Depending on what genres you listen to, there might not currently be an upgrade. Different sound, sure. Had the Utopia OG - maybe more detailed and impactful, but REALLY small soundstage, like sitting 50 rows back in an outdoor venue. Also slightly plasticky sounding. I recently had HE1000se -...

Lucky! It was that blasted HD800S that first jump started my crazy obsession! I mean, I was into headphones before, but that cold rainy March 2016 that I stumbled upon it at my local shop hit a nerve. Made me see the light. Showed me what was possible. I’m not the same person I was! But it’s...

Good point. I have been mostly using my 300b amp so far, so haven’t done too much rolling for synergy yet. I bet the Russians would be too bright, but a lot a times you just gotta roll ‘em in and see what happens. I bet a rectifier change would help too. I’ve basically got a RFT foil getter in...

Bit off topic...maybe not really... I recently got myself a Susvara, and was very curious about whether the Pendant could do it justice. With my normal tube roll, Tungsram WPFG and G-73R, it really didn't sound like it had enough juice, sounding thin and wheezy. So just now I've put in my...

Wow, that’s a very generous asking price for an endgame setup. Someone could buy that package and be set for life. Hopefully you find your endgame with the Aegis…if endgame is what you want!

I remember reading somewhere (so it must be true) that production of metal cans pretty much ceased sometime in the early 50s, because the glass envelopes were cheaper to make. All the later production cans were just old stock relabeled to clear out. In any case there are real advantages to the...

Thanks for the VERY thorough post! I haven’t tried the Mullard white prints yet, but from memory they are quite similar to the GEC. And I did manage to grab a quad of 6S5S, so I’m definitely excited about those. But the GECs just have a way of waking up my so-called “sleepy” planars. I had...

So I've recently found myself in possession of a Susvara, and so far I've really been digging GEC CV6 with them. I tried Mullard Red Prints and Brimar 6J5 as well, but surprisingly I found the warmer tubes to be too smooth with the brighter Susvara. Boy, I hope I'm not becoming one of those...

Candians are the worst! Don’t trust ‘em! (I’m Canadian) …I’ve used CAM a ton and if he has good feedback there it’s probably not a problem.

Hmm…my personal MAXIMUM TUBINESS!! roll might be WE300b and Brimars? I have old 6J5 in particular. But I haven’t actually tried that combo yet, so I’ll have to soon. A lot of internet people say RCA smoked glass 6SN7 are the tubeyist, but I just never caught on with them in the Cayin. My...

If you like the Sylvania house sound, there's A LOT of different variations. But I suggest trying out 6F8G from the early 40's (needs an adapter). They have a leaf on the side, rather than the later "S" branded tubes. Also round plate 6J5 (quad with adapters), another great one. Detailed and...

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...