These are cables. Sonic differences between cables are much smaller than between headphones, and in most cases, between sources. But the richness I’m hearing in the bass across all three headphones isn’t something I can shake. Regarding balanced, I am now and always have been a believer- to an extent. Certain single-ended outputs are poor. The Sony ZX300 single ended output is one that sounds good, but which both measures and sounds inferior to its balanced. Then there are some balanced outputs that measure worse than their single-ended counterparts. Hello Astell & Kern AK380. Hello Onkyo DP-S1.
If you’ve got one of those outputs which is particularly shy on stereo separation, balanced can improve its sound, but there’s no binary answer. LinnenberG’s amazing Maestro sounds great from both outputs, maybe with a slight edge to low-end stereo detail from the balanced output. I’ve had it for years and am still undecided. Several other balanced amps and DAPs I’ve used are really hit and miss. Of course, that’s at the source. At the headphone, there’s a lot that can work itself out.
Of the three headphones in this article, my favourite to use balanced is the HD650. Its softer basic voicing almost needs the extra air of which a good balanced output and cable combination is capable. Susvara is next on the list. It wonderfully graduates all transitions and fades from signal to black. But its stock cables are pretty poor in comparison to the C3, and considering its amazing capabilities, limiting it is kind of a shame.
The OrtoPhones I prefer to use single-ended. It’s dynamic enough, and sluices channels so precisely that I don’t want to bother with either tactile or theoretical improvements to its stereo or other detail. And C3 make a wonderful 4-pin to single ended adapter. And their cables really do appear to add a slight warmth that is far more enjoyable. Typically I don’t even use the cable that came with the OrtoPhones. It’s got an impedance mismatch or something that doesn’t do it good. C3’s cheaper SPOFC is a super upgrade to it.
Speaking of differences between SPOFC and UPOCC, I’m tearing my hair out. Maybe their is a hair more warmth in the SPOFC version. Maybe the UPOCC version helps coax sparkle in the highs a bit better. But honestly I don’t know. I do know that each represents a notable upgrade against stock, especially for MyST and HiFiman headphones; in the Sennheier’s case, balanced really is the way to go.
End words
I’m something of a cable agnostic. And yet, I’m not stupidly sceptical. C3 offers serious upgrade in strength and handling against HiFiman and MyST stock cables. It audibly improves MyST the most, perhaps because it is a great cable, perhaps because the MyST cable is a regressive pack-in. Susvara‘ s cable isn’t well made, but sounds all right. I’ve done back and forthing for more than half a year and as far as I’m concerned, it sounds better, too. The Sennheiser, however, is the best match. Sure, its stock cable is well made and does the job and will always do the job. But the HD650 really benefits from going balanced. And, apart from insertion and removal ergonomics, C3’s balanced cables bring the HD650 really up to snuff. Gosh, what a good combination.
Well done.
Lieven
Comments section closed, I’ve had enough of it.