globalbee
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2003
- Posts
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- 10
A few more thoughts after listening to the Qualia 010’s.
With my existing setup, the Qualia 010’s can make quite a few CD’s sound a bit digital. On some CD’s, the resulting sound is extremely digital. That is the sorry state of affairs for some 16/44.1 recordings. Some tube rolling may improve this to the level of acceptability. Right now I just wince, remove the CD and try another.
That’s the bad news, and it is an issue.
The great news is when something like a Gold MFSL CD is played. Those CD’s have a wonderfully warm sound that take advantage of the Qualia’s. Playing them has been a complete joy. It’s that’s experience when you are surprised that the recording is over. It happens so quickly. Lost in pure pleasure.
In rotation have been the following:
MFSL Simon & Garfunkel: Bookends
MFSL Cat Stevens: Teaser and Firecat
MFSL SACD Aimee Mann: Lost in Space
Analogue Productions 24K Gold Limited Edition Janis Ian: Breaking Silence
DCC 24K Gold Disc Joni Mitchell: Blue
Capital SACD Pink Floyd: Dark Side Of The Moon
On each piece, I could go on a rant about subtle things being heard for the first time. The holographic haunting background vocals on Bookend’s “Save The Life Of My Child”. How Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel’s voices subtlety blend together in the beginning of “America”. The echo affect of the word “me” in “Fakin’ IT”. The fragility of Janis Ian’s voice can be realized. Too many to mention right now.
After days of 010 listening, the Orpheus was played with several of the same CD’s. Initial reaction was the Orpheus has richer and fuller mid’s. That’s very true. The Orpheus is definitely more euphonic. The Orpheus does not have the resolution and soundstage of the 010’s. It’s not close. Poor quality CD’s sound much better on the Orpheus. I prefer the Qualia 010 with Maestro ZR on the aforementioned CD’s. Not on some others. The blame should be with those CD’s.
Once again, digital sounding CD recordings make the 010’s mid’s a nightmare. Maybe the incoming tubes will improve this. Add a bit of bloom to the 010’s. It’s wait and see.
Right now I am listening to Dark Side Of The Moon. The Qualia 010 and Maestro ZR absolutely do justice to this masterpiece. This recording demands articulation, extention, transparency and a huge soundstage. Can any other headphone and amp combination come near to what I am now hearing? I seriously doubt it. Never liked the Dark Side Of The Moon on headphones before tonight.
So maybe the thought is save some of my other favorite CD’s for the Orpheus. Kickback with the 010’s for some of the spectacular recordings.
With my existing setup, the Qualia 010’s can make quite a few CD’s sound a bit digital. On some CD’s, the resulting sound is extremely digital. That is the sorry state of affairs for some 16/44.1 recordings. Some tube rolling may improve this to the level of acceptability. Right now I just wince, remove the CD and try another.
That’s the bad news, and it is an issue.
The great news is when something like a Gold MFSL CD is played. Those CD’s have a wonderfully warm sound that take advantage of the Qualia’s. Playing them has been a complete joy. It’s that’s experience when you are surprised that the recording is over. It happens so quickly. Lost in pure pleasure.
In rotation have been the following:
MFSL Simon & Garfunkel: Bookends
MFSL Cat Stevens: Teaser and Firecat
MFSL SACD Aimee Mann: Lost in Space
Analogue Productions 24K Gold Limited Edition Janis Ian: Breaking Silence
DCC 24K Gold Disc Joni Mitchell: Blue
Capital SACD Pink Floyd: Dark Side Of The Moon
On each piece, I could go on a rant about subtle things being heard for the first time. The holographic haunting background vocals on Bookend’s “Save The Life Of My Child”. How Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel’s voices subtlety blend together in the beginning of “America”. The echo affect of the word “me” in “Fakin’ IT”. The fragility of Janis Ian’s voice can be realized. Too many to mention right now.
After days of 010 listening, the Orpheus was played with several of the same CD’s. Initial reaction was the Orpheus has richer and fuller mid’s. That’s very true. The Orpheus is definitely more euphonic. The Orpheus does not have the resolution and soundstage of the 010’s. It’s not close. Poor quality CD’s sound much better on the Orpheus. I prefer the Qualia 010 with Maestro ZR on the aforementioned CD’s. Not on some others. The blame should be with those CD’s.
Once again, digital sounding CD recordings make the 010’s mid’s a nightmare. Maybe the incoming tubes will improve this. Add a bit of bloom to the 010’s. It’s wait and see.
Right now I am listening to Dark Side Of The Moon. The Qualia 010 and Maestro ZR absolutely do justice to this masterpiece. This recording demands articulation, extention, transparency and a huge soundstage. Can any other headphone and amp combination come near to what I am now hearing? I seriously doubt it. Never liked the Dark Side Of The Moon on headphones before tonight.
So maybe the thought is save some of my other favorite CD’s for the Orpheus. Kickback with the 010’s for some of the spectacular recordings.