Up until today, I had been using a V-Link 192 to go from my Mac mini to my uber bifrost because it didn't have a USB input. I bought and installed the gen2 USB card and thought I'd share the differences. I wasn't really expecting there to be a big change, but I was surprised how different the...

I own the Vali and the Crack w/speedball and use them with my HD-600's. As dumb as this may sound, I've been tube rolling a bit to get the crack to sound closer to the Vali. It's not working out too well. I mostly listen to rock, so muddy kick drums and unenthusiastic snare hits from the crack...

I'll still bring the V-Link 192. My bifrost is sans USB too. Since I'm just getting started in this hobby, my list of gear that I'll be bringing is limited to... Sennheiser. HD-600 with Cardas cable Bottlehead Crack with Speedball upgrade (which is for sale) IFi iUSB Schiit Vali Not sure how...

No need to bring the Bifrost if you don't want. I bought one for myself :D ...and then I bought a used Bottlehead crack to round things out..

Using Audirvana on my Mac mini, I chose the software volume to be disabled, so I'm not sure if that defaults it to 100% volume or what. Maybe my DAC has a high output voltage...if that would make a difference?

9:00 on the volume knob is pretty loud. I usually listen at 8:00 or so.

Sure, it rings for 20 seconds or so after it gets bumped, but it doesn't bother me. I listen for an hour at a time without touching anything except my iPad.

Please come. Then I won't be the only first-timer there :o

OK, I'll chime in and give my two cents about the Vali's sound. First some background... I just parted out most of my semi-high-buck 2.2 channel speaker system and went to headphone listening full-time. I've had a pair of HD590's for 8-9 years, but used them sparingly until a couple months ago...

Could you bring it anyway? I can bring a V-Link 192 and would love to compare it to a Modi. Thanks!

If anybody has an OTL amp and wouldn't mind bringing it, I would love to hear it.

Could you include the HD650's? Those are on my short list. Thanks!

Well isn't this timely. I was just looking to get new headphones to use with my 2-channel speaker setup. My Sennheiser HD-590's are just too laid back for the rock I listen to. Do we need to register, or just show up?