http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/a/ en Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:41:45 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/a/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:45:30 GMT The headphones show 09 fall is over and it was a great success! This is my booth. Just next to is a Jaben booth. Wilson was there too. Image:... The headphones show 09 fall is over and it was a great success!

This is my booth. Just next to is a Jaben booth. Wilson was there too.


Here are some report links (Japanese).
http://avic.livedoor.biz/archives/51303820.html
http://avic.livedoor.biz/archives/51303811.html
http://www.phileweb.com/news/audio/200910/31/9493.html
http://www.phileweb.com/news/audio/200910/31/9495.html
http://www.phileweb.com/news/d-av/200910/31/24665.html
http://www.phileweb.com/news/d-av/200910/31/24666.html
http://www.phileweb.com/news/audio/200910/31/9494.html
http://www.phileweb.com/news/d-av/200910/31/24667.html
http://www.phileweb.com/news/d-av/200910/31/24664.html

Also have a look on the Titanus post.
http://vaiopocket.up.seesaa.net/image/IMG_1072.jpg ]]> Sasaki http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:42:43 GMT Japanese headphones show in Tokyo will take place on October 31 (Saturday). No reservation is required, free of charge. This time, Bayerdynamic... Japanese headphones show in Tokyo will take place on October 31 (Saturday).
No reservation is required, free of charge.

This time, Bayerdynamic to reveal their flagship T1 at the show.
New FOSTEX high-end headphones will be another highlight of the show.
Shure to bring their new headphones, this is new to Japan. Audio techinica to display their new lineups.
Also Jaben network from Singapore and Rudistor audio from Italy will join in.
Many more to come.
My sixth sense tell you there would be some surprises :)

I will have my personal booth and I will bring Head Direct HE5 and Hifiman HM801 as well as HD800 with piccolino balanced cable/Headroom desktop balanced/iTransport with Neutron-star mod. The name of my booth is "Music To Go".


Time: Oct 31(Sat), 11:00-17:00

Place: Nakano Sun-Plaza hotel, Tokyo. 15th floor.

The nearest station is JR Nakano station. (JR: Japan Rail)
Take orange or yellow colored JR train from Shinjyuku station for Kudari direction. Kudari means downward(away) from the heart of Tokyo.
The orange train stops at limited stations and the next station is Nakano, this is faster.
The yellow train stops at every station and the third station is Nakano. (for yellow train , there is a station which name is higashi-nakano(east-Nakano), be careful)
You can also take subway, blue colored Toh-zai line(East-west line), get off at Nakano and this station is shared with JR.
In either, take the north exit of Nakano station and turn immediately to the right, then you will see a tall white building, that is the Nakano Sun-Plaza. Enter from the front entrance and proceed to the right, there are elevators to bring you up, get off at 15th floor.
All the 15th floor is dedicated to the show. Here is the floor plan.
http://www.fujiya-avic.co.jp/d-style...efes/MAP01.jpg


Here is the link to the official page.(Japanese page)

http://www.fujiya-avic.co.jp/d-style...phone_fes.html

Here is the link to video links of the show 09 Spring, have a look to get the idea of the show.
But I am not sure if this beauty reporter will come again :)
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/...deo-links.html

This is a trade show rather, but local headphone fans will get togeather. There is a networking area at the lobby.
Come and join us! ]]> Sasaki http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:29:46 GMT Today, Audio technica announced many new products.

ES10 & W1000X
http://www.phileweb.com/news/d-av/200910/15/24551.html

ATH-ES10 - looks like a successor of ESW10 but this is not a limited model and the housing is titanium, also employs fiberglass baffle.
ES10 features a big 53mm driver against the 43mm of ESW10.
To be released Nov 13 at 47,250 yen.

ATH-W1000X - have a nickname "Grandioso", housing is a pure black cherry wood, with 53mm driver.
To be released on Nov 13, at 71,400 yen.


AT-PHA10,AT-PHA30i & AT-HA35i
http://www.phileweb.com/news/d-av/200910/15/24554.html

To my surprise, they released two portable headphone amps.

