


Cycling: Sansa Clip 4GB→Philips SHS3200 Earhooks
Portable: Rio Karma→UltimateEars Super.Fi 5eb
Backup Rig: RedWineAudio 40GB iPod Photo→ahdui's CryoFreeze™ RBT IC→iBasso P3 Heron(ahdui Mod) →Custom Shure SE530
Home: "Upgrading In Progress"→Alessandro MS Pro/JVC HP-DX1000
Desktop: PC→Belden 1505F→CityPulse DAC 7.2x II→Belden 89207→KRK Rokit Powered 5



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gradesm
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firm-ness as in presence? if yes then it certainly would do it for me. Presence is something I really look out for and enjoy...
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ahdui
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aux!
the feeling of "presence" do improve but by a lil which is the feeling of the sound being "filling" as what i said lol
Transportable: iRiver h120(2300mAh)→Sysconcept Optical Cable→AOS Electornics Co. Piccolo DAC→ahdui's CryoFreeze™ TCu IC→ahdui's Enfo PA-1→Custom Shure SE530
Backup: AMB y-1 DAC (MisterX Mod)


Cycling: Sansa Clip 4GB→Philips SHS3200 Earhooks
Portable: Rio Karma→UltimateEars Super.Fi 5eb
Backup Rig: RedWineAudio 40GB iPod Photo→ahdui's CryoFreeze™ RBT IC→iBasso P3 Heron(ahdui Mod) →Custom Shure SE530
Home: "Upgrading In Progress"→Alessandro MS Pro/JVC HP-DX1000
Desktop: PC→Belden 1505F→CityPulse DAC 7.2x II→Belden 89207→KRK Rokit Powered 5



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ayeosq
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KING
I am getting one soonn...
For my dad...
LOL...
tried it yesterday...
kind of coarse la...
But i tried with go-vibe amps...
LOL...
Whole life nonsense...
Whole life Brutal Death Metal...
Whole life anime...
Whole Life HARDO GAY!!!
Whole life no plan...
Whole life spot US...
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gradesm
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ayeosq
Oct 25 2006, 10:04 PM
I am getting one soonn...
For my dad...
LOL...
tried it yesterday...
kind of coarse la...
But i tried with go-vibe amps...
LOL...

When I tried it at Jaben, it sounded coarse as well, but I was testing out the new set I bought. Not sure if it lacks synergy with the govibes but when I got home it sounded so much better before burning in...
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ayeosq
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KING
what amp u are using???
Whole life nonsense...
Whole life Brutal Death Metal...
Whole life anime...
Whole Life HARDO GAY!!!
Whole life no plan...
Whole life spot US...
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gradesm
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ayeosq
Oct 25 2006, 11:19 PM
what amp u are using???

Don't have a dedicated HP amp, using my Marantz SR5400 HP out. In fact, I've tried playing direct from an Ipod Video and Nano and both provided really decent volume maxed out, and even then did not sound as coarse as it was at Jaben. What did u use to test? I didn't bring my source that day and thus was using what was provided track as hotel california by eagles... I was suspecting bad recording by then again.... :k701smile:
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ayeosq
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KING
ok, i used my ipod 3rd gen with a go-vibe...
Whole life nonsense...
Whole life Brutal Death Metal...
Whole life anime...
Whole Life HARDO GAY!!!
Whole life no plan...
Whole life spot US...
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ahdui
Member Avatar
aux!
tried the little country with k501. it does soothen things quite alot.
Transportable: iRiver h120(2300mAh)→Sysconcept Optical Cable→AOS Electornics Co. Piccolo DAC→ahdui's CryoFreeze™ TCu IC→ahdui's Enfo PA-1→Custom Shure SE530
Backup: AMB y-1 DAC (MisterX Mod)


