Very true! Definitely it seems to be a feature of Head-fi (or possibly humanity in general) that new things catch fire and then fade away…except for ZMF things, they always seem to be fire :). Personally I already made the decision to stick with the HA-300 whatever may come.

I was worried that the ZMF Aegis would start to pull people away from the HA-300. Just the hype around that amp is legendary it seems. I've been following even the DIY thread, and everyone universally seems to not only think it's amazing, but that it just may be the best amp period. And now...

I don't really listen to EDM, I just wanted to be balanced in my commentary :)

I had both side by side for almost a year until a week ago (traded in the HE1000SE). If you want wide soundstage and precise imaging, the Senn has it. But the Hifiman does have some pluses. HE1000SE's tonality is better suited to EDM or the like - more tilted to sub bass and upper treble.

Have you heard ZMF Caldera? I might still take HD800S for large orchestral, but for chamber and solo stuff it may be better. It’s surprisingly dynamic and life-like on real instruments. I’d say it’s the 2nd best headphone I’ve heard for classical - dynamic, planar or e-stat. Otherwise I hear...

How have you described me so perfectly? But seriously, it just depends what you listen to. The more genres you listen to the more headphones you need!

That sucks! Probably just return them, no? Does Hifiman sell on Amazon where you are? I don’t think they do where I am. I’ve had nothing but great experiences buying from Hifiman, but Amazon’s ever growing cabal of fly-by-night third party “sellers” on the other hand…🤮🤮

I know this was not the question, but depending what you want out the HE1000se, you may want to look at ampsandsound. I have a Pendant (discontinued, I think it’s sold as a Leeloo now), as well as a Cayin HA-300. I thought the HE1000se really benefitted from the solidity and impact of the...

I found Atrium Open to be darker, richer, much more mid-bassy, but smoother and softer. MUCH thicker sounding, if that’s your thing. The soundstage is actually pretty similar - maybe HD800S is a bit wider. Treble on the Atrium is more rolled off, if you find the HD800S too bright. Verites (had...

If those are the Preferred Series 7189, those are some of my favourite tubes in the Pendant. They’re actually Russian tubes from the 80’s that The Tube Store have cleaned up. They’re a great, punchy, clean, detailed tube with some real midrange magic. I personally tend to like tubes that...

In my experience the soundstage of the Taks didn't get WIDER, or DEEPER, but instead filled in more, if that makes sense. The tubes developed a more natural, realistic sense of space, being better able to give a feeling of the room. Like a better atmosphere for the music. I don't know if that...

You can just replace the fuse at the IEC inlet in the MK1 as well. I have a 2.5a SB (that’s the fuse rating for NA voltage) SR purple fuse in that slot. That’s where the power comes in, so that’s the best fuse to change I think. I think the change was subtle :scream: - but worthwhile, I guess...

One thought about tube choices and gear pairings (sorry I'm behind the discussion): I find all of my Russian tubes (and I'm sure 6S2S are no different) to be SUPER super quiet. Someone using sensitive dynamics like a VC would notice this more than someone using planars. Even easy to drive...

Same adapter, and I believe if you can use a 6J5 you can use a 6C5. They're pretty close electrically, as Mordy mentioned above. I couldn't tell you the difference sound wise - in general I find 6C5 to be a bit more balanced, smooth and intimate sounding than 6J5.

I think the best 6J5 I've heard are Brimars, just the least expensive ones from Langrex. But they are still expensive. What really knocked me out as being good deals are the metal cans, the earlier the better. I have a quad of Ken-Rad 6C5 (precursor to 6J5) from 1944 that are really quite...

I had a Crackatwoa when I got my HA-300, having owned a Crack before that. And yeah, Bottlehead makes some GREAT amps (or more accurately makes a great pile of parts that YOU make into a great amp!). But top of the line tubes really do make that much difference. And I personally came to enjoy...

Wow, yours look so pristine. The ones I found (VERY cheap on Aliexpress, so maybe there’s my problem) look like the end of Friday shift went to the pub for a few, then realized they missed an order, finished them, THEN rolled them around in an old barn for some reason. Very sketchy looking, yet...

I haven’t heard Elrogs, but I thought Taks were more solid sounding than WE. More you are there, on the stage. Very real sounding. I thought WE were softer sounding, but not much. Taks are a bit more present/extended both top and bottom, midrange is not as forward (or magical) as with WE. WE has...

For the HD800S, stock tubes are a bit warm and smooth. Nice, but doesn’t play as well with the Senn’s strengths. Get some tubes that enhance soundstage, and you’ll see the synergy. WE300b and Russian 6C8C, or what I had last night Raytheon brown base 6J5WGT, will have music flying around your head.

Thanks for the info, that’s really helpful. That actually makes the EML sound similar to the Taks I have now - more “normal” sounding than the “quirky” WE, with strong, tight, punchy bass. Maybe I’ll have to do THAT comparison someday.

Eh, you’re in a much better position than me to answer your question! I haven’t ascended to the level of amp rolling for my tubes yet. But now you owe us an amp comparison at some point :) Interesting that you find the EMLs more reference than the Elrog. I’ve heard neither, but Elrogs are often...

For 300Bs, in my opinion don't bother with anything but the best. I don't usually like to say expensive=best, but the WE and Takatsuki I've heard are just so amazing it'll bring tears to your eyes. Elrog are the others that'll be mentioned. They completely transform the amp into a real hi-fi...

Just my 2 cents, but to me the HD800S’s best trick is the soundstage, both width and depth. Still haven’t heard anything like it. So, that’s the feature that I want to lean in to. Tubes are known for their ability to create a sense of space and depth, more so than SS. So for me, tubes win - and...

Just listening to them both now. There does seem to be a bit more in the upper mids/lower treble on the Hifimans, giving voices a bit more "clarity," if not more detail. But it's not a huge difference on my system, maybe yours is different. So basically, I agree with you :) But there's more...

I currently have ‘em both. The HE1000se is pretty much spot on for what you’re asking. Even if I’m not actually sure they’re BETTER, but more of a side grade. The HE1000se is definitely more present in the sub bass, and is definitely at least as fast and detailed - but it misses a bit in the mid...