AT-PHA10 is very small at 34.5W×55H×15.5D/19g. have stereo mini plug to hook it up with DAPs. Employs CCL(coupling capacitor less) circuit to ensure deep bass.
Runs off one AAA for 30-50 hours of play.
To be released on Dec 11th, 6300 yen.

AT-PHA30i is dedicated to iPod, have iPod dock connector. also very small at 35W×45H×12Dmm/20g. Runs off iPod power!
Have equalizer in the dock connector.
To be released next Spring at 12,600 yen.

AT-HA35i is not a portable but unique combination of itransport plus headphone amp.
HA35i support iPod digital out and also have digital out so act as a transport like iTransport.
To be released next Spring at 50,400 yen.


ATH-BT02/ATH-BT02T
http://www.phileweb.com/news/d-av/200910/15/24555.html

ATH-BT02/ATH-BT02T is bluetooth capable headphones will sell at 9800 yen.
BT02T is aimed for cellular phone market.


and many more!
ATH-WS70 "solid bass" , ATH-PRO700 GD "gold DJ can", ATH-ANC1 "compact Noise canceler", ATH-CKL200 "13 color IEM", ATH-T200TV, ATH-T200, ATH-T300, ATH-T400, ATH-T500
...phew I was tired :) ]]> Sasaki http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:44:28 GMT We had a big audio show in Tokyo during this past weekend. This show is mainly focused on import gears (to us) and some domestic gears as well. Here... We had a big audio show in Tokyo during this past weekend. This show is mainly focused on import gears (to us) and some domestic gears as well.
Here are some of the topics.

LINN SEKRIT DS-I

　　　　　

LINN revealed a new DS line SEKRIT DS-I that is close to the existing Sneaky DS regarding the price.
But DS-I is more focused on amplifier than digital source component. This clear concept will be welcomed by consumer I think. DS-I accept network client as a digital input.
Sounded nice for the price(250000 JPY) and the size. Though DS-I is a digital amp(70W/ch), I did not feel much digital harshness from the sound. This is a virtue of LINN product.


Boulder 1021 Disk player



I think this is a similar disk player to PS Audio Perfect Wave Transport.
1021 will not directory read the data from the disk, instead 1021 rip the data into the buffer and 1021 re-clock the data in the buffer then send them out as a digital stream.
However, the price range is drastically different. This would be 3250000 JPY.


Wadia 121 DAC



A good mate to iTransport. A built-in headphone amp is planned to release.


Digital Domain B-9



This is a compact power amp. In the picture the tiny one is B-9 which is a sibling to the larger B-1.
B-9 is a compact and budget (125000 JPY) amp, but B-9 can be worked in a BTL mode. That is, by consolidating two B-9s together, you can use them as a hi-end stereo amp.
In fact they sounded very nice.


Looks like the digital components stormed the audio world, but another surprising news comes from the vacuum tube technology.
Takatsuki-denki company announced the production of 300B. Yes this is the live vacuum tube production that is made in Japan. Almost 35 years has past since the last tube production here.



The price will be 80000JPY for a pair.
This is a interesting move against the digital wave, but on the other hand I think the tube shines with the digital components that can be sounded hard and harsh. ]]> Sasaki http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:25:48 GMT Autumn has come and now we have autumn flowers. I don't know the English name of this flower. We call this flower as Higanbana - Autumn Equinox flower. That blooms around autumn equinox day.
Red one is common but I especially like white one that has purity and elegance.

I went to take photos to local temple. I used soft lens to capture this beauty.

　　　　　　
EOS-1DsMkII, EF135/2.8 Soft

50mm soft lens is unique but good for candid photo. A great contrast of sunshine and shadow.

