A few months ago, Yasunori Mitsuda released an album as part of a collaboration with Masato Kato (a game creator who worked on Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross) called "Kirite". It's a set that includes an original short story with accompanying music. I just listened to it after buying it on...

Get a keyboard without a numeric pad, like the Happy Hacking keyboard: http://store.yahoo.com/pfuca-store/haphackeyser.html They're WAY on the expensive side, even for the "Lite" model, but they'll let you do what you want. I imagine there are similar keyboards out there, but I'm not aware...

I've never had nor even seen the Eccentric Ale, though it does sound vaguely familiar. I've also never been on a tour of the brewery but I imagine I'll get around to it someday. I take it you have, though?

I'm delighted to see that so many people here have the same standards for beer that they do for audio. Some of my favorites: - Chimay Bleu - Rocheforte 6 - Bell's Third Coast Old Ale - Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald - Bell's Expedition Stout

Quote: Originally Posted by bg4533 Scharffen Berger 70% Bittersweet is my favorite. I'll second the recommendation for Scharffen Berger. I also like Rapunzel.

Look for albums by Virgil Donati and Terry Bozzio. They're the best soloists I've ever heard.

If I'm correct in my understanding that the 640C is similar to my CD-25, I'd go with the NAD. Either of the players you mentioned would be a great choice in the price range, but the NAD will help round out the sound of the DT880 more.

Would a Micro DAC be an improvement over the internal DAC of a Music Hall CD-25 or a similar CDP?

ArkivMusic.com is having a sale on all of their Naxos CDs. Most of them are $6, I think. That said, I need some help from the experts here so I know what to order Which Naxos recordings are particularly good?

You MUST hear Cynic if you like Aghora. The bassist and drummer from Cynic (Sean Malone and Sean Reinert, respectively) were guest musicians on the Aghora's eponymous album. Aghora now has a permanent bassist and drummer, according to their website last time I checked. Try...

I used to be really into them but they've fallen out of favor. Now, they're mostly a guilty pleasure for when I need an extra dose of Malone and Reinert. Have you heard anything by Cynic and Gordian Knot?

My obligatory DT thread post: Anyone who likes DT should listen to Pain of Salvation.

Quote: Originally Posted by kmcdonou I heard the Raptor at a recent meet and to me the MPX3 offers these advantages: more air between the notes, a more open soundstage, and a richer and fuller sound. Although different tubes change the sound, I believe both the Raptor and the MPX3 have...

I'll bring everything in my signature. - Rob

Oops Well, there's still the issue of power supplies. Another advantage is that the components are isolated and thus will not interfere with each other with electrical noise.

Todd sells the Etymotic adapter.

Most stereo equipment is designed for listening with speakers, so the headphone amp in a receiver or integrated amp may not be designed to the same standards as a dedicated headphone amp. Plenty of people have been pleased with the sound out of the headphone jack on a receiver, however, so it's...

Quote: Originally Posted by b-sides thanks for the help. i forgot to mention, i usually use portable equipment like my ipod and my panasonic CD player for a source. can the A900s be properly driven on them unamped? Yes. Also, in my experience with the DT880s, a CMoy will...

Quote: Originally Posted by Dhw Do you think my Pimeta could drive them and get my toes a-tappin'? I think a PIMETA would perform admirably with them.

The DT880s easily meet every single criterion you stated. Of course, if you can hear them tomorrow, let your ears decide.

What was the cost for parts?

Perhaps "soundstage" is too specific a term? The sense of depth I'm talking about is something I heard listening to the van Waarde amp with an iPod as the source. It could be that I just like tube sound in general. In any case, I'll wait to hear impressions from the Ohio meet (EdipisReks, I...

I'll be there and I'll bring everything in my signature. - Rob

Quote: Originally Posted by EdipisReks the PPX3 has very good soundstage depth and width, and good instrument separation. i think it's hard to beat with the solen stage one upgrade and some good tubes but, i haven't heard the SLAM. yet I've read your PPX3 impressions several...

I've been using solid state for a long time but I think I'm ready to make the jump to tubes after extensively auditioning my friend's DIY Aren van Waarde amp. At first, I couldn't hear the benefits, but I eventually realized how much more depth the soundstage has and how much more tangible each...