[jonathan c]

Here is my current setup(pictures are in stages from start of setup to current, still not quite finished though):

Spoiler

I couldn't wait to set it up in my Den when it first arrived, so set it up right on the coffee table, and grabbed the easiest set of headphones to hand. This is the iBasso DX300 balanced LO to iFi Pro iCan Signature amplifier to B&W P5 (OG wired).

Apologies, I realize this is supposed to be about full-sized head gear, but I included these flathead earbuds because they are actually harder to drive than the Susvara with the combination of 600Ω and sensitivity of 87dB/mW. This was the second day of setup. This is Asus ROG G731 gaming rig USB out > Topping E70V DAC > iCan Sig > Yinman 2.0 600 wooden flathead earbuds (@WoodyLuvr will definitely recognize these ).


Finally got my last piece to complete my vision (don't mind the little mini fridge in the background. The poor thing has been through hell and back). This is Asus ROG G731 gaming rig USB out > Topping E70V DAC > Shiit Lokius > iCan Sig > Sennheiser HD800 S & Focal Elegia w/Sennheiser RS-140 RF headphones in the background (which are hooked via LO of the amp).


Same as above, but different view to show the lovely "tubiness" of the amp (this is NOT a hybrid amp for those not aware). I really wished that I could actually see the JAN GW-5670W tubes though. I thought about rolling tubes right out of the box but found there really is no need to with this unit. It is (almost) perfect for me. I may reconsider at a later date though. Also, I added my own (stick-on) feet because the stock feet on all devices are too short for any sort of heat dissipation. I will probably work on putting together some sort of small shelf to separate them further (or at least isolate them from touching each other).


My den; please excuse the clutter and overall messy(ness). It isn't near as elegant as most of your beautiful pictures on this thread, but it is my little corner of heaven and I love it. This was taken right before the Lokius arrived.

Edit: Also, I am running premp out of iCan Sig to the soundbar in the last picture (what you don't see is the two rears and sub woofer that are connected to the sound bar via BT).

I like the gear - I definitely like the enthusiasm - in this post .

 

[jonathan c]

It certainly sounds wonderful to my ears.

... what else matters?

 

[jonathan c]

Nitsch/JAR 600 is the apotheosis of the venerable HD-600 !!

 

[samandhi]

Nitsch/JAR 600 is the apotheosis of the venerable HD-600 !!

Nice! While I have not had the opportunity to own one, I really like WooAudio stuff. This setup would probably even sound fantastic with the HD700, and OG HD800 as well?!

That cable looks like it would add a considerable amount of (perceived) weight to the HD600, but is gorgeous nonetheless.

I have (by now) outfitted all of my headphones, and fallen in love with the Hart Audio Modular Cables:

Spoiler

 

[jonathan c]

Nice! While I have not had the opportunity to own one, I really like WooAudio stuff. This setup would probably even sound fantastic with the HD700, and OG HD800 as well?!

That cable looks like it would add a considerable amount of (perceived) weight to the HD600, but is gorgeous nonetheless.

The blue/grey intertwined cable, made by Custom Cans (U.K.), is actually very light, very flexible, and is made with very high grade copper. I recommend it highly.

 

[WoodyLuvr]

That cable looks like it would add a considerable amount of (perceived) weight to the HD600, but is gorgeous nonetheless.

The blue/grey intertwined cable, made by Custom Cans (U.K.), is actually very light, very flexible, and is made with very high grade copper. I recommend it highly.

Concur, Custom Cans Cardas HSPC cables are much, much lighter than they appear!

 

[bumblebear]

ZMF Atrium + Woo Audio Wa7 Fireflies.
Ifi Gryphon for travel.

 

[OhHeyItsLou]

 

[Roasty]

if you had to choose between aic-10 and armagedon what amp it would be and why?

it was a pleasure having both amps in the house for a few days. I really liked the SAEQ Armageddon amplifier, but fell in love with the Riviera AIC-10. I paid up and placed my order for the Riviera two days ago.

