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Yes, I think it's the detail and distinct separation of the instruments that is impressing me the most over the Hornet. I am not very good at describing these things in audio terms, but in my mind what I feel is that the sound went from having a rough edge at 200 hours to a very polished one at 500 hours - like I was comparing a sawed edge of a piece of lumber to the polished edge of a granite countertop. Every note is clear and precise, and the vocals are forward and clean. And the bass... oh boy!!

I am not yet seeing the soundstage as a big difference over the Hornet, although it is quite good, so maybe that is yet to come as I get closer to the 1000 hours. I may also be influenced by my choice of music recently, so I will try to find something else to examine this element more closely.

I must confess to listening a lot to NiN's Downward Spiral lately, which may not be the best choice for evaluating soundstage. But it sure is demanding when it comes to separation and clarity. A bad system can make it sound irritating with the instruments collapsing together in a heap of noise, while a good system can leave your mouth hanging open from a blast of what the uninitiated might call "distortion" but I choose to call "creative use of synthetic tone". And the bass... oh boy!!! The snap of the bass drum pedal, the elongated bass guitar note, the rumble of a deep organ... all awesome.

The punch and drive is also important to me, so I don't think I would enjoy this amp as much if it were more detailed but more laid back (as many have described hearing from the Pico). Again, I like NiN and Rush and Black Sabbath, but no classical. I like Mahavishnu Orchestra better than Miles Davis, even though I have both. Did I mention I have no classical music at all? So take my opinion on this point with a grain of salt if your tastes are different. But not the rest of my comments, I see those being valid with any music.

This amp has excellent synergy with my iPod line out (via ALO Cryo Dock) and my two primary phones (HD600 & UM2). I find both of these phones to be a bit dark and the iPod needs some punch and bass boosting. The amp pushes through the veil of the phones and wakes up the neutrality of the iPod, while the phones pick up the accurate bass and push it to the correct balance for my taste.

This time last year, my primary portable rig was iPod 5G, Hornet, and UE sf5pros. I upgraded each piece in the past few months and I am really happy with the result. In summary...

I love my stuff!!! I guess I'm just a happy guy today. Thank you for being here to share this joy with me.

Orcin,
i'm ok with your analyse.
I own an Hornet (non M) and an Predator.
I have test the Hornet with new cables from ALO (x cryo ylver jumbo).
Conclusion, it's improve detail and dynamique of the Hornet and give it a real chance to comp with the Predator.
For the instance, myt Predator have 700 hours and i can't say witch one is better than the other.
I just can say than the Hornet have great synergie with sylver cables and the Predator doesn't need it to have this hight level of sound quality.

Is the Predator capable of driving the Denon AH-D2000 to a good level using both its DAC and amp.

If anyone has any experience of this combo I welcome your thoughts.

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I am listening to the Predator driving my Denon 2k's right now using my "test track" and I am shocked. This is good. No problem at all (I have the gain set to Hi). Gonna try some bass intensive stuff and report back, BTW I just got the Predator out of the car, where it has been for a week with a dead battery and am charging now while listening.
I have only had the Denon's since last Friday, and have only used the Rega Ear supermodded, which I also recieved Friday.
This is the first time listening to Denon's with the Predator.
Scott
EDIT: forgot to mention this is with Predator's DAC, from iTunes on a laptop.

I was getting some static when moving the plug for the headphones so I cleaned the plug with alcohol and the socket a number of times. This eliminated the static, which was a slightly poor connection and at the same time improved the detail, since I have a better connection. This is always a good idea as oxides can and do form, which is why gold is so often used as a plating but it still occurs and the practice of cleaning contacts such as this is always a good idea. (I remind myself)

anadin,
I have listened to the Denons and the Predator enough to confidently say that this combo will work fine. What did I listen to?
Artist----Song
George Benson-Turn your love around
Herb Albert-Rise
Ambrosia-Your the only woman
Enigma-Temple of Love
Jeff Buckley-Hallelujah
Eric Johnson-Trademark
Mark Morrison-Return of the Mack
Sade-No ordinary Love
Steely Dan-F.M.
Taste of Honey-Boogie Oogie Oogie
and of course my spin for the week.
I know these tunes well and I hate to say it but the Predator just beat out my recently purchased Rega Ear Supermodded. A Beta22 it aint, but wow, you really do get alot in such a portable package, that I daily slip into my shirt pocket, mated to a 3rd gen Nano, and take to work or play. If you wanna peg down the shipping to London, I will gladly ship it to you to try-before-you-buy. That's how much I enjoy this hobby and want to share with others. My Predator has about a 1000hrs now and is approaching maturity. I must add that the Denon's have 25ohm drivers, so this may play a factor in why they are so easy to drive, like Jamato8's Ed9's that are 32ohm I believe. Lemme know what ya think about it.
Enjoy,
Scott
EDIT: I should probably point out that I am in no way affiliated with RSA or Ray Samuels or am I trying to push his products for him. I just love music and want to give back to the good folks at Head-Fi, as they have given so much to me already. That said, I love the Predator, and will miss it dearly, but I have the 71a to look forward to, eh!
EDIT#2: After a little more toying around, I think I like using the Predator as a source for the Rega even more. I wonder how many others use the Predator as thier source for a Home Rig? Maybe a new thread is in order.

Interesting. I was considering the Denon for my Predator. That's another push in that direction.

Thanks for the heads up.

I am at just over 400 hrs on my predator. I am so thrilled with this little beauty now. I can't believe the way the bass just gets better and better with burn in. Everything else is coming together too...with my triple.fi's...I am enjoying the best combo yet for me!! With this amp and the triple.fi...I am the closest to audio nirvana as I've ever been..lol...

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You should have seen me! The Predator was the very first amp I bought. Made for a very sweet beginning to my Head-Fi plunge.

nice beginning indeed!

i'm at the 300 hr mark on my predator, and suddenly, the bass just came out of nowhere, and this is with the UE-10! i can't imagine how much bass there would be with the UE-11...

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I noticed overall improvement on the entire low end through Predator -> Ed9's at about the same time, and becomes more and more apparent as I am well within 400 hours with the Predator. I am well within 300 with the Ed9's.

I've posted this similar impression in the other RSA Predator thread. They make a good tag team...

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Man. Good choice. I really am thinking that's what I should have done. Instead I got a used Tomahawk, which I think was a good first choice. But I wish I had got the Predator.

I've now exceeded 1100 hours of burn in. Previously in this thread, I've praised the Predator's sound at 800 hours but I had a very pleasant surpise at around 1000 hours - the instrumental separation and detail increases even more! I know this is not my mind playing tricks on me because every day I listen to the iPhone straight from the headphone jack and when I come home at night, I listen through the Predator so my perception of sound quality resets so to speak

Yeah, wait till you hit 2000 hours. Just kidding but it is interesting to read how many people exerience the same changes in the presentation of sound. I also used a baseline to judge against. Your amp is growing and is maturing. :^)

I use the amp only (no need for the DAC), and it really is as good as everyone here says, especially after burn-in. You are reading the truth, not groupie fanboy prattle.

I have Ultrasone Pro 750, Beyer 600-Ohm 880, and Senn 600 (closed, semi-open, and open). Drives 'em all, and drives me wild (and drives my wife crazy, 'cause I sing and dance while listening, and I can't do either, I actually look and sound like a buffoon, but who cares). Source is a Cowon I7, all wav files ripped using EAC, custom red-and-black Predator to match the I7.

But let's add: Ray is a pleasure to do business with. No waiting list. No guessing on when you will get your amp. He phones you! He checks if you are happy! Amazing.