Loaner: rhythmdevils modded vintage Yamaha Orthodynamic headphone loaner (HP-1a, YH1, YH3)

Discussion in 'Closed Loaners' started by rhythmdevils, Mar 31, 2021.

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  1. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Up for loan is a nice lineup of Yamaha orthodynamic headphones modified by myself over the last year or so. They were made in the early 80’s. Every neo ortho I’ve heard so far has been improperly damped with piss poor acoustic implementation. These sound nothing like Audeze or Hifiman orthos.

    They are all tuned quite neutral.

    The Yamaha planar magnetic driver is totally different from any of the new planar magnetic headphones. They do not use bar magnets they use a circular solid magnet with holes in it and spiral traces on the diaphragm. The center is pinched by a pin and does not move, creating a kind of “ring radiator”

    Up for loan in this tour are 3 modded Yamaha orthos.

    -YH-3: cheapest model. Smaller driver.
    -YH-1: mid tier model but sounds better than the YH-100 which has a Grado like upper midrange peak that comes from the driver
    -HP-1 Anistropic: the HP-1 is the same headphone as the YH-1 but Yamaha just changed all the HP’s in their lineup to YH’s in a rebranding effort. However there was a special version of the HP-1 made called the Anistropic version which has metal plates in both sides of the driver similar to the YH-100. Except the HP-1 Anistropic doesn’t have the upper midrange peak. It has better treble extension than the YH-1 and lower distortion

    HP-1 Anistropic driver;

    [​IMG]

    Generally I feel the models from go from best tonality (YH-3) to best technicalities (HP-1 Anistropic)

    Note: I tuned these completely by ear using nothing but music. No test tones. No measurements. I stand by this method and welcome anyone taking measurements of them.

    Note 2: I’ve spent over a decade coming up with completely unique methods for damping and tuning orthos. None of my materials or methods have been done before. In loaning these you will agree not to open them up at all.

    pictures

    YH3

    [​IMG]

    YH-1

    [​IMG]


    HP-1 Anistropic

    [​IMG]

    LOANER RULES
    • open to friends and contributors on a case by case basis
    • 10 day loaner period but longer is ok (really, it is. I made these to go on loan and do not need them back anytime soon)
    • FedEx UPS only
    • Insure for 450$
    • Do Not Open Or Mess With Them
    • These are 40 year old headphones. Be careful with them. The leather headband strap is especially fragile. They should never be held by the leather headband strap (hold them by the cups or the metal headband) and should be packed so the headband isn’t getting squished or folded.
    • Impressions of whatever length in my modded ortho thread which I will crate and have a link here.
    • Post your location if you want to join
    • Im open to Canada and the EU after the US if there is interest so post if you are interested.
    • Many more modded ortho loaners to come vintage and new...
    List
    @E_Schaaf (LA)
    @tommytakis (LA)
    @scapeinator1 (LA)
    @Gazny (San Diego)
    @Merrick (Portland, OR)
    @loadexfa (Bay Area)
    @Azimuth (rtaylor76:p) (Nashville TN)
    @Vtory (Philly)
    @dBel84 (WI)
    @Claritas (NC)

    Canada
    @Biodegraded (not in Am’r’ca)

    world tour
    @Abhishek Chowdhary (India)
    @gurubhai (India)

    @gixxerwimp Taiwan
     
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    Last edited: Apr 15, 2021
  2. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    I am more excited for this loaner than any other I've been on so far. :)
     
  3. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Well don’t hope for too much. They are 40 years old. But they don’t sound like no fuckin LCD-2
     
  4. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    I already heard some YH3 drivers transplanted into old koss headband by @Philimon and was impressed. I'm sure what you've got here is pure dopamine knowing I already quite enjoyed what I heard from that other pair. I don't actually like dark headphones if it means sucked out mids. I just like bass and hate peaks up top.
     
  5. loadexfa

    loadexfa MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Definitely interested in trying the YH-1 and HP-1 Anistropic. Happy to go last or whatever is convenience since I've already experienced your modding prowess. :bow:
     
  6. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    I'm in.

    I am a curious how they stack up against my old T20's MKII's with the circular planar driver.

    Nashville, TN
     
  7. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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    These vintage ortho are going to get hyped (again). Better buy some now before the next bubble! I want an HP1a - may have to move some stuff...

    @E_Schaaf You mean YHD-3.
    @rhythmdevils More to come? Awesome!
     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2021
  8. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    Up for it if there's a Canadian leg, and willing to act as local 'shepherd' if necessary.

    Very interested to hear orthos you've modded, and of course to appreciate 'your' definition of neutral ;)
     
  9. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    My definition of neutral, at least in the past, measures dead flat on Purr1n’s measurement rig. We’ll see what time has done. :)
     
  10. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    I’m interested! Portland, OR.
     
  11. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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    Some info on Yamaha YH-1, and HP-1. YH-3 wikiphonia wayback is unavailabale.
     
  12. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I guess I should mention that I plan to start modding orthos commercially so it will be possible to buy exactly what is on this loaner tour without modding yourself. I’ll even track down the headphones for you. Prices for my work will be reasonable.
     
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  13. scapeinator1

    scapeinator1 Once You Go Black You'll Never Go Back

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    I can't lie I'm intrigued. Sign me up if there's space please.
     
  14. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Unlimited space :)
     
  15. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    If these can go to my forwarding service in Delaware at the end of the US leg, I would send them onward to wherever by FedEx/UPS/DHL after I'm done with them in Taiwan. Would be very interested to hear these and compare with incoming Voldemorts.
     
  16. Gazny

    Gazny MOT: ETA Audio

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    Would love to hear these.
    Located in San Diego, right below LA
     
  17. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I’m ok with this especially if other people on that side of the world want to hear them.

    Definitely!
     
  18. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I was going to loan my modded Fostex T10 in a separate tour but would you all like to have them added into this one? Is 4 headphones too much?

    they actually sound similar to the Yamahas but with minor differences. They were all meticulously tuned to be as close as possible to the RD curve. Driver is the same size as the YH-3 so I’m thinking it makes sense to just add it in.

    I had planned on modding a T20 v1 and v2 and doing a vintage Fostex loaner but they have become too rare these days and I realized it wasn’t that useful and I’d rather spend time on orthos people have better access to.

    let me know what you’d prefer. :)
     
  19. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    Please add me to the list (living in PA) if I didn't come not too late. Want to test out myself what Yamaha vintage orthos sound like.

    Also I believe Fostex could be interesting if they are included in the tour.
     
  20. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Sure there’s no limit.

    I just sent the Fostex to @Philimon ill tell him to send them to you afterwards. :)

    And the other orthos shipped to you. I’ll start a thread here for them tomorrow maybe.
     
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