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CanJam 08: Team Florida Invites All Their Friends...
Head-Fi Meet Impressions, Trade Show Reports, Factory ToursThis sub-forum will serve as an archive location of past Head-Fi Meet impressions, trade show reports and factory tours.
That DAC is a Moth Audio DAC, which is in fact "retro" given that it is no longer in production.
I have scoured the 'net in search of the Moth Audio U-Dac, which was produced in 1998~1999. None for sale right now, but when I get back on Monday I'll begin phase II of my search. I understand these were $3500 when new and included a tubed power supply, but more details than that have been difficult to find. I love a challenge.
Thank you so much for hosting such a wonderful meet. The Florida crews were one of the most friendly people on earth…members that made this meet fun...vendors that gamered audio enthusiasts. I really felt like a part of a big family. I, my father Wei, and brother Zhidong were truly grateful and delightful.
Special thanks to Mike (tyrion) for organizing the event, carrying tons of heavy packages, running around to make sure everything went smoothly. His supportive family allowed him to sit back and enjoyed the goodies.
Thanks Gene (agile_one), John (jp#), and Vicki (boomanna) for coordinating the event, connecting everyone together. You guys are great.
Al (voltron) and Aaron (immtbiker) showed their gratitude this hobby brings them. They made CanJam the best meet ever. (I just spoke to Aaron. His voice finally opens up but we agree that the air in FT Lauderdale is much fresher and easier to breath than in NYC's)
Also thanks to Ethan Wood, Living Large Audio, for sponsoring the high quality Siltech interconnects and power cords; Ping Gong, AAA Audio, for lending 3 Original CD players and Dasun AC power conditioner. Their help really brought lights to our displays.
We look forward to meeting everyone soon. I know it won’t be long.
Sony SCD-1 > HeadAmp Blue Hawaii SE > Stax Omega II MKII
My primary goal going into CanJam was to find out if electrostat equipment was for me, and I left with the knowledge that yes, it is!
Until CanJam, there was always only one dynamic headphone at the top for me, the Audio-Technica AD2000. Many headphones came but all went - even ones like the L3000, PS-1, R10, Qualia 010, and other esoteric ATs. The AD2000 embodies so much of what I like.
Until I heard this system. The OII MKII came up against the AD2K...and left it eating dust! I spun only three CDs in this system, from A Fine Frenzy, Alison Krauss, and The Crystal Method. It was all I needed. The AD2K had finally been soundly beaten...by an electrostat! Farewell AD2K, I knew you well.
If the HeadAmp system thrived on what was surely a visual tour de force from source to headphones, then this system thrived on brute force. The Meridian was massive and delivered a whole bunch of sound to the industrial grade-looking Millett 307A. Clearly locked and loaded for nothing but a sonic assault, the Millett 307A may not win much in the visual department but it delivered a lot of sound. The Equinox-recabled K701 and GS1000 showed that this system was capable of unearthing levels of untold detail with deep soundstage scoping and crystal clarity, with softly and deftly-sorted layers for a spookily 3D presentation. The K701 sounded like no K701 that I've heard before, it was simply unprecedented.
I also gained a new appreciation of the GS1000 in this system. Flatter than the K701 with fewer sonic quirks, it really does boast an excellent level of neutrality while at the same time remaining quite musical. Vocals sounded more real on it than the K701. I suspect these headphones would be great for classical music also.
Singlepower Odyssey
Looking for a compact two-box balanced tube pre-amp & headphone amp, that uses an all-digital volume control? Singlepower's new Odyssey is exactly what you need then. Oh there are already several balanced tube pre-amps/headphone amps, but the Odyssey goes one step further to give you 1 dB-accurate digital control over the volume from across the room. Its complement of 8 tubes (times 2) is also protected by a glass dome that's enhanced by an inner blue glow in the dark, and it can be fitted with a different tube-complement module when they become available.
Cary CAD-300 SEI
This transformer-coupled tube integrated amp can drive it all, from the AKG K1000 to the Grado HP1000 to the AKG K701 and Audio-Technica AD2000. Add this to your shortlist if you're looking for a top-end tube amp for a single-ended system.
