Head-Fi Atlanta Meet Impressions

[vcoheda]

the red car amp is so neat.

[ciphercomplete]

Man I wish I could have made it up there. I had that day circled on my calendar for 2 months and then something came up that I *had* to do that day.

Hope we can all agree to do another one soon.

[jellojoe]

Originally Posted by vcoheda

the red car amp is so neat.

Tough call between that one or the NES amp.

[ingwe]

I had a great time. Thanks to everyone who participated. Another special thanks to PiccoloNamek for hosting and ordering taco-bar munchies from Moe's.

And I'm happy to report Fitz emerged from the shebang with this thumb intact.

Here's some of my impressions:

• I bought a MacBook and an Apogee Duet (AKA M->AD) two days before the meet. So I was very interested in trying different headphones and amplifiers with it. I wasn't disappointed.

• I think I may prefer the M->AD feeding my Bryston rather than the Ayre. BigAmish liked it better also.

• Speaking of BigAmish, he and I had a wonderful time evaluating our mutual stuff. He moved his Mapletree amp over to my table and I it fed the M->AD. Then we got down to business.
  
  We evaluated his RS1's and my HD600's with a variety of music recorded in different ways (classical hall live, studio, environmental live, etc).
  
  What made this so enjoyable was, unlike so many many threads, we didn't swear at each other and insult our respective mothers.
  
  It became clear we couldn't really come up with blanket statements regarding which was best. Each phone had its place. And what that is is a very personal decision. It was great fun figuring out the variables.
  
  And, I really enjoyed getting some RS-1 listening time in.

• I spent a bit of time with Fitz's K1000s. What remarkable headphones they are! But very inefficient. (Not a bad thing.) When plugged directly into the Duet's headphone jack, I had to turn the Duet/Apple volume up to maximum just to get appreciable volume. It sounded great. But I'll have to give the Bryston kudos--it drove them very well--although not to ear-splitting volume. (I certainly don't want that.)

• Next, I commandeered PiccoloNamek's Stax and tube amp and hooked them up to the M->AD. Oy Vey! Organic, fast, effortless, detailed, extension up the wazzooo. As PiccoloNamek remarked, "Sooner or later everyone comes to Stax."
  
  I think I'm going to start saving some pennies. Curse you PN!

• After that (or was it before, I forget) I auditioned PostalBlue's D5000 through the M-->AD->Bryston. He had them slightly modded--some fiber fill in the can. I think they have potential, but I'd like to hear them fully modded. Jury's still out.

• And, so freaking what if we didn't have 20,000 dollar systems represented. That ain't the point.

-m

[paul_lindemann]

The best I have heard so far! Just wish they were lighter in weight.

[ingwe]

Originally Posted by paul_lindemann

The best I have heard so far! Just wish they were lighter in weight.

You must train--hard.

[krmathis]

Sure looks like you guys had a really nice meeting!

[ingwe]

^^^
Yes it was. Us Southerners (tee hee) exude breeding and class.

[sleeplessness]

I know you guys are waiting to hear, if anything, what the Newbie thought of the meet…

Sorry it has taken me so long, but I was totally overwhelmed by a number of things:

First, the generosity of everyone that welcomed me from the moment I walked in, everyone was eager to show me their “stuff” and there was lots of “stuff” to be heard.

Second, everyone without exception was willing to explain what they had, what their motivation was, and to try to explain the “why it sounds this way.”

Third, mass confusion set in…too much, too quickly!!

More specifically, Ingwe was sitting at a table by himself…it wouldn’t have seemed strange except for the fact that the whole area was glowing…the setup was fabulous, the sound insane…btw, how do I join Team OAF? I think I might qualify!!

When I set-up what little I had, I noticed the guy sitting next to me brought his NES…I’m thinking, huh? Well, Postal Blue had the most creative amps, one housed in a NES and the Starving Student Millet in a tin Sears truck…not to mention they both sounded great.

On the other side was mwallace573, thanks for all your info. Really made me feel part of the group…and I loved the Alessandro MS-2i, a fine sounding system…

Tomb had the sweetest sounding Millet MAXes, I really couldn’t tear myself away from it…gee, and I have this Mac 1700 that I haven’t tried yet…

The entire group opened my eyes as to how narrow my perception was…I’m already thinking about what I can put together for the next gathering!

Big Amish had my favorite set-up with the Mapletree and the Grado RS 1. by far one of the better headphones (although I’m not sure how much the Mapletree “colored” what I heard,) but the RS 1s are certainly on my list of “needs.”

PiccoloNamek had the exotic STAX…in a class by themselves…again, thanks to him for hosting the meet, and saving us from having to eat at Claude’s.

I missed MexicanDragon’s set-up…well, it might have been the fact that he was next to the RS 1’s…

And last, but not least, Fitz…he told me I couldn’t listen to his K 1000s until I had a few meets under my belt, (just kidding)…I recognized him from his amp…but I ran out of time…next time!!

Overall it was an awakening experience for me, I appreciate all the time people spent trying to help me understand…

[billbillw]

Looks like I missed a good time.