By now my A950LTD should be fully burned-in, estimated at 250 hours including 48 hours of pink noise from the Bink Audio Test CD (downloaded). Actual listening time is less than 10 hours.
The A950LTD's basic sound signature hasn't changed. It is warm and dark. There's some treble roll-off and lack of extension, both highs and lows. Vocals seem to have become more balanced and aren't as forward-sounding as before, though its midrange is recessed compared to the L3000 and W5000. There is more emphasis on the mid-bass and lower treble areas.
It still sounds closed-in. Both headstage and soundstage are small. The headstage does not extend past the ears or diameter of the head. Soundstage extends a bit to the left and right but is very compressed overall.
Bass impact is high. It is a boomy and thumpy type of bass that is relatively muddy and lacks details. I believe bass quantity and impact are roughly equivalent to the L3000, though quality is another matter. This is with the AT-HA5000 amplifier. Using the Raptor the A950LTD's bass impact is even greater and
should satisfy most people, though some bassheads might disagree. If you think the A950LTD's bass impact is lacking, I humbly bow before your superior bassheadedness.
I realize I haven't really posted much that is positive in this thread so far. I don't think the A950LTD is my type of sound, despite the fact that I like the L3000 and have called the A950LTD a "mini L3000." This is because the A950LTD shares some basic similarities with the L3000 but just doesn't have its details, dynamics, refinement and amazing ability to make the music very involving and more vivid.
I think the A950LTD does well vs. the L3000 as well as W5000 and AD2000 with some types of music and especially lower quality source material. Its darker nature in the upper midrange and treble areas make it smoother and more forgiving than the other ATs with "bad" recordings.
