The Aperio reminds me of what the CRBN could've been (forget the price difference for a sec lol), or maybe even more importantly, what a CRBN successor could be :). Wish I had both side by side. Good tonal balance, warmth but too aggressively warm (Aperio might be a bit warmer, but I would need...

You're probably right, that's the nature of this hobby lol. But for me at least it would depend. If there's a reversible mod to try that to me is more interesting. But an either or proposition is less so as every change comes with tradeoffs and I like otherwise what I heard out of my Valkyria...

Very interesting indeed!

I just want to make a distinction based on my prior post. I think anyone genuinely adding impressions, whether positive or not so positive, is totally fair game. And that's even the case for "reviewers", influencers, whoever. Yea, totally nice and courteous to reach out to the manufacturer to...

L3000 through the EC Studio B and Pacific. Just absolutely amazing. I think I tried them before (as shared in this thread) in a very limited timeframe, but have had an entire night with it and the R10. The texture of the instruments and vocals. The bass performance. Incredible. Writing down a...

I'm sorry, and it likely gets deleted, but there's a consistent trolling tandem here that pokes holes in every new TOTL product release that isn't from Audeze or Focal. Feedback on the Nutopia or CRBN in early runs, absolutely stellar, insane hyperbole, not an ounce of criticism. But yet in the...

Yup, very much agree. A more open soundstage *could* take away from the intimacy of the midrange/vocals based on how the stage changes, although I would assume most would appreciate more bass (out of any headphone) even if it takes away from overall clarity and the top end. On the former...

FWIW, I think it's fair and valuable for the community to speak up about pricing given recent trends. It doesn't have to overtake the entire conversation but I'm sure like you're implying it'll subside when a unit or two are in head-fier's hands.

Great job and just an incredible thread. :)

The Aeras is pretty amazing. To the point where I questioned (internally only) if I should cancel the T2 for a refund as I demoed it lol. They share a lot of the same characteristics. I've owned the BHSE for a long time before selling after the T2. It is one of my favorite amps ever. The Aeras...

...especially, but even so with stats to a lesser degree)--there have been a LOT of new tech in these headphones, but at a bit of expense of a few* of the strengths of the old TOTLs (everything is more detail oriented without the natural tones of the OGs). But where I absolutely just agree 100%...

This is the thing that makes no business sense to me really. Perhaps the challenge in sourcing an adequate system (amplification) is possibly deterring too many customers in a market of emerging TOTLs headphones that can compete with the Susvara. But that makes no sense as they're all hard to...

For sure. I think tube and ss get too overly simplified. Tubes introduce distortion no question, but all that matters is what's audible, the design/topology and the end result. I've been extremely impressed with the Pacific detail/resolution wise. Dave/Mscaler does have a more...

I've yet to compare more thoroughly the Pacific against the Dave. And the only reason is because I'm rediscovering all of my gear through it. The Shang Sr. and HE90 are just immaculate through it. The bigger window into the music, improvement in realism and resolution is just amazing. And again...

Something was wrong then. The Aperio (for a stat but also compared to non-stats) has pretty strong, authoritative bass. In the other categories you mentioned in your post I could easily see the HE90 or HE-1 being better however, just strictly referring to bass here.

From my personal experience my POV is that it's ultimately about your mind adjusting to the sound rather than the headphone actually changing. The Valkyria is very unique, with subsequently more quirks for some. My unit doesn't strike me as the most dynamic or bassy, so I wouldn't really...

Really cool thread. Loving the pictures! Looking forward to the impressions. :)

Lol I'll probably still spring for the AIC one day, just will need to wait until closer to end of year if so.

The T1s is the most impressive Stax amp I've had. A bit soft in dynamics (as they seem to all mainly be), but a good overall presentation without too many flaws paired with most stats. I've used the HE90, Shang Sr., 009, 007 etc with it for an extended period of time with great appreciation and...

I have no problem with people using EQ and generally have no thoughts around the concept across the board. I don't hop in on the conversations at all. I totally see why people use it and some of the recommendations have been hard to avoid (Mitch and other pre-defined profiles/filters). For me...

Given the recent price increase and other personal responsibilities, I will be boycotting this thread and future impressions from here out. It's been fun friends lol

I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case. And the only real outstanding question for me is, "does it have an obvious weakness or gap"? From when I auditioned it, it didn't seem to be the case, but again the noise wasn't great. Random, but oddly enough the noise at Axpona was largely self...

Last rambling thought! The completeness and lack of a wow factor for headphones like the Susvara and HE90 are also sticking points for others. Again, it's all about a game of tradeoffs and what matters for you. There will never be a perfect, complete package and that's extremely frustrating...

Was supposed to compare the HE90 and Aperio directly with intense A/Bing and I never got past using the HE90 lol But I also had been using the Aperio for quite some time solely, so getting back to the Shang Sr., HE90 and R10 have been a nice treat and distracting. Also had an amazing session...

Sounds very interesting.