Ok, now for some ramblings...
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So last night I sat and listened after it was running for around seven hours. Big changes, and I believe part of this is due to the headphones as well.
Initially, the sound had more sparkle, width and air than before, but I found it a touch bass light, the bass was there just not hitting hard, and below neutral for me. But after the 7 hours burn in, the bass came out. I belive that this is partly due to the headphones. The 7520 is usually bass light at the start of a listening session, but then the bass grows in quantity and depth as the session continues. Almost as if the drivers have to warm up first. Come to think of it, the 1R had the same trait.
So i believe that this accounted for some of the improved bass performance.
But the other aspects changed as well. The sound tightened up and became very controlled. Treble was smooth and seemed subdued, until the song called for sparkle and it delivered. Detail was there and the sound became more, layered. Bass was also tight and refined. More detail than previously noticeable with this headphone. I can understand now when someone says the sound is fast? Because of the control, where cymbals used to sound splashy and loose, they now have precision and control. I did a small comparison using my i pod as a source and compared briefly to the E11k, my only other amp, and the differences in that brief listen were subtle, but it was as described above. The E11k having the more fun sound, with a slight warmness to it; a slight upper mid emphasis and a more agressive bass and treble, and the Soloist SL having more control, a more even sound with better detail, control and layering. The bass extended just as deep with the soloist SL, but didn't have the quantity of bass as the E11K. Very slight,but there. You were hearing the twang in the strings of the bass guitar with the soloist sl more than with the E11K though, so a bit of loss in body, but a gain in detail and definition and tightness.
Pleased so far, but now wondering if my dac is enough.... The difference in the Ipod and Modi is big as well heard through the soloist. I am running the I pod with line out, not headphone out.
The Modi: Tight, controlled, flatter, more direct sounding, smoother,
The i pod: Looser, not as controlled, sounds livelier, and with slightly more elevated highs, but splashy sounding. A bit more airy, with less detail and a less refined sound.
This makes me want to try a higher quality DAC. I didnt notice that big a difference in the sound between the two with the E11K, so I now realise that I may need to upgrade the source now, to match the Soloist. Maybe use the Modi at work, or sell it to help fund a DAC upgrade. I like the control and definition of the Modi, but would like maybe a bit more top end sparkle, and a slightly more opened sound...
Anyway, I will stay where I am for a while. Happy with the amp upgrade. Not thin sounding to me at all as I have heard some persons say of this amp. And so far, Not dissapointed that I bought it.
It is still running as we speak. Put the radio on, turn the volume to about 10 o'clock, letting what ever songs the radio stations these days play run through them.
D
