Wow, what a day! I am still overwhelmed nearly a day later.
As far as impressions, I can only offer some very unscientific opinions based on a smattering of not-very-long listening sessions with various combos available. Even when limiting a meet to electrostatics (mostly), one's listening pallet and brain capacity, can become overwhelmed with processing all the differences. Most of which are subtle, and require time and effort to discern. I also spend more time BS-ing with my fellow Head-Fiers than critical listening.
Still, there were some clear winners, and even some nice surprises.
I will start at the top: The Sennheiser Orpheus system (HE90 headphone, paired with the HEV90 amplifier) is the best phone/amp combo - period. Compared to when listened to out of other high-end electrostatic amplifiers, the HE90 truly achieved a magical quality when paired with its true birth sibling that was easily discrernable, imo. Throw in a stellar Meitner SACD source, and your are in absolute heaven. Hands-down, slam-dunk, take-no-prisoners, winning combo. Everything right. Absolutely nothing to criticize. Simply superb. Lean back, and just listen. 'Nuff said.
Second in line would be the HE90 with the black-gated KGSS - terrific combo, and only not as seductive when compared to the HEV90. This system was using a Meridian G8 source, which I tend to find neutral to the point of boring, so that may have had something to do with it also (*qualifier: I seem to find all Meridian sources I've heard at meets that way, so take my opinion there with the chunk of salt required). Even still, the HE90 excelled again. Maybe there are some tweaks than can be done with the KGSS to mate it even better with the HE90's?
We didn't have a Blue Hawaii on hand, and I wonder if a tubed Gilmore would bring the HE90's that nth-degree closer to the Orpheus system level? The Singlepower amp, which is a tubed amp (unique, point-to-point design by Mikail, also based on the EL34 tube), did not do anything for me today. There was just enough "off" about that amp with both the HE90's and the Omega II's, that it failed to compel to listen more with all of the other spectacular gear in the same room today. In the brief time I listened to it, it actually seemed to sound better with the Omega II's than the HE90's for some reason. This amp is still a work in progress, and is slated to get a power supply upgrade & some other tweaks very soon, so I look forward to listening to it again in the future. For now though, my bottom line is that it is not ready for primetime.
The HE60's are a very fun headphone. When paired with the KGSS, it exhibited a better controlled top-end than with the HE70 or Stax 007T amps I've heard them on in the past. Still, they are a faster sounding can than both the Staxes and the HE90. Rock and roll music - guitar riffs & drum snares in particular - are this 'phones forte These sounds sizzle with accuracy in the forefront of their sound/headstage. They are the Grado of the e-stat world, imo. On their own, there is a lot to like. But when compared to the HE90, there is no comparison, There is no family resemblance to me. They might as well be made by another company, they are that different to me. I did not take the opportunity to hear them plugged into the HEV90 amp, and was told vastly differing opinions (pros & cons) by others in attendance about that combo. Again, they are a very competent headphone. But prices for used models are at an all-time high (something I attribute to the HE90 craze, as others look for less expensive alternatives), so their value is greatly diminished for me. They have been said to be XX-percent of the HE90's. Perhaps I might say they are 70-75%. But which 70% does it have, and what 30% is it missing?
The Omega II's have been a favorite of mind for some time. I've heard them many times over the past couple of years, and always enjoyed them. Today, after not having heard them in a while, they sounded too bass-heavy for my current tastes. They are wonderfully open (unlike the HE60's), & have a great midrange. But the lower frequencies overwhelmed the all music to the point of distraction today. Maybe my tastes are changing *shrug*.
There was a pair of Stax Lamda Professional headphones on-hand. I included them in my comparisons between the others, and to my surprise, silently preferred them over the O2's and the HE60! It was not until Bozebutton's non-audiophile daughter compared the older Lamdas to the O2's and said she thought they sounded more "like you are in the studio". At that point, those of us who had listened to them all shouted in surprising agreement - LOL! The Lamdas have a wonderfull accuracy, without a trace of harshness (better in many respects than the HE60). My only real criticism is their somewhat compressed soundstage. They lack the air that the higher-end cans possess. But what they do, they do very well, imo. They piqued my curiosity for the current Lamda line. But at least one member in attendance who has spent time with the SR404's, thought the Lamda Pro's sounded better. I predict a rush on A-gon & eBay for similiar units.
There were a couple of dynamic cans on-hand as well. The Qualia 010's, and AKG K1000's are two headphones that compete very well with the accuracy and detail that electrostats offer, when assembled in the right system. I like them both. 'Nuff said on that.
So for you HE90 purchasers, you have a many options in front of you, many of which were not represented at this mini-meet. Finding an HEV90 is the ideal, but may prove difficult to impossible at this point in time. Still, it may be worth some effort pursuing. The currently produced amps all present good values, but offer varying strengths and weaknesses that you have to rate for yourself. I strongly suggest actual listening sessions with as many amps as possible, and not rely on heresay or rumors. For the tube-based amps, you have even more variables to consider and try. I would also factor 'support' as a very important criteria for selecting an amp builder, for both tweakability (is that a word?
) and potential repairs down the road.
Regardless, the HE90's are the best headphone out there, and you will be rewarded with a sonic experience unrivaled elsewhere in the headphone world. If you can afford it, your money will be well spent.
Getting together with fellow Head-Fier's is always a pleasant experience. Catching up with old friends, and meeting new one's is a very nice way to spend an afternoon. Thanks to Bozebuttons, and his ever-patient family, for putting up with our crazyness. We couldn't do this without you, and your unbounded generosity is greatly appreciated.
