Update: have been playing around a bit more trying to see where the problem is. I've found that with shallower insertion and the foam tips, these sound more along the lines of what I would expect. I've never used the deep-insert triple-flange tips on anything before, and I think what may have...

This is what I would expect, the SE215 are not anything stellar, but I am very familiar with them as they're my on-the-go set. I'm really disappointed, because at first blush the XR were very good... until I moved away from solo acoustic music.

I've tried different tips and all methods of insertion, with multiple sources and a plethora or different music. I've had and enjoyed the SE215, SE535, Westone 30 and none of the aforementioned monitors have shown this type of behavior. Even the SE215 does separation better, so I feel I've...

Picked up the XR last week, and I'm finding them not as enjoyable as I thought I would. Mainly, just about every track in my library results in a horrible smearing of the entire frequency range when instruments come in together (mostly rock/indie/metal/electro). It's impossible to discern any...

What's the situation on power? Do we need more surge strips? I'm going to be pretty minimal in what I bring since it seems like most of what I had planned on toting along will already be there for others to try. I won't bring the Senn 598s unless someone specifically wants to try them, as...

Awesome, thanks guys! I'll have a look at the list when I can catch a break at work and try to determine what to bring. I might also see if I can have some Amazon Saturday delivery fun and get something new in-hand to bring to the meet.

I know I am super late on this, but I should be coming -- I can't view the list of gear being brought along (we block Google Drive/Dropbox, etc here at work), would someone do me a huge solid and just throw it into a PDF so i can make sure I won't be bringing a bunch of redundant gear? I would...

My contribution: DNA30/EHPro Kayfun clone, 24G Kanthal @ .6:  

  50? Don't sell Ditka short, now.   On-topic, though -- I just got my own office and I'm thinking of relocating my Vali/Modi there, and moving up to Bifrost/Lyr 2 at home. It seems like the logical "step-up" from the former, though I am quite interested in hearing from anyone who has...

  Just a couple of quick points here:   1.) Your 1000W power supply does not mean that there's more USB power available. Current is delivered according to what Intel specs for the ICH10R, probably somewhere in the area of 500-750mA.   2.) A few X58-era Asus motherboards had USB power issues...

 Straight from Schiit's FAQ:  

asio4all is fine -- if it works, why would you consider not using it?   edit: http://www.resplendence.com/download/LatencyMon.exe   There's the download link in case you want to give it a shot.

Why even link it when it's known that it doesn't work on W8?   LatencyMon (http://www.resplendence.com/latencymon) will work on Windows 8 -- that being said, the popping sounds more like a buffer issue to me, try adjusting that before making a bunch of tweaks you're unsure about.

  https://code.google.com/p/macosx-nosleep-extension/

I auditioned the rPac with 598s a while back when I was looking for an inexpensive desktop setup for work. While I love the 598s, they sounded way terrible with the rPac -- flabby, loose all over from about 500Hz down and close to zero articulation. I was kinda let down because I really wanted...

  Sorry to hear your experience wasn't that great there -- of course, it could just be a matter of personality, those guys are pretty dry until you get to know them a little.

  Yep. The Hinsdale location had everything but the PS-series last time I was there. They're also really laid back and never pester you, even when auditioning for long periods of time. They also have a Pro-Ject amp with dual outputs to make A/Bing very easy.

My only regret was not giving the LCD-Xs a go on my Vali. Oh, and I forgot to give kayandjohn's PS500s a listen -- I'll probably end up buying them anyway. Sorry I didn't get the 3D Grado cups in time, guys.

Just saw that there's a Starbucks across the street. Bullseye.

I forgot about your earlier offer of beers and whatnot.

  I totally forgot about this. HELP COMPUTER.

I will also bring a Fiio E17 w/OTG cables, and if there's interest in having another Vali, I will bring it along with the Modi. I'll also toss the Audioengine D1 in a bag if anybody wants to give it a shot. Oh, I'll bring my modded SR80i as well (I would bring more, but I don't see the need for...

  Sometimes I am really surprised at what people think makes their music sound better. This is one of those times.     Keep that in mind. It doesn't matter what kind of drive you use, full stop.

Maybe that T1 could find a new home *nudge*.

You could learn how to buy the D7000 I never use.