Cycling: Sansa Clip 4GB→Philips SHS3200 Earhooks
Portable: Rio Karma→UltimateEars Super.Fi 5eb
Backup Rig: RedWineAudio 40GB iPod Photo→ahdui's CryoFreeze™ RBT IC→iBasso P3 Heron(ahdui Mod) →Custom Shure SE530
Home: "Upgrading In Progress"→Alessandro MS Pro/JVC HP-DX1000
Desktop: PC→Belden 1505F→CityPulse DAC 7.2x II→Belden 89207→KRK Rokit Powered 5



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aaron-xp
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Boy
Was looking at the K501. Is it possible to drive it (decently) out of a CDP ampless?
team Lover, You Should've Come Over
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ahdui
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aux!
yes ampless is possible BUT i guess u have to max out the volume to get a listenable volume.
Transportable: iRiver h120(2300mAh)→Sysconcept Optical Cable→AOS Electornics Co. Piccolo DAC→ahdui's CryoFreeze™ TCu IC→ahdui's Enfo PA-1→Custom Shure SE530
Backup: AMB y-1 DAC (MisterX Mod)


Cycling: Sansa Clip 4GB→Philips SHS3200 Earhooks
Portable: Rio Karma→UltimateEars Super.Fi 5eb
Backup Rig: RedWineAudio 40GB iPod Photo→ahdui's CryoFreeze™ RBT IC→iBasso P3 Heron(ahdui Mod) →Custom Shure SE530
Home: "Upgrading In Progress"→Alessandro MS Pro/JVC HP-DX1000
Desktop: PC→Belden 1505F→CityPulse DAC 7.2x II→Belden 89207→KRK Rokit Powered 5



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ayeosq
Member Avatar
KING
i tried playing with an IPOD direct from jack...
but the volume is too soft....
i think need amp to fill it up...
Whole life nonsense...
Whole life Brutal Death Metal...
Whole life anime...
Whole Life HARDO GAY!!!
Whole life no plan...
Whole life spot US...
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gradesm
Member Avatar

Too soft? Mine was pretty decent maxed out... the nano seem to go louder than my video though.... but never the less, it's always better with an amp...
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ayeosq
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KING
gradesm
Oct 26 2006, 09:05 PM
Too soft? Mine was pretty decent maxed out... the nano seem to go louder than my video though.... but never the less, it's always better with an amp...

i see...
Whole life nonsense...
Whole life Brutal Death Metal...
Whole life anime...
Whole Life HARDO GAY!!!
Whole life no plan...
Whole life spot US...
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gradesm
Member Avatar

Recieved my LDM+ and tried it out of the box with my K501, IMO there is certainly improvements in soundstage and bass didn't recess like what I was expecting... sounds fuller with a certain timbre...
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ahdui
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aux!
in fact i just found out that im living in heaven actually lol.

many response in head-fi that the AKG k501 goes very well with the Gilmore Lite Headphone Amp.
Posted Image

and i've searched for a comparison of LD2+ and Gilmore Lite.
THEY SOUND almost THE SAME! however the LD2+ wins out in certain comparison.

so LD2+ is infact a very good combination with the AKG k501 for below $1k.
too bad the LDM+ is no where near LD2+
Transportable: iRiver h120(2300mAh)→Sysconcept Optical Cable→AOS Electornics Co. Piccolo DAC→ahdui's CryoFreeze™ TCu IC→ahdui's Enfo PA-1→Custom Shure SE530
Backup: AMB y-1 DAC (MisterX Mod)


Cycling: Sansa Clip 4GB→Philips SHS3200 Earhooks
Portable: Rio Karma→UltimateEars Super.Fi 5eb
Backup Rig: RedWineAudio 40GB iPod Photo→ahdui's CryoFreeze™ RBT IC→iBasso P3 Heron(ahdui Mod) →Custom Shure SE530
Home: "Upgrading In Progress"→Alessandro MS Pro/JVC HP-DX1000
Desktop: PC→Belden 1505F→CityPulse DAC 7.2x II→Belden 89207→KRK Rokit Powered 5



