El_Doug, I don't think you can go wrong with the 2805s although I prefer the larger panels myself. Quad has an excellent speaker in the 2805s. EarHead1

Gary in MD, You make more sense than any other on this thread. While we all clearly have our opinion, let your ears be your guide is clearly the best path to ear happiness there is. EarHead1.

SuperKnowva, While I agree with your choice of the 009s, I cannot afford them at the present time. I must pacify myself with the 507s and be happy with them. I can trust my opinion isn't shared by all, but whatever Stax headphone you choose to use, you can be certain that it will satisfy your...

catscratch, Perhaps I wasn't clear in my expression. Stax gear is detailed, open and very clean. Depending on which headphone you are using and with which driver as they like to call them, the headphones will either sound more or less extended in the high frequencies. Bright is not a...

WiR3D, Excuse me for expressing myself. Having not been a head-fier since the stone age, I hardly feel qualified to comment on anything specific. i've been involved in many aspects of commercial and military ventures over the past many years. i've modified equipment both military and industrial...

Jjacq, The towel option seems to be the best one. It's cotton. It's washable. It can be changed out with a different color/pattern to suit your taste. It's your call of course. My money's on the towel. EarHead1

catsratch, perhaps it's your source material, not the headphone. bright, no! neutral, yes. i've owned sr lambda pros and currently sr507s. the stax gear is not bright. you have other demons in your system. EarHead1

William007, Inquire to George Merrill at George Merrill's Analog Emporium in Memphis, Tn.. He will get you steered straight as to your questions. He sells and works on Thorens turntables and has been an audio dealer for decades. You can believe what he tells you. He won't steer you wrong I...

Senn-Fi, Your problem is clear. Wire matters and some are disbelievers. The word is synergy. Different equipment reacts differently to each cable type. There is a great match for your gear selection. My advice is simple. Find a friendly dealer who will allow you to try a pair at a time to narrow...

gomincha, I'm prejudiced towards the SR323S because I like the fact that there are no tubes to fool with. Granted it will not play as loud as the SRM-717, but is is lushious and you can't go wrong with either choice. It's Stax. Can't lose, period! EarHead1

twiz 8, I misspelled the Asus card recommendation. It's Xonar, not Sonus. Didn't mean to confuse you. Good luck, EarHead1