The AIC-10 has the best bass I've ever heard out of a headphone amplifier. Loads of low end, very punchy too, and it doesn't come out as just lifeless strong bass but you can make out all the textures and layers to it. It has a very lush and rich tone and a lovely weight and density to the notes. Vocals are so lifelike and sound so sweet. Top end is pleasant and smooth without sounding smoothed over; all the detail is there but it's done in a very well controlled manner. Front back depth is very impressive. Staging is not the widest, say compared to the WA33, but everything else I've mentioned above more than makes up for it.

Granted, I've not tried the Feliks Envy or Viva amps. but the sound I heard with the Abyss, Susvara, SR-1b and the AIC-10 over the last few days sealed the deal. It's already great out of the headphone outs, but even better via the speaker taps on the back. Overall build quality is superb; nice materials used, super smooth volume knob, nice aesthetics. Coupled with a great price from my dealer, it was just something I would not forgive myself if I passed up on.

 

[MacMan31]

Nice! While I have not had the opportunity to own one, I really like WooAudio stuff. This setup would probably even sound fantastic with the HD700, and OG HD800 as well?!

That cable looks like it would add a considerable amount of (perceived) weight to the HD600, but is gorgeous nonetheless.

I have (by now) outfitted all of my headphones, and fallen in love with the Hart Audio Modular Cables:

Spoiler

I have used Hart Audio cables in the past. But the ones I had were very microphonic. But their system is great.

 

[jonathan c]

'Home'

and 'Away'

 

[samandhi]

'Home' and 'Away'

Nice! With all your equipment I have seen in various pictures (from reading most/all this thread), you can do as much amp rolling as you can tubes....

What is the Teac device, SACD player or CD? I kept my old Pioneer SACD, DVD-Audio, CD, DVD player around for my loudspeaker system. I got this back in the day that the war between DVD-Audio and SACD was in full swing, and I wasn't sure which side was going to win (so I have some of both formats). I have not bouight either format for a long time now though. Most everything is gotten nowadays via digital download.

For pure quality of sound, SACD is fantastic (of course), but for true multi-channel, DVD-Audio is still fantastic.

 

[jonathan c]

Nice! With all your equipment I have seen in various pictures (from reading most/all this thread), you can do as much amp rolling as you can tubes....

What is the Teac device, SACD player or CD? I kept my old Pioneer SACD, DVD-Audio, CD, DVD player around for my loudspeaker system. I got this back in the day that the war between DVD-Audio and SACD was in full swing, and I wasn't sure which side was going to win (so I have some of both formats). I have not bouight either format for a long time now though. Most everything is gotten nowadays via digital download.

For pure quality of sound, SACD is fantastic (of course), but for true multi-channel, DVD-Audio is still fantastic.

The TEAC is a CD transport: model VRDS-701T.

 

[richie60]

Stripped it all down for cleaning today and a small rearrange to accommodate a nice drinks tray

 

[sygnus21]

@jonathan c.... Look familiar???

I got the Teac VRDS 701 in yesterday. Got such a good deal on it was hard to pass up. Was shooting for the T (Transport), but vendor ended up offering me the 701 for the price of the 701T. This is a brand-new unopened unit gotten from an authorized dealer

It was never my intention to get this one, but the deal was too good to pass up. Glad I got it, and it turns out, it's just what I needed, especially now that I can run my active speakers off it. And the Delta Sigma DAC also sounds wonderful, so I don't mind listening to its built-in headphone amp with my Sennheiser HD700 Phones. Also, when I game, and don't need both the Pontus and Artemis powered up.

And yes, the most important thing... as a CD player its masterful. CD's sound just a tick better with slightly more detail. I suspect this is due to the VRDS mechanism. I have the 701 connected directly to the Pontus via coaxial cable (as I did the Rotel), and the Pontus going to the Artemis via XLR cables.