Based on https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-chromecast-audio-digital-output.4544/ it looks like the digital ouput of the chromecast can be quite good. However, Google's CAST functinality measured quite poorly, especially when compared to Roon's...

It is still true that the 36mp sensor on the D800 will expose flaws, but lenses today are so good that most of the available lenses are plenty sharp for the majority of photographers. The nikkor 50mm f/1.4D is fantastic for the money on any compatible Nikon.

I love the dash mounted shifter on the EP3 Type R. Such a clever design. They are great values in the UK now.

I would still be interested in comparing the sound quality of the portable even though it doesn't come with the accessories. It has a genuinely interesting amplification and dac/processing design that I don't see in any other portables.

It's as if people go out of their way to avoid the science.

It's unlikely that you will find passive speakers that can use the headphone amplifier on your soundcard since a headphone amplifier is meant to drive completely different impedance loads to a speaker amplifier. However, you could use active speakers from the soundcard output as they don't need...

Is Is there an equivalent software to Tonebooster's Isone since that is unavailable now? Or likewise, is there anywhere that it can still be found?

I just don't see how that can be true. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/measurement-and-review-of-schiit-bifrost-multibit-dac.2319/ shows quanitfiably worse measurements in every regard. I'm sure people want to believe that their ears are superior to the lab measuring...

I believe that the myth that Studio Monitors cannot be used to listen to music enjoyably is complete BS. A good pair of studio monitors will allow songs to sound how they are intended, and can be adjusted to suit your needs. A "HiFi" speaker with an inaccurate frequency response is a compromise...

Although that original shipping quote seems excessive even for today's rates

Has anyone performed independent measurements and testing of the Z1R to see how they measure?

Has anyone tried a comparison with a hardware based equivalent like the Smyth Realizer?

I wouldn't trade the Clear for the Elex. I think the Elex is a great headphone, but it doens't surpass the Clear. Price-Value ratio is a different topic though.

That's my thinking. I don't see any way that they will be able to out-bass the TH-900, but a little more soundstage might be a worthwhile tradeoff.

These headphones seem like an excellent option for people wanting to get into the sennheiser open-back club without having to worry about the amplification behind them like you do with the 600/650.