'End-game' headphone rigs, unicorns and other myths - Page 10

Quote:

Originally Posted by estreeter 

The only readily-available speaker in the top of that list appears to be the Moon Audio TITAN at 500K - good to know that they are a limited editon and each speaker will be signed by the designer. You definitely wouldnt want to go around to a friends place and find that they have  the same speakers, would you ?  Its the little things that make that extra 490K worth it over a good pair of floorstanders from Wharfedale or Mission. 

I would ask where the other two are, lest one of them be my next door neighbor.  

Geez... it wasn't that long ago that the Infinity IRS V was king of the hill at $50k.  And now that doesn't even make that list at 1/2 the price.  Although, if it were made today it would probably be in the six figures, as it was comparable to the Genesis setup. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by estreeter 

The only readily-available speaker in the top of that list appears to be the Moon Audio TITAN at 500K - good to know that they are a limited editon and each speaker will be signed by the designer. You definitely wouldnt want to go around to a friends place and find that they have  the same speakers, would you ?  Its the little things that make that extra 490K worth it over a good pair of floorstanders from Wharfedale or Mission. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mkubota1 

I would ask where the other two are, lest one of them be my next door neighbor.  

Even worse than when you show up to a party and someone else is wearing the same dress...

I might as well mention my personal turning point in my headphone journey.

Not too long ago, I got a Stax SR-202 + SRM-212, thinking that it would surpass my Normal bias SR-Lambda (rebuilt drivers, though) + SRD-7/SB + Onkyo TX-SV515PRO receiver in sound quality. I mean, newer Stax hardware that's incorporated what they've learned over the past few decades must be better, right?

It didn't turn out that way. I just didn't enjoy the sound as much. Something about the SR-Lambda's delivery of vocals just stood out, had this delightful presence without compromising the rest of the music, and it could deliver detail without a "harsh" or "grainy" quality to the overall sound, for lack of better descriptions. Also, I didn't like the higher clamping force of Nova series-style headbands as much.

I still use and enjoy that Lambda, though this particular set having rebuilt drivers with thicker diaphragms makes me wonder what a stock SR-Lambda with Stax-spec drivers sounds like. But other than that, I don't feel like taking more financial risks on headphones I may not like as much. The SR-Lambda has the sound I want AND the comfort to enjoy it for hours on end, and it's not nearly as bank-busting as most electrostatic sets, which gives me added incentive to stick to it.

Still, had I not bought that SR-202, I don't think I would have realized just how ideal that old SR-Lambda's sound presentation is to me, and how hard it is for people to find equipment that suits their personal sound signature preferences. Many people here have gone through far more headphones and spent far more money than I have, and they still haven't found the one for them.

However, this still hasn't quelled my curiosity on the numerous other headphone systems I've heard good things about, and that's probably why there won't ever be an end-game setup for some people; there are too many unknowns on what's out there, and they won't rest until they know every single thing there is to audio in general, no matter the cost.

Quote:

Originally Posted by estreeter 

Isn't that the point where hideously expensive speakers and monoblock amps come into the equation ? Obscure vinyl rigs that depend on the continued existence of a Cherry species that only grows on Mt Fuji, where its tended by a bevy of virgins before being hand-carved by a 90-year old Zen monk - sure, there's a ten year waiting list, but your remaining kidney should last at least 12.  

ESPECIALLY that stuff. And when they finally get it, they'll probably be all "ZOMGEARGASM!!!" and refuse to use anything else, perhaps even being snobbish to anyone who doesn't have audio equipment even a tenth as expensive as theirs, even if they have ten times the music collection.

Needless to say, it's because of that general public impression that I don't call myself an audiophile, even if I have Stax headphones of all things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NamelessPFG 

Needless to say, it's because of that general public impression that I don't call myself an audiophile, even if I have Stax headphones of all things.

It's an important distinction to make. Audiophiles listen to equipment, music lovers listen to music. It's important to have a bit of balance to avoid the endless trap of gear for gear's sake.

Asr: were your AD2000 end game for you when you had them with stock cable?

+1

my rig is end game for me, at least for now. 

probably won't upgrade my headphones, but will get WA22 or something more expensive like a WA5 or LF later, and look forward to upgrading my DAC to a W4S DAC-2 or a PWD (my dream set-up)

oh and i hope to upgrade my v-link to an audiophileo or some other high end usb/spdif converter as well.

i enjoy my setup enough to be able to keep it for a good long time, it just bothers me that i have 2 amps, would be better to have 1 to do it all.

I'd have to agree the AD2000's with the Red Wine Audio Isabellina HPA... is very possibly... anyone's "end game" in sound quality - stock cable, or otherwise.

Though... the Denon MD-5000's with that amp are very close.  

You just have to experience it to understand - just total and absolute "synergy." 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubstep Girl 

my rig is end game for me, at least for now. 

 

probably won't upgrade my headphones, but will get WA22 or something more expensive like a WA5 or LF later, and look forward to upgrading my DAC to a W4S DAC-2 or a PWD (my dream set-up)

 

oh and i hope to upgrade my v-link to an audiophileo or some other high end usb/spdif converter as well.

 

i enjoy my setup enough to be able to keep it for a good long time, it just bothers me that i have 2 amps, would be better to have 1 to do it all.

 M2Tech Evo or the new Audiophilleo Pure Power is where it's at for the top of the crop USB to SPDIF converters - had the chance to quickly demo the new Pure Power

 unit at a friend's place, the rig was not mine so it was a little difficult to ascertain any real improvements - in any case I'll be upgrading from my Audiophilleo 1 in due

 course 

 Could not imagine going back to USB on my Rega DAC - it is very average indeed.