Nightfall
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2002
- Posts
- 1,937
- Likes
- 11
Greetings once again, everyone.
There comes a time in every mans life when they take a leap of (headphone audio) faith and need the support and understanding of their Head-Fi brothers. My time came mere hours ago.
Just over a month ago, I attended the Detroit Head-Fi meet. My headphone and audio world was never to be the same again following that eye, or, I suppose ear opening experience. Here I had been deluded into thinking I was happy previously with my Corda Blue and Beyer Dt-931's. Little did I realize that there were things in the vast audio jungle that would shatter my beliefs forever. Following that meet, I was left to wander in search of equalling some of the magical sound I experienced. The first step, purchasing some Sony CD3000's was very easy, then things got tricky.
While there were so many great phones and amps there, as some of you may know, I (along with almost all attending) was simply blown away by the sound of the incredible ASL Twinhead MkII, aka "the CES Ringer amp" that was there to audition. I listened to it with a number of headphones, HD600's, DT880's, CD3000's and more. All were simply stunning with that amp. I simply HAD to have one, even though I had never, ever even remotely considered tubes, much less spending esentially 2k on a headphone amp.
Since then, I have noted, sadly, that the production amps shipping to people dont seem to equal the wondrous sample that we all auditioned there. I have seen owners of these amps, who had liad otu their $2000.00, being told to have someone cut a number of resistors which "might" fix the sound. I even asked the manufacturer, here in these forums if he would guarantee that my amp would be the same as the CES amp, and recieved no reassurance that it would. Finally, I also noted the many comments on quality control and reliability issues with other products from the same line, and decided that I simply couldnt risk that kind of money given that the chance of truly receiving an amplifier equal to the CES amp appeared almost nil. Not to mention customer service hugely lacking at this level of expenditure.
And so, I went in search of other equally satisfying alternatives without much luck. Until today.
Earlier, I made a call to a very well respected high end audio dealer in another part of the country. He carries both the ASL and Moth amplifier lines, and the Moth tubed headphone amplifier had begun to interest me as a possible choice. I also wanted to discuss headphone amps with someone who both carried and knew the Twinhead MkII and could offer me some meaningful comparisons.
We talked for quite a long time when he finally asked if I would consider what he felt was the best headphone amplifier out there. He was referring to the Cary SLI-80 Signature (with Jensen caps upgrade). When I mentioned that I couldnt possibly afford that option, he interrupted and told me about a special price he could offer. He had exactly one amp, that was a demo, from the CES show. It was brand new, fully warrantied, never even powered up, only having been on display at the exhibit. It had, in fact, been in layaway for a regular customer, but he had notified them just THIS MORNING, that due to unforseen financial difficulties, he would not be able to buy it at this time.
I told him that I needed a few minutes to ponder this momentous decision and hung up. I rushed to my pc, checked out the amp at the cary site, and in a couple reviews. I then rushed over to Head-Fi, did a search and read through what was here in the archives concerning it. I found Carlo's very positive review, where he, in fact, clearly preferred to the $4000.00 Cary 300SEI. Now this is a man who takes Melos and makes them art forms, he KNOWS good sound. Armed with that, and the fact that it was also the strongly recommended choice of the audiophile owner of the store I was dealing with, I made my decision. It seemed as though the chance to get this amp had fallen come on high, it being only available due to a cancelled purchase this very day. And it didnt hurt that of all the amplifiers that he stocks or has access to, the audio store owner chooses this very one to use in his personal headphone rig with his HD600's. Yes, I knew it was crazy to spend this much for an amp I had never heard, but then, its not even available in my state, nor are those possibly competitive with it, so sometimes you simply have to go with what feels right and go with it. Its an absolutely beautiful amplifier. Not to mention that Cary's legendary build quality, reputation and sound is second to none (at least that mere mortals and non-Trumps could ever consider).
I called back, and purchased the amp, it shipped a few hours ago, and I will likely see it on my doorstep late next wwek.
I am excited, and happy with the choice I made. Yes, I should NOT have spent that much money, but I love music, and I love good audio, and damn it, I WANTED it! Not to mention that I truly hope, and expect that it will fill the void I;ve felt since the Detroit meet missing the wondrous soundstage and deep, rich enermously satisfying sound of a great tube headphone amp.
Am I sane? At least in other regards, I think so. This music/headphone/audio addiction has claimed better men than I. Please tell me that I have simply fallen in with a bad crowd here!
I am sure that many of you can sympathize and identify with me in this. I have sat here, many a night, reading through the forums while listening to the wind echoing through your wallets.......
Tomorrow, I will be going directly to Costco, to purchase a case of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese (the kind in the cardboard box that requires only 1/4 cup of milk and a few tbsps of butter to make a mea. After a year or so of this for dinner, I should be financially back on my feet. And, if I can make do with ramen noodles in the five for a dollar pack for lunch, I might even be able to get some better interconnects too!
At this point, Feel free to offer your understanding, support, sympathies and positive thoughts below.
I hope I havent made a mistake. I sincerely hope and feel that this amp wont disappoint me, its such a beautiful piece of equipment. I cant imagine how it would. Here is a link to it for those of you who arent familiar. I tried to post the picture earlier, but couldnt the file didnt fit, and I lost the whole post and had to retype it.If anyone who knows more about how to do that than I could insert a pic in their reply, I would be grateful.
