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Quote: It would, unless the changes were unplanned. Say the reception of the pre-production models were lukewarm at best due to peaky treble. Isn't a stretch to imagine. 

I can't speak for everyone but as an englishman, I'd much rather buy something made in the US than China. I wouldn't pay through the nose for it, but it isn't an insignificant factor for me. 

Quote: If a $750 amp is competitive with >$1,000 amps, then the cost of the cable isn't a deal breaker, imo. Just something people need to watch out for. 

Quote: That's awesome - nice blend of minimalism and cosiness. How are the PM1s as near fields?  

I can't provide you a picture because the optical out on my MacBook Pro isn't working but all you should need to do is plug in a mini TOSLINK cable into the headphone port and the OS should detect it. If it doesn't spotlight MIDI Audio Setup and configure it to output over S/PDIF. Shouldn't need...

There'll always be headphones that are better value than their similarly priced counterparts so yes, jumping from a great $150 headphone to an adequate $300 headphone mightn't be the great an improvement. The best idea is to make big enough steps that you can go from high value product to high...

Personally, I'm sceptical a $50 DAC will be a worthwhile upgrade. Unless the headphone out of your laptop is atrocious, then I'm not sure an external DAC in that price range will make a considerable difference. It might be worth saving your money and upgrading later when you've had chance to...

PCs decked out in LEDs and UV paints/dyes aren't all that different from the more outlandish modified cars, be they hot rods or hatchbacks. They are flashy but they do have an appeal. Some coordinate colours and have a well thought out design and some just have whatever was brightest. To me the...

Jason has explained why the dates were pushed back. We've known the mid range is supposed to be Q1 and the statement Q2 for months. If it's any consolation, waiting a little longer will only make you appreciate it more. :)

Quote: That's a good mentality to have. If you learn from every mistake and make the most of every situation you needn't regret a thing. 

That makes sense. It isn't so much specific memories that are stimulated by smells for me, more how I felt at the time. Music, on the other hand, tends to be linked to a time/place but isn't quite as instinctive. Everyone's different, I guess. 

Quote: So the smell of your mother's cooking, freshly cut grass, sea salt etc aren't evocative for you? I'm not convinced. 

Quote: Are you sure? My main complaint about the CX300 was the overwhelming mushy bass.

Music has been recorded at that sort of sample rate and bit depth for years, but that hasn't made it readily available. As far as I can tell, record labels are using vinyl as their high quality product and digital as their mass market distribution method. At least, that's how I see it.