What you have ordered from Sparkos will work in the single-ended op-amp spot. If you want to use the XLR outputs as well, you will need two more of the same, and they will be difficult to fit in the case. I think Ted did it in his, but I only did the SE. You can either buy the J2S with the...

Excellent new release with an all-star cast of great players! Gregory Groover Jr. (Tenor sax) Joel Ross (Vibes) Matthew Stevens (Guitar) Aaron Parks (Piano) Vicente Archer (Bass) Marcus Gilmore (Drums)

Having a first listen to my VO with the Caldera Lamb Ultra Perf ("CLUP" :beerchug: ). Is it me, or are the Caldera pads more difficult to put on than the Universe and Be2? Sometimes I'll try a new pad after loving the sound with another, and all it takes is 30 seconds to say, "Nope!" and...

I don’t want to generalize, but a Caldera I was considering at CanJam, which would sell for $3700 (Ltd wood) was being sold for $3200, and no sales tax. Still kicking myself. Also, for the ZMF November sale, there will be B-stock units at a discount, and most have only the tiniest of imperfections

At one point, I owned the AO, AuCl and VO at the same time. For me it came down to genres of music. The VO became my clear favorite for instrumental music (jazz mostly, and classical). AO and AuCl were both for rock, pop, folk, blues - offering different flavors but some similarities as well...

Excellent write-up. Thank you for the comparisons.

After trying different tube combinations (and thanks for selling me some, Geoffalter!), I am in agreement with all of this. Different drivers make more of an audible difference than the subtle changes brought about with different power tubes (unless all of my power tubes just happen to sound...

I love the look of the mango with the yellow strap and grill cloth!

If you will be using the single ended output, I can recommend the Sparkos SS2590 op-amp (two, with adaptor which Sparkos will see you directly; Geshelli does not offer it) is a step up from the SS3602. It is too large to fit the xlr outputs, which is why I asked if your intended use was...

At CanJam Dallas, I listened to Aeolus via the Feliks Envy, which on paper is a bit of a mismatch, being an $8000 amp. But there they were just sitting next to each other in the ZMF room. Couldn't believe how the Aeolus scaled up and sounded pretty amazing!

I literally spit coffee laughing at the 7 lbs. Hadn't read the request carefully and was imagining an ironwood VC weighing 7 lbs. Holy Janka!

I have been so happy with the lamb Be2 pads on my VO, I have had no desire to swap. Now y'all got me wanting to try the Caldera Ultra perf lamb and suede for myself. I have the lamb (currently on my AO). Will try it on the VO. No suedes have hit me just right on any open ZMFs yet. If more...

There seems to be a lot of love for the Kenrad VT231 / 6SN7GT. Have never heard them, but at $400 a pair for "WWII era with smoked glass", are they worth it?

Can’t comment on the AC, but I fear your amp may not be a great match with ZMF dynamic drivers

I’m not aware of any other hi-fi headphones with them, but have seen them in more industrial headsets as well as some mixers and soundboards.

The HiRose connectors that DCA uses are not proprietary, but it’s true that not many other manufacturers use them. In my experience, DCA build quality and comfort is excellent. Whether or not one likes the sound is another matter, however.

Damn, I wish I lived near Goshen NY right now. I would be offering up a case of whatever libation you fancy to join you for a couple hours. Can't wait to hear your impressions. The HP8 and VO are, so far, my favorite listening experience, and I remain tempted by the Caldera but my CanJam...

I went with the nyczaj padded headband and rods/gimbals pre-assembled. Very nice!

Yes. Mine arrived as a surprise.

A quick look at the Blue Jeans Cable site (a trusted cable seller) suggests the Belden 1694A: "Belden 1694A is also an excellent choice for analog audio; its foil/braid shield, though slightly less effective at excluding low-frequency EMI than 1505F's double braid shield, provides better RFI...

I had the Auteur Classic, Atrium open and Verite open all at the same time. Found myself wanting the VO for classical and jazz, and the AO for rock, folk and blues. The AuCl fell somewhere in the middle; a great all-arounder, but not as good as either of the other two for my preferences...

That Faraday cage idea may actually work, but first, try shielded power cables and interconnects for your whole system (not necessarily expensive); possibly a power filter (I actually have one of these on order in hopes of lowering the noise floor: Pine Tree Audio Iso-Power 15A Power Filter)...

Nice. Saw Frisell not long ago, playing a double-bill - first he played as part of Ambrose Akinmusire's Owl Song trio, then with his own "Double Trio." Great night of music.

Loved this! Was unaware of this release, and have not listened to Oregon in years.

I recommend using only open back headphones at moderate volume. IEMs and closed back headphones aggravate my tinnitus.