ok thanks, i was just wondering cause i feel even those portables could beat my headfive

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AE-2 and SR-71 are similar in size (total physical volume and weight) but somewhat different profiles. AE-2 has a more square footprint and I think it's a bit shorter in height, whereas the SR-71 is narrower and longer.

I don't have an SR-71 now, but if I can borrow a friend's sometime soon I might compare it with the other portables I have here. It would be nice to revisit it, but no guarantee I can do that.

The SR-71 has a remarkable "black background", enormous sense of air, great handling of micro-dynamics and very nuanced ultrafine detail. The Predator has a little bit of those, but overall has a different character/presentation. Livelier -- but I don't have time just now to write more details.

Actually -- to learn more about the Predator's character, why not read jamato8's long, thorough and entertaining "blog" covering the development of his Predator: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/rsa-predator-review-stages-hey-anyone-have-any-pictures-their-predator-276785/]jamato8's Predator journey

I still have to find time to write thorough listening notes on Predator -- and, when it's stabilized -- the Pico.

Romanee, i would really like to hear your views on the SR71,AE1/2 , predator,pico, compared specifically to the portaphile.
I met you at the NY meet in babylon in november, and because of listening to your portaphile i purchased 2...lol, a maxxed v2^2 and a 2005 model v2.
So far im loving the sound,although the old v2 is much more conveniant with the battery situation as far as longevity and also installation for sure.
Nice to read your spicey and flavorful reviews.

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Is there someone who can answer this question ?

Thanks

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I've spent lots of time with both amps with RS-1's. I preferred the Predator. I don't have a lot of stunning insight as to why...I just liked the Predator's sound signature better.

Thanks


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Got my RS-1 today (Friday) and I like them better with the Predator. They are a bit bright with the Pico and the D2. So, nothing has changed from what I posted in my mini-review. I haven't had much time to get to know them yet, or try other amps, and I want to run in the new APS V3 cable for 50-100 hours too.

Thanks Larry.

Did you use the bowl or the flat pads on your RS-1 ?

I presume that with the flat pads, the RS-1 will sound too warm with the Predator ? The bowl pads should be perfect ? (I'm asking this question because I don't like the flat pads with my RS-1 for Prog-Metal music..I just want to be sure that you used the bowl pads in your tests.)

I also presume that with the bowl pads, the RS-1 will be a little bit too bright on Pico ?

Cheers

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I started with bowls, switched to flats, and ended up going back to the bowls staying on them, for now. It opens up the soundstage, and amped they have plenty of bass so I don't need flats for that. Once the APS cable got a few hours on it the brightness subsided enough to use any amp with them.

Sounds good.

I will order the Predator this week.

Cheers


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Some say you have to burn in the predator for atleast 1000hrs to reach it's full potential.

More than 1000 hours. It is a long but interesting trip and well worth the time.

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Mines only got about 400 on it so far and it sounds just killer. If it improves even more with another 600 I'll be stunned. At leat by the look of this thread I didn't make a bad choice in picking one up. I always have a tiny tinge of buyers remorse whenever blowing a wack of dough on something new.

1000 hours

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So 6 months of listening at work before your amp sounds the way it's supposed to? Holy poo.