Woo Audio GES > HeAudio electrostatic headphones
The other electrostatic pair that got a lot of attention, this was definitely a winning combo. Very detailed, open, and clear-sounding, with no harshness.
Sleek Audio SA6
The new SA6 packs a lot, with SQ-tuning tips for treble and bass, along with a detachable cable, and good sound to finish it out. No, it's not exactly the most detailed-sounding IEM that's probably out there, but it does engage and has a very good balance without being overly bassy or overly trebly.
Moon Audio Silver & Black Dragon interconnects & headphone cables
Moon Audio's Drew: "We can re-cable every headphone on the planet." It's true. Moon Audio can and has done it! Look out APureSound, because Moon Audio is here to sweep up everything it can. These two cable operations are neck & neck competitors the way I see it - pure hand-made cables, top-notch personal customer service, and a breakneck willingness to take on almost any cable project! Well, Moon Audio goes even further than APureSound actually, with three flavors of wire and not just one - the Blue, Silver, and Black Dragon!
And did I mention yet that Moon Audio recently released its high-end cable assault with the new V3 of the Silver Dragon interconnects featuring the WBT-0102 for RCA and Furutech FP-601 for XLR? Now when will APureSound release its own high-end interconnects? Definitely stay tuned for more in this area...
Until CanJam, there was always only one dynamic headphone at the top for me, the Audio-Technica AD2000. Many headphones came but all went - even ones like the L3000, PS-1, R10, Qualia 010, and other esoteric ATs. The AD2000 embodies so much of what I like.
WOW! You really prefer the AD2000 over all of those top tier cans? Very interesting. Now I must hear them for myself.
In what areas do they excel so well for you?
__________________
"Watching television is like taking black spray paint to your third eye." - Bill Hicks
Headphoneus Supremus: HeadFest '07 Lead Organizer The DOTU
Originally Posted by WooAudio
Thank you so much for hosting such a wonderful meet. The Florida crews are one of the friendliest people on earth…members that make this meet fun...vendors that gamer audio enthusiasts. I really feel like a part of a big family. I, my father Wei, and brother Zhidong are truly grateful and delightful.
Best Wishes,
Jack
You, Zhidong, and Wei are the best! Thank YOU for making the effort to get to Florida for this great event.
Tonight I will finally get to hear the Woo Audio GES in my system because I forgot that I had loaned out or sold my electrostats before going to CanJam! The Omega II and Lambda will be first, but the 4070 should arrive soon. I hope to be able to try them all. The He2.1B sounded excellent at the meet, so maybe I should see who has them in this area to try out!
Anyway, cheers again and thanks again for the loaner amp.
WOW! You really prefer the AD2000 over all of those top tier cans? Very interesting. Now I must hear them for myself.
In what areas do they excel so well for you?
Yes, I prefer the AD2K over all other dynamic headphones that I've heard, every single one. As just pointed out though, my ears and my preferences are mine alone - few, if any, will share my preferences. I like the AD2K's combination of speed/attack, bass, mid-range, and treble. No other headphone I've heard really satisfies me as much as the AD2K when it comes to the music I place most importance on, which is electronica (comprises more than 67% of my CD collection).
Yes, I prefer the AD2K over all other dynamic headphones that I've heard, every single one. As just pointed out though, my ears and my preferences are mine alone - few, if any, will share my preferences. I like the AD2K's combination of speed/attack, bass, mid-range, and treble. No other headphone I've heard really satisfies me as much as the AD2K when it comes to the music I place most importance on, which is electronica (comprises more than 67% of my CD collection).
Well now I really, really have to hear them, because electronica makes up the majority of my listening and collection as well. So far nothing has been able to come close to my PS-1's, but I've yet to hear the Qualia. Right now, the Qualia, L3000's, AD2000's and Omega II's are at the top of my "want to hear" list.
I really wish I could have made it to CanJam but I had fourth row Roger Waters tickets in Houston Sunday night and there was absolutely no way I was missing that. And what an insane and amazing show it was!
__________________
"Watching television is like taking black spray paint to your third eye." - Bill Hicks
Thank you so much for posting. There are some items here I have had my eye on so reading this information helps me make some near-future purchase decisions. Excellent!
CanJam'08: Rock the world
