[aamefford]

@RyanDJ1,  I kind of agree with @swspiers on this.  Skepticism is good.  Out and out disregard, not so much.  Keep an open mind.  I am a Mr. Speakers fanboy, so a little of that is poking through.  Here's my take:
 
1) it is a premium product - margin is likely a bit higher.  Or not, knowing Dan.  Just a guess.
2) I suspect there is a "not insignificant" risk of loss to drivers, and even greater risk with the upgrades.  The cost of the headphones have to cover this.
3) R&D Costs.
4) If the Alpha Dogs sound good to you, and IF the Primes really do sound better (early reports say "yes"), and retain the house sound - it may be a worthwhile upgrade for you.  If you never really liked the Alpha Dogs, this might not be so good an idea.
5) Audeze LCD2.x - I get the comparison, and it is a legitimate one.  I never have liked them all that well, so it holds less weight with me, but I do totally get it.  The LCD3 and LCD-X on the other hand, I like quite a bit, but they are significantly more expensive.  Oddly, I don't like the LCD-XC as well as I like the Alpha Dogs.
6) $1,000.00 plus headphones?  Seriously?  We are all wack-jobs anyway for spending that kind of money on headphones.  Viewed like that - a $999.00 mod could be a bargain if you like them.
 
As to liking them, I bet that I will, I started the Mr. Speakers ride just as the MD's with Dog Pads came out.  I paid up front to be an Alpha Prime upgrade guinea pig.  Yup, "my name is aamefford, and I'm a Mr. Speakers fanboy, and headphone wack-job."
"Hi aamefford.  Welcome...."

 

[musicman59]

  @RyanDJ1,  I kind of agree with @swspiers on this.  Skepticism is good.  Out and out disregard, not so much.  Keep an open mind.  I am a Mr. Speakers fanboy, so a little of that is poking through.  Here's my take:
 
1) it is a premium product - margin is likely a bit higher.  Or not, knowing Dan.  Just a guess.
2) I suspect there is a "not insignificant" risk of loss to drivers, and even greater risk with the upgrades.  The cost of the headphones have to cover this.
3) R&D Costs.
4) If the Alpha Dogs sound good to you, and IF the Primes really do sound better (early reports say "yes"), and retain the house sound - it may be a worthwhile upgrade for you.  If you never really liked the Alpha Dogs, this might not be so good an idea.
5) Audeze LCD2.x - I get the comparison, and it is a legitimate one.  I never have liked them all that well, so it holds less weight with me, but I do totally get it.  The LCD3 and LCD-X on the other hand, I like quite a bit, but they are significantly more expensive.  Oddly, I don't like the LCD-XC as well as I like the Alpha Dogs.
6) $1,000.00 plus headphones?  Seriously?  We are all wack-jobs anyway for spending that kind of money on headphones.  Viewed like that - a $999.00 mod could be a bargain if you like them.
 
As to liking them, I bet that I will, I started the Mr. Speakers ride just as the MD's with Dog Pads came out.  I paid up front to be an Alpha Prime upgrade guinea pig.  Yup, "my name is aamefford, and I'm a Mr. Speakers fanboy, and headphone wack-job."
"Hi aamefford.  Welcome...."

Where do we send you the Alpha Prime Chip? 

 

[aamefford]

Where do we send you the Alpha Prime Chip? 

Oh that would be cool!

 

[musicman59]

YEAH!!! I just got my AP shipping notification! 

 

[Souljacker]

After reading those great impressions I'm taking a step into the unknown and buying the AP.
This will be an upgrade from my current HD595 I've got for years.
 
What would be a good amp/dac setup for the AP with a budget around $800.
 
asgard 2/bifrost combo
NFB-28
 
or (with cable upgrade)
o2+odac
NFB-11
 
 
... something else

 

[cavis]

I never heard closed headphones !
I had Stax Lambda, Omega 2, Sennheiser Hd600, 650, 800, Hifiman He5 and 6, TakeTH2+ and a Ergo AMT is coming end of this week.
I power with Questyle monoblocks and/or Muse speakers amp, driven from Einstein the Tube preamp.
Source is Accuphase DP90/DC91 combo.
I only listen to classical music (about 6 or 7000 cd's)
I am a bit puzzled with Alpha Prime, especially since a headfier has compared it favorably with Stax Sr009.
As classical music listener, I need soundstage, truth and real liquid sound (not interested with bass, medium or treble "per se") = music as in concert hall.
Do you, Dr Speakers fans, think these phones are for me ?
Thanks for helping !

 

[Frank I]

  YEAH!!! I just got my AP shipping notification! 

YAY!!!!  Glad they are on their way my friend.

 

[CasperBxl]

I am patiently waiting for news about mine. 
 
No stress at all ...  meetings at work went quite normal ...  
 

 
Strange thing is ... I want them to be great, made from the hart by an artist like Dan and his people.
So ... I can wait ... but people better be nice to me the coming days!  

