HUGE HUGE difference, definitely a better SQ to run directly from an HDMI-equipped source (i.e., Oppo Player, Mac Mini, Audio PC server with HDMI out, etc), and then also route out from the optical to a good quality DAC, isolating just the processing and avoiding A to D and D to A in the unit...

@Jon-LF- it's a no-brainer if your interest is watching movies.  Quite an experience with a hi end headphone system.   However I have primarily used it with 2 channel audio listening, and candidly it's pretty hard to go back to the imaging / headstage of a regular headphone setup after getting...

Appreciate the feedback.  Need to pick up a pair of wireless headphones for occasional evening TV watching, maybe keep it simple and get some Senn's

Apparently it doesn't do well in apartments :)

Quick feedback, have spent a lot of time listening to the AK120 now with several different headphones I own, and would rank as follows in order of preference:   1. Fit Ear TG334 (by a VERY wide margin, especially when no external amp; excellent pairing) 2. Sennheiser IE800 3. Ultrasone...

Add me as another attendee.  Flying in from NY so won't have any gear w me other than my portable (AK120/SR71/FitEar TG334). 

Quote:   Nope, I rarely use it, but sure enjoy it when I do.  Definitely a keeper.  Although the headband is in like-new shape, I know it's the first thing to go so I had ordered and received a while back a spare in case they go NLA on those parts.

Was just clearing out subscriptions from my list, and came across this old thread.  Pretty crazy what some of the ask prices are out there now.  seen a couple sales on Ebay in the mid 20's or higher for the amp/headphone pair.  yikes...

Quote: Unfortunately all my files (except some hi res downloads) are WAV stored in iTunes and I've maintained my tags in the itunes database file (Mac OSX).  I can convert to AIFF and retain tags (and embed the artwork with iTunify), however MP3Tag doesn't support AIFF.  I'm also losing...

Quote: In general DSF has the ability to hold metadata and DFF doesn't (apart from this I personally haven't done an A/B between them in terms of one having a file container or not.  I for one have for several years only ripped into and used WAV because of what I perceived to be a better...

Just upgraded to 1.32.  Still having some issues with tags and artwork showing up for some albums.  When I try various tagging software, in every case the full tags come up.  Not sure what to do to get the AK120 to recognize these tags (is it an ID3 version issue for example? I read about the...

Update on listening impressions (fw1.21).  Now have about 150 hrs of burn-in time on the AK120 (with the Purist Audio System Enhancer burn-in CD file).  And over the past 4 days also logged about 100 hrs on a new pair of Senn IE800.  The IE800's were a little bright in the HF's out of the box...

Quote:   Well if the AK120 is light on bass and lower mids, perhaps the "biases" in each compliment one another for a little system "synergy"   Don't want to go through another custom IEM process as I did with JH Audio, that was a pain and very slow, so will probably try to pick...

Quote: Everyone seems to rave about the Senn IE800 so maybe they're worth a go?  Bit of an incremental "tax" but I place a high premium on the form factor / convenience.  Thanks for the suggestion.  Will also use the TripleFi's a little more, only spent a few min's with them early on.

Quote:   It's definitely the perfect form factor and the UI is very good notwithstanding the fact I keep everything in itunes in WAV and so have to resort to folder navigation :)  (all the tagging and artwork is in the itunes database file and was a PITA to build out over time).  Going to...