[JAnonymous5150]

Doing a little hotel listening this evening so I've got the DCA Expanse running off the GS-X Mini with my Gustard R26 pulling DAC and streamer duties. Of all the TOTL headphones I own, have owned, or have tried, the Expanse just really hit that sweep spot of musicality, clarity/accuracy, and technical performance for me when it comes to enjoying a session. Others that I have are occasionally better in a specialized situation, but these are a damn near perfect all-rounder for my tastes. DCA really nailed it on tuning, performance, aesthetics, and comfort.

On deck in my queue is the 2023 remaster of Yes' 1971 album, The Yes Album. What can I say that hasn't been said before? This is just one of those albums that stands out as a classic in the foundational years of the prog genre. I also happen to think it stands out as being a great album in all of rock from that era. A powerhouse, star-studded lineup putting out some of their best work, for sure.

 

[jonathan c]

Doing a little hotel listening this evening so I've got the DCA Expanse running off the GS-X Mini with my Gustard R26 pulling DAC and streamer duties. Of all the TOTL headphones I own, have owned, or have tried, the Expanse just really hit that sweep spot of musicality, clarity/accuracy, and technical performance for me when it comes to enjoying a session. Others that I have are occasionally better in a specialized situation, but these are a damn near perfect all-rounder for my tastes. DCA really nailed it on tuning, performance, aesthetics, and comfort.

On deck in my queue is the 2023 remaster of Yes' 1971 album, The Yes Album. What can I say that hasn't been said before? This is just one of those albums that stands out as a classic in the foundational years of the prog genre. I also happen to think it stands out as being a great album in all of rock from that era. A powerhouse, star-studded lineup putting out some of their best work, for sure.

My favourite of the Yes catalogue .... quite more so than Fragile etc.

 

[JAnonymous5150]

My favourite of the Yes catalogue .... quite more so than Fragile etc.

I couldn't agree more. This album is peak Yes for me. I also think these 2023 remasters were very well done. Sometimes remasters really butcher an album or make little to no difference, but this one made some significant differences for the better, IMO.

Edit: Fixed misspelling. Damn big thumbs and small smartphone keyboards...

 

[Leonarfd]

FranQL Black Panther + HIBY R8 II

 

[JAnonymous5150]

Moving on to something a lot more funky and I've really been enjoying my Verite Closed lately so I switched to them with the Schiit Lyr (Amperex-Tektronix ECC88s) running off the single ended output from the Gustard R26 which is still performing DAC and streamer duties.

As for music, I've got Doug Johns' 2006 self-titled effort up next. Any album that opens with a track entitled "Pimpasaurus Rex" better be funky AF and this album certainly doesn't disappoint. For those unfamiliar, Doug Johns is a bassist who loves funky grooves and slapping, tapping, and popping his bass like it's going out of style. Thankfully, he's an incredibly talented bassist who can carry a melody and the rhythm section in the same tune, making the bass guitar the focus of the song. I have been learning and refining my own bass guitar skills for several years now and I discovered this album while discussing funky bass lines with my bassist (who else? LOL). This is a very fun album and I highly recommend it for a fun and funky listen.

 

[Lindholdt]

An evening session with the Roger, R7 HEKS and some Strange Cargo from William Ørbit

 

[Leonarfd]

ZMF Verite + HIBY R8 + Topping A90 Discrete
Not often I am into classical, but today it sounds spectacular.

https://tidal.com/browse/album/188982427

 

[Davidzak64]

Doing a little hotel listening this evening so I've got the DCA Expanse running off the GS-X Mini with my Gustard R26 pulling DAC and streamer duties. Of all the TOTL headphones I own, have owned, or have tried, the Expanse just really hit that sweep spot of musicality, clarity/accuracy, and technical performance for me when it comes to enjoying a session. Others that I have are occasionally better in a specialized situation, but these are a damn near perfect all-rounder for my tastes. DCA really nailed it on tuning, performance, aesthetics, and comfort.

On deck in my queue is the 2023 remaster of Yes' 1971 album, The Yes Album. What can I say that hasn't been said before? This is just one of those albums that stands out as a classic in the foundational years of the prog genre. I also happen to think it stands out as being a great album in all of rock from that era. A powerhouse, star-studded lineup putting out some of their best work, for sure.

Great Album. Improved Cover version!

 

[Chastity]

ZMF Verite + HIBY R8 + Topping A90 Discrete
Not often I am into classical, but today it sounds spectacular.

https://tidal.com/browse/album/188982427

For people with other streaming services who would like to listen to this album:

https://songwhip.com/various-artists/voice-of-hope

 

[JAnonymous5150]

Great Album. Improved Cover version!

Now they're gonna need to rerelease the album with this cover. Clearly, it would sell exponentially better. Tell Jada I said thanks for fixing this otherwise boring cover.

 

[fidgeraldo]

For people with other streaming services who would like to listen to this album:

You are a saviour! I hope everyone follows your path!

Cheers!

 

[theintention]

Erika de Casier - Still

PHENOMENAL pop/electronic album, music absolutely made for my newly acquired Dark Phoenix. Thumping bass, haunting vocals, a dash of jungle, oh my what a listen.
Dark Phoenix / RU7

Next up -

 

[Luckyleo]

Roon = Wiimpro = Bifrost 2/64. = Vali 2 ++ = HD 600

 

[JAnonymous5150]

Erika de Casier - Still

PHENOMENAL pop/electronic album, music absolutely made for my newly acquired Dark Phoenix. Thumping bass, haunting vocals, a dash of jungle, oh my what a listen.
Dark Phoenix / RU7

Next up -

How do you like the Dark Phoenix? A little rundown on their performance would be greatly appreciated. They certainly have an interesting driver config and you're the first owner/user I've run across. Feel free to ignore this if you don't want to answer and thank you in advance if you do. Happy listening!

 

[theintention]

How do you like the Dark Phoenix? A little rundown on their performance would be greatly appreciated. They certainly have an interesting driver config and you're the first owner/user I've run across. Feel free to ignore this if you don't want to answer and thank you in advance if you do. Happy listening!

this is probably the third full listening session i have had with them so its still quite early, but i went from feeling slightly disappointed the first time to really loving them now. it doesn't work for everything and i'm still kinda trying to figure out why... but when they are in their element, its something else.

they are very bright and very bassy so tip rolling has been challenging. they sound excellent with pop/vocal music. This above & beyond album is giving nightclub vibes at the moment. really nice compliment to the Sza tbh, one super bright and one super warm depending on mood. excellent treble as well, while not being sharp. so yeah thumbs up from me, i need a new cable for it though.