One year ago last week I was kindly invited over to Skylab's Ranch for a listen to some headphone gear.  Skylab being a Contributor here at Head-Fi as well as an aficionado on tubes and tube gear.  This came about by my endlessly torturing myself on which amp to buy at the time: a Meier Concerto or a Woo WA6 and beyerdynamic Tesla T-1's as well.  Skylab to the rescue!
 
At the time I owned a HeadRoom Home Amp (version 1 updated) and AKG K701 headphones.  I'd been reading at 6moons audio Srajan Ebaen stating that for about $5K you could get a headphone system that would rival home rigs costing many multiples of that.  That's what I want!  Wife+kids=no listening time when I'd like to ("hey homework is way overrated").  Srajan also reviewed and owned a Woo WA5 (then beyond my budget).  Add to that my geek drooling at musicman59's WA5LE in black!  More reading about an affordable WA6 vs my other choice the Meier Concerto.  Tubes?  I hadn't really listened to tubes since my Grandfather's Marantz 7 preamp and McIntosh amp.
 
I arrived at Skylab's (word to the wary....you might want to wear sunglasses with all the tube glare!) and got to listening to the Concerto and the Woo6 with my K701's then the T-1's.  It didn't take long to decide I was going tube and T-1.  Before leaving I was treated to a listen of The Beatles " Something " on vinyl via the big speaker system.  Incredible and thank you Skylab!!
 
[size=x-small]On the way home that warm late Summer's day to pick up kids from school I had already decided that I indeed was a fool and needed an upgrade from the WA6 to the 6SE.  More reading Forums for days revealed that I didn't want either of those amps but instead the WA22 balanced plus tube upgrades.  That had pretty much tripled my budget but...............[/size]
 
[size=x-small]Next my Proceed CDD/DAP combo had to go.  I'm moving on to files baby!!  More Forum reading, reviews, rolling around on the floor clutching my stomach and screaming "Why!!!!!!!!!!!"  Fine.  I bought a Wyred4Sound DAC2.  Beautiful.  All was in place and sounded great.[/size]
 
[size=x-small]After about six months of listening I was missing the impact that was on my big rig home system but missing on the headphone rig (I want to feel that low bass in The Beatles "Baby You're a Rich Man" and the drums in the Allman Brothers "Hot Lanta".  I'd been reading rumblings about Alex Cavalli's Liquid Fire hybrid amp coming out and that with Audeze LCD2's was a formidable combination.  Since I'd gone full-tilt headphone audiophile I ordered the Liquid Fire.  The wife factor on the Woo wasn't good.  "It looks like some sort of science project"  This is coming from someone who was actually OK with speakers out into the room for best sound!  I better return those miniature tube earrings!  [/size]
 
[size=x-small]A few months ago I took delivery on the Cavalli Liquid Fire.  A few more months after the LCD2rev2's.  Now that promise of Srajan Ebaen was fulfilled.  The Liquid Fire, LCD2rev2, W4S DAC2  does match up and better a big rig.[/size]
 
[size=x-small]What if I never did get that listen at Skylab's Ranch.......................?[/size]

then you'd have about $5,000 in savings. 
 
just kiddin' ya.
 
i'm right there with you.  patiently awaiting delivery of a cavalli.
and enjoying the peak/volcano with various headphones.
 
thanks for sharing!

My only question is who the hell is Skylab?  Is this a recording studio, if so where? There are several noted on Google.  My google search even picks up Area 51!  Some background would be helpful.  Don't assume that everyone is going to know about some of the esoterica in audioland.

Sorry.  Skylab is a Contributor here at HeadFi.  He's also a tube aficionado.  http://www.head-fi.org/user/skylab

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edstrelow said:

My only question is who the hell is Skylab?  Is this a recording studio, if so where? There are several noted on Google.  My google search even picks up Area 51!  Some background would be helpful.  Don't assume that everyone is going to know about some of the esoterica in audioland.

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I guess you been MIA for at least 6 years.
 

I am quite certain it was a joke

i thought you said "skywalker ranch" roflmao! not to undermine skylab but that really would have been something not forgotten a year later. well, skylab probably does have more headphone gear than them anyways

I was a mild audiophile until a visit to Ray's house a few years back.  Listening to the R10s, the HE90s, and his mammoth rigs (both headphone and speaker) piqued my interest as I had always been on the performing end but never really the listening end.  Glad Rob's house did it for you.

Quote:

icenine2 said:

Sorry.  Skylab is a Contributor here at HeadFi.  He's also a tube aficionado.  http://www.head-fi.org/user/skylab

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My mistake but Skylab is also a recording studio with branches around the country.   I assume there is no connection.