[-=Germania=-]

OK, some of my impressions.

I discovered that I am NOT at all a basshead. I would prefer a clear smooth treble with lots of sparkle (but not fatiguing...I know).
What I gained:
- an appreciation for Darths and Beyer-like derivatives (DX1000 and D5000/2000)
-A desire to build a S.E.X. amp.
-My Fav Grado: HP1
-A strong feeling that I am going to start building a lot of stuff
-Better understanding of tube differences/types
-Depodded versus Podded is a huge jump (A/B) and made it sound scary close to the Ety4.
-The Raptor jived really well with both my k400 and HD590, but not so much with the HR-2.
-Predator + ESW9 = Smooth- they seemed to be exceptionally well matched to each other and this would make a great road warrior setup.
-LP's are very forseable
-SR-003: While I see myself getting Stax at some point, I just couldn't get a comfy fit with these and I really wished they sounded like SR-Lambdas! (then I could maybe afford them soon)
-Time for me to move to a better source (computer).
-Meet new people and make new friends.

Well, if you didn't know. I just got a "new to me" amp from Morphsci - MisterX XP Home Amp. I owned the portable XP amp and it was at the previous meet. The Home amp version is clearly in another league and most likely only limited because of the power supply (which I will replace with a nicer laptop power supply relatively soon). I am currently listening with my iPod dock plugged into it and it is a really great combo IMO. (esp. with piano).

I think that Ray might be sold on getting a set of k400's (an AKG he seemed to like). All I can suggest to to try and get one of Fitz's that are slowly comming up.

It is now time to move to the source.
When I got back to my place, I hooked my XP to my Reciever with the RCA output and it was having channel problems on one side. For right now, I will likely be regulated to pluging the XP to the headphone out of my receiver (which doesn't sound bad, just not enough power). It seemes like it would be a good time to start looking into USB external sound cards/stations because my receiver already uses my digital out and my line-outs seem really noisy to me. There is just something that disturbs me about hearing a little bit of fuzz between notes. Really, I don't get how I can live backing to a fraternity parking lot for the last two years and get irritated by fuzz so much.

Life.

I hope that you get your older RS1's absorbine_sr! * I am gladd that most people came to the same concensus on the old/new model*

Skylab, you kids are incredibly good, cute, smart children. They were able to hold adult conversations while remaining kids and not being too serious. I am so getting my sis the m30's as a result (birthday) and then an iZ for the holidays. As a girl, of course I talked to your wife and how the progression happened. Strangely enough, I might be in that same boat as a grown adult and it is always better to be prepared!

Skylab - *I don't know if you will get this joke* You ARE Northwestern. (Your wife is also). It is rare to get to meet Alums who are a dedicated as yourselves and gives me something to look forward to. (Good seats!)

The comraderie shared amonst all present is a testament to what this hobby is all about it. As Skylab's walls said it, "It's about the Music." The B&W with Ella & Louie made my heart sink and make me want to get LP's because I have lossless recordings and they are nothing like that good.

Great People = Great Atmosphere

Fin.