As far as impressions, I can only offer some very unscientific opinions based on a smattering of not-very-long listening sessions with various combos available. Even when limiting a meet to electrostatics (mostly), one's listening pallet and brain capacity, can become overwhelmed with processing all the differences. Most of which are subtle, and require time and effort to discern. I also spend more time BS-ing with my fellow Head-Fiers than critical listening.
Still, there were some clear winners, and even some nice surprises.
I will start at the top: The Sennheiser Orpheus system (HE90 headphone, paired with the HEV90 amplifier) is the best phone/amp combo - period. Compared to when listened to out of other high-end electrostatic amplifiers, the HE90 truly achieved a magical quality when paired with its true birth sibling that was easily discrernable, imo. Throw in a stellar Meitner SACD source, and your are in absolute heaven. Hands-down, slam-dunk, take-no-prisoners, winning combo. Everything right. Absolutely nothing to criticize. Simply superb. Lean back, and just listen. 'Nuff said.
Second in line would be the HE90 with the black-gated KGSS - terrific combo, and only not as seductive when compared to the HEV90. This system was using a Meridian G8 source, which I tend to find neutral to the point of boring, so that may have had something to do with it also (*qualifier: I seem to find all Meridian sources I've heard at meets that way, so take my opinion there with the chunk of salt required). Even still, the HE90 excelled again. Maybe there are some tweaks than can be done with the KGSS to mate it even better with the HE90's?
We didn't have a Blue Hawaii on hand, and I wonder if a tubed Gilmore would bring the HE90's that nth-degree closer to the Orpheus system level? The Singlepower amp, which is a tubed amp (unique, point-to-point design by Mikail, also based on the EL34 tube), did not do anything for me today. There was just enough "off" about that amp with both the HE90's and the Omega II's, that it failed to compel to listen more with all of the other spectacular gear in the same room today. In the brief time I listened to it, it actually seemed to sound better with the Omega II's than the HE90's for some reason. This amp is still a work in progress, and is slated to get a power supply upgrade & some other tweaks very soon, so I look forward to listening to it again in the future. For now though, my bottom line is that it is not ready for primetime.
The HE60's are a very fun headphone. When paired with the KGSS, it exhibited a better controlled top-end than with the HE70 or Stax 007T amps I've heard them on in the past. Still, they are a faster sounding can than both the Staxes and the HE90. Rock and roll music - guitar riffs & drum snares in particular - are this 'phones forte These sounds sizzle with accuracy in the forefront of their sound/headstage. They are the Grado of the e-stat world, imo. On their own, there is a lot to like. But when compared to the HE90, there is no comparison, There is no family resemblance to me. They might as well be made by another company, they are that different to me. I did not take the opportunity to hear them plugged into the HEV90 amp, and was told vastly differing opinions (pros & cons) by others in attendance about that combo. Again, they are a very competent headphone. But prices for used models are at an all-time high (something I attribute to the HE90 craze, as others look for less expensive alternatives), so their value is greatly diminished for me. They have been said to be XX-percent of the HE90's. Perhaps I might say they are 70-75%. But which 70% does it have, and what 30% is it missing?
The Omega II's have been a favorite of mind for some time. I've heard them many times over the past couple of years, and always enjoyed them. Today, after not having heard them in a while, they sounded too bass-heavy for my current tastes. They are wonderfully open (unlike the HE60's), & have a great midrange. But the lower frequencies overwhelmed the all music to the point of distraction today. Maybe my tastes are changing *shrug*.
There was a pair of Stax Lamda Professional headphones on-hand. I included them in my comparisons between the others, and to my surprise, silently preferred them over the O2's and the HE60! It was not until Bozebutton's non-audiophile daughter compared the older Lamdas to the O2's and said she thought they sounded more "like you are in the studio". At that point, those of us who had listened to them all shouted in surprising agreement - LOL! The Lamdas have a wonderfull accuracy, without a trace of harshness (better in many respects than the HE60). My only real criticism is their somewhat compressed soundstage. They lack the air that the higher-end cans possess. But what they do, they do very well, imo. They piqued my curiosity for the current Lamda line. But at least one member in attendance who has spent time with the SR404's, thought the Lamda Pro's sounded better. I predict a rush on A-gon & eBay for similiar units.
There were a couple of dynamic cans on-hand as well. The Qualia 010's, and AKG K1000's are two headphones that compete very well with the accuracy and detail that electrostats offer, when assembled in the right system. I like them both. 'Nuff said on that.
So for you HE90 purchasers, you have a many options in front of you, many of which were not represented at this mini-meet. Finding an HEV90 is the ideal, but may prove difficult to impossible at this point in time. Still, it may be worth some effort pursuing. The currently produced amps all present good values, but offer varying strengths and weaknesses that you have to rate for yourself. I strongly suggest actual listening sessions with as many amps as possible, and not rely on heresay or rumors. For the tube-based amps, you have even more variables to consider and try. I would also factor 'support' as a very important criteria for selecting an amp builder, for both tweakability (is that a word?
Regardless, the HE90's are the best headphone out there, and you will be rewarded with a sonic experience unrivaled elsewhere in the headphone world. If you can afford it, your money will be well spent.
Getting together with fellow Head-Fier's is always a pleasant experience. Catching up with old friends, and meeting new one's is a very nice way to spend an afternoon. Thanks to Bozebuttons, and his ever-patient family, for putting up with our crazyness. We couldn't do this without you, and your unbounded generosity is greatly appreciated.
