The meet went really fast, it was an awesome gathering, thanks Justin for a legendary job organising. It was great to see everyone again looking one year older
Impressions:
I hadn’t heard the CD3000 until this meet I really liked this phone through the North Star 192 / Melos - there was a nice balance with this combo. The Grado HF2’s and balanced 600’s did not seem to have the same synergy, both seemed a little murky compared to the CD3000. Floyd’s DSOTM had great bass weight and good air with the CD3000, very smooth sounding throughout the spectrum. To be fair Justin said he needs to change the old stock tubes, I suspect the HF2’s and 600’s might just be revealing a tube problem.
If the Grado HF2’s were a little murky out of the North Star 192 / Melos the Pico/Woo WA6SE Maxed with Sophia did not disappoint at all. I thought this combo was a standout, listening to Loreena McKennitt’s Book of Secrets the harp was so rich and palpable it was breathtaking. Other genres faired well to my ears as well especially metal - aka Tool. I briefly heard my HD800 single ended in the same combo - overall preferring the HF2’s. I did prefer the HD800 soundstage - but as a total package the the Grado HF2’s took the trophy. The Sophia rectifier tube is the best looking audio tube I have ever seen, a real beauty to behold.
Another very nice rig was a DIY Chinese dac kit and a total DIY tube amp, it did a very nice job driving the K701’s it had great bass weight and definition.
I briefly tried some Audio Technica’s out of the Jaycar/Little Dot Dac, I much prefer some other phones I’ve heard with this amp.
Of particular interest to me was qusp’s HD800 cable, the XLR Bocchino connectors look the real deal - the detail and workmanship in this cable is incredible. Under meet conditions the cable sounded as good as the stock to my ears. I’ll post some impressions regarding this cable, in some later weeks to come. Thanks for all the great gear you had on hand Jeremy.
Great meet guys!
J
