I envy the US meets.

Me too, only plus for us is that all them shops are next to each other, so its technically a 'meet' every other day.

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.

Very interesting regarding Tyll's comments on the lack of treble noise. Wondering just how much variation exists between sets, because my set doesn't seem to have this issue either going by Tyll's description.

Also pretty much in agreement with the comments on them being "what I'm looking for" insofar as a mix of stereotypical ortho and stat goodness. I felt the same way about the TakeT H2+ for a while, which is piezoelectric, but the FR of those is just way too wonky and amp dependent to make them viable long-term for me. I really need to buckle down and do a comparison between the Abyss and the new Floats, both of which have really captivated me with their way of doing things.

Really wanting to hear the AK120. I love love love the form factor of the AK100, so if the sound is finally up to snuff it might be worth the investment.

Anyway, thank you to everyone for posting meet impressions. Hopefully I can attend some again soon.

Someone over at Head-Fi made a quick comparison to the TakeT... anything to that?

In terms of sonics? The overall FR are rather different to my ears, and the TakeT is essentially a bass monster. The Abyss is far more balanced. They do have a somewhat similar sense of texturing and uncanny sort of presence, a very lifelike "reach out and touch it" kind of presentation. They both also have a somewhat laid back manner without being dark.

I'd really like to know how they got to double the cost of the AK100.

Oh you know how.  People would pay for it, that's how.  That said, one chip per channel did make a noticeable improvement to my ears and I didn't/don't like the AK100.  That said, I'm very happy w/ my portable rig atm after running through a bunch of opamps to breath new life into the rig. 

I honestly don't see a point to a standalone DAP anymore.  When is a person ever going to be without their smartphone?  Thus the DAP becomes another brick to haul around when the argument for all-in-one DAPs has been to reduce brickage.  Best to just get a DAC/amp that can work w/ your phone which you will usually have on you anyway.  If the AK120 were around the $400-$500 mark, I'd consider it, maybe.  But at >$1K, hahahaha!!