Thanks for all the feedback.  Hopefully others that read the thread can learn from this.  You really have to push the micro SD into the device and may need another card or the dummy they put in the slot to push it in far enough.

I was really surprised.  They sent me to several departments and ended up in pro audio.  They guy was really helpful, but conceded he knew nothing about the AKs.  I told him a little bit about them and he said he would research them tonight to learn more.

Thanks for the reply.  I figured out that I was not getting it all the way in.  Seems fine now.  Have played a few files off of it with no problem.  Just working my way through my hi-res files figuring out which ones make it to the ak100ii.  Really impressed with this device.  

I just picked up the ak100ii at B&H.  The 799 price seems to be their normal price.  The staff in the store seemed to know nothing about these.  I fired it up right away and sounds fantastic with the pre-loaded music.  I am having an odd issue inserting the micro SD card.  It is not catching...

cat6man,   I have the O2 mk1 currently paired with the 323s.  I initially used the mk1 with my t1s.  At first, I was just blown away by the improvement of the mk1 over my 202's.  But then I started to notice that the bass was off.  I always wondered what people meant by flabby bass.  Now I...

I listen to everything except country. Listened to mk1/323s today with beck, steely dan, and jazz at the pawnshop. All sounded fantastic. Also able to listen to some redbook rips that were disappointing on the stax basic system and with mk1/t1s. A few of these now sound really good.

Quote: Jodet,     I picked up a SR007 MK1 about a month ago and just purchased the 323S.  I think this combination is very good, although still early days.  I have only had the 323S in my system for a few days now.  The 323S is much better with the MK1s than the T1S, which I loved...

Aflac,   I also bought the 2050 and was immediately sold on the stax. I upgraded to a T1S and was very pleased with the upgrade.  Very nice improvement.  The problem is that you will probably want to keep upgrading.  I am trying to figure out the next step right now between a sensible...

I concur with the above.  Would only add that the last time I was in J&R the "wall" was a complete bust.  Terrible amp, terrible source, and most of the headphones were broken in some visible way (e.g. missing ear pads, etc).  I asked if I could try some different headphones and the guy looked...

Sounds like the Stax recruiting continues in high gear.  I started reading this thread about a month ago and pulled the trigger on the basic system (SRM-252A/SR-202) about two weeks ago.  I have been traveling and had family in town so had limited time to listen.  So far I am really impressed. ...

There is a driver which installs automatically. Nothing to do on your part. The Proton just pops up in your audio output list. The volume is then controlled by the main volume control of your mac. No other interface at all

Flatmap, agree with the observation about the line out settling much quicker than the BGs on the amp. The problem is that I love the line out withmy EC/SS so much that I am not listening to the headphone out that much. I am following gordon's advise and at the current rate it would be years...

I owned the 225is and amped them with a stock D10. It was far better than the iPod headphone out, but for me the sig was just too bright. When the HF2s were announced, I decided to make the plunge. I later bought an EC/SS for my HF2s and absolutely love it. Wish I still had the 225s to try it...

I have HF2s and a Proton that is no where near broken in. I would guess that I might have 75 hours on it. Per Gordon's advice, I have just been listening to it and not doing lengthy no listening break in. I initially listened only with the built in headphone amp. Probably listened this way at...

The 225s paired with the D10 we my first purchases. While people say that the 225s sound great unamped, I did not find this true for me. Just comparing the D10 amp versus the iPod headphone out, I found the bass improved and the overall sound was much fuller. The D10 dac is pretty good so if you...

MikeLa, The HF-2s are 32 ohms. The Weiss has a great reputation. I would not be surprised at all if it takes this up several notches. Looking forward to hearing your comparisons. For the money I spent, I am very pleased with the performance I am hearing. I actually think that sonically it...

I have had the Proton for a week now so it is far from burned in. However, I thought that it sounded very nice out of the box and has already started to settle in. I am listening with the Grado HF2's and find it a very good pairing. Not directly helpful for your headphones but maybe good news...

I just purchased a Proton this afternoon. Way too early to tell anything. Sounds promising though. From the other user posts, I assume this is going to need months of use to get a good read on it. Like you, I was frustrated by the lack of info on these. Stereo Exchange is having a 25th...

I am very interested in feedback on this point as well. I read somewhere (I think on CA) that it was a little bright.

I have the latest top kit and about 175 hours on the black gates. Really impressed at the sound. I have listened a lot during the black gate burn in. Changes have been subtle. I noticed the speed improvement right away though. I find the synergy with the HF2s to be fantastic. PS. I had the...

B&H had an older version of the RS1s at a significant discount, but think these are gone. As suggested before, Grado has strict agreements with their retailers. I have only seen older models or demos, as mentioned, go for less.

Just successfully rolled the black gates into my D10. I was a EE undergrad but have not soldered anything in 20+ years. Managed to do this with my feeble fine motor skills and poor eyesight. I already like them after only 30 hours of burn-in. Really look forward to hearing these improve. Can...

ktsai832, You are correct that the sound isolation on the ESW9s is not perfect, but they are pretty good. They leak almost no sound out. The isolation in is decent and they sound outstanding so the immersion also provides that extra little bit. I have 3 kids under the age of 6 running around my...

Quote: Originally Posted by lescanard Thanks Mikenyc...I'm really liking the idea of the ESW9As...and I have recently started rolling opamps myself - what a blast. Off topic but I own an Airport Express also (hooked to my Denon Receiver) - what's the setup you use through your d10...

I absolutely love the ESW9As. I have the D10 and the HF2s. Still love the ESW9s with all the genres you mentioned. I also use this as my closed can for listening in bed while my wife is working or listening to TV. They are not the ultimate isolation cans, but my wife does not complain and they...