I've been trying to get some impressions out for the last couple days, but I'll have to do this piecemeal.
First, the big regrets (quick and easy): What the heck was I thinking! I missed out entirely on the Smyth room and table! I kept going in, saw the line, and thought I'd get back later, but then
I also missed Woo and Moon's tables (though I did get a chance to hear Drew's modded Original in philodox's rig), and those were two I really wanted check out. Guess I just have to make them first stops at next year's meet. At least tyrion has the suped up Woo 6 at his house. I just might have to invite myself over. I also didn't hear as many member rigs as I would have liked, but at some point the ears and brain just shut down. Purk had sent a box that we somehow missed at the opening of the meet. Mike brought it out mid-day on Sunday. We thought it was L3000s (which I don't recall seeing elsewhere), and didn't even open it because we were fried
It turns out that he'd sent nikongod's modded D5000s, my one gear request, and I missed it. The box went back unopened.
Surprises and humble pie: Anyone who knows me knows I'm not a Ultrasone fan, even though I like them enough to wish I liked them (yes, that makes perfect sense). I stopped by RudiStor's table for a bit, and I have to say that the reported synergy is true. He had a few new amps, and though I don't recall which was what, the couple that I spent time with made the Ultrasones sound as good as I've ever heard them and far better than I expected. I've also freely trashed the HFI-780s as a horrible headphone here and on other sites. They are grainy and have a shrill treble and boomy bottom. I didn't think they sounded like headphones for music listening at all, and the stock pair I heard had more than 100 hrs on them. Ken Ball had his modded/recabled pair out so I gave them a listen. The highs were tamed, there was better balance, and they'd lost much of that irritating grain, especially in the midrange. I'm still not a fan, but for those who like these headphones (and many do), these guys have brought out what's good or at least banished the bad.
Btw, ALO had a line of their Jena recable headphones out. I've got to say Ken's sense of humor and grace over the whole Jena/R10 debacle give him major points in my book. He's a really nice guy, who also simple handed me a new imod LOD when I told him mine was getting a little loose in the connection. Thanks, Ken. I'm listening to it now.
ALO shared a table with Red Wine Audio. I was already a fan of the Sig 30 for K1000s and as an amp for single driver speakers. I had a hard time deciding between that and the FirstWatt for my rig, and if tyrion hadn't sold me his F1, I probably would have gone for the Sig 30. Vinnie had the newer 30.2 with the ALO recabled K1000s, it only confirmed my opinion. I would love to hear the two versions side-by-side, but then again, I suppose it doesn't matter. The 30.2/K1000s sounded great, full and tight. Vinnie also had his new Isabella pre-amp/dac with a headphone out in the back for this pre-production model, but will be in the front when it finally comes out. I spent some time with it and my R10s, and found it very enjoyable. Vinnie's work reminds me a little of HeadRoom's in that if someone's looking for a small, beautiful setup that can drive a variety of headphones well, he's got it. There might be a little sticker shock over the combo, but if someone is looking for the perfect K1000 rig (seriously good) that happens to drive other headphones, speakers, and looks great while having a small footprint, I think it compares more than favorably to other offerings that are bigger, uglier, and more expensive.
On one side of Ken and Vinnie's table, Ray Samuels had set up shop with his line of colorful portables. I had planned to go back and listen to a burned in predator at last, but missed out again. I did spend some time with the Apache since I felt I hadn't given it a real chance at previous meets. The thing is that it's hard not to compare it to Ray's B52 when they're sitting there in front of you, and the B52 sounds sooo much better to my tastes that I couldn't appreciate what the Apache offered. I really think Ray's portables (when are you bringing back the SR-71?!!!!) and Ray's top-of-the-line B52 are the best of RSA, though I think the HR2 is pretty nice. On a side note, if anyone hasn't met Grace Samuels, they're missing the better side of Ray. She's smart, fun, and beautiful, and Ray needs to bow down and kiss her feet at least once everyday (I told you I'd remind you
).
On the other side of ALO and RWA, Craig Uthus of Eddie Current had his Balancing Act and EC/SS. I've been lucky enough to hear quite a few of his amps (Moth) before and I simply do not understand why half the head-fiers looking for amps aren't breaking down his door to get one. The EC/SS is one of the cleanest sounding, small footprint ss amps I've heard. It's great with the 650s (and I'm picky) and the RS1s I heard. Outside of DIY, I haven't heard a better overall amp than the The Balancing Act in its price range, and it sounds better than one's I've heard that cost at least $1000 more. I got to hear an earlier version at the MOA meet in California a couple months ago, and this (still pre-production) version was a significant improvement. Craig said that it will be available in August, so start planning folks. It comes with one balanced input, (optional), three unbalanced inputs. It has transformer balanced outs via four pin, or two three pin XLRs; and unbalanced output with standard 1/4" phone jack. Other details:
Tube compliment two 300B, or 45 tubes, one 6SL7.
Power out into Grado RS-1's, 2 watts.
Frequency response +.5dB at 10Hz, -.5dB at 40kHz.
Source out 5 ohms.
I know I sound like a shill, but so be it. I'm a'shilling cos I think it's that good, and am blown away by its price, which, without tubes and power supply options, is ballparked at $1800. There's simply no commercial offering out there I've heard that sounds this good (I checked it out with 650s and 600s) and offers so much for even close to that price. I'm a complete fangirl of SinglePower's Extreme Platinum, which is in the ballpark, but the add-ons to get it where the Balancing Act comes stock would raise the cost waay above, and it doesn't even come balanced. Both the EC/SS and Balancing Act are two of the best bang-for-the buck amps available, and I really think folks should start paying attention. One of my fav's at CanJam.
Okay, I gotta go do life right now, but I'll get back with more, as I haven't even hit my wallet busters yet.
