A key ingredient to my astonishment / delight with the RA-1 is the dynamic range and the retention of detail retrieval across that range. So much for needing a ‘megadollar’ external LPS…
Look at Audiogd. They have everything. Big alucase, big trafo, balanced all the way...you name it, they have it twice and for a fair price. To bad I can't stand them for more then 5 minutes. But most of the buyers would purchase an Audiogd because of it's build. (And then leave the hobby if because it´s not fun somehow anymore.)
So why not doing the cables inhouse? It‘s a simple 6 feet PVC (ok, maybe something special) hose, where they fiddle, starting from y end, 4, 8 or 12 wires in.
I think, we all agree with the sound and retro shape/cup design. Wouldn't it be great if Grado could offer the standard model and offer detachable cable/alternate headbands, sliders, the yokes at reasonably priced optional extras?
The 125 total seems very very low. I believe they were sold on the Grado 4ourears website at different times/years. They sold out once when released, then they came back a year or so later available and sold out quite fast again.
I was finally able to find one that wasn't crazy priced. The box needed a little bit of work but with some feed and wax and wood glue it's in pretty decent shape. It's a very thoughtful design. The box reminds me a lot of Booker's Bourbon for which I have an affinity (when I can find it and can spare c-note to waste on a bottle of hooch). The travel pouch actually is pretty similar to what I came up with on the drawing table as my cable pouch design: boldly embroidered heavyweight canvas with a zipper top. They used a nice waxed canvas and a YKK zipper, I chose to add a nice plaid-patterned liner and a less costly zipper as heavy duty YKKs cost tons you have to buy hundreds of something, but maybe they'll make it on the next run. I think we were both inspired by Filson (or perhaps Frost River or Orvis).
The wood cups are still in great shape as they are sealed. I was able to check out the venting on the back. Someone was also thoughtful enough to increase the cable length to ~8 feet on these.
Anyway, very pleased to have finally found a copy of my most desired custom run.
• I prefer RS1x to the Hemp overall: detail, dynamics, imaging. I own both RS1x and Hemp.
• Hemp is a musically genuine and fun headphone without glaring weaknesses. There are recordings (CD) where I prefer Hemp to RS1x - I do not use equalisation.
• If you can own both, own both. Each is rewarding in its own way and each does not displace the other.
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