I dont think I have concluded I prefer the 4P over the 4S. If i am sitting still and I am sure there's no external noise whatsoever, I think 4S is the choice. 4S definitely sounds flatter and more 'unprocessed', but I dont think the tonal balance is quite right. 6i fuller then the 4P? if that...

oh, i also much prefer the foam tips then the white flanged rubber eartips. more comfortable to wear, more isolation, and sound much more laid back and less 'upfront'. the earphones (all models) imo actually sound much more 'musical' with the foam tips. i wonder why they dont make the foam tips...

I originally purchased two pairs of ER6i for my gf and myself for use using our iPOD and other portable audio devices. When I first tried the 6i on, the balance didn't sound right. I later figured that I need to really stick them 'in' to get the proper balance. They sounded ok, a tad thin and...

Thank you!

I live in hong kong. Very interested in getting myself a 'Christmas Present'. Does anyone know where I could get the Qualia 010 in HK or from a reliable mail order website? ws

That's bad news! So much for all that isolation hype. if it picks up so much sound, kinda defeats the purpose! Why are they so microphonic?

The 6i sound a little lean and sterile to my ears. and they pick up so much sound (microphonic).

Thank you so much for all the responses. Before doobooloo's post, the E4P seems to be the clear choice, but now I am not so sure if compromising tonality is the way to go to get some boost in bass. I have only heard the 'lowly' E6i before. How would those 4P and 4R compare?

I am trying to decide between the ER4s and ER4p. I have a very proper headphone setup (Linn CD12 -> RudiStor 5cvi -> HD650), and am looking for a pair that is more portable. Problem is, since it's portable, I may no necessarily be using it with the headphone amp. So the portable is primarily...

Can't believe you spotted that! =) Thanks. I will follow up on AA.

As this is the title of this particular forum, I really want to ask the following. I do not use the computer's sound card as a DAC, I hook it up to an external DAC, so all I need the computer to do is the SPIDF out. Now, are there differences between say the motherboard's SPIDF out? or the...

I am building a silent PC and will be using my Audio Note DAC5 Signature as DAC. I just need a good digital signal, don't mind the internal DAC capability. But I read that even for digital out, sound cards performance vary. Can someone recommend me a sound card with good digital out? AES or RCA...

Give me a week or so, and I will post my impression and some photos. Won't let you guys down! =)

Thanks for everyone who responded to my post a little while ago, I decided to get the Rudi Stor RP5cav. It just arrived two days ago. I only have an old headphone to try right now, but my HD650 will be arriving soon. The RP5cav is very well built (despite a scratch in the back plate), and Rudi...

davebot, why not a hybrid? i actually have a all solid state setup for my home audio, but for headphone amps, i decided that it's 'safer' for my ears to add a tube somewhere along the signal path. audio research actually sounds quite 'steril'e to my ears. look at the rudistor line. they have a...

Thank you for all your advice. Just want to let you all know that I ordered the Rudi Stor RP5cav! ws

While Audio Research is certainly more 'tubey' than say Krell (as you pointed out) in most cases, Audio Research is probably known to be the one tube brand that sounds the most 'rational' among tube equipments. If you want true tubey sound, try Jadis. You can't get more tubey than that imo...

Mikhail wrote me and told me the chasis can be customized at additional cost. And thank you for the black Supra photos. Looks is a rather subjective thing. Given what I have seen, I think I will go with Nik's recommendation and get the RP5 cav. Either way, I am buying it 'blind' without a...

Thank you 3lusiv3 to the link to the photo library of headphone amps! That is one comprehensive gallery. The Supra...ouch. If I have a pair of Atmosphere amps, maybe they will go better together...

Is there a photo of the black Supra anywhere? I don't like the look of the Maestro either.

I think I found some photos of the Singlepower Supra. I understand these are all hand made but I really was very turned off by the looks. The RP5 is also hand made but it has a much nicer appearance. Sorry to be so superficial , but I spent a lot of time and effort into building my listening...

One of the big problems for me is when I look at the MPX3 asymetrical design, I get a little 'unsettled'... I just have a very very strong preference of symmetry. That's why I want to look at the Supra... Call me superficial! but looks is very important.

Has anyone actually listen to both the RP5 and SinglePowers? And WHICH Singlepowers are you guys referring to? I don't think I will spend more than $1500 on the headphone amp... Thanks again.

Thank you all. I am truly overwhelmed by all the very informative replies. Just as I expected, the search for a headphone amp is indeed a lot more difficult than picking out the headphones. Given the number of people that has voted on the SinglePower units, I shall give it a good look. The...

Thank you Nik! Looks mighty impressive. And the price to match! Since you have both, can you describe the difference? I know it's hard to describe sound but you are in the best position to offer a descriptiion of the difference. thanks.