I agree.   I also had DR-Z7 at 1978. It was narrow ranged compared to modern headphones, but I remember that listening with DR-Z7 was fun.

Almost the same. But the DS-DAC Edition is more flat than the original. The CD900ST is lack of low-bottom playback capacity. I can't fully hear Roland AIRA TR8 kick with CD900ST. I prefer the DS-DAC edition, but the CD900ST with YAXI pads is more comfort than SMB-02s. YAXI pads slightly...

You betcha. The pads are between on and around ear. They are 80mm (posterior to anterior) x 85mm (top to bottom).

Many japanese audiophiles simply belive that "more expensive, is better". So some products are obviously overpriced. But we must consider that the japanese audio market is relatively small (most of manufacturers do not sell to worldwide).

X-HA1 is slightly narrow ranged. The characteristic of the HD800 is wide ranged sound, so many people say X-HA1 is mismatched to HD800. I think too. Furthermore, X-HA1 has a little white noise. When you use high or middle impedance headphone, this noise is not audible. But with low impedance or...

I recommend Nmode X-HA1, 1-bit digital full balanced headphone amplifier. It costs approx. $800. But X-HA1 is not so good for HD800 (treble is spoiled) and it is very popular so always out of stock.

DS-DAC Edition (Left), Original Edition (Middle) and MDR-CD900ST with YAXI Protein Leather pad (Right).   The DS-DAC Edition is slightly thinner than the original. The cable is also slightly thin. Bass is tight. I recommend original SMB-02. In Japan, DS-DAC's street price is decreased to...

I think the M50 and the M50x are almost identical. But I feel the M50x has slightly powerful low-bass. The MDR-7520 is obviously clearer than the M50x. But the M50x is more comfort and cheaper than the MDR-7520. So I recommend the M50x to the person who want to buy more music instruments and do...

My recommendation is ATH-M50x. It is not so expensive, but very good for monitoring. Bass is moderately strong. It is the newest cans among my headphone collection.   MDR-7520 is also my favorite. Its sound is not so flat, but you can hear very subtle detail.   My best favorite is K701...

from amazon.co.jp (amazon japan), approx. $190. Already it is sold out in amazon japan, but still available in other audio or music instruments shops.

Just arrived. Almost neutral sound character with appropriate low-bass. I love it. I'll use it to make EDM.

The Young Guru has just arrived. The sound is somewhat similar to HD700. But mid-tone is behind, just like Custom One Pro or DT770 600ohm. I feel the TMA-1 Fools Gold Edition is too overbassed, but the Young Guru is within normal range. I am hard to say this is a typical basshead.

I disliked HD700 because sibliance is very harsh. So I have thrown away HD700 into a junk box. Recently, I changed the cable to doublehelix's balanced Molecule OCC. Hmm, sound becomes very mild. Now HD700 is one of my favorites.

Today, I get X1. The genuine cable is horrible. Lch; 2.0 ohm, Rch: 1.9 ohm, Ground: 1.8 ohm (by SANWA CD771 digital multimeter).

I do not know much about MBA-1, sorry. MBA-1 is considered to be slightly outdated. Recently, most popular high-end headphone amplifier in Japan is P-700u, KH-07N or KH-08N by Newopto, X-HA10 by Nmode. KH-07N/KH-08N/X-HA10 are approx. $4000, build-to-order products. The X-HA10 is a digital...