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gradesm
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Wah lao Ah Dui... I am already regretting not getting LDII+ in this MO... no need to rub it in leh... sianzzzz.....
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Jin
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hey guys, is the 501 a good match for rock music and some metal?

apparently its great for classical music but i'm not a big fan. :sweat:
iPod Mini First Generation | iPod 5G Video 30GB | iAudio X5L | Westone UM1
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ahdui
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aux!
its more into the jazzy tones and classical.
nv great for rock/metal or heavy stuff

try the k601 or k701 instead.
k701 would be an ideal can for you.
Transportable: iRiver h120(2300mAh)→Sysconcept Optical Cable→AOS Electornics Co. Piccolo DAC→ahdui's CryoFreeze™ TCu IC→ahdui's Enfo PA-1→Custom Shure SE530
Backup: AMB y-1 DAC (MisterX Mod)


Cycling: Sansa Clip 4GB→Philips SHS3200 Earhooks
Portable: Rio Karma→UltimateEars Super.Fi 5eb
Backup Rig: RedWineAudio 40GB iPod Photo→ahdui's CryoFreeze™ RBT IC→iBasso P3 Heron(ahdui Mod) →Custom Shure SE530
Home: "Upgrading In Progress"→Alessandro MS Pro/JVC HP-DX1000
Desktop: PC→Belden 1505F→CityPulse DAC 7.2x II→Belden 89207→KRK Rokit Powered 5



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ayeosq
Member Avatar
KING
Jin
Oct 30 2006, 10:55 PM
hey guys, is the 501 a good match for rock music and some metal?

apparently its great for classical music but i'm not a big fan. :sweat:

i have tried it with rock and heavy metal...
the basss is off...
totally not suiting...
like dui said, its for soft type, classical and jazz...
Whole life nonsense...
Whole life Brutal Death Metal...
Whole life anime...
Whole Life HARDO GAY!!!
Whole life no plan...
Whole life spot US...
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Jin
No Avatar

oic. okay thx guys :sweat:
iPod Mini First Generation | iPod 5G Video 30GB | iAudio X5L | Westone UM1
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scanfiend
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Moderatus Supremus - Da Big Stick
Sorry to hijack this thread - but Jin, if you're looking for some headphones for rock and metal, you should try the Grado SR-80, or maybe the Allesandro MS2's. They're easy headphones to like...tight punchy bass and fairly forward mids.
Amps (Portable): XM3, Xin Supermini v5, GoVibe V5, Xenos REP, Portaphile
V2^2 (maxxed), Headroom TotalAirHead, Xtra X-1, RSA Hornet-M (Gold), Headamp AE2, Headamp Pico, Graham Slee Voyager
Interconnects: Currently: xxx's Red Series, ALO SCD (AU/AG)
Amps (Desktop): Firestone Audio Beyond, Firestone Audio Little Country
Headphone/earphones: Sennheiser HD590, AKG K601, Grado SR80, Grado MS Pros, Denon AD5000, Denon C700, OVC TC20, Sony EX90LP, AT CK9,CrossRoads Mylar (1-3), UE TripleFi 10 Pro, UE-11 Pro
Sources: Panasonic CT820, Creative Zen Vision:M, Creative Zen X-Fi (32GB), iAudio X5L, Apple iPod Nano 8GB 2G, Apple iTouch (16gb), Samsung YH-J70SB, Cowon D2, Sony NW-A808, Sony NW-A829, Sansa Clip (4GB), Sansa Fuze (8GB)
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Qsilver2001
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18Volt Believer
Ahdui, if Gilmore Lite is your choice. Maybe can go for DIY Dynalo, as its on par with GL.
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Jin
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oh right, cool. anyway im just asking around, i don't think i'll be getting headphones very soon, maybe in the near future.

how much do the grados and alessandros cost?
iPod Mini First Generation | iPod 5G Video 30GB | iAudio X5L | Westone UM1
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