I had an eye and ear opening experience last evening. I should preface by saying that I am mostly a speaker guy, although I do have many different headphones that I listen to sometimes. Although I read reviews like everyone else, it can be confusing, and I don't have the opportunity to try...

Hi all - So I am a primarily a speaker listener. But recently, I bought a new headphone amp - the Schiit Valhalla 2 with stock tubes. I want to pick up the best headphone, which I know is super subjective. I am considering buying ligthly used Sennheiser and Beyerdynamic, mostly. Considering...

Well, I am pretty sure they are hooked up properly, I just followed the instructions and triple checked. I haven't hooked up speakers to the E-9 though. I assume that would make no difference to the headphones performance, but, it would be good for troubleshooting, so I will. Also, for the e-9...

Thanks for this, eric. Yes, I know what you mean about the defective thing, quite possibly was defective after purchase. Although, there are some very minor signs of use. In any case, I have hooked them up for a lonnnnggg time to see if they would charge, and, no dice. The signal is coming...

HI Folks, Not too long ago, I bought a near-mint, still boxed pair of early 70s, Koss ESP-9 electrostatic headphones. Obviously old, but in good cosmetic shape & seems barely used. After several weeks I found the time to hook them up. I wired the E-9 energizer to the back of my Kenwood 700M...

It's been awhile since my last post but I know that this is the place to ask... I have a very nice pair of Grado HP-1000 drivers in custom black walnut cups. I'm using an Accuphase C200 preamp to amplify them. Both of these pieces are excellent, but I wonder how well mated they are. I have to...

  In terms of power, all I can say is that this amp doesn't seem to have an abundance of power. Power doesn't seem to be the name of this game. However, it's got enough power to listen loud, if desired. Average listening volume, the volume knob is at the 12 o'clock position. Unlike speakers, I...

  Well, it's all about "a bit better" when it comes to audiophila.   I haven't compared other Mapletree amps to this one, but I really think you can't go wrong when paired with Grados. So it would seem from commentators on Head-fi.   I'd love to compare Mapletree head amps! Maybe...

Before this I briefly had a Little Dot i+. It was ok, especially for the money, as it's quite cheap. I also own a Sansui AU-9500 integrated amp that i plugged the Grados into. The sound was really good. If I didn't have the Sidewinder I would be pretty happy with the Sansui amp headphone jack...

If interested, here's a short review I wrote on the Mapletree Sugarmaple Sidewinder:   http://www.head-fi.org/t/760640/mapletree-sugarmaple-sidewinder

        I recently bought the Sugarmaple (Mapletree) Sidewinder. This was designed and built by Dr. Al Freundorfer, an Electrical Engineering prof at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, and associate of Dr. Lloyd Peppard.   What I purchased is the second of two...

Hi, Reaaally enjoying headphones witihin the last few years and I'm surprised at how long it has taken to land me here on head-fi after lots of activity on other audio forums. I've owned a few headphoines in the past, some decent ones too. I presently own a pair of grado HP-1000 drivers in...

gibosi,   Thanks for the suggestion. Today, I bought a pair of 6HM5 tall tubes. Pretty sure I paid too much but the convenience of NOS in a local radio supply store was too tempting. They sound amazing. A big improvement from the 408's. I also changed the Gain on my i+ to high gain and it...

All great information for the beginner tuber. Thanks again. David

This is an incredibly helpful post, thank you. I'll definitely do the opamp swap. Easy to do. For tubes, I'll note your suggestion and do my research. I'll let you know what comes of it. Have any particular opinions on the Mullard Blackburn 12ax7, a matched pair? I have a lead on a not-cheap...

Hi foks, I became a headphone freak about a month ago, so I am new to this Head-fi thing (first post), although I have a fair bit of enjoyment/experience with non-headphone audio gear and other audio forums. It all started when I picked up a pair of GRADO HP-1000 drivers in a custom headset...