@purrin, Sorrodje   Thanks for the Input. From what you both describe it seems that for classical the Gungnir is the better choice. I would probably consider the Metrum for anything else.

For classical music with HD800 and tube amp (which I haven't decided on yet), which DAC would you prefer for 1000-1500$? Metrum Ocatve MK2, Gungnir...?   Really hard to guess if a warmer DAC and tube amp will be to warm and thick for HD800. Also I'm irritated since people wright about both...

Octave MK2:   Hex:

How does the upgraded DAC compare against iPod/iPhone? Still inferior? Don't know which cable to buy (LOD or CCK)...

I know this site, thanks. But it wasn't what I was referring to with the "dynamic sound". That's completely my fault, I'm not able to describe what I mean.   I will try to tune my system in this direction... it should be possible to do it with some EQ just to prove my assumptions so I no what...

The M50 needs amplification for the whole fun, but the FiiO E12 seems like a overkill considering your poor source quality. Maybe try to split that money and buy a cheaper amp (other FiiO) + some entry level DAC you can connect to your PC. It would be a more balanced system SQ wise. No need to...

Thanks for the link, very interesting. I'm impressed how notable the analogue warmth is. Now I will look out for a new portable DAC/amp...

So if I understand you correctly you mean the DAC output should be theoretically the 100% correct reproduction of the record but I may perceive the output of the vinyl system as more pleasant since - not being technically on the same level as digital audio - it adds something to the sound?  ...

I'm really confused a bit and I hope some of you with more experience in HiFi than me can help.   Following two setups:   1) Dual 704 with Shure V15N 3 system and Jico SAS needle -> Kenwood KA-7300 (in phono pre-amp) -> Rogers LS4a/2   2) MacBook -> Yulong D100 -> Kenwood KA-7300 (aux) ->...

I used to own them both. In my opinion the M50 may be good for studio (better: home-producing) purposes since they are more analytical and dry (in a positive manner). But for listening the ESW9 are just more sweet and fun. They are very different. The ESW9 are one of the very few phones I have...

They look genuine for me but then the quality of the pictures isn't great. Maybe you can make a better picture of the headband or the plug that you say differs from the other one. The ring on the cups is reflecting on a genuine M50.   What exactly doesn't sound as expected? How do you use...

Thanks for your input, I already ordered D100 and some new tubes for the amp... if I get bored with it I will definitely consider the A100. Your reviews are hurting my wallet 

Your great reviews about both the D100 and A100 make them really interesting for me as an upgrade. But I'm curious how they compare to similar priced options like the Burson HA160D or Meier StageDac + Concerto. Being a bit cheaper, do you think the sound plays in the same league (functionality...

Anyone knows if there's a chance for gapless playback in the future? Or do the hardware lack support of it? The only things that bothers me a bit... 

Quote: No, you're not alone. I had to pay customs also in your neighbour country Austria. That's because there was no invoice included with the shipping. Here they give a s.. on what value you declare, there must be an invoice attached (faked or not).   After 10 days when my status...

Quote: If you want to use a headphone that doesn't need an amp for on the go I can recommend the ESW9. They have a somewhat similar sound signature to the 990/600. That are the two phones I use also  , but the 990 only with a tube amp.

You shouldn't try to power the 990/600 by a portable amp. What you need is an amp with high current to drive them properly. If you want to use a small amp, sell the 990/600 and get a pair of M50 or similar, other way it's just waste of the 990/600. Driving headphones well doesn't mean to reach...

Quote:   I guess you live in the wildest outback cause for me the postal service from HK was always pretty fast, especially with EMS (never more than 3 working days to Europe).   But the problem is not the delivery time. The problem is it's just not true like you are stating, that the...

Quote: You can be sure that the HK Post is processing a million of items a day. The 100 pieces of s:flo players a day is nothing for them. And I mean they are sending it in bulk because it is faster. You have 100 items that are all paid in once and so processed in once. That's the...

Quote: That's for sure. I regret I haven't cancelled my order weeks ago.

Aha, so the post office ignores the nature of EMS and "a person at the HKP bulk posting scans the parcels in which can take a few days"???   So when someone mail an item out directly in the post office, EMS is fast, but when you do bulk mailing it's not? It takes days to process?   On...

Quote: Same here.   Quote: Don't want to scare you but I ordered an amp from HK maybe a month ago and also paid for EMS. They have used the same postal service (same webpage) and the tracking number was immediately in the database with the item arriving exactly 3 days after. ...

Of course you are right. That's why I suggest not to spend too much on the cable and invest the money in a good DAC. The problems of timings appear in the A/D or D/A units, but (though theoretically possible) only very marginal in the transmission. Like you mentioned, the most cheap DACs today...

Hey, you know this finite elemente: highend furniture, bestwig, germany, deutschland, designermöbel, high quality, beste qualität, racks, hifi-racks, hifi-rack, hifi rack, audio-rack, audio rack, pagode master reference, signature, spider, level plus, cerabase, cerapuc ? It's only 1500$. That...

As I wrote, either your cable works or not. If it doesn't, you will hear it clearly, and if it works, it won't be better with an an expensive cable. But hey, i'm not trying to play the pope. Buy whatever you want.