So my home rig is in my signature.  I love it.  But, the reality is I can almost never really use it since the LCD-3 might as well be a small speaker and the other people in the room don't care for what I want to listen to ;)   So first question... is something portable, cost no object...

Team HD800... what is the go to, can't fail, going to love the HD800, amp under $2500 new or used these days for alternative/punk/metal?   My past kicks at the can were the HD800 with a B22 and Stello DA220, then years later with a Peak and W4S DAC-2.  I didn't hate either, just felt it...

I'm wondering what amps have both high 120ohm+ output impedance and are of great quality?  Preferably under $2000 ;)  Since the question will likely come up... it's to pair with the HD800.  Instead of modding it to drop the treble, run high output impedance to raise the bass :D

My newly acquired, used, Shuguang Treasure is massively microphonic on the right side.  Garbage time or can it be scared solid? 

I'm trying to tie down which amp I will pursue next after I compare the LCD-3 and HD800.  Stereotypically what is the sound of the above tubes in transformer coupled amps?  Amps wise I'm considering the Woo WA5LE, DNA Stratus and EC 2A3.  Also let me know if I've missed any in that similar price...

Apparently none of them lurking in the High End forum so...   If you had to choose an EC amp as the goto, good for most if not all cans, amp out of the ZDSE, 2A3 or S7... where would you land and why? I own the Audeze LCD-2/3 and Senn 800 for what its worth.

If you had to choose an EC amp as the goto, good for most if not all cans, amp out of the ZDSE, 2A3 or S7... where would you land and why?  I own the Audeze LCD-2/3 and Senn 800 for what its worth.

Similar to the amp thread, I'll be running each through its paces with the goal of being left with one at the end.   My original LCD-2 v LCD-3 notes can be found in that thread but were from when this pair had mismatched drivers so... let's start fresh.  My LCD-3 RMA are back from repair...

I am curious as to how the ground channel of the B22 is wired.  Does the ground return of the headphone jack go to the input or output?  If the output, what stops an unbalanced source from being used to a 4 pin xlr jack?  Couldn't the 4 boards be split to +L, L ground, +R, R ground?  And still...

This post is the index for the  comparisons.  Any and all comparisons done will get a link posted here to the proper post.  And here we go...   Ended up buying and comparing the HeadAmp GS-1 w/ DACT, Woo WA22, Trafomatic HeadOne, Cavalli Liquid Fire and AMB Balanced B22.  Rest of the system...

What is the middle transformer doing?   And how do I change it to 120V through this?   Thanks in advance.

Am I having an elder moment or in the under $1000 range is it really the HeadAmp GS-1 or Burson HA-160 for all discrete, no wall wart amp options?

I like to change up my gear every once in a while to experience my music differently while still not taking it to where I know I'm going to hate it.   So over the last decade I've been going darker and darker.  Beyer 880 to Senn 650 to Stax O2 to LCD-2.  Tried the rest along the way but...

My LCD-2 is finally starting to bother my neck and I need to move to something lighter.     I have the Senn 600 and Beyer 880 in house right now and am leaning towards the Senn.  That said, I've never heard the T1 but the 880 just barely fits and my ears do rub on the inside.  So before I...

I currently have the Shure 420 which is a good playback IEM but now that I'm playing drums again its not working out.  The recessed treble makes picking out cymbal work difficult.  So I need an IEM with more treble heat than the Shure without dropping bass.  Basically need the IEM most suited to...

I have a n_maher built B22 that has speaker taps switched from then presence/absence of headphones.  Problem is my studio monitors are powered and only want line level input via 1/4 phono.  So simple question, can I just use a 1/4 to speaker tap cable or does the zobel network need to go and rca...

For the life of me I am drawing blanks as to what is in production.  Pretty much only coming up with...   HeadAmp GS-X Rockhopper B22   Anyone less fuzzy this morning care to fill in the list?  No tubes, and can is LCD-2, though T1 may be incoming later.

I'm back to using IE/FF after the last Chrome self update.  On three PCs Head-Fi stalls and the kill page comes up.  Disabling Jscript "fixes" it but breaks being able to use menus.  Fun fun.  Obviously a Chrome thing, but thought it worth noting.

Let me know.

My inner ear tissue and IEMs have finally parted ways and I need a full sized around ear, not on, closed option to directly from a Zune 80 playing mostly lossless alternative to rock to punk.   Would like to keep it to around $200 street price.  Options?

The amp and source are locked, Meier Concerto and Stello DA220 respectively.  So pick your number one contender to best the O2 as a one and only can.  Some limitations... must be open, no out of production models, no recables, and if you vote other, let me know which can I should also consider...

The amp and source are locked, Meier Concerto and Stello DA220 respectively.  So pick your number one contender to best the O2 as a one and only can.  Some limitations... no out of production models, no recables, and if you vote other, let me know which can I should also consider.   Huh poll...

Should add, own and like their O2    When I got my O2 in 2006 I had gone through every top dynamic available and none even remotely approached the O2 in any area.  Fast forward to 2010 and we have the Senn 800 and Beyer T1 which I haven't heard.  Now the Audeze LCD-2 which many 800/T1 owners...

Well I pretty much went dark when I got my O2 but four years later and getting tugged on by my 1 and 3 year old one side of the right ear goes off unless there is upward pressure on it.  What I don't know is if its a cut in the sheath at the ear connector or at the post.   So two questions...

I need help locking down some options to fix my 'problem'. I love the Stello, love... love. But its output is way too high when paired with the HeadAmp KGSS. I use my PC as a source and have to run the output at -20dB to get reasonable range on the DACT. Reasonable being steps 1-6 become...