The new age of Portable Audio   The rise of universals and the slow decline of custom IEMs   There is a paradigm shift occurring with universals that is shaking portable audio to its core. The old-schoolers are having trouble wrapping their brains around what’s happening, and the new...

There's been much speculation, or maybe downright hope, that Cavalli Audio would make a portable amp.    That day has arrived! Cavalli Audio is pleased to announce there is a portable amp well into the design stage, and there will be a contest to name it once it reaches production! The...

From what I understand, there is no way to increase earphone resistance by use of resistors in serial. Instead you increase the amps output impedance.    Suppose you have two different Headphones connected to a single amp by a Y-adaptor.    HP1 = Load of 400 ohms HP2 - Load of 25 ohms...

Cavalli Audio Presents   The Liquid Lightning rev. 2   Dr. Cavalli: "This version is better than rev 1. It sounds better, it looks better, it’s built better, and it has more features."             An LL2 board finishing production       Rev. 2 with new...

SoundFreaq's Respite Thread of Interesting Stuff       What is this?   A place for your input, your feedback, your thoughts. A place for me to find solace and reprieve from the hurricane that Head-fi can be. A semi-Diary thread, a blog of sorts. A discussion thread. A way for me to...

I WANT to have to not worry about getting the right custom fit   I WANT to be able to take 'em anywhere and have fantastic sound and not worry about durability   I WANT to be able to lush out in bed without hauling a bunch of equipment with me    I WANT an isolating top-tier IEM with...

Having heard great things about the WEE scaling well with great amps, I thought I would start my foray into stats by powering them with my Liquid Fire + WEE.    For those of you that have done this, and used your 1/4" out on your amp to go into the speaker taps of the WEE, what was the cable...

From Apple's keynote at the WWDC just now.                          "There's a port in back for midtones, a port in the stem and a port that points to your ears. It's to "maximize airflow"." - Engadget   Interesting Design, long over due revamp...

In corner #1: The Sony MDR-XB1000 eXtra Bass headphones. These babies tout extra bass, sport extra-sized earpads, and are considered the grown up, most refined EXTRA BASS Headphone of the XB series. Known to pack an incredible bass wallop, these cans have been long revered for their bass...

Assuming you have a solid fit to begin with, how long does it take, for some of you who have been wearing customs for a while, for your ears to grow and change shape enough that you need a refit on your customs? I know this probably varies... but are we talking 3-4 years? a decade?   I feel...

I've heard the Zodiac (basic) headphone amp stage is no slouch. With the sale, it's comparable priced to the Burson HA-160D DAC/Pre-amp/Amp combo.    Anyone have any thoughts on using the Zodiac DAC vs the Burson for a complete DAC/Amp solution??

What is your Money-Spent to Post-Count ratio on Head-fi to date?   Divide your total headphone and related accessories amount by the number of posts you have on this forum!   For example, My estimated total expenditures: $5445 Forum post count: 255 Divide: 5445 by 255 My ratio is...

Hey Guys,   Last week, I got my Westone 4 and thought I was pretty happy with them. Then I got those stupid $7 Monoprice vented dynamic IEMs in the mail. No matter even if I EQ my W4 to pieces, or leave it flat, I just can't get the musical and lively energy as I get with the Monoprice when...

I'm looking for a good sounding, isolating, durable, portable solution. I pulled the trigger on the MS400.    While I love the headphones for their size, and their tone and SQ are just fine, the soundstage is - as one reviewer put it - congested. I think that's the perfect word for it. For...

Hey all,   I spend a lot of time on the headphones section, I don't make it over here very often - so I'd like your opinion.   I have a nice little collection of headphones (see sig). Looking to add in a pair of high-end open cans in the future (probably HD800 for classical). My two...

Here is a detailed look at the inside of the new Nano. For those of you familiar with what the various DAC chips actually look like, I'm interested in if there's a new one. It doesn't mention the DAC, but most aren't interested in it anyway.   Could provide clues on the iPhone 4S DAC.  ...

Check out this video. It is a brief introduction to the pros and cons to each format by recording engineers of both formats, resulting in a blind test done by "audiophile engineers." Watch to see the final synopsis! http://www.pbs.org/kcet/wiredscience...dio_files.html

I am continually upgrading my system. I have always been a fan of the iTunes interface for its ease of organization. Well, as I peruse these forums and keep spending money, I can't help but notice that Foobar seems to be the player of choice around here. With it receiving so much recognition, I...

I have had my 5000's for over a year now and I absolutely love them in every way. My music demands a lot of attention to the high-end and, of course they perform with grandiose performance. Take a glance at my signature. What is the best thing I can do to my setup? I simply have Monster...

I indeed to upgrade my source. I primarily listen on my M^3 (627/637) to SA5000 system. I currently source from an Audigy 2 from my laptop, but I finally have a desktop up and running and want to purchase a card. I don't want to spend much more than approximately $100 or so. Someone recommended...

FYI I just returned from my appointment with an Audiologist. I had my hearing examined (which, I apparently have above average hearing) and all my questions and concerns explained. I have heard and myself voiced many concerns regarding hearing damage. My hearing is of utmost importance to...

I am ordering my M3 for my 5Ks and everyone I talked to recommended the OPA627/637 combo. The builder (Stephen S. of Rockhopper) recommends OPA627 since you won't have the gain constrictions that the OPA637 present. He says the output gain may be a little high with the 637. Thoughts? Also, he...

...you guys aren't kidding. You all so kindly turned my search for quality headphones under $200 to myself purchasing the SA5Ks. I truly love them, they are wonderful. I plan to upgrade a piece at a time. You guys have been most helpful and informative. I now ask your opinions on the...

Finally, a group of people that know what the heck they're talking about! I'm sure you get new poster questions like this all the time, thanks for your patience. OK guys, here's what I want. I want a pair of headphones that well, simply sound mind-blasting glorious. I know you guys have...