Hi everyone, just joined this community and starting at mid(ish?)-fi, just bought the THX 789 and looking to buy the T1 but I just saw Zeosâ video and it doesnât seem like the 789 can drive the DT880 at 600 ohms. Got me concerned that if the 789 can drive T1 too because it is also 600ohms. Seems like Alfredo up at top is having no problem doing so, wondering why is that when Zeosâ 789 is having trouble on DT880. Thanks!
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DT880 is harder to push since it is like 96db efficient at 600ohm where the T1 is 102db efficient. This means the T1 will get around 4x as loud at max output etc. As long as the amp can push the voltage to run 600ohm cans. I hope that helps. Maybe zeos is saying that the 789 is not able to push the voltage needed by the 880, but I highly doubt that.
I may have misunderstood what he said and quoted it wrong. He said he can hear distortions from the 789 at high gains with very high volume. I assumed he meant the 789 was struggling on DT 880 and I guessed that might happen to T1 as well because theyâre both 600ohm, I may be completely wrong and wouldnât mind being corrected. So for the T1, will 789 be enough for it? Will I have to switch to the XLR balance cable for more power?
That makes no sense to me. Iâve been listening to the 880 (and the T1) on the Atom and RNHP, both of which put out less power than the THX amps. I have to turn the dial up, but both amps get loud enough and donât seem like theyâre struggling. Iâll have to watch that video and see if i can figure out whatâs up there.
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Please do so, I may have quoted him wrong and I am totally sorry if I did. I am also rewatching the vid too hopefully that I can correct myself as well. I might have confused myself with a few concepts but generally as a noob at this, I felt like Zeo is saying the 789 isnât enough for the DT880 but that could just be me misunderstanding.
I think itâs because the single ended output kinda isnât the best in the 789, where the t1 can be run balanced?
I couldnât find the video reference, but for the sake of answering the fundamental concern here, I plugged the 880 600 ohm into my Monoprice 887 (essentially identical to 789, and has identical power ratings). Using 1/4" out, low gain is not enough power. Mid gain gets loud enough, but I use pretty much the entire volume range, and high gain gets plenty loud without going to 100%. FWIW, balanced out of the amp is rated for 350mw @ 600 ohms, vs only 100mw for SE, so thatâs going to provide plenty of headroom.
As @Mufflertape mentioned, the T1s are more sensitive than the 880s. I really only need mid gain with the T1s on 1/4" to hit all the volume I want. On the 887, 0 volume is at about 7:00 on the dial, and 100% is almost one full turn to 5:00. On medium gain, Iâm maxing out my comfortable listening level at about 1-2:00, and if I punch it to high gain I donât even make it to noon before Iâm good. Thereâs plenty of headroom.
I listened to Rumors and didnât hear any distortion, but for fun I stole a balanced cable from my Elegias and tried the T1 balanced, and that does sound a smidge cleaner to me. You donât need to go balanced, although it may be a good choice with this amp and the T1s. I agree with @M0N that the balanced out seems better-implemented the SE on the THX amps (at lerast 789 and 887). In any case, going balanced will provide extra headroom and eliminate any lingering concerns about getting the most out of both the amp and the headphones.
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You can run the t1.2nd balanced. It has more than enough power. When I run them balanced the dial is at medium gain at 10 oâclock. With SE medium gain 3 oâclock.
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Thanks to everyone for the help, I made my purchase for the T1 and it should be coming in a few days!
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Finally got my T1âs in the mail. Rather pissed off since they were labelled new on amazon and the case has stuff all over it⊠definitely not new. So far so good sounds beautiful, not sure if its just me⊠seems the bass is not as deep or heavy as a 1990. still tinkering with it though.
Could be dust, if the headphones look new itâs prob new
Might be your amp running out of steam here, they are a fair bit harder to drive
nah, if that was the case I wouldnât have been angry⊠the headphone has noticeable useage on it.
Was wondering about that since itâs only connected to a liquid spark but I figured it should drive it fine. E30 definitely cleans it up better than d10 though got that in today as well so I am tinkering with that.
package was sent from a 3rd party seller and labelled as new⊠definitely going to have a word with amazon on it.
Yeah do so for sure
It will, but you can get more out of it imo with a bit higher tier amp
Will definitely keep this in mind while auditioning it. I enjoy it so far outside of the bass. going to try to tinker with my settings and eq
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Iâve been there. When I first got my $1100 ADI-2 DAC, I opened it up at the first thing I noticed was the display was dirty from someoneâs fingerprints. After turning it I noticed some of the settings werenât at default. So it was was in use for some period of timeâmaybe a display unit or something. Anyway I ended up exchanging it for a proper new one.
Also if the third party seller doesnât work with you, you can definitely go to Amazon support
The t1.2nd takes time to adapt. The t1.2nd is more laid back and round bass (like 3d). The dt1990 with the A-pads is more like planar slam hard hitting.
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this is actually the perfect explaination to what I am getting. Itâs a bit of a toss up here t1 here is like laid back while 1990 are the more analytical. planar slam like sound vs a rounder bass. lmao I like them both but I only plan on keeping one. I really wish I had that damned liquid platinum to really do a full contemplation. The treble is a little sharper on these then the 1990s though I noticed that incredibly fast. Will definitely need a better amp to tweak these a bit more and dial back that treble a hair more than the spark. I didnât buy the platinum though due to being up in the air over these and the 1990s as the 1990s donât really benefit from tubes like the T1 can be with a balanced tube amp especially since I already make use of the aeon open x which is another balance capable headphone. It was either 1990 with an RNHP amp or t1 with the liquid platinum and nos tubes. I will say this⊠this is definitely a headphone I am having a very hard time putting down right now its too pleasant to listen too. I placed it on my equalizer and ever so slightly adjusted the bass it responded perfectly and outside of the treble thats a tad too sharp for my taste this is really good. Just not sure if I would prefer more analytical since I would also use the 1990 or t1 in competitive gaming scenarios so accurate analytical imaging is very benefitial
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Anyone happen to have these with a liquid platinum mind letting me know how it sounds? On my end using a liquid spark I am getting very little bass a treble thats just barily sibilant, not in many cases but some its really on the border, and its sound is quite a lot brighter than a 1990⊠this honestly sounds right now like the next step off a 990 to my ears so I am fairly curious how it changes upon switching to a balanced tube amp.
What would people consider to be a fair price or a used pair of Gen 1âs in good condition with the original box, travel case and user manual?
The lowest I have seen them is 350$.
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