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Author Topic: LA Meet 2013 Impressions  (Read 10061 times)

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Marvey

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Re: LA Meet 2013 Impressions
« Reply #10 on: July 21, 2013, 11:39:27 PM »
Ethan's Stratus, with the Sophia Mesh.
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Marvey

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Re: LA Meet 2013 Impressions
« Reply #11 on: July 21, 2013, 11:46:14 PM »
The Astell & Kern stuff. AK120 is probably the best portable DAC available right now. I initially guessed AKM, but it was Wolfson. Not Sabre (which I'm now convinced is a mid-fi chip at best). Thank heavens. Great UI. Already talked about at THE SHOW impressions.
« Last Edit: July 22, 2013, 12:56:26 AM by purrin »
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TMRaven

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Re: LA Meet 2013 Impressions
« Reply #12 on: July 21, 2013, 11:49:01 PM »
You mention the Asgard2/Bifrost2 sound remarkably close to Mjolnir and Gungir.  I have some money to throw around and was wondering if going from Magni/Modi to Asgard2/Bifrost2 would be worth it?  Reason I'm looking more into source upgrades instead of headphone upgrades is because I don't really see anything that's a direct upgrade to the HE-400 that's cheap (and by cheap I mean not the SR-007 or Abyss).  I like the upper midrange recession and elevated bass.
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Marvey

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Re: LA Meet 2013 Impressions
« Reply #13 on: July 21, 2013, 11:50:18 PM »
I didn't take a pic of the Denon stand, but the D7100 pair I tried seemed to have sounded better than the one I heard at H3 last year - the one which Jude brought. That H3 D7100 sounded like a fart canon with way too much bass and obvious bass distortion. While his D7100 was still bassy, overall balance was much better. It's possible the formulation may have changed. Warren sent me a pm a while back saying he was in possession of the D7100 which did indeed not sound as bad as the one heard at H3.

I picked up a coupon for 10% off Denon headphones and the rep even gave me a free iPhone case which I needed!
« Last Edit: July 22, 2013, 12:56:49 AM by purrin »
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Marvey

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Re: LA Meet 2013 Impressions
« Reply #14 on: July 22, 2013, 12:16:42 AM »
Quote from: TMRaven on July 21, 2013, 11:49:01 PM
You mention the Asgard2/Bifrost2 sound remarkably close to Mjolnir and Gungir.  I have some money to throw around and was wondering if going from Magni/Modi to Asgard2/Bifrost2 would be worth it?  Reason I'm looking more into source upgrades instead of headphone upgrades is because I don't really see anything that's a direct upgrade to the HE-400 that's cheap (and by cheap I mean not the SR-007 or Abyss).  I like the upper midrange recession and elevated bass.

Yes. Right now I feel the "sweet spot" in the Schiit line is the A2B2 combo. Unfortunately this sweet spot is significantly more expensive than the $200 MM combo. Make you have room on your desk. The A2B2 combo does take up a bit more real-estate and generate more heat.
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Marvey

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Re: LA Meet 2013 Impressions
« Reply #15 on: July 22, 2013, 12:19:56 AM »
Here's the ALO Studio Six fed by a Mytek DAC (PCM, not the Stereo DSD). This setup was good sounding. Supposedly this amp can simultaneously drive multiple pairs of headphones without sacrifice to fidelity. The geek side of me is curious as to how the amp is able to do this.
« Last Edit: July 22, 2013, 12:57:27 AM by purrin »
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Marvey

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Re: LA Meet 2013 Impressions
« Reply #16 on: July 22, 2013, 12:29:45 AM »
Here's the EC445. The development platform for the x4. I'm always curious as to whether I am hearing shit or not, so it was nice that two guys at the meet stated that they heard a clear improvement with the 445 over the BA. You can read all about the 445 (or Levi) on this site.

The power supply is an experimental unit using Xenon gas tubes. I don't think it will be available for the first run of the x4 (whenever that will be), but it may be available sometime in the future for an additional $1000? (the actual production unit, if it's ever made, will likely look much more fancy).
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Marvey

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Re: LA Meet 2013 Impressions
« Reply #17 on: July 22, 2013, 12:31:33 AM »
I was really looking forward to hearing Doug's (ECP Audio) L-2, particularly with the HD800. blubliss brought them, but unfortunately his PC broke. I'm sure I'll eventually get a chance.
« Last Edit: July 22, 2013, 12:57:46 AM by purrin »
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Marvey

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Re: LA Meet 2013 Impressions
« Reply #18 on: July 22, 2013, 12:42:27 AM »
I forgot to take a picture of the rig I took to the meet on behalf of Cavalli Audio and JPS Labs. I brought my PS Audio PWD2 DAC with the OR5 USB/I2S converter. Hooked that into the LAu to power the AB-1266 headphone.

This is what Frank Cooter had to say (LOL, I got permission to quote him):

I've been going back between the STAX and the Audezes. This is the sound I've been looking for.


P.S.

Tyll did mention to me that this pair did not have the "treble noise" issues he had with his review pair.
« Last Edit: July 22, 2013, 01:04:27 AM by purrin »
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OJneg

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Re: LA Meet 2013 Impressions
« Reply #19 on: July 22, 2013, 01:03:33 AM »
I would have shown up if I hadn't just got back from Orlando on Friday night. Looks like a grand ol' time was had. Wish I had brought my HD600's to scope the field.
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