2015 CanJam @ RMAF Impressions thread - (October 2-4, 2015)

[LFC_SL]

iFi Professional

Did you ask about a release date for this new line? It's going to become 2014 teaser to 2016 release, a lesson in how not to do it. If it is not early 2016 will strike it from the list of candidates

 

[longbowbbs]

  Kinda pisses me off that I asked Stax "anything new?" and they said "no".  So I only sampled the SRM-323S as a potential amp for my HE-60 and LNS and left...

They were being cagey about it. Stax Japan leaked the new ones the day before so I asked about that and Tats fessed up and let me listen to them. BTW, Great to meet Ben. Always a treat to meet another Eagle Scout!

 

[Hansotek]

 

iFi Professional

Did you ask about a release date for this new line? It's going to become 2014 teaser to 2016 release, a lesson in how not to do it. If it is not early 2016 will strike it from the list of candidates

 
Haha, good news for you then... It will be out next month!

 

[bretemm]

Anyone stop by Schiit? And listen to the new Bifrost?

 

[longbowbbs]

 

 

iFi Professional

Did you ask about a release date for this new line? It's going to become 2014 teaser to 2016 release, a lesson in how not to do it. If it is not early 2016 will strike it from the list of candidates

 
Haha, good news for you then... It will be out next month!

It is a ridiculous piece of gear too. A full linestage as well.. Incredibly versatile.

 

[HiFiGuy528]

Quite possible the most expensive set up I've heard, and also pretty darned good. Room 8000
Abyss cans 5k
WA234 amps 16k
Tubes 4K
Mytek Manhatten DAC 5k
JPS labs power cables 2k/ea times 2
JPS labs kaptivator power for DAC 1.2k
Mac 1.5k

 
Happy to hear you made it upstairs for a unique listening experience. 

 

 

[Max Choiral]

any news regarding new closed-back Hifiman headphones?

 

[immtbiker]

oBravo was again showing the hybrid (AMT/dynamic) headphones.

To my surprise, they are also showing prototype hybrid IEMS too! One is a hybrid Planner / dynamic for about $900. The other is a hybrid AMT/dynamic IEM for $2400. Both sounded great to me. They must have very tiny elves to make them. If you are at can jam, they are worth a listen. Look for the Asian couple and a fairly bare table at the end of the second to last row of tables.

I talked to David Teng and Christina Pan at oBravo for awhile. They are extremely pleasant people to hang out with. David is a bit of a mad scientist, attempting to merge an AMT and a dynamic driver in an IEM.
 
Here are the tiny components in the EAMT-3 and ERIB-2:
 

 
On left…combo ortho in front, mounted on a piezo-electro dynamic 
On right…AMT (Air Motion Transformer [can anyone say Jecklin Float?]), which also gets mounted on their dynamic driver.
 
Isn't it cool???? 

We are truly fortunate to be a part of this headphone hobby in the midst of all these booming advancements. 10 years ago, we were so stagnant…and look at us now!
 
*It seems that the theme for 2015/16…is, blending multiple technologies to get the precise flavor and specs that our imaginative manufacturers are hoping to perfect.
 
Their HAMT-1 full-size was also a delight to listen to. The AMT is able to handle the higher frequencies that way that oBravo prefers, better than a dynamic driver can, alone. The ear cup gimble and adjustment rod is strikingly similar to Joe Grado's HP-1 and 2 from the yesteryear.
 


We're just 2 "Wild and Crazy" guys!

 

[Rotijon]

Still,

I have heard most of it other than the audeze setup. However, considering how audeze have QC issues even with a 2k MRSP product, dont see a point in going any higher.

Edit: Have not heard the Cavalli's as well.

 

[immtbiker]

  Still,

I have heard most of it other than the audeze setup. However, considering how audeze have QC issues even with a 2k MRSP product, dont see a point in going any higher.

Edit: Have not heard the Cavalli's as well.

The LCD4 was extremely impressive in both sound and build quality.
 
Only time will tell how it stands the test of time….

 

[Stillhart]

  Still,

I have heard most of it other than the audeze setup. However, considering how audeze have QC issues even with a 2k MRSP product, dont see a point in going any higher.

Edit: Have not heard the Cavalli's as well.

 
Fair enough, you're welcome to your opinion.  Let's just remember that everyone has an opinion and they're all just as valid as anyone else's.

 

[mikemercer]

Fair enough, you're welcome to your opinion.  Let's just remember that everyone has an opinion and they're all just as valid as anyone else's.

Yes we are always reaction to music played-back, despite the format or the gear/vehicle!!

I JUST pulled into the driveway,
Gonna decompress for a bit and then get some impressions and pix up!

In the meantime:

A big SHOUT-OUT to Warren, Jude, Bob, Ethan, and others like Gilly87 and Stillhart!!

This year has been a strange and tough one, but getting back to CanJam and kickin' it with good friends while
Geeking out on gear hit the spot!!

And I gotta new writing gig!!!!

Many people don't know this, but my sonic satori column was originally started at HiFi+ magazine before it belonged to Absolute Multimedia / TAS!
Back when it was just a London magazine - well, they asked me to come home, editorially - will be covering all music for them at first, and, looks
Like it will grow into other coverage too! I'm PUMPED!!

Good Vibes.

Thanks to ALL the Head-Fiers at the show who talked to me and offered encouraging words during the whole divorce mess!
You guys have been there for me, and it means a lot.

Impressions comin!!!

Peace,
Mercer
,

 

[Demo3]

   
Happy to hear you made it upstairs for a unique listening experience. 

Upstairs???

 

[mithrandir38]

Only time will tell how it stands the test of time….

was that a Van Halen reference?

 

[Watagump]

I have a feeling all these new products are doomed, unless the companies step up their pen game.