Thanks head-fi -- happy owner of micro stack

Here's the deal: I've always liked my e4's and loved their ability to handle the details and trebles flawlessly... However, I also felt as though out of my iPod they were -- how shall I say -- weak on the bass.

Only until I stumbled here did I realize I could do something about it.

So for about the past half year, I've been lurking and reading through the forums, constantly one click away from pulling the trigger on an amp only to hesitate and think, "I'll do some more research and wait til tomorrow to decide..."

Hah. Didn't know "tomorrow" meant it would take about 5 months before making a decision. Anyway, so about 3 weeks ago I ordered the Microstack from Headroom (w/ the desktop module), and for the past week I've been testing them out... Let me say this: wow -- what a difference. I mean, it's always hard to believe people when they say this, but seriously -- there's a degree of warmth and fullness that I never imagined could be possible...and the bass. THUMP. It's like night and day, both out of my computer through the MicroDAC-Amp as well as through the line out of the iPod (w/ pocketdock) through the MicroAMP. Finally, I'm content with my headphones and don't have to shell out to upgrade to the new canalphones du jour! (hint -- they begin with UM and end with 2). Even my speakers through the DAC show noticable improvement when run through the MicroDAC as opposed to the onboard sound (but nowhere as significant as the improvement with the iPod and headphones).

Now on a related note, I wanted always to get a nice pair of headphones for home use. Luckily, around the time I was browsing I stumbled on the whole HF-1 craze and jumped on the bandwagon in the nick of time... But until I get #407 from TTVJ, I'm just going to be happy here with my e4's and re-listen to my music collection as one happy camper.

So long story short: a big hearty thank you to all the head-fi members out there for your research, experience, and advice packed into these forums. You've made a convert out of me.

(Of course, this is how I feel before the CC bill arrives. )

Yup, I definitely find myself having crossfeed on more often than not; it's really subtle, but in general brings things "in" a bit more, which for some reason gives the music a slight layer of warmth or fullness... I mean, it does reduce the soundstage somewhat, but again, all of the effects are quite small. I'm sure I wouldn't have minded if there was no crossfeed switch, but it doesn't hurt to have the option.