Well, here's my 2 cents worth...
This was a really enjoyable time. I had great fun meeting Tyll and all of the REALLY big head-fi names--Kelly, Flumpus, and Nick. These guys really know about headphones and amps! I ESPECIALLY look forward to the next Dallas meet, where I hope to attend for the first time!
Tyll was VERY gracious and helpful. It's refreshing to know that a corporation prez really cares about the COMMON folk.
I really don't have much to add that hasn't already been said, except...
Boy, that Meridian 580 was one HECK of a CD player--smooth, perfectly balanced, yet revealing.
Regarding the HD600 cable thing, MY take was that the Cardas was the winner, although I can certainly understand others preferring either the Clou or Equinox. All three are definate improvements over the stock cables. To my ears, though, the Cardas really opened up EVERYTHING from top to bottom, and at the same time were smooth and perfectly balanced.
Yes, I have to agree with Kelly that the Orpheus was the outright winner---it had the great dynamics without even a hint of harshness, yet it didn't sound artificial at all. I also loved the EAR HP4 previously mentioned by Flumpus as his favorite.
Finally, after spending five hours (yes, FIVE) listening to all of this stuff, I must say that there was quite a bit of equipment I wouldn't mind having. Being limited to a budget, however, I managed to get out of there having ordered JUST a Maxed Out Home with reference module and stepped attenuators, plus a Cardas replacement cable (well, I actually ordered it today)!!
P.S. I incorrectly told the guys at the meet that my Head-Fi callsign was 2dparrish. Well, it ISN'T, as you can plainly see--it's dparrish. Anyway, I didn't lie on purpose. Now, I've got to work on getting a picture to go with the callsign...