MuppetFace
A Special Snowflake
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2010
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The Diary Entries of a Little Girl
Or: How I Learned to Stop Being Productive and Love Posting in MF's Thread
Part 2: Electric Boogaloo
[for Ardgedee]
Welcome to the new new diary thread. The old one was a little overwrought in places, so hopefully this will amount to something like a fresh start while still retaining the spirit of the old thread that made it so enjoyable.
Given the rather underwhelming (and cryptic) first post of the last diary thread, there seemed to be some confusion as to its nature and purpose, so this time around I think a quick explanation would prove helpful for those who may be stumbling through the gates for the first time.
Q. What is this thread?
A. As the title suggests this is a public diary for me, MuppetFace (aka "MF" or "Mupps" or Romy). It is a creative space for me to post my impressions of audio gear, more general musings concerning anything that might interest me, and also the mundanities of everyday life. It's also a place for the small community that grew up around these threads to hang out and chat in a relaxed and hopefully drama-free manner. Others like to discuss their interests and share their impressions and thoughts as well.
Some like to imagine this thread as a coffee house for enthusiasts.
Q. Can anyone post here?
A. Of course. This is still head-fi, still a public forum, and we welcome anyone who wants to genuinely participate. We're all pretty close-knit here, so give us a chance to warm up to you if you want to be a regular too.
Q. What's the topic of conversation?
A. Just about anything that isn't restricted by head-fi's rules. We tend to discuss audio gear a lot, but also popular culture, underground culture, music, film, literature, philosophy, and sociology. Sometimes the conversation can get a bit heady; other times it's cathartically stupid. With the being said, this isn't an "anything goes" type of place, and you should keep in mind that we're all a rather colorful bunch taken collectively, so try not to be offensive to peoples' sensibilities.
For example: I'm a feminist. Gender is an area of conversation that comes up from time to time, and some of us here like to discuss these types of issues in a thoughtful way. We don't mind viewpoints being questioned in a logical and sincere debate. However blatantly sexist comments, even made jokingly, aren't going to go over well here at all. Just something to keep in mind.
Q. What's the story about this whole 'diary' thing anyway?
A. As with most stories, I suggest starting at the beginning if you really want to understand...
* * * * * * *
~The Story So Far~
Chapter 1 - Kiteki's The Diary Entries of a Little Girl!
Chapter 2 - MF's The Diary Entries of a Little Girl Nearing 30!
Chapter 3 - You Are Here
* * * * * * *
Anyway, have fun!
* * * * * * *
Dear Diary,
So on an audio-related note, I've discovered a truly stunning combination of gear:
Cavalli Audio Liquid Lightning + Stax SR-Omega
This definitely ranks among the best pairings I've ever heard. Specifically, in terms of spatial presentation, it blows away my previous setup. I'd place my order for one of these amps right now if it weren't for the Eddie Current Electra looming on the horizon. I'm really hoping I can get a demo of it before deciding on my 'stat setup.
Then there's the Liquid Glass, which has been pairing extremely well with the HD800. There's a depth and level of involvement to its sound that I don't hear in a lot of amps. Two factors contribute to this for me: a holographic presentation, and a level of micro-dynamic detail and nuance. Not to open up a whole can of worms, but I feel this is one of the biggest "differences" or "deciding factors" for certain amps at this level (Balancing Act, Manley Neo-Classic 300B, DNA Stratus, etc.) compared to others which may cost a lot less and have a fairly transparent sound. In other words, the tentative and somewhat hesitant answer to the question of "why spend any more?"
Anyway, the LG is a chameleon, and it changes quite a bit depending on which tubes one uses with it. The current tubes aren't as good of a match with the Qualia 010 as with the HD800, so I'm hoping to get a second set in to experiment before I finish my evaluation. With the HD800 and the right set of tubes however this is definitely one of THE amps in my opinion.
Really I'm trying to sort out my feelings toward tube amps in general right now. I have something of an aversion to tubes, mostly due to issues with noise (I'm obsessed with having an abyssal, black background) as well as tube rolling and having to replace them. It just... bugs me. Certain experiences to that end (Leben and Woo) have left a negative taste for me. However my Zana Deux SE has been a trusty, quiet companion, and thus I haven't written off owning tube amps completely. On the one hand I feel compelled to go with something like the Electra, Liquid Glass, or Manley. On the other hand I feel a certain comfort in sticking with solid state like the Liquid Lightning.
Unfortunately, many solid state amps sound flat and lack that depth I spoke of in comparison to tube amps. That is, of course, a generalization; it's more a matter of individual topology. The Liquid Lightning for instance sounds very involving and has a depth to it that my KGSS, another solid state amp, does not. I'm really hoping Cavalli releases the Liquid Gold, his hardcore solid state amp designed to compete with the likes of the Beta-22. The market is a bit unfavorable for these types of high-cost solid state amps at the moment, but maybe someday.
XoXo
