[Audiowood]

Quote:

 
In previous posts I got the impression that some seem to find that rather incredible which puzzled me, hence the explanation.  

 
It is incredible !

 

[markl]

Hello, I would like to make a clarification. Customers who send in their phones are welcome as they always have been to keep any stock parts.  We are retaining the discarded factory parts from the remaining new Denon units we have in our stock. It is from these units of ours that we are providing the remaining Denon parts for DIY. Cheers.  

 

[unspool]

I can understand the audiophile purist position, but an appreciation of aesthetic beauty, design and craftsmanship is not incompatible with a desire for musical fidelity. There are any number of serious audiophiles who value their gear for more than its sound alone.

 

[Arcamera]

Quote:

I can understand the audiophile purist position, but an appreciation of aesthetic beauty, design and craftsmanship is not incompatible with a desire for musical fidelity. There are any number of serious audiophiles who value their gear for more than its sound alone.

 
Well said.

 

[Kees]

Quote:

I can understand the audiophile purist position, but an appreciation of aesthetic beauty, design and craftsmanship is not incompatible with a desire for musical fidelity. There are any number of serious audiophiles who value their gear for more than its sound alone.

Dedicated followers of fashion...
Sure, and there is nothing wrong with loving beautiful looking things, but it has no relation whatsoever with audiophilia...

 

[BournePerfect]

Well it's related if the audio gear is beautiful, and someone is willing to (possibly) pay more for that amirite? 

 
-Daniel

 

[Kees]

Quote:

Well it's related if the audio gear is beautiful, and someone is willing to (possibly) pay more for that amirite? 

 
-Daniel

No. They are combined and you buy them in one package, but they are still unrelated. Much like the looks of a beautiful coat are unrelated to it's ability to keep you warm.

 

[BournePerfect]

Quote:

No. They are combined and you buy them in one package, but they are still unrelated. Much like the looks of a beautiful coat are unrelated to it's ability to keep you warm.

 
Yes. If it's a physical object, smartypants, then by it's nature it has beauty, or perhaps a different subjective physical attribute-regardless of whether or not it's audio gear or otherwise. Who's to say my Eximus is any more beautiful than say, a Benchmark?
 
-Daniel

 

[AnakChan]

unspool made no mention of relationship. He/she mentioned compatibility. I'm not certain why the topic of relationship came up. And I wonder if carrying on this is really adding value to this thread.

 

[Kees]

Quote:

 
Yes. If it's a physical object, smartypants, then by it's nature it has beauty, or perhaps a different subjective physical attribute-regardless of whether or not it's audio gear or otherwise. Who's to say my Eximus is any more beautiful than say, a Benchmark?
 
-Daniel

And that discussion is unrelated to audio. My point exactly, I think you've got it (Smartypants?).

 

[purrin]

What if the shiny cups result in a very real placebo effect. Or simply makes one feel good and thus more able to relax to enjoy the audible experience?

 

[tokendog]

I am really confused.
 
The LCD-3 cost 1,995.  The TH-900 cost 2,000.  Most reviews imply that the TH-900 sounds comparable if not better than the LCD-3.
 
Most reviews, including my own, imply that while the LCD-3 sound better than the LCD-2s, the performance increase doesn't justify the price increase of $1,000.
 
Yet the TH-900s, which sound comparable, if not better, and have even added an actual design element that in and of itself warrants the drastic price increase (considering urushi work is usually expensive, or so I've seen), and people are making a big deal about the price because of it?
 
I'm thankful that the TH-900s appear to have the sound quality of the LCD-3s, better comfort, and materials that ACTUALLY justify the cost.  
 
A lot of products on the market may give you great performance, but the price of the materials to build it is FAR less than the final asking price... the Fostex seems to give you great performance AND use high quality parts with rare master-level workmanship at the same cost as other newer flagship models.
 
Am I mistaken in my perspective?  I just don't understand why people are analyzing it.  The price point has already been reached before, but without the same level of parts and workmanship put in to it...and people are trying to figure out why?

 

[AnakChan]

Quote:

I am really confused.
 
The LCD-3 cost 1,995.  The TH-900 cost 2,000.  Most reviews imply that the TH-900 sounds comparable if not better than the LCD-3.
 
