That was exceptionally well written. I especially liked that the reviewer had experience with other headphones and amplifiers and could speak to their differences. That is often what I find to be lacking in mainstream audio reviews (I often literally wonder if the reviewer has ever listened to ANY other equipment; but then usually just assume they're too afraid to say anything negative about anything even in comparison).
But then there are those of us on HeadFi who take to the other extreme. We compare item by item of minutia about different products but often overlook that which is valuable to the inexperienced.
It's hard to strive to be both and still strive to be brief, but it's always nice to read those who inspire. I'll have to track down some other reviews from Wes Phillips. I'm seriously impressed.
The fanboy in me still wishes he'd stumbled into that detail, though. You see, I agree with the bulk of his review. And yet... the BlockHead to me shares a fatal flaw with the Max. Oh, no, not really fatal. Let's just say despite them both being excellent products there's something that keeps me from owning either one. I keep mentioning it waiting for the Max fans to come out and debate with me. That is (again): I feel the OPA627 and the HeadRoom sound lack texture/ambient detail. The BlockHead has more of it than the Max but not as much as say, the Sugden Headmaster or any number of tube amps. I know this is a major component of why some people go with the Sugden or microZOTL over the Max--I wish qualities like that could be addressed without losing the mainstream audience. He did mention the low noise floor and dynamics, which I appreciated. Maybe it's just the same old perogative of not mentioning negatives in a review. I dunno.