A huge thanks to Darin (he was responsible for bringing most of the cool stuff), and it was he who suggested a meet. I merely offered my place. I also appreciate everyone who drove so far to meet up. I'm glad I didn't have to travel far for once. These smaller meets are the best kind of meets. I've always suggested to those at the big HF meets that they break up and do smaller meets later.

PIX: http://www.fongphotography.com/gallery.php?skookslocation=headfivostokmeet

There really wasn't anything there which was outright horrible. We tested a few DACs, but my DAC rundown at HF has been updated.

I really liked n3rdling's Aristaeus with the SR009. A very good match. The bass actually becomes a bit thick, maybe too much so. He also brought he SR-Omegas which remain one of my favorites from STAX. I'm just not too enamored with the SR-009 still. I think the Aristaeus is probably my favorite HeadAmp. I wish Justin would make more of these things because they are a better match with the SR-009 than the BHSE.


Now this little box on top of n3rdling's CD player was really really interesting. It is DSP unit which deconvolved the impulse response for the K701 and ATH-M50 headphones. I've never heard the K701 sound so good. Very impressive. I also ran the profile for the M50, but the results were not so good. It's clear the M50 is much more limited in its capability compared to the K701.

I recall that when I put these K701 on, I was like WTF did AKG do to these? It was only later that I discovered the special DSP tricks used to making these sound absolutely great (for what they were).


This is the Woo WES with the Shunguang tubes. John (Williams) mentioned that they help bring a warmer signature with the SR009. I think the power rectifier tubes below are the 5AR4s which bring more slam to the table. The build quality is really nice. These things are like tanks.


This was also a good opportunity for a DAC-Off. Vega + PWD2 + Alpha + Luxman DA06. OR5 and Berkeley Alpha USB converters. I'll cover more in the 17+ DAC comparison on HF. I still need to provide an update on the Luxman. The Berkeley Alpha seem to be on par with the OR5, at least with the AES. Note that my OR5 has no upgrades exception for the regulator on the i2s and AMB power supply.

I don't know if we are allowed to comment on the Oppos publicly.

Well let me know.  I just did on the chatbox following your lead, lol.

Boo, no one liked my custom Super7?  Which I guess isn't much of an S7 anymore.  Though we used it as a tube distortion machine to A/B reference DACs.    I guess people forgot about it because it sounds like nothing. 

... still typing up shit.

Anax's modified Super 7. Feedback loop changes, rollable caps in the feedback loop and interstage. one day we'll get to rollable OPTs. I love the external oil can caps. This is the amp we used for the DAC-Off. Probably the best one there for such purposes.


I hope no one got sick. I dry aged this tri-tip myself. Seared in the egg grill at 700-800F and then put in the oven the rest of the way at 180F until internal temp hit 140-145. I would have pulled this out earlier at 130-135F if it were myself, but I figured others may have freaked out over the SUPER-RARE stuff Anax, LFF, and I prefer. That's 20% of what was left. I got a pretty big piece (3.5lbs) at the store.


Super tender juicy pork tenderloin. Same process as the tri-tip. Sous-vide chefs can go fuck themselves. (After trying this sous-vide thing, I'm now convinced it a process of housewives who overcook meats like chicken and pork. I'd rather steam a la asian style cooking than do sous-vide again.) Pulled this out at 170. I would have preferred 160, but again, people would have freaked out from seeing pinkish pork. It's already pink enough.