Audiophiles Anonymous

[jlbrach]

sadly yes..the only thing I havent upgraded is my dave/blu2...otherwise I have been through tons of amps and HP's etc

 

[nwavesailor]

I must say, with the DAVE and Envy paired with the Sus and LCD-5 I'm pretty satisfied.

I AM still trying tubes in the Envy that between a basic Garage 1217, Cavalli LP and Bigger Ben amps I have managed to collect. I have a good assortment of 6SN7, 6F8G, 12A*7 and 6J5G tubes to try as well as Elrog 300B.

 

[iFi audio]

Elrog 300B.

Please let us know how these compare to other DHTs you may have. Elrog is quite popular and there has to be a reason for that

 

[TDHEAD]

I hear you and that's totally understandable. This hobby gets expensive quite fast. Not only this, the upgrade itch at times prevents us from getting properly used to stuff already owned.

Wow aint that the truth. I'm not complaining none of us have a gun to our heads to make us buy this stuff but the upgrade cycle is addictive . I try, that is try to work with brands that have an upgrade path at least. One example would be DCS they have both software and hardware enhancements to most of their gear which really protects your investments

 

[ThanatosVI]

Wow aint that the truth. I'm not complaining none of us have a gun to our heads to make us buy this stuff but the upgrade cycle is addictive . I try, that is try to work with brands that have an upgrade path at least. One example would be DCS they have both software and hardware enhancements to most of their gear which really protects your investments

Yeah finding brands with long term support really protects your investment.

A good example imo is T+A. My MP2000R was released back in 2015.
Somewhen in 2016 it received the Mk2 upgrade and this year (8 years after release) It will receive a new Streaming Module. The upgrade is also super affordable at ~600 bucks.

 

[ThanatosVI]

I actually never thought this might really happen, but after 6 years of upgrading and moving gear, I finally reached a sense of real satisfaction in my setup.

It seems I reached my endgame, as there is not a single item I'd rather have than the gear I own, regardless of price.

Especially 2023 has been a big change with the move to the Envy, addition of a dedicated Server and even electrostatic and dynamic headphones. Just like many of you, I spent way more than initially planned, but it all worked out.

Feels like audiophile heaven right now!

Of course that doesn't mean, that I won't add new stuff to my collection. Whenever Meze releases something new, I'll be right there pressing the pre order Button. Dan Clark also earned this level of trust for future products.
However all these additions are currently fictional and unreleased.

So to all of you, still suffering from the upgrade addiction, there might be some hope that it ends eventually

 

[ken6217]

I actually never thought this might really happen, but after 6 years of upgrading and moving gear, I finally reached a sense of real satisfaction in my setup.

It seems I reached my endgame, as there is not a single item I'd rather have than the gear I own, regardless of price.

Especially 2023 has been a big change with the move to the Envy, addition of a dedicated Server and even electrostatic and dynamic headphones. Just like many of you, I spent way more than initially planned, but it all worked out.

Feels like audiophile heaven right now!

Of course that doesn't mean, that I won't add new stuff to my collection. Whenever Meze releases something new, I'll be right there pressing the pre order Button. Dan Clark also earned this level of trust for future products.
However all these additions are currently fictional and unreleased.

So to all of you, still suffering from the upgrade addiction, there might be some hope that it ends eventually

Bad news fellow crackhead. Meze is. Supposedly a revised Empyrean. It makes no sense to me as they already have the Elite. It looks like this one would fit between the original and that.

 

[ThanatosVI]

Bad news fellow crackhead. Meze is. Supposedly a revised Empyrean. It makes no sense to me as they already have the Elite. It looks like this one would fit between the original and that.

Well I am well aware that they are working on a new headphone with Rinaros Hybrid Array Drivers as well as a new one using their new dynamic driver. There is stuff in the Pipeline, probably always will be.

Last Meze release was 2022 with the 109 Pro. Last Rinaro release 2021. Therefore I'd expect it even in 2024 already

 

[ken6217]

I owned the Empyrean the moment it came out. Had it for quite a while before going the 1266 TC route. Eventually got tired of the buy and sell, rinse and repeat routine and sold everything.

I got back in a few months ago and bought the Empyrean again. I surprised bow good it was. However my go to music is Classic Rock, and the Empyrean is too polite sounding. Took a flyer on a used Final Audio D8000 non pro and paired it with a used Mjolnir Dynalo Pure Power mk2, an inexpensive NUC running Euphony software with a linear power supply, and I am in heaven.

I’ve owned the Dynalo a few years ago as well. Great amp. The D8000 to me is a better option than the TC. Bass might be as good, treble not as bright, and a real midrange. The only part that is not as good is the huge soundstage of the TC.

 

[tholt]

treble not as bright, and a real midrange

Both are the 1266 Achilles' heels. I don't miss that headphone nor dealing with it

 

[ken6217]

Both are the 1266 Achilles' heels. I don't miss that headphone nor dealing with it

The problem was getting that bass out of your mind when listening to other headphones.

I see you have a Totaldac d1 dual. What type of music do you listen to? I had a d6 for a while and really sounded nice.

 

[tholt]

Maybe, but I also could get sub-bass distortion on super heavy bass tracks; could be mitigated with pads closer to ears but I just got tired of dealing with them, and the mids were always off to me.

A lot of electronica TBH, the organic and rich qualities of the TD with the leaner 1000se sounds balanced, fleshed out and plenty fast. I also listen to a fair amount of folk, vocals and stripped down acoustic

 

[Jbucla2005]

Is there a cure for this disease?

 

[TDHEAD]

It's a very enjoyable, great hobby and can be lots of fun. That said it's often insane and addictive for sure. The casualty in all this is really the "MUSIC" enjoyment. It seems at times its so much focus on that next % of improvement it spoils what your listening to now. On this thread someone mentioned what I think really helps. Dealing with companies that offer upgrade paths. Lets you relax a bit knowing you are not going to miss out on the next improvement without needing to take big hits on your current investment. Also there really is a fair amount of Hype on a good many components that just don't add up. A more robust local dealer network also helps. When you can at least audition stuff before you buy etc. Lastly Shipping has become a major issue and I believe will hurt the hobby more and more as time goes on. I know I have passed on making system changes just worrying about my sold equipment being damaged and you can't afford fully insuring gear at the higher end both ways in any transaction.I have had several serious damage issues the last 3 years or so. So I think research all you can, know what you like you music to sound like, audition and buy stuff that upgrades seems to me to be at least a mininum today. More local smaller shows would also be great, not everyone can get on a plane to fly to Can-Jams. If more , smaller limited dealer regional shows were a thing I think that could help as storefronts for high end have disappeared. Anyway just some thoughts

 

[TDHEAD]

Is there a cure for this disease?

Mine was the Aperio..........hard to believe things could sound that much better than this, we would be splitting hairs with anything from this point on. There is a great network device like the Innuos which did improve the game in a noticeable way but the core is the end game. At least for me, for now