Recommendation for a good aftermarket cable for HD800's

Discussion in 'General Audio Discussion' started by The Alchemist, Nov 7, 2015.

  1. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    I dunno I kind of feel that what you are buying is really for how cool they look (can't lie some cable makers do a great job making cool cables). I kind of feel if you want to make aftermarket cables worth it. Get it with Audeze connectors and termination of choice then just buy adapters. Reason I recommend Audeze adapters is because to me they are so easy to lock and unlock. Below are some cables that I think personally look cool.

    Norne Audio
    Best in Verse Cables

    Oh yah can't forget the cool Viabule terminators as well as the new Eidolic terminators from Norne
     
    Last edited: Nov 9, 2015
  2. keanex

    keanex Martian Bounty Hunter - Friend

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    I want a Best In the Verse cable for my HD600. I really want like 100 different color variations because I think they look so cool.
     
  3. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    my reasons for buying a third party cable:
    a) sonic improvements
    a) improved internal components (wire type or strand count)
    b) better ergonomics (less stiffness (or more)) than stock, better connectors.

    as some complain about spending $200 on a custom cable, I could go equally off the rails for spending $100 on a mere color change.
    but I won't.
     
  4. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    I don't think spending $200 on a custom cable at this point in the game is unreasonable at all because most of the good companies charge about that for a copper OCC Litz cable. To me it's when you start getting massively above that is where I have the problem. In regards to thread/strand count don't get me started as Norse Audio's makes those claims and their cheapest copper cable is $700.

    The thing sonically I have been told by companies is that say with a lean/bright headphone using a copper cable gives you the most benefit while a darker headphone like the HD-650 silver cable is the way to go. Oh yah silver cables come at a much greater cost depending on the company you talk to.
     
  5. keanex

    keanex Martian Bounty Hunter - Friend

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    As far as I have read, maybe I have missed it, I haven't seen anyone here comment on the absurdity of the cost of a cable. The op wanted to keep his purchase under $200 and that's the only reason the price has been constricted.

    With that said, I'm not sure why you're taking a shot at my desire to want an aesthetically pleasing cable, especially when your #1 reason is quite a debated topic with no proof leaning your way outside of anecdotal experience.

    So while you're welcome to your opinion, I find yours equally absurd, and am expressing as such because you felt the need to inject your opinion while taking an unprovoked shot at mine.
     
  6. rayfalkner

    rayfalkner Not to be confused with Roy Fokker - Friend

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    Back there at CS, isn't Ted from Headphonelounge got quite a good rep for HD800 custom cable? Skimming through his site, looks like you could get one for under $200.
     
  7. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    I actually have a Ted's cable and he is definitely a stand up guy, does great work, and yah he can do them for a lot cheaper. Just doesn't look as cool as the other cables.
     
  8. No_One411

    No_One411 Fired by Jude

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    The sleeving that Ted uses for his cables is kinda weird. They are super stiff, but won't tangle. Pretty nice overall.

    As far as dealing with Ted, he has abnormally quick responses, and build times are around a week long.
     
    Last edited: Nov 9, 2015
  9. Judeus

    Judeus Facebook Friend

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    I put my copper cables in the freezer every night to align the crystals. I feel it gives a icy crispness to the sound, which really gives cymbal shimmer a big boost.
     
  10. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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  11. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    waa waa waa what?? :eek:
     
  12. GoldfishX

    GoldfishX Facebook Friend

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    I went with a Moon Audio Black Dragon for mine. I thought it cut down on some of the sibilance pretty nicely. It redistributed some of the energy from the treble to the mids, which is pretty much what I wanted. The "glare" is cut down a lot, but it's still a bright headphone. Just more refined.
     
  13. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    thank you GoldfishX - do you have a link to that particular cable? I am guessing it is way out of my price range, but I would still like to have a look at it if you wouldn't mind posting me a link.
     
  14. GoldfishX

    GoldfishX Facebook Friend

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    http://www.moon-audio.com/black-dragon-headphone-cable-v2.html

    It's one of the more "known" commercial upgrade cables. Not sure what their reputation is around these parts. But I'm happy with what I got.

    One slight observation: The cable itself is a lot thinner than I anticipated. Not stiff or anything, just thin.
     
  15. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    looks nice, but $290 is way out of my budget. Thank you for your recommendation though!
     
  16. GoldfishX

    GoldfishX Facebook Friend

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    I admit, I'm one of those people who would prefer allocating money to something other than a cable, but you might have to bite the bullet at some point, especially if you like everything about the HD800 except that glare. Also remember, you can sell the stock cable to offset some of the cost...They're valuable because of the connectors. I'm holding onto mine solely for comparison purposes.
     
  17. Works 4 Me

    Works 4 Me New

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    I like the Moon Audio Black Dragon cable also . I ended up removing a nice 12' set from some headphones that didn't work for me.

    This cable sounds very nice hardwired to the HD800 ( I like it better than the ALO HD800 cable I was using ; I used the Black Dragon due to the fact I could figure out the cable leads by opening up that nice big Furutech 1/4" plug that Moon Audio terminated it with. i didn't use the DHC cable I also had from another set of "cans" for the same reason I didn't use the ALO cable , I couldn't open up the plug to figure out the leads

    With the hardwired Black Dragon cable , I honestly don't spend any time thinking about running it balanced as the HD800 (Modded of course) is sounding very nice as is ( with several $k of Audio equipment behind it, including my Equitech 1.5 Q BPT conditioner)
     
  18. numbercube

    numbercube Acquaintance

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  19. SeaBupter

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    Really? I also bought the Draug 2 and adapter for my HD800's, and the sonic improvement is so pronounced that I'd never dream of going back to the stock cable.
     
  20. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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