How much of a difference does replacing the tubes actually make?   My Yaqin, for instance, was about $950 altogether. How surprised was I when I found a pair of 300B tubes that cost $900. Almost more than the amp itself, like you said. It doesn't add up. Just like I said in another thread...

The Telefunken what? Anyway, I paired the HD800 with a YAQIN MS-300C integrated tube amp. More of a stopgap choice until I can afford a higher end amplifier, but for a Chinese amp at a little under a grand, I'm really happy with it. The only thing I hate is that it's noisy. Lots of hum. The...

Thanks, that link was helpful. That's about $240, which certainly doesn't seem cheap to me.   Ostensibly, many have complained that the sound attained via the stock cable is too bright. I use the 800's through an SET amp, so "too bright" is right out, anyway. I love the sound. This pipe...

Whoa, never mind. I just found listings for HD 800 upgrade cables, and the prices are absurd. Some of these cost more than the frickin' headphones did. Thanks anyway, y'all, but... no way. I'm riding the factory cable til it dies in a mildly exaggerated blaze of glory.

Huh! I noticed how pretentious the writing was on the site (they put career sommeliers to shame), but I hadn't suspected tactics so shady and manipulative. Now that you've mentioned it, the suggestion that the factory cable is junk does seem rather... dubious?

Yeah, the stock cable feels good to me. The part antecedent the jack is reinforced with kevlar. According to Sennheiser, at least; they seemed pretty proud of it. Heh.   Say I did want to get a cable. What kind of search words should I use on websites? Is there a name for these kind of...

You know what, I've changed my mind. I don't care that it's been over a month, I've come back around to loving Illmatic all over again. It's a perfect album. Reasonable Doubt may have higher high points, but the low points are... wait, Illmatic has no low points. Illmatic wins. It's my third...

I have been nothing but thrilled with the sound from my HD 800's, but I recently came across a Six Moons review that flat-out ridicules the stock cable. Quoth the reviewer: "Stock cables aren't up to par. They must be replaced or any true discussion on performance is invalid."   Really...

@Bunchies I've heard of Star Ocean 2. Never played it. Two quick questions: Is it turned based? Is the story connected to the first one in a manner where starting at the sequel won't be comprehensive/enjoyable?

Modern - Metal Gear Solid 4   Throwback - Castlevania 1 through SotN

I found a used Cronus for $1,650. I guess I'm not lucky.   I had to do some research on the difference between an attenuator and a potentiometer. I'm glad you brought those terms up. Learning is my utmost priority here. The theme I've gotten from you is that tube amps are appropriate for the...

Where would used sq-n100's be available? I checked ebay and amazon. Nada.   Believe me, I don't care about remotes. Even with TV's, I always had this weird impulse to get up and change it even if I had a remote. That's just me. What does steps on a volume knob mean? I know that max volume is...

I don't always necessarily want audiophile quality in metal. Take Slayer's Reign In Blood. It sounds fantastic. Everything sounds clean and precise. Perhaps too clean and precise. Hell Awaits, on the other hand, sounds filthy and raw. It fits the music better. One of several reasons why I...

I looked back 3 pages, and this is the only hip hop thread I found. What gives? Anyway, what a perfect forum for me to bloviate on how I feel about Illmatic and remasters in general.   I don't like remasters. As far as I'm concerned, when the final mixdown is done, the album is finished for...

Quote: Ronnie. James. Dio. Legendary for a reason. Holy Diver and The Last in Line are essential. I'd also look into the album Rising by Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow. It predates power metal as a whole, but it's one of the greatest heavy metal albums ever made.   Of course, if you want...