A few years ago I ripped the 1,100+ CDs I had collected over ~35 years to lossless digital files. I’ve kept them- and I’m glad I did after a NAS failure- before cloud storage became cheaper since. ( I still need to do some re-ripping this summer after I realized quite a few tracks are missing…)...

It looks like it’s Janka hardness is 1,330 lb/f. Part of the reason the data is harder to track down is because the wood goes by multiple names. So it’s a mid-density/hardness wood. https://www.wood-database.com/ovangkol/

As a VC + AC owner I’d recommend an AC + CC combo. While I’m buying a CC this fall, it’s a pure luxury and I expect the VC to see much less use after I get the CC. But having a dynamic-driver headphone that excels at portraying acoustic instruments with my OTL tube amp (ie the VC) is so...

That’s my favorite thing about my VC Blackwoods… they play acoustic-based music (including jazz) incredibly well. 😊 But my AC Red Mallee is the Lord of Rock (and pop, funk, R&B, soul, rap, and more).

As a proud owner of Ray’s Apache solid-state amp and a fan of his, I’m sure the Raptor sounds wonderful! GLWS!

Perhaps we could use Claude Monet as the analogy instead? Cuz, you know- the ear… 😝 (EDIT: Completely agree otherwise, great post!)

I’m with you on the short version here- people’s time and “bandwidth” to listen varies of course… but with my general day-to-day, I find that three headphones gives me enough variety of sound signatures and reference-quality performance across genres I enjoy. Having one tube amp and one...

+1 on the Multibit DAC. Great point!

Two amps that come to mind in that budget range: Nitsch Pietus Maximus and Lake People’s G-series amps (both used). Having tried the Nitsch Piety with the VC and being really impressed (before passing it on as a gift to a family member, which was the plan), it hinted at what the Maximus does...

After falling head over heels for the Atrium Closed sound signature (not surprising, given my fondness for my Eikon), I have spent a few happy months with an Olivewood LTD AC. However, I have a soft spot for the visual aesthetic of redder wood (and Burl/figuring), so the Olivewood is off to a...

Great/swift communication, rapid shipping, headphones exactly as described. I would not hesitate to transact with Luke again! A+

PM

A major factor to consider for good results here is your amplification. The ZMF dynamic driver headphones are 300 Ohm impedance and will sound incredible with the right amplification, less so with others. Same with the Focals, which are pretty low impedance. What amplification do you have or...

A fantastic amp, scales well with great tubes. It would definitely help to upload photos, as it’s also really good-looking. 😊 Very hard to beat for the money with ZMF dynamic driver headphones… GLWS!

PM

Hmmmm. Now I might consider BE2 lambs… 🤔

There was. I greatly enjoy mine. 😉

The timbre and power of the Vio 2-series is excellent, for sure. The only thing they don’t have vs. much more expensive SS amps is superior soundstage and instrument/vocalist separation. For that (combined with such lovely timbre and dynamics) you’ll need to spend 2-3x as much or go the tube...

While I’ve not heard a Caldera (open or closed), I own a Blackwood VC and an Olivewood AC, and I concur @yrstruly - @Pablo67 is spot on. While I’m happy listening to any genre with either headphone, the ACs and VCs (especially with a VC in a hardwood like African Blackwood) are ideally suited...

Damn, that’s gorgeous. If our home were not open-plan… this had me thinking twice about a Caldera Closed vs. Caldera. GLWS!

I think you may be right- I would not hold that against it though. The Apache is op-amp based as well and sounds fantastic… https://raysamuelsaudio.com/products/dark-star.html https://www.headfonia.com/voltage-monster-ray-samuels-dark-star/2/

Oof- those are pretty! Nice set of ACs!

Perhaps a dark horse choice and in the lower end of your budget, but the Ray Samuels Audio Dark Star or The Apache could be options for you. The Dark Star was designed to harness and tame hungry headphones like the HE-6, and could be a good option for the Susvara. I love my Apache with ZMF...

I have run into a similar, yet different scenario, which I think is related: - My Gumby’s balanced output is connected to a Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE preamp - The two single-ended outputs are connected to a Ray Samuels Audio The Apache SS headphone amp and a Woo Audio WA2 tube headphone amp - If the...

Congratulations! I’m a huge fan of the combination of the Red Mallee look and its hardness. It’s a rare thing.