Rowans Creek is great stuff in the $30 ish range, as is it's big brother "Noah's Mill". The Weller's are great, but it's near impossible to find the 12 year recently in the states. Lately I've been enjoying Old Forester 1920, along with Blantons, Willett Rye 3 &4 yr., and Michters Barrel...

Agreed!

I agree with that statement, it truly is a chameleon with different phones. It's one of those amps that doesn't blow you away, but always sounds excellent.

The DNA Stratus was my previous amp, so compared to that. The Stratus is a DHT design that costs more, so I'm not surprised it has a bit more air/space to its presentation. That said, when I listen to the Trafomatic, I'm not longing for anything, it's just different.

I'm with your grizzlybeast, whenever I play this amp it makes me smile. It's not as lush as some other tube amps, and maybe doesn't have the air, but otherwise it checks all the boxes.   The stock tubes sound good. I currently have some vintage Amperex in that are sounding great.

Beautifully done warubuzo!!! Is this stuff making it to the mainland?

That Lanikai porter looks great! Nice label art too.

Staying local. A Smog City Coffee Porter earlier, and now a El Segundo Brewing Mayberry IPA. Both are great!

Hey Redcarmoose! All good here, working a lot and trying to keep my marriage together. Glad you're still rocking the Denon's! I missed them over the years and picked up some TH900's last year, which got me back to that sound.   Yes, I was part of the sound team responsible for all sound with...

Here are a few cell pic's from a cast and crew screening I attended last week.        

  How is it? I bought their original release, and although it was decent, I didn't feel it's taste equaled the $80 price tag.   Lately, I've been enjoying Straight Edge and Slaugtherhouse, thanks to a comment. from mrscotch guy. For $40 a bottle, the Straight Edge has been very enjoyable to me.

Yes, both are transformer balanced, not true balanced amplifiers. I was just clarifying my particular setup, so people have context for my comments.   My particular Head 2 has balanced XLR inputs, but only 1/4" output. The Stratus has single ended inputs and transformer balanced 4 pin XLR...

Well, take my critique with a grain of salt, partly because I'm going on audio memory. The are both satisfying to my ears, but I wouldn't say they are equal. With Stratus you get the extra richness and air. 2 completely different tube designs(DHT vs push-pull) each with their own benefit.  ...

I listened for a bit last night with the new Amperex in place and my T1's. The Head 2 is fast, musical, and balanced. The Stratus on the other hand is more romantic and lush, which was part of Donald's design goal. The Head 2 seems to be more linear and has less tube bloom. Bottom line is that I...

I flipped for some nice Amperex recently, but haven't had a chance to do much listening. I'll try to get some time in and report back.

WyWires makes a great headphone cable at a reasonable price.

Now that vc1187 has my old Stratus, I guess I should sell the U52 that I never got around to trying. If any Stratus owners are interested, let me know.

The glass can definitely help. I bought mine when I was coming off Scotch and just getting into Bourbon. Works for both. I usually use the Glencairn glass for lower proof spirits and a low ball style glass for higher proof. Sometimes the smaller neck on the Glencairn can make the aroma just a...

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/182-1411189-9705305?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=glencairn+glass  

I definitely love my WyWires Reds and really like the Bryston with certain phones. It's definitely an underrated amp with Audeze's, and I also dig it wish my Fostex TH900's.

Ha, I'm very content with my Auralic Vega DAC. Stopped looking for DAC's....always looking for Bourbon......   My drinking technique is similar to yours. Try it straight out of a Glencairn type glass. If the whiskey is too strong add some spring water or a cube or two of good ice. Lately I've...

I need to dig the bottle out that I got last year and try it again. From memory it was a little too hot on the tongue and not very balanced. How are you drinking yours RCBinTN? Hopefully mine has mellowed since it has been open almost a year.

Sorry grizzlybeast, I snagged the Head 2 from Stereo Desk. Very pleased with the purchase and excellent service from Stereo Desk. This amp is exactly as the reviews describe. Great tone, great dynamics, and plays well with my HD800 and T1's. I've had less then an hour of head time, but can tell...

If you're not already running the Pono in balanced output mode, you should.

The LC is a excellent amp in the <1K range. That said, the Stratus is a reference amp that won't disappoint.