Most reviews, including my own, imply that while the LCD-3 sound better than the LCD-2s, the performance increase doesn't justify the price increase of $1,000.
 
Yet the TH-900s, which sound comparable, if not better, and have even added an actual design element that in and of itself warrants the drastic price increase (considering urushi work is usually expensive, or so I've seen), and people are making a big deal about the price because of it?
 
I'm thankful that the TH-900s appear to have the sound quality of the LCD-3s, better comfort, and materials that ACTUALLY justify the cost.  
 
A lot of products on the market may give you great performance, but the price of the materials to build it is FAR less than the final asking price... the Fostex seems to give you great performance AND use high quality parts with rare master-level workmanship at the same cost as other newer flagship models.
 
Am I mistaken in my perspective?  I just don't understand why people are analyzing it.  The price point has already been reached before, but without the same level of parts and workmanship put in to it...and people are trying to figure out why?

 
A lot of it is relative to where you live. So in the US, yes it's $2000 for the TH-900 and for the LCD-3 (and shockingly, for the RRP of the Ultrasone Edition 8 Limited Edition!!). In Japan, the TH-900s are equivalent of $1807, whilst the LCD-3 is a whopping $2804 in the shops here.

 

[Audiowood]

Alright I risk derailing the thread but just for the fun of it, here is one Urushi coated camera .. sorry I can't help it

 
Price:$14,999.00. Buy here http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/821719-REG/Pentax_17988_645D_Digital_Camera_Limited.html.
 

 

[brams]

This is my first post, but I have been following this thread for a while. 
 
First of all my thanks to Muppetface and her well written intitial review that prompted me to take a chance on these incredible cans which have now become my favorite after previously owning the LCD2 rev. 1, HD800 and the HE-6.  IMO her review was spot on to what I hear except that I really do not hear the mild midrange suckout that some have.  For me the TH900 does everything I want, but having said that I did send my unit in to Lawton Audio to be modded.  Why?  Inate curiosity. 
 
As an engineer and someone heavily involved in manufacturing and business management I know that all products are a compromise to some extent, many times to hit a price point, sometimes to deal with practicalities in mass manufacturing.  In this case Fostex appears to have put a lot of money into making the cups look pretty (and they are) with the bulk of the audible improvement over the previous Denon units coming from the improved driver.  Given this, basically I am curious to hear what if anything can be done to extend their incredible performance by someone who has had experience doing this with the Denon models on which the unit is closely based.  At this level even subtle changes can make a substantial difference to the listening experience and can at times spell the difference between something that is merely very good or great.  Unfortunately, it is also usually the case that at this level of performance the law of diminishing returns has usually kicked in big time by the time these differences become relevant.  The other thing I have learnt over the years is that you really do not know what you are missing until you hear it.  This is why I really do take the opinions of those with the inclination to amass large equipment collections seriously: they simply have a much better basis for comparison than I ever could.
 
I do not know and have never met Mark Lawton, but after a few exchange of emails and some trepidation on my part I do feel comfortable to let him "have at it".  The fact that I will be able to retain the original cups and cabling was a factor in my decision and I do view the ability to personalize the unit with custom cups as a benefit.  In fact as long as custom cups do not change the signature appreciably, if at all (MF's comments once again are actually reassuring in this regard) I can use the custom cups in public with less fear of scratching the Urushi works of art.  Those who do not like the look of the Urushi cups (irrrespective of the effort and cost to make them: I personally appreciate the workmanship more than I like the look, but it is growing on me) will at least have an option. Incidentally, those into woodworking might appreciate that the custom cups actually do take quite some time to achieve the level of finishing shown on the Lawton Audio website.  I suspect his margin on those items may be slimmer than some believe!
 
What I am having done is the "full monty":  tuning, balanced cabling, leather ear pads and eventually backup cups.  In the spirit if full disclosure I will say up front that for the priviledge of being the first to take a chance with modding the TH900 Mark did offer me a discount on some items.  Will it be an enhanced TH900 after he is done or something that is somehat less then the original?  This remains to be seen and heard. Nevertheless, I am willing to take the chance .. just because I am curious; the same reason why I and I suspect many others keep trying different equipment. 
 
My unit will be completed in a few weeks.  Ironically, I do not know if I will be able to provide valid impressions as I will have no means of comparing the modded unit to the original!  I do hope I still like them though ...