I've been out of the game for awhile. Where do I go these days for an open-back, bass-forward (think TH900) but mostly Harman target oriented headphone for around 2K? Whether achieved out of the box or with EQ, please specify. Will generally be played with RME ADI-2 DAC and a solid amp of one...

Hi all, I recently picked up a Rega RP3 turntable with Elys2 cart and am now deciding on amp+speakers in what will be my first "real" hifi system. I'm planning to spend about a grand on speakers, and have looked at all sorts of different options, including full-range, monitors+subs...

About to pull the trigger on one of these two similar DAC/Amps, to be used primarily for driving Audeze LCD-2 Rev 2s.     These are roughly equivalent in terms of price (assuming one buys the ALO Gateway & Passport options, and why wouldn't you) and although topology varies somewhat between...

Yeah, I know - equalization is sort of a dirty word but I'm going to ask about it anyway. Some of us (perhaps just a few) unabashedly enjoy tweaking our sound, even on higher-end gear. Perhaps if only a little, as I do. I recently purchased a pair of LCD-2 Rev 2s, which are on their way to me...

Happy Friday Members' Lounge,   I've been thinking a lot lately about making my next rig a small bookshelf-type speaker + integrated tube amp setup, based around the Mini-Maggie Magnepans.  I'm also thinking if I do some research and plan for it, this would ideally also serve as a platform...

Trying to decide on a desktop USB DAC, and I'm noticing quite a few nice looking ones that only accept 24/96 over USB.  Should I try to find one that is also non-upsampling, Asynchronous USB but accepts 24/192 files?  I've noticed HD Tracks has started carrying a good number of tracks in this...

Hi all,   I've been shopping for a new desktop DAC lately and came across this one on the Music Direct site which looked intriguing.  Here's a brief overlay of chief characteristics-   " USB  Input  working in asynchronous mode up to 24bits/192kHz and accepting USB audio class 1.0 and...

Neutrality, pft!  I admit it, friends. I like to tweak my sound.  Give me color!!   Blasphemy, I know. But all the same, the biggest plus for me about my E17 is the sweet, clean bass and treble mods I can make with the push of a button on the E17's EQ.  I find it much easier to use, and with...

Well, I'm hoping someone here has had some experience either with the maintenance & support divisions within audio-technica or perhaps has lodged a "ticket" in the past or whatever the equivalent is?  I'm not sure what you'd call it, but I was heading out for a routine drive around the...

Anyone else use this service and care to share their impressions and opinions on it?   I just signed up for 2 weeks free and am atm perusing their selection of Criterion collection films via the iPad app.  Was delighted to find they have a good number of Zatoichi movies, which is one of my...

Hey all,   I'm trying to replace my age-old E-mu 0404 USB DAC now that I've acquired some quite better phones (Fostex Thunderpants) and a nice little amp (Cavalli Tube Hybrid/CTH).  What I'm looking for in specifics may not be feasible however.  I certainly hope so, but haven't had any luck...

  Heya all,   Regretfully I've run into a real bother with my (for me anyway) brand new amp (a Cavalli CTH [Original] DIY'd by a well-known Head-Fi'er, MrSlim, who's been a wonderful help so far but I thought I'd run this by you all as well.  My CTH is one of the first prototypes of this...

Hi folks, I'm currently considering a few pairs of headphones which, if my fellow Head-Fiers would be so kind, I would be humbled and grateful if you would rate on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 highest) the criteria listed below pertaining to each. The headphones themselves are as follows- A...

  Recently I was at Fry's here in the DFW area and came across this absolute gem of a Blu-ray - Bach Brandenburg Concertos - Orchestra Mozart, Claudio Abbado conducting, Giuliano Carmignola violin  ...

Hi all, I tried a thread similar to this a little while ago but didn't get too many bites, though after re-reading it I think I might have been a little vague in the method of asking the question, so here goes attempt #2. I've heard the ATH-ESW9 described here and around as having a...

You owe it to yourself to listen to this album. I honestly feel it's my solemn duty as a lover of music to make people aware of this amazing work who may not (probably haven't) have heard of it. You don't even have to buy it. Just do a search for the "TQMP" (The Quality Music Project)...

Lately I've really fallen in love with my Audio-technica ATH-ESW9s, and for my next set of headphones, I'd like to find a similar sound signature, but more of a desktop setup meant to be paired with a better amp (I've been leaning toward the Woo Audio 6) and perhaps a better DAC. Right now I use...

Hi Head-fi'ers, I have a Sony SCD-CE595 that I occasionally listen to Super Audio CDs on and an Emu 0404 USB connected to my computer where I normally listen to flac files through it. If possible I'd like to output the SACD audio on the CE595 to the Emu 0404's DAC, but I don't know if it can...

Hi all, I'm in the process of planning a new desktop headphone rig and I'm pretty certain at this point that it's going to include a Woo Audio 6 amp (not sure whether standard or SE but probably standard for budgetary reasons) as I know I want to go tube and the WA6 seems like a very solid...

What is for you the ultimate headphone listening experience? Here are the rules- 1. List one song or track from a particular album/artist/label and the media format-> 2. List one source playing your particular song/track. -> 3. List one set of headphones for that particular...

Hi all, I'm starting to get that itch again which means it might just be time to buy a new pair of headphones. I currently have AKG K701s, Denon D2000s, Sennheiser HD-595s and Shure SE530s in the rotation and generally I use these with my desktop amp, an Eddie Current SS, playing high-bitrate...

I just recently acquired some new Blue Jeans RCA cables which I'm using to connect my Emu 0404 USB and my headamp. However, the only 1/4" TS plugs I had were RadioShack brand. How important are those plugs in terms of the overall SQ? Does having Ratshack plugs on Blue Jeans cables defeat the...

Hi all, Lately I've been wondering which amps are generally considered to be better for bassheads; commercial or DIY? I've read quite a few threads about both types but haven't really reached a conclusion. I also posted a similar thread but didn't get any responses so I'm changing the format...

Hi all, I'm looking for an amp to replace my Little Dot II++ that will give me (hopefully) much better bass from my Denon D2000s. It would be nice if it had some way to easily adjust the bass and treble levels, as my current CD player lacks this. Tube or solid state doesn't matter, nor does...

Hi all, I'm new to head-fi and new to the hi-fi headphone obsession, and in my short time lurking here I've come up with some questions I thought best addressed in a thread. I realize this topic is covered in any number of other threads about different headphones, amps, sources, music in...