Doing that kind of forum analysis will help figure out what is popular. Unfortunately, what is the most popular is not always the best.  Unless you're only attempting to measure influence.  In which case there is no question, the BHSE has the longest threads, the most threads, and the most continual posts of any of the third party amps. 


There are probably small groups of fans of each of the third party amps, by RSA, Woo, Cavalli, Headamp, soon to be EC... but its a matter of who is more doggedly persistent about forwarding their agenda (or passion to be less conspiratorial.)  Lots of users get in, find a setup they love, and get out. They measure a zero on the richter scale of influence, but in that case their silence speaks volumes.  Others get an amp and rave for a few weeks, but its a case of "methinks thou dost talk too much" and they end up "regretfully" selling on the forums at little to no loss (coincidentally largely because of their own ravings.)  What was I talking about again?
 

Where are you located majnun?  There may be meets near you with availability to test some of these amps.

Yes.  Craig was intent on selling that as a finished design, that's why I let him have it.  It looked exactly like the amp that was just brought to the last Bay area meet.  That was not the original prototype, but a pre production design.  Craig's been known to play games with us seeing what he can get away with at a certain price point.  Also, why do think the Monolith is being sold as a kit and not a finished product?  We ripped it to shreds and told Craig to go buy a Schiit amp instead.  Not really a problem w/ the amps design but the components and price point he was aiming for hit too far below the mark we thought.  At least now you can populate the boards however you like and make an uber Monolith to compete w/ the Darkstar if you want to.

Is someone forcing you to use the E90?  Let's see what happens at the next meet when you bring your SR5 and the 950 is plugged into the Electra. 

Ok, thanks for clearing that up.  I think Craig makes good stuff...there's no EC amp that I think is bad and he probably has the best component cost:amp price ratio out there.  The BA in particular is phenomenal, so I wanna hear your Leviathan at a meet someday.

I haven't made a Stax adapter for it is all.  I just hooked the system up and never bothered to change anything.  It's a convenient little system, I don't even know how they sell them for so cheap.

I don't think Alex will let me audition it since I'm probably considered a Gilmore Girl 

The LL2 will probably swing through Milwaukee, it would only take an extra day to pop it through Chicago.  If you've purchased an amp from Alex before I wouldn't be surprised if he made an exception for the loaner program for you as he'd know you're a serious potential buyer.

Thanks a lot, much appreciated.  I don't mean to cause "headphone drama", I guess I just don't want this place to take a turn for the worse or discourage newbies from liking what they like, since there are aspects of this forum that aren't available at the other two. 

To be honest, I'm not sure I should be allowed a demo trial now that I think about it.  I'm certainly not a potential customer as I'm perfectly content with what I have (in fact I'm going the opposite direction in downsizing), so I'd be taking away time from those that are serious about buying a new stat amp.  I just wanted to hear one in my own system since I'm not really comfortable giving meet impressions to people that PM me for advice months later.

What shirt?  I've never heard of this...do they come complete with shelf-liner pirate patches? 

Whether the dog-pile happens depends upon how someone presents themselves. If people can qualify their reasons for liking or disliking something, especially in a detailed way and in a comparative sense, I don't think they have anything to be worried about. Generally, the dog-piles happen when people come in and try to show off how smart they or and promote a certain agenda rather than to truly contribute. Honestly, I'm really happen when some random person comes in and says I heard X and I like/hate it for X and Y reasons. How do you guys feel?

So again, this is going to be a problem to most people who are uninitiated to the history that most of you guys have. It's like trying to approach rabid dogs with a ten feet pole: who knows if the dogs are going to just chew that pole up and go straight to biting your arm off. I think that attitude turns off about 95% of the population, so you'll always be dealing with the usual 5% that continue to contribute regularly. (I'm guessing with these percentages based on your user registration and frequent and active user base but I don't believe I'm far off.) I already see that this is the preferred engagement by the active user base anyway but always wonder about some of those in the 95% that really do have something valuable to contribute.

Sorry for getting off track. Back on topic with a question. Is this LL2MKII making pit stops in the Bay Area? Anyone here willing to let me listen to this for an hr or so (with appropriate SR-007 or SR-009) in exchange for the poison of your choice? Happy to bring beer, wine, scotch, tea, whatever ails ya. I wonder if my only listening experience with the SR-009s (and an older amp from Justin) was just an anomaly.