Quote: Originally Posted by bhanja_trinanjan Yes... 12 o' clock is fairly loud... but then again I am listening to orchestral classical which has huge dynamic swings. Mozart's clarinet concerto or Beethoven's violin concerto seems to lack a certain tonal density/lushness unless I...

I just came back to this thread when I recalled that little detail. I am using my XP computer USB output to the DAC in the HR Ultra Desktop. The volume is good for long term listening around 9-10 o'clock max. 12 o'clock is really blasting! If you have it at 12 o'clock in the medium gain...

Quote: Originally Posted by bhanja_trinanjan I have a Ultra Micro, which has the same level of electronics as your Ultra Desktop. I love the K702 with the Ultra Micro; but don't you find the sound to be a little lean and distant.. (lacking saturation, tonal density and lushness in...

K701's to Grado SR325is's must be an interesting comparison. I haven't yet heard Grado's to compare, but the K70X are very resolute and neutral, probably one of the best choices out there for the music you listen to. I had a hard time finding equipment that would adequately drive them, and...

I'd be inclined to knock the uDAC just on price but people really like it. Maybe the best thing to do is buy the phones and uDAC from a source that has a return policy, listen to them for a few weeks, then see what you think. Everyone will agree that you can get a lot more out of phones like...

I contacted Drew through Audiogon to purchase an HR Technologies Music Streamer II+. Even though it was pretty late on the east coast, he replied quickly, confirmed payment received the same night and I had a tracking number by noon the next day with the product already en route. This is a...

Quote: Originally Posted by GreatDane Oh no! Needle nose...did you lose the hex key(aka: allen wrench)...or was that just for the chips? So was the cost worth it? I'm glad I bought the 8065's. I'm currently enjoying my XM5 with HD 650 which I actually have been preferring over my...

The AD8065's and BUF134's arrived Friday, 8 days after placing my order. The XM-5 came apart very easily, the swap was a piece of cake with the assistance of some needle nose plyers and everything fit back together perfectly. I wouldn't say its like a whole new product but the better opamps and...

if you don't mind me asking, where did you buy those tubes?

I finally gave in and ordered the buffer chips and 8065's. My XM-5 should be hitting the next level in less than a week. Many thanks to the guinea pigs for all the first hand feedback on the different options : )

The LC3 puts out a fuller and more enveloping sound than the Cute Beyond. It's not so much a wider soundstage as much more complete fidelity. All sounds and instruments have much more girth to my ears. It has more authority over the sound. The Bass goes deeper but has a bit of a warm and fuzzy...

thank you! I love your answer

the new stuff doesn't fall into a price range I would call 'affordable' at something like $3500 for the full stack with DPS but intensely intriguing none-the-less. Can I work a set off washing dishes and mopping floors at HR? I would just love to hear what the ultimate set-up sounds like so...

Here is a very late thank you for the fantastic review. It was one of the many endorsements that led me to my Cute Beyond purchase! I was very impressed from the get-go and later added the Supplier PSU and added a separate USB DAC to really get the most out of it. After playing around with a few...

Quote: Originally Posted by prog =no clipping, less dynamics and detalis. You're amplifying also the noise from the DAC, this lowers the S/N ratio. true but how audible is the additional noise? for me eliminating the possibility of clipping has resulted in better sound quality...