Thank you Tyll for really putting headphones on the audio map. I remember my first high end headphone was a pair AKG 240 back in the 80's. There were no dedicated headphone amps back in the day. Today, a huge thanks for putting headphones & headphone amps into the audiophile category. Headphones...

Any impressions or comparisons to the Beyerdynamic T1 vs Mr. Speakers ETHER?

I'm not divided on one side or the other... I highly respect this headphone.... but, I will make an informed opinion from my experience with them. The HD800 are an amazing set of headphones. They DO so many things right, in fact almost anything you could ask for. Except, for soul or should I say...

I've got the ZD and the HD800. I know this may prove to start some interesting conversation here. This is as unbiased as possible. I believe the HD800 offers a very good combination with the Zana, though there maybe better out there. It sounds effortless and eminently smooth. Extremely...

It's all about priorities. Most listeners that enjoy high-end audio products will most likely not be affected in the way the economic slow down has affected other buyers in other segments. High-end audio will do just fine. My priorities with audio have not changed over the course of the last 20+...

I'm going with my Zana Deux. It's been an incredible combination with the SA5000. I can't wait to hear it with the HD800! The Zana Deux has been absolutely pure liquid magic!

Headroom as well.

Glad I could twist your arm!! It's a good thing I promise!

For the money of the SA5000's they are a very good bargain. I got mine for around $400. It's pretty simple. Buy the best and just enjoy. No need to fiddle around. I've been listening to high end headphones before the internet.... which is quite a while. I'm an original owner of Grado HP-2 from...

I heard the Luxman P-1 with Sony Qualia 010 in Tokyo at the Qualia store..... and it was simply amazing. It was just simply amazing. I only wish I had bought the Qualia's at that time.... The sound quality was unbelievable. The sense of air, speed, dynamic range unreal. This of course is most...

Just thought I'd chime in. I've got a pair of SA5000's and they are simply phenomenal. They are by and large my favorite headphone and I do have the HP-2, 650's, Ety's. As far as the SA5000 being picky.... I have not noticed that to be honest. It works well with or even without an amp. I've...

I agree too... the 650's have never really come around for me either. I've got several hundred hours on mine... and frankly from the beginning I was not all that enamored with the sound. Yes, they will change a bit after burn in... but the sennheiser veil will still be there... you can...

I've had my Wadia 6 for nearly 13 years!!! It is simply amazing. It was one of the first one box CD players that really set some amazing audio standards. It still sounds wonderful and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I do think for most people in order to appreciate the Wadia sound as it...

Thanks nghows. I'm sure the stock ZD volume pot is fine..... but..... .... just wondering if any Zana Deux owners out there in the community have a ZD with a stepped attenuator and can comment on that aspect. While I'm sure many Head-fi members have heard plenty of amps with stepped...

Thanks! It sounds like it might be just folly after all....... I'll stick with the standard pot then...!!!

Thanks! I definitely will ask Craig....... about the stepped attenuator. but, really wanted to know if anyone actually felt the need to or is it just folly.

Just curious if anyone has done any listening to their ZD with the SA5000's? One of my current favorites. It already sounds like the 650's work well... so that's a shoe in. One other question to owners of ZD's...... do you think the ZD would benefit from a stepped attenuator?

I agree what was mentioned earlier. It's the last 1% or so.... that makes a difference. Especially, when it comes to music... it's all about the subtle details. Without being able to differentiate those very delicate changes in micro dynamics and macro dynamics you won't get all the emotional...

Quote: I have a Wadia 6i (the "i" meaning it's a cd player, not just a drive) It's based on the Teac VRDS T1 drive The "i" upgrade to the Wadia 6 is an upgrade to the power isolation, filtering and such. It has nothing to do with being it being a CD player vs a transport. Also, the...

I've got a Wadia 6 and a Sony SCD-1 and the Wadia simply walks all over the Sony. Of course, only on Redbook. The Wadia is very musical and conveys every sense of micro and macrodynamics in the recording. The 6 is very analogue in sound. Beautiful, lush, and warm. I've had it for over 13 years...

Thanks for the reply, but I already read that. I'm looking for info about anyone who actually has listened to this combo. Not, theoretically. Actual use and experience. I'm thinking of possibly purchasing a Yamamoto HA-02 in the near future!

Just wondering if anyone has a Yamamoto HA-02 with a stepped attenuator? Also, if anyone has heard the combination with the Sony SA-5000's? I've read someone's comments earlier in this thread, but would actually like to know if someone has first hand knowledge of the sound. Somehow, I thought it...

Avalon.

I wish I had a gain switch on my amp, but wanted the least amount of switching possible. I have very little room to adjust the volume. Most of the time listening at the 7 o'clock position. 1 to 2 clicks from the bottom.

Unlikely to cause any damage to the driver's at moderate level changes. Although, if the extreme's on the EQ are bumped up you most likely will get mild to severe distortion at which point you maybe damaging your drivers. Just be careful not to over do. Generally, most headphones will actually...