HUGE HUGE difference, definitely a better SQ to run directly from an HDMI-equipped source (i.e., Oppo Player, Mac Mini, Audio PC server with HDMI out, etc), and then also route out from the optical to a good quality DAC, isolating just the processing and avoiding A to D and D to A in the unit...

@Jon-LF- it's a no-brainer if your interest is watching movies.  Quite an experience with a hi end headphone system.   However I have primarily used it with 2 channel audio listening, and candidly it's pretty hard to go back to the imaging / headstage of a regular headphone setup after getting...

Appreciate the feedback.  Need to pick up a pair of wireless headphones for occasional evening TV watching, maybe keep it simple and get some Senn's

Apparently it doesn't do well in apartments :)

Quick feedback, have spent a lot of time listening to the AK120 now with several different headphones I own, and would rank as follows in order of preference:   1. Fit Ear TG334 (by a VERY wide margin, especially when no external amp; excellent pairing) 2. Sennheiser IE800 3. Ultrasone...

Add me as another attendee.  Flying in from NY so won't have any gear w me other than my portable (AK120/SR71/FitEar TG334). 

Quote:   Nope, I rarely use it, but sure enjoy it when I do.  Definitely a keeper.  Although the headband is in like-new shape, I know it's the first thing to go so I had ordered and received a while back a spare in case they go NLA on those parts.

Was just clearing out subscriptions from my list, and came across this old thread.  Pretty crazy what some of the ask prices are out there now.  seen a couple sales on Ebay in the mid 20's or higher for the amp/headphone pair.  yikes...

Quote: Unfortunately all my files (except some hi res downloads) are WAV stored in iTunes and I've maintained my tags in the itunes database file (Mac OSX).  I can convert to AIFF and retain tags (and embed the artwork with iTunify), however MP3Tag doesn't support AIFF.  I'm also losing...

Quote: In general DSF has the ability to hold metadata and DFF doesn't (apart from this I personally haven't done an A/B between them in terms of one having a file container or not.  I for one have for several years only ripped into and used WAV because of what I perceived to be a better...

Just upgraded to 1.32.  Still having some issues with tags and artwork showing up for some albums.  When I try various tagging software, in every case the full tags come up.  Not sure what to do to get the AK120 to recognize these tags (is it an ID3 version issue for example? I read about the...

Update on listening impressions (fw1.21).  Now have about 150 hrs of burn-in time on the AK120 (with the Purist Audio System Enhancer burn-in CD file).  And over the past 4 days also logged about 100 hrs on a new pair of Senn IE800.  The IE800's were a little bright in the HF's out of the box...

Quote:   Well if the AK120 is light on bass and lower mids, perhaps the "biases" in each compliment one another for a little system "synergy"   Don't want to go through another custom IEM process as I did with JH Audio, that was a pain and very slow, so will probably try to pick...

Quote: Everyone seems to rave about the Senn IE800 so maybe they're worth a go?  Bit of an incremental "tax" but I place a high premium on the form factor / convenience.  Thanks for the suggestion.  Will also use the TripleFi's a little more, only spent a few min's with them early on.

Quote:   It's definitely the perfect form factor and the UI is very good notwithstanding the fact I keep everything in itunes in WAV and so have to resort to folder navigation :)  (all the tagging and artwork is in the itunes database file and was a PITA to build out over time).  Going to...

So been spending some time listening to the AK120 which I received a few days ago.  I've had it running at least 75 hours for break-in (and it's softened mellowed over that period).  Listening to it with it's built in amp (rather than using an external amp, which was the point in ordering it...

Quote: I think custom molds / tips would be a great call with these headphones to really dial in the comfort and SQ.  I thought about trying a few others from my non-custom IEM's but the end is a little larger than IEM's (oval shape) and wasn't sure they'd fit, but a good call to...

Quote:   I purchased the 003mk II's and recently sent them back after they didn't work well for me.  IMO totally different league vs the 009's or 007's.  The mids were far better than other small headphones I've used (IE's or small driver over the ears), bass was sufficient, well...

There have been quite a few requests lately to join the DropBox folder.  Another option to keep the files safe an reduce chance of deletion is for folks to access via the following link.  Posted this up top at the beginning of the forum:   UPDATE: For those wishing access to the folder, the...

So random question.... has anyone tried the Realiser with the HDMI output of the new MacbookPro Retina?  I have the pair, and the MBP sees the Realiser, but I get no sound coming out of it.  Totally different story with the Mac Mini with HDMI output which operates the Realiser just fine and...

Quote:   I wonder if there are any higher quality in-ear mics available that could be used and if this would have an impact on quality of measurements?  While for my ears the PRIR's I'm getting are very good, there is some roll-off occurring in the HF for sure (per earlier comment).  But...

Quote: I'm just about to adventure in to making some multi channel PRIR's this week from a 2 channel system.  I was thinking of moving one of my speakers to the center location to take it's measurement so as to avoid the issue of artificially creating that speaker.  Was going to...

Okay, just posted up another PRIR for the Quad setup.    [Note:  After more experimentation, I have narrowed down the phase inversion to either the topology of the amp in how it operates relative to how I was using the inputs, or potentially a wiring error on one of the upgraded inputs I was...

@Jlejle - u the man! I checked the system tonight.  The speakers are connected to the correct terminals, however I hooked up my Perfectwave DAC which has phase adjustment on the remote and flipped back and forth, and while not nearly as pronounced as I've heard in my other systems in the past...

Quote: @Elysian - you're perception of the difference in bass response with these speakers is accurate.  This is the difference between woofers and electrostatic.  The Quads don't exhibit the tight, deep controlled bass vs dynamic speakers but can still sound reasonable good (although the...