12/26 Mountain View Mini @ Icarium's - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

Asr · 12-27-2007, 09:44 PM

The equipment was one of a kind. The attendees were few. But most of all, it was an ear-opening experience!

Attendees were just three: me, Icarium, & Filburt.

The equipment? As seen below, it ranged from dirt cheap to megabucks!

Sources:
- Accuphase DP-500
- Esoteric UX-1

Amps:
- Filburt's 4-AA powered DIY PINT
- HeadAmp AE-2, and Pico times 2!
- Singlepower Supra

Headphones:
- AKG K701 stock and SAA Equinox-recabled
- Sony Qualia 010

HEAD TO HEAD - Accuphase vs Esoteric

Of course I had to find out where these two Japanese CDPs differed. Amp used was the AE-2. Sad I know, but my reference for now nonetheless.

I found the Accuphase to have the more well-rounded sonics - a fuller mid-range, deeper bass strength. More energetic.

The Esoteric was supremely good in its own way though - it had more soundstage. More air, greater lift between instruments. The mid-range was sweeter too and carried itself along with more purity. An awesome listen, it was like being lifted up into the air compared to the Accuphase. It sounded closer overall to my Arcam FMJ CD33 than my Accuphase.

(For reference I was using the VH Audio Spectrum Ag interconnects with my Equinox K701.)

HEAD TO HEAD - PINT vs AE-2

I really like the sound of my AE-2, but then I saw Filburt's enigmatic PINT and decided I had to do a beatdown.

Holy schnikes. The two portables sounded completely different, and I came away preferring the AE-2 still. The AE-2 has plenty of soundstage to me and yet remains laidback as well, but the PINT took things further. It separated the soundstage better - relative position between instruments was delineated much better. Instruments positioned far versus close actually sounded far or close. The PINT was also less energetic - subtle, much more laidback, a large sound of ease. I did notice a bass recession on it that made me sad. It made my electronica downright depressing on the K701, and that's saying something.

HEAD TO HEAD - K701 vs K701

Mine are serial #2896. Filburt's are #6910. Does the Equinox cable make a difference? Well actually I can't say. There's evidence that AKG has put out a few variations of the K701. Mine is from the first batch up to 3K, and Filburt's is from the next batch which repositioned the cross-section in the left driver.

Regardless of that issue, these two K701s sounded quite different from each other. Mine had the edge in soundstage and treble sparkle. #6910 had a warmer mid-range and added mid-bass. And since I know the Equinox cable warmed up my K701 compared to stock this is interesting indeed.

HEAD TO HEAD - Qualia vs K701

The K701 has been well-documented. If you've heard a K701, take everything you know about it. Now imagine an overall increase in speed. And clarity. Fundamental bass power. And treble extension. Also imagine that instruments spread out more on the soundstage. And, if you can, imagine a loss of the vapid ambient air that makes it sound like the music is trying to escape from you.

Now you have the Qualia 010. Is it more detailed? YES. Is it fast? YES. Is it sibilant? NO. Is it still musical? YES!

If only the Qualia wasn't so expensive. I'd like to own one.

Thanks to Icarium for hosting and allowing us to sample his high-end gear.

Icarium · 12-27-2007, 09:49 PM

Actually 3 Picos! Since Filburt had his prototype ;p

Oh and the Supra is actually a max upgraded SDS (Converted from a Supra).

Hrmm notes from me. The AE-2 is really a damned good portable amp and the potentiometer is pure sex.

K701 out of the Pico/AE-2/SDS is a damned good sounding heading. Not nearly as boring as I remembered it.

The Accuphase is damned find sounding source. I'm pretty satisfied with my UX-1, but I probably could have been satisfied with the Accuphase as well (If I didn't plan on going APL in the end).

SK138 · 12-27-2007, 10:13 PM

I really like the micro meet environment where there are more impressions and more gear comparisons. Did any of you take some pictures? How did the pico DAC compare to your CDP DAC...joke

Asr · 12-27-2007, 10:55 PM

Sorry I forgot my camera. And maybe someone else can speak for the Pico, since I'm not allowed to (for now).

wower · 12-28-2007, 01:00 AM

Oh man, I wish I could have been at this meet. I'd love to oggle at the stuff listed in Ica's sig and buy everyone a beer.

elnero · 12-28-2007, 03:45 AM

Originally Posted by Asr

HEAD TO HEAD - PINT vs AE-2

I really like the sound of my AE-2, but then I saw Filburt's enigmatic PINT and decided I had to do a beatdown.

Holy schnikes. The two portables sounded completely different, and I came away preferring the AE-2 still. The AE-2 has plenty of soundstage to me and yet remains laidback as well, but the PINT took things further. It separated the soundstage better - relative position between instruments was delineated much better. Instruments positioned far versus close actually sounded far or close. The PINT was also less energetic - subtle, much more laidback, a large sound of ease. I did notice a bass recession on it that made me sad. It made my electronica downright depressing on the K701, and that's saying something.

A request for clarification, which amp does the bolded "It" refer to?

Icarium · 12-28-2007, 05:01 AM

It referred to the pint. Basically with the AE-2 everything was just placed further back while there was more instrument separation with the point. Like asr said... things that were supposed to be close and things that were supposed to be far away were far away. You also have to understand that Filburt's point is especially pimped out with a very special op amp that compromises a large percentage of his pint's special sauce. I'm not sure your average pint would do as well against the AE-2 which is quite a damned good amp.

jp11801 · 12-28-2007, 02:32 PM

sounds like a fun meet now maybe we can all get together next week for a pico predator throw down

elnero · 12-28-2007, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by Icarium

It referred to the pint. Basically with the AE-2 everything was just placed further back while there was more instrument separation with the point. Like asr said... things that were supposed to be close and things that were supposed to be far away were far away. You also have to understand that Filburt's point is especially pimped out with a very special op amp that compromises a large percentage of his pint's special sauce. I'm not sure your average pint would do as well against the AE-2 which is quite a damned good amp.

Thanks for the clarification, it seemed that was the amp he was referring to but the way the paragraph is written that part was a bit confusing.

socrates63 · 12-28-2007, 06:15 PM

I really like the PINT, and I thought it performed as well as the non-M Hornet. I actually preferred the PINT.

Filburt, how does your PINT running on 4 AA's perform differently than a PINT running on a single 9v? From Icarium's comments, it sounds like your PINT has other factors going for it other than the battery configuration.

My desktop PINT has the AD#### opamp and my portable one has the LM#### (I forget the actual numbers). Both were built by MisterX.