Greetings all, I've been really busy since the meet so I haven't made time to participate here.
Thanks to James for hosting a great meet! We'll definitely need a larger space next time, I should think. It was great meeting everyone, and as this was my first time to a Kansas area meet, everyone was new to me.
I'm glad everyone was able to try my setups, especially the hard to audition GS-X and the fairly rare Black Diamond. Depending on how the Ragnarok sounds, I may not have them long. I enjoyed the surprised looks from those who tried the Sony MA900s and also the Koss PortaPros. These are hidden gems that really pack a punch for their price and humble looks.
On to my impressions -
Valhalla 1 > Hifiman HE-4 - Nicely balanced sound, not quite enough in the treble for me to be considered neutral, but nice enough. Bass was not overpowering and well controlled. Mids were pleasant and liquid. As with other planar devices, I have soundstage issues with them, and being the old style headband, the fit was awful, but I expected both of those going in. One of the better planars I've heard if you can take the two problems in stride.
Hifiman EF-2 > Markl Modded Denon D2000 - Pretty good sound stage for a semi-closed. A good bit of U shaped response, but not unpleasant. Seemed at home with both classical and electronic, a rare feat.
X-Sabre > GS-X2 > Hifiman HE400i - These are more balanced, IMO, than the HE560, which I had on loan for a week. Tones down the midbass bloom of the 560, and improves the lower treble. Fit is better than the old style Hifimans but still way too much clamp, as with the HE560.
Mini-I Pro > JL Acoustic portable amp > Shure SE846 - Didn't like these much. Sounded thin and hollow. Very low bass impact, surprising for an IEM. My UERM customs on the same setup sounded great as usual. Perhaps fit issues affecting sound on the 846s.
X-Sabre > GS-X2 > Audio Technica 1000X - Not my kind of headphone. Voices sounded as if they were coming from a tiny tube, with the other sounds coming from the sides. Disorienting. Quite grainy.
X-Sabre > GS-X2 > Audio Technica 3000ANV - Romantic type sound that is very engaging. Certainly some U shaped response, but done very nicely without getting syrupy. Not quite what I'm looking for, but I can certainly appreciate those who think this is their end game. Very good.
Bifrost > Lyr > HD800 (James' setup) - Good overall, though lacking in detail and it seems a bit raw. Need some upstream upgrades to feed the 800s. Still not agreeing with those that say the Lyr is a good match with the HD800.
Forgot the electronics > Vibros - Good attempt on the Fostex headphone. Well balanced for what the driver is capable of. Still a little thick, and not all that resolving (due to driver limitations, IMO). Quite heavy and is a face hugger with its giant alpha pads.
Thanks again for the meet. I'll try to come again.