 

[swspiers]

I never heard closed headphones !
I had Stax Lambda, Omega 2, Sennheiser Hd600, 650, 800, Hifiman He5 and 6, TakeTH2+ and a Ergo AMT is coming end of this week.
I power with Questyle monoblocks and/or Muse speakers amp, driven from Einstein the Tube preamp.
Source is Accuphase DP90/DC91 combo.
I only listen to classical music (about 6 or 7000 cd's)
I am a bit puzzled with Alpha Prime, especially since a headfier has compared it favorably with Stax Sr009.
As classical music listener, I need soundstage, truth and real liquid sound (not interested with bass, medium or treble "per se") = music as in concert hall.
Do you, Dr Speakers fans, think these phones are for me ?
Thanks for helping !

My guess, since I'm upgrading, is yes.
 
I felt for $599 the Dogs hit most of the areas you're interested in, with the one exception being soundstage.  The Dogs are extremely good for a closed can.  I'm hoping the Prime is good for a headphone, closed or open.  Initial impressions kinda suggest they are.

 

[musicman59]

I never heard closed headphones !
I had Stax Lambda, Omega 2, Sennheiser Hd600, 650, 800, Hifiman He5 and 6, TakeTH2+ and a Ergo AMT is coming end of this week.
I power with Questyle monoblocks and/or Muse speakers amp, driven from Einstein the Tube preamp.
Source is Accuphase DP90/DC91 combo.
I only listen to classical music (about 6 or 7000 cd's)
I am a bit puzzled with Alpha Prime, especially since a headfier has compared it favorably with Stax Sr009.
As classical music listener, I need soundstage, truth and real liquid sound (not interested with bass, medium or treble "per se") = music as in concert hall.
Do you, Dr Speakers fans, think these phones are for me ?
Thanks for helping !

I own the SR009, HD800, HD600 and HE-6 from that list. I still don't have the Alpha Prime with me but I did own the Alpha Dog (sold them to buy the Prime) but I did listen to the Prime for a little bit last week.
 
Even that the AP and AP have great soundstage presentation for a closed headphone they are still closed and IMO will never have the same openness as the HD800 or SR009. IMO there is nothing like the SR009 with a good tube amplifier but then you are talking about $10K or so investment. The HD800 is one of my favorites but only when used with a good OCC Copper wire otherwise I personally find them a little bright. I am using my HD800 with a Zeus cable and they also have the wires form the connectors to the drivers of the same wire used in the Zeus. With my McIntosh MHA100 they sound fantastic and probably the best I have heard them.
 
the AD sounded very good with the MHA100 too but the soundstage is not as big as with the HD800 but on the other hand the sound more dynamic probably because of the enclosure.
 
Of closed headphones I have owned the DX1000, D5000, D7000, Edition 9 and still own a modified version of the D2000 and also the W3000ANV. i have listened to the TH600 (Ipersonally did not care for them) but I have never listen to the TH900.
 
IMO and based on your description of sound preference if you want a pair of closed headphones with no exaggeration on any frequency and good soundstage I would go for the AD or AP. 

 

[chasmanian]

  After reading those great impressions I'm taking a step into the unknown and buying the AP.
This will be an upgrade from my current HD595 I've got for years.
 
What would be a good amp/dac setup for the AP with a budget around $800.
 
asgard 2/bifrost combo
NFB-28
 
or (with cable upgrade)
o2+odac
NFB-11
 
 
... something else

I am new to this high end stuff. 
felt like helping you by telling you that it was recommended to me to get a Lyr 2 for my AP's (on order).
I know that will put you a little over budget if you get an uber Bifrost.
but it might be worth it???

 

[swspiers]

  After reading those great impressions I'm taking a step into the unknown and buying the AP.
This will be an upgrade from my current HD595 I've got for years.
 
What would be a good amp/dac setup for the AP with a budget around $800.
 
asgard 2/bifrost combo
NFB-28
 
NFB-11
 
 
or (with cable upgrade)
o2+odac
... something else

Pandoras box, my friend.  Ask any 5 of us that question over the next 6 months, and you're likely to get about 20 answers!
 
Both rigs you listed are very good, and have many fans.  I really don't think either one would be a mistake.  And welcome the Head-Fi

 

[Souljacker]

  I am new to this high end stuff. 
felt like helping you by telling you that it was recommended to me to get a Lyr 2 for my AP's (on order).
I know that will put you a little over budget if you get an uber Bifrost.
but it might be worth it???

 
I was also thinking about the Lyr 2, very good impressions on that amp.
Only problem is that most people with a Lyr 2 don't use stock tubes.
So buying extra tubes ... $$$

 

[mrspeakers]

I was also thinking about the Lyr 2, very good impressions on that amp.
Only problem is that most people with a Lyr 2 don't use stock tubes.
So buying extra tubes ... $$$

A matched set of Bugle Boy tubes is about $60 and Tungsram ec88 are about $30.

 

[john57]

   
I was also thinking about the Lyr 2, very good impressions on that amp.
Only problem is that most people with a Lyr 2 don't use stock tubes.
So buying extra tubes ... $$$

Do you notice that in the video link I gave earlier about the making of the Alpha cups that Dan has a Lyr lurking in the background? I have one also. The NFB equipment can do DSD and DXD only if that is important to you. Never had owned any of the Audio-GD equipment.