The equipment was one of a kind. The attendees were few. But most of all, it was an ear-opening experience! 
Attendees were just three: me, Icarium, & Filburt.
The equipment? As seen below, it ranged from dirt cheap to megabucks!
Sources:
- Accuphase DP-500
- Esoteric UX-1
Amps:
- Filburt's 4-AA powered DIY PINT
- HeadAmp AE-2, and Pico times 2!
- Singlepower Supra
Headphones:
- AKG K701 stock and SAA Equinox-recabled
- Sony Qualia 010
HEAD TO HEAD - Accuphase vs Esoteric
Of course I had to find out where these two Japanese CDPs differed. Amp used was the AE-2. Sad I know, but my reference for now nonetheless.
I found the Accuphase to have the more well-rounded sonics - a fuller mid-range, deeper bass strength. More energetic.
The Esoteric was supremely good in its own way though - it had more soundstage. More air, greater lift between instruments. The mid-range was sweeter too and carried itself along with more purity. An awesome listen, it was like being lifted up into the air compared to the Accuphase. It sounded closer overall to my Arcam FMJ CD33 than my Accuphase.
(For reference I was using the VH Audio Spectrum Ag interconnects with my Equinox K701.)
HEAD TO HEAD - PINT vs AE-2
I really like the sound of my AE-2, but then I saw Filburt's enigmatic PINT and decided I had to do a beatdown.
Holy schnikes. The two portables sounded completely different, and I came away preferring the AE-2 still. The AE-2 has plenty of soundstage to me and yet remains laidback as well, but the PINT took things further. It separated the soundstage better - relative position between instruments was delineated much better. Instruments positioned far versus close actually sounded far or close. The PINT was also less energetic - subtle, much more laidback, a large sound of ease. I did notice a bass recession on it that made me sad. It made my electronica downright depressing on the K701, and that's saying something.
HEAD TO HEAD - K701 vs K701
Mine are serial #2896. Filburt's are #6910. Does the Equinox cable make a difference? Well actually I can't say. There's evidence that AKG has put out a few variations of the K701. Mine is from the first batch up to 3K, and Filburt's is from the next batch which repositioned the cross-section in the left driver.
Regardless of that issue, these two K701s sounded quite different from each other. Mine had the edge in soundstage and treble sparkle. #6910 had a warmer mid-range and added mid-bass. And since I know the Equinox cable warmed up my K701 compared to stock this is interesting indeed.
HEAD TO HEAD - Qualia vs K701
The K701 has been well-documented. If you've heard a K701, take everything you know about it. Now imagine an overall increase in speed. And clarity. Fundamental bass power. And treble extension. Also imagine that instruments spread out more on the soundstage. And, if you can, imagine a loss of the vapid ambient air that makes it sound like the music is trying to escape from you.
Now you have the Qualia 010. Is it more detailed? YES. Is it fast? YES. Is it sibilant? NO. Is it still musical? YES!
If only the Qualia wasn't so expensive. I'd like to own one.
Thanks to Icarium for hosting and allowing us to sample his high-end gear.
Attendees were just three: me, Icarium, & Filburt.
The equipment? As seen below, it ranged from dirt cheap to megabucks!
Sources:
- Accuphase DP-500
- Esoteric UX-1
Amps:
- Filburt's 4-AA powered DIY PINT
- HeadAmp AE-2, and Pico times 2!
- Singlepower Supra
Headphones:
- AKG K701 stock and SAA Equinox-recabled
- Sony Qualia 010
HEAD TO HEAD - Accuphase vs Esoteric
Of course I had to find out where these two Japanese CDPs differed. Amp used was the AE-2. Sad I know, but my reference for now nonetheless.
I found the Accuphase to have the more well-rounded sonics - a fuller mid-range, deeper bass strength. More energetic.
The Esoteric was supremely good in its own way though - it had more soundstage. More air, greater lift between instruments. The mid-range was sweeter too and carried itself along with more purity. An awesome listen, it was like being lifted up into the air compared to the Accuphase. It sounded closer overall to my Arcam FMJ CD33 than my Accuphase.
(For reference I was using the VH Audio Spectrum Ag interconnects with my Equinox K701.)
HEAD TO HEAD - PINT vs AE-2
I really like the sound of my AE-2, but then I saw Filburt's enigmatic PINT and decided I had to do a beatdown.
Holy schnikes. The two portables sounded completely different, and I came away preferring the AE-2 still. The AE-2 has plenty of soundstage to me and yet remains laidback as well, but the PINT took things further. It separated the soundstage better - relative position between instruments was delineated much better. Instruments positioned far versus close actually sounded far or close. The PINT was also less energetic - subtle, much more laidback, a large sound of ease. I did notice a bass recession on it that made me sad. It made my electronica downright depressing on the K701, and that's saying something.
HEAD TO HEAD - K701 vs K701
Mine are serial #2896. Filburt's are #6910. Does the Equinox cable make a difference? Well actually I can't say. There's evidence that AKG has put out a few variations of the K701. Mine is from the first batch up to 3K, and Filburt's is from the next batch which repositioned the cross-section in the left driver.
Regardless of that issue, these two K701s sounded quite different from each other. Mine had the edge in soundstage and treble sparkle. #6910 had a warmer mid-range and added mid-bass. And since I know the Equinox cable warmed up my K701 compared to stock this is interesting indeed.
HEAD TO HEAD - Qualia vs K701
The K701 has been well-documented. If you've heard a K701, take everything you know about it. Now imagine an overall increase in speed. And clarity. Fundamental bass power. And treble extension. Also imagine that instruments spread out more on the soundstage. And, if you can, imagine a loss of the vapid ambient air that makes it sound like the music is trying to escape from you.
Now you have the Qualia 010. Is it more detailed? YES. Is it fast? YES. Is it sibilant? NO. Is it still musical? YES!
If only the Qualia wasn't so expensive. I'd like to own one.
Thanks to Icarium for hosting and allowing us to sample his high-end gear.
