here's a preface to my impressions:

http://i.imgur.com/utVxG1X.png

I was banned from the HF thread so I can't add more.

ZD, is that a good guesstimate of the price of the EC Studio?

The reason is ask is that with my Yggy on the way, I had asked Marv for his advice on a top flight amp. So do your poor cousin in the subcontinent a favor and drop your bid price, ahem, quite a bit

Seriously, that's to be expected since the current top price is around 4,300-4,500 stock.

Marantz CD Player > Yggy > EC Studio Amp

Rig gave me the chills. I think the way I described it to Craig was "uncomfortably exciting." The pairing of the Yggdrasil with this amp was divine. I really, really can't describe how resolving it is. CEE TEE wasn't as convinced as I am, he felt an information overload. I really enjoyed it, though. I was pretty much enthralled with Natalie Merchant on this rig.

Yggy > Eddie Current Red Top

Phenomenal with orthos, but not a good pairing with the HD800 in my opinion. Super controlled but with a tube liquidity, this is my favorite solid state amp. Really good pairing with the Abyss/Code-X/Slants/Audeze cans. I would not use this as my primary amp due to loving the HD800s, but a ridiculous deal.

Liquid Crimson

My favorite Cavalli amp so far. Very, very sexy and a great sound.

Geek Out V2

Better than the base Pulse +LPS (need to compare to the top XFi unit, though) and the stock, $299 one beats out my Geek Out V1 SE. Kicks resolution up to the point where the Triad L3 Lion is holding it back (I'm going to be selling this amp). Ordering the SE model if there are any left, otherwise I'm doing my damndest to get an infinity. Caveat: I am now borrowing a unit to review but will buy some of my own as well. Replacing my V1s with these.

Ether

Super big surprise for me! Mr. Speakers' best headphone. I wish it came out before/instead of the Alpha Prime. I thought it was really pleasant out of the Yggy > Ragnarok.

Hugo TT

Having owned the QB76, the QuteHD,  the Peach, the gem, the toucan and a bunch of other Chord gear I was sad that this thing was so mediocre. Seriously, super harsh, unnatural sound and not super duper resolving at all. I honestly thought the base geek out v2 > Leckerton stack was significantly better.

Zana Deux S
Like if you took the SE, increased clarity, made it a tad more neutral in tuning, and bumped resolution up. Not my cup of tea, but I think a lot of others will love this amp. CEE TEE loved it, and he has picky ears. It was hard for me not to want to go back to the EC Studio, though.

HE-560 (stock)
I liked them better this time for some reason. Still sound the same, but the tuning is starting to grow on me. I prefer the Ether, though.

My Alpha Primes
Still very disappointing. I have not heard a pair I liked. Ron thought it ruined Neil Young and I agree.

Bill's LCD-2
Getting better! The tuning keeps improving.

Wikia/Steph
Phenomenal fucking hosts. They even fed us and kept us WELL hydrated with the contents of their wonderful drink fridges. A+ for letting us invade their space and for putting up with us dill weeds. Seriously, like 40 guys in a small space that's too warm, we slightly smelled up their offices.

Steph's kid
Stinking adorable.

Adam Findley
Good taste in gear


I regret not listening to the liquid carbon. It's super little, though and I'm certain I'll be enjoying my preorder when it arrives.