　　　　　　
EOS-1DsMkII, VK50R

When I was walking around the garden, I hear subtle beautiful sound like harp. Subtle but clear.
In the below picture, you can see stone packed tube at the front side of the picture.
We call it as water-harp. Yes, this is a musical instrument.


iPhone 3GS

Under the tube, small pot was buried. small water current was poured into the pot and it resonate under the ground.
This is a gracious gift from ancestors. ]]> Sasaki http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:02:06 GMT We hold a small headphone show at Nakano, Tokyo. Hosted by Fujiya-avic. The purpose of the show is to think about the best synergy with HD800 and... We hold a small headphone show at Nakano, Tokyo. Hosted by Fujiya-avic.
The purpose of the show is to think about the best synergy with HD800 and Edition8. We brought several fine home/portable rigs and see the synergy with them.
Here are some pictures from the show. Beside the highend rigs, you will see Intercity MSA-1, Blossom and M81 headphone amps they are Japanese product.

　　　
L: Krel & M81 R: Wadia & P-1u

　　　
L: Ayre & MSA-1 R: Chord & Blossom

I brought Jaben Piccolino cable for both of single-ended and balanced to the show as well as HD25 capable piccolino cable. They are good cables and extends the HD800 performance boundary further.
In the picture, the most near side of the table is my own booth.



As a headfier, I brought GRADO HF-2 and flats to let the people try it (using flats are not so common here).
I also brought Audeze LCD-1 planar to the show. They got favourable comments.


A big surprise was an entry of Final Audio FI-DC101s. This was recently announced unique ear-buds made of chrome or brass.

　　　

They are also know as 200000 yen ear-buds. (almost 2 grands for a pair)
They are made of chrome metal and the driver is 16mm dynamic. I tried the chrome model which is 200000JPY one.
They sounded good, the sound is natural and flat with solid foundation of bass. Sound-staging is very wide for ear-buds. The sound is fairly life-like, I think the sound reproduction ability is high. Though not detailed like BA.
However, I can not say it worth the price. For the price you can buy both of JH13 and ES3x (oh yes include ear impressions). But it is unique product and I like its concept.


The next show is our bigger headphone show on Oct 31, Nakano Tokyo.
No reservations required, no charge. come and join us :dt880smile: ]]> Sasaki http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:33:16 GMT Audeze LCD-1 brings the planar technology into this new era. Audeze has been mentioned in some headfi threads, include the Ortho thread and... Audeze LCD-1 brings the planar technology into this new era.
Audeze has been mentioned in some headfi threads, include the Ortho thread and CanJam2009 impressions.

　　　　　

As already many has reported, the sound quality is stunning. As a modern planar I have Fostex T50RP but the sound quality is completely in the different league. LCD-1 is far superior.
I think overall sound quality is well comparable to high-end cans. I also feel the sound is unique and haunting. That is very fast, much detailed and silky smooth. Bass is plenty and deep, no worry.
First I thought was this is something like Balanced Armature at this big. After some burnt-in, I feel this is something close to STAX as this shows very smooth response over the frequency spectrum. At the same time I think this is fairly musical.
Efficiency is low but no problem with today's good amps. The headphone audio world is much different from the time of YAMAHA HP-1.



LCD-1 proves the planar technology is not obsoleted. Rather it shines with modern powerful headphone amps and get a benefit from latest materials, magnets.
I can't wait for their next move. ]]> Sasaki http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:23:56 GMT I went to see a magnificent aerobatics flight by Japan air defense force aerobatics team BLUE IMPULSE. Equivalent to USN Blue Angels or USAF Thunder... I went to see a magnificent aerobatics flight by Japan air defense force aerobatics team BLUE IMPULSE. Equivalent to USN Blue Angels or USAF Thunder birds.

Here are some photo of the incredible flights.
The planes are Japanese training aircraft T4 "dolphin".

Camera: EOS-1DS MkII, 70-200/4, 16-35/2.8

Click picture to see larger.
　　　　　

　　　　　

　　　　　　　　　　

Here is another demonstration, Blue Impulse Jr. by motorcycle.

