I don't disagree. Out of box, the BDs scorch the ears. I found that it took a week of burn-in to tame the top end. But when everything clicked, it clicked.....

I haven't heard the AKGs, but I can say that the BDs I have heard all have a similar naturalness and ease, albeit with a touch of upper mid-lower treble brightness that softens over time.  

I have often wondered whether the break-in period is a psychological balm that allows one to acclimate to the sound of a new component, or a real, measurable phenomenon. I suspect that it is a little of both...

Enable, brother, enable!!!   Woo makes some of the most beautiful stuff in the world, all of which is very fairly priced.   And made right here in the good ol' US of A.....

Can-heads:   The sound of my new BeyerDynamic DT- 990s has improved considerably with a little break-in time. The brightness in the upper mids and lower treble, while not banished outright, has tamed significantly. An incredible sense of openness, air and extension has replaced outright...

Osmoldo:   You may also want to check out the lovely and very affordable HRT USB DACs. They sound great, are easy to use and won't break the bank.

"High, I'm Joe and I'm a can-aholic.."   Welcome to the never-ending world of audio-nervosa and upgrade-itis!!!!   LOL

Pipps:   I'm using an HRT Music Streamer II and I love it. Cost = $149.   Here is the system:   Dell 640 GB laptop; Monster Cable USB cable; HRT Music Streamer II; Audioquest Black Mamba II interconnect; PS Audio GCHA amp; Beyerdynamic DT 990/600 ohm and Sennheiser 580 cans; PS Audio...

You may want to check out can amps from Woo Audio, and the guys at Schiit Audio as well. Both have amps that run the price spectrum, from 250 up to nearly 5,000. Tubes rule at both firms though Schiit offers both tube and hybrid models.   You may also want to check out the PS Audio GCHA, a...

I agree with much of what has been said above. I think the original 1K price, while not outrageous, didn't make a lot of sense for those with cans that only cost 250-400 bucks. New GCHAs are now available for about 400 bucks from outlets like Music Direct, but supplies are limited.   The...

Mine arrived from Music Direct on Saturday. It is a demo unit (only $349.00 w/free two day shipping). It sounds sublime with my Senn. 580s.   Happy holidays)))))))

A friend at a major Chicago retailer suggested that PS Audio may have plans to incorporate the GCHA technology into their PerfectWave DAC/Transport architecture as a 600-750 modular upgrade.   The GCHA tech is not obsolete, but other amps have caught up, sometimes at prices below $1000.  ...