I've had the HM5 pads on for several days on my WS99BTs.  They definitely have more bass than the stock pads.  Comfort-wise ... honestly they are both perfectly comfortable, but I can understand why some might prefer the oval shape of the HM5 pads.   I decided to EQ the bass a bit to see how...

The WS99BTs are pretty excellent for both, though I tend to listen to EDM through them mostly.  My rock listening is usually more dedicated listening at home, so I use wired headphones with a tube pre+amp.   I'm ordering the HM5 Pleather pads ... they apparently really make them excellent.

Do you think it would be better to go with the sheepskin or pleather Brainwavz pads?   (I picked these up on a while while at Frys Electronics and I will says I'm 100% surprised and delighted with them.)

I would say almost for sure there was something wrong with your Grados and you most likely should have sent them in for service.  My very first pair of SR125s kept having the same issue with the band breaking, and after the third pair, Joe deeply apologized and sent me a brand new pair of the...

I like the beyerdynamics DT 880s and pretty much any of the Grados for metal, IEMs often just end up being too bassy and then the bass starts getting all muddy.  I do like my volumes fairly loud though.  99% of the time if I am listening to metal, I am wearing my DT 880s.

I believe that is because there's numerous guides on the site given your rather general requirements.   http://www.head-fi.org/t/618255/check-out-the-head-fi-summer-2012-buying-guide...

No Class A is definitely a different sound than Class AB (and I won't say it's a better sound ... it comes too much into being a person difference ... Just as with valves vs chips)

Yeah I was sourcing those Toshibas and they don't look too easy to get. I'll just swing a M^3 then.

I have plenty of high quality caps and resistors. Most of the common chips I'll have as well. Only the opamps will I really have to buy (maybe those TI rail splitters as well) After doing some heavy reading ... I am going to either do the Gilmore Class A (Dynalo) or I am going to do the M^3...

My budget ... lol I really don't know. But considering that I can build a relatively high quality chip amp that will drive stereo @ 100-300W for around 150USD. I'd probably use that as my ceiling. Two vote for M^3 so far. - Looks like the PINT/PIMETA has some good points since I could...

I am looking for suggestions for a headphone amp. It will only be for deskside usage. It will be for driving 3 different headphones: Shure 4cs and Grado RS1s and SR125s. Basically I will probably never listen with the Shures as I use them when I jog. Source with always be a Chaintech AV-710...

Grado SR-125s are between 99 and 150bucks. They are a bit more rock and roll and the other headphones suggested.

http://www.clearercom.com/Helmetspeaker.htm These a thin headphones designed to work in a helmet. I have some they sound pretty decently (no better or worse than either else at 65mph on a bike inside of a thick polystyrene helmet.) Most impotantly you wont be modifying any helmets. They also...