　　　　　 ]]> Sasaki http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:17:35 GMT I took a short vacation and take a trip to Mishima-city located almost two hours from Tokyo. My main object was to take Yabusame photos. Yabusame is... I took a short vacation and take a trip to Mishima-city located almost two hours from Tokyo.
My main object was to take Yabusame photos. Yabusame is a traditional horse back archery martial arts. The day was hot but I was managed to find a good location to hide from hard sun light. In addition I got a good photo effect that the sunbeams streaming through leaves.

Camera: EOS-1DsMkII, EF70-200/2.8L IS, EF24-105/4L IS

Click picture to see larger.


　　　　　　　　　　

　　　　　

Mishima is a beautiful town that clear water run through the mid of town.



Where there is good water, there is good food :smile_phones:

　　　　　

On the left is 10 piece Sushi lunch. On the right is charcoal broiled eel with teriyaki like sauce.
They were so delicious! ]]> Sasaki http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Sun, 16 Aug 2009 13:26:22 GMT I wrote a review for Japan made Suyama custom IEM. Image: http://vaiopocket.up.seesaa.net/image/333e-thumbnail2.jpg ... I wrote a review for Japan made Suyama custom IEM.

　　　　　

I posted it on the forum.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/j...w-pics-440231/ ]]> Sasaki http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:33:34 GMT STAX to release new limited driver(electrostatic amp) SRM-600 limited. Yes this is not numbered as 006, but this would be a tube (hybrid) amp. The... STAX to release new limited driver(electrostatic amp) SRM-600 limited. Yes this is not numbered as 006, but this would be a tube (hybrid) amp.
The Price would be around JPY 128000 and will release around early September.
Not sure about the details at this moment, I will update if I get further info.

*Aug 13 update:
Here is a picture.
http://avic.livedoor.biz/archives/51261758.html
Seems like the outlook is same to export version. The tube is JJ. ]]> Sasaki http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:08:44 GMT Finally I got JH13. Image: http://vaiopocket.up.seesaa.net/image/jh13a-thumbnail2.jpg (http://vaiopocket.up.seesaa.net/image/jh13a.jpg) Some... Finally I got JH13.



Some more comments and pictures here. (JH13 pro thread)

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/5903658-post2788.html

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/5920079-post3213.html ]]> Sasaki http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Sat, 01 Aug 2009 13:47:04 GMT ONKYO announced an iTransport like iPod transport ND-S1 . ND-S1 to be released this fall but exact release date and price are not announced. ... ONKYO announced an iTransport like iPod transport ND-S1 . ND-S1 to be released this fall but exact release date and price are not announced.

Japanese news
http://www.phileweb.com/news/d-av/200907/31/24032.html

ND-S1 features 10ppm precise clock and PC-connection.
With "iPod" mode, ND-S1 works like iTransport.
"PC" mode, ND-S1 works as USB transport(ie. D/D converter).
"Sync" mode, ND-S1 synchronize iTunes and iPod via USB connection. But not much sure about this. ]]> Sasaki http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:04:07 GMT Image: http://blog17gray.up.seesaa.net/image/IMG_0632-thumbnail2.jpg (http://blog17gray.up.seesaa.net/image/IMG_0632.jpg) Is this a photoshop...

Is this a photoshop work?
NO, this is an actual size(18m/59ft) monument to celebrate 30 years anniversary of Gundam.

Period: until Aug 31
Place : Shiokaze-koen park at Daiba, Tokyo

*camera: iPhone 3GS

]]> Sasaki http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:09:25 GMT HF-2 has finally arrived! Image: http://vaiopocket.up.seesaa.net/image/hf2a-thumbnail2.jpg ... HF-2 has finally arrived!

　　　　　

Number is #77, oh double lucky :)
Mine is F1 as well but I don't care. They sounded very nice. Good bass and sweet highs. Musical and intimate. good contrast to HD800.



I ordered flat pads too. The flat pads makes HF-2 even more aggressive. I think this is more Grado-ish.

HF-2 is a nice gift for headfiers :) ]]> Sasaki http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html