You know, I could hold you ALL responsible for this insanity? This never happened before I came here! <g>
http://www.caryaudio.com/products/audio/sli80.shtml
JC
There comes a time in every mans life when they take a leap of (headphone audio) faith and need the support and understanding of their Head-Fi brothers. My time came mere hours ago.
Just over a month ago, I attended the Detroit Head-Fi meet. My headphone and audio world was never to be the same again following that eye, or, I suppose ear opening experience. Here I had been deluded into thinking I was happy previously with my Corda Blue and Beyer Dt-931's. Little did I realize that there were things in the vast audio jungle that would shatter my beliefs forever. Following that meet, I was left to wander in search of equalling some of the magical sound I experienced. The first step, purchasing some Sony CD3000's was very easy, then things got tricky.
While there were so many great phones and amps there, as some of you may know, I (along with almost all attending) was simply blown away by the sound of the incredible ASL Twinhead MkII, aka "the CES Ringer amp" that was there to audition. I listened to it with a number of headphones, HD600's, DT880's, CD3000's and more. All were simply stunning with that amp. I simply HAD to have one, even though I had never, ever even remotely considered tubes, much less spending esentially 2k on a headphone amp.
Since then, I have noted, sadly, that the production amps shipping to people dont seem to equal the wondrous sample that we all auditioned there. I have seen owners of these amps, who had liad otu their $2000.00, being told to have someone cut a number of resistors which "might" fix the sound. I even asked the manufacturer, here in these forums if he would guarantee that my amp would be the same as the CES amp, and recieved no reassurance that it would. Finally, I also noted the many comments on quality control and reliability issues with other products from the same line, and decided that I simply couldnt risk that kind of money given that the chance of truly receiving an amplifier equal to the CES amp appeared almost nil. Not to mention customer service hugely lacking at this level of expenditure.
And so, I went in search of other equally satisfying alternatives without much luck. Until today.
Earlier, I made a call to a very well respected high end audio dealer in another part of the country. He carries both the ASL and Moth amplifier lines, and the Moth tubed headphone amplifier had begun to interest me as a possible choice. I also wanted to discuss headphone amps with someone who both carried and knew the Twinhead MkII and could offer me some meaningful comparisons.
We talked for quite a long time when he finally asked if I would consider what he felt was the best headphone amplifier out there. He was referring to the Cary SLI-80 Signature (with Jensen caps upgrade). When I mentioned that I couldnt possibly afford that option, he interrupted and told me about a special price he could offer. He had exactly one amp, that was a demo, from the CES show. It was brand new, fully warrantied, never even powered up, only having been on display at the exhibit. It had, in fact, been in layaway for a regular customer, but he had notified them just THIS MORNING, that due to unforseen financial difficulties, he would not be able to buy it at this time.
I told him that I needed a few minutes to ponder this momentous decision and hung up. I rushed to my pc, checked out the amp at the cary site, and in a couple reviews. I then rushed over to Head-Fi, did a search and read through what was here in the archives concerning it. I found Carlo's very positive review, where he, in fact, clearly preferred to the $4000.00 Cary 300SEI. Now this is a man who takes Melos and makes them art forms, he KNOWS good sound. Armed with that, and the fact that it was also the strongly recommended choice of the audiophile owner of the store I was dealing with, I made my decision. It seemed as though the chance to get this amp had fallen come on high, it being only available due to a cancelled purchase this very day. And it didnt hurt that of all the amplifiers that he stocks or has access to, the audio store owner chooses this very one to use in his personal headphone rig with his HD600's. Yes, I knew it was crazy to spend this much for an amp I had never heard, but then, its not even available in my state, nor are those possibly competitive with it, so sometimes you simply have to go with what feels right and go with it. Its an absolutely beautiful amplifier. Not to mention that Cary's legendary build quality, reputation and sound is second to none (at least that mere mortals and non-Trumps could ever consider).
I called back, and purchased the amp, it shipped a few hours ago, and I will likely see it on my doorstep late next wwek.
I am excited, and happy with the choice I made. Yes, I should NOT have spent that much money, but I love music, and I love good audio, and damn it, I WANTED it! Not to mention that I truly hope, and expect that it will fill the void I;ve felt since the Detroit meet missing the wondrous soundstage and deep, rich enermously satisfying sound of a great tube headphone amp.
Am I sane? At least in other regards, I think so. This music/headphone/audio addiction has claimed better men than I. Please tell me that I have simply fallen in with a bad crowd here!
I am sure that many of you can sympathize and identify with me in this. I have sat here, many a night, reading through the forums while listening to the wind echoing through your wallets.......
Tomorrow, I will be going directly to Costco, to purchase a case of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese (the kind in the cardboard box that requires only 1/4 cup of milk and a few tbsps of butter to make a mea. After a year or so of this for dinner, I should be financially back on my feet. And, if I can make do with ramen noodles in the five for a dollar pack for lunch, I might even be able to get some better interconnects too!
At this point, Feel free to offer your understanding, support, sympathies and positive thoughts below.
I hope I havent made a mistake. I sincerely hope and feel that this amp wont disappoint me, its such a beautiful piece of equipment. I cant imagine how it would. Here is a link to it for those of you who arent familiar. I tried to post the picture earlier, but couldnt the file didnt fit, and I lost the whole post and had to retype it.If anyone who knows more about how to do that than I could insert a pic in their reply, I would be grateful.
You know, I could hold you ALL responsible for this insanity? This never happened before I came here! <g>
http://www.caryaudio.com/products/audio/sli80.shtml
JC
