L.A. Meet Treasure Hunt Giveaway
Since it's not really a raffle... and more like a giveaway (as we're not selling tickets)... let's just call it what it is. So, here's the lowdown on the prizes and how the giveaway works.
The Prizes
(current as of Thursday, July 31st, 2014)
Wow! Look at all this stuff!
Apogee Digital
Prize: Apogee One for iPad + Mac
Value: $349
Don't be fooled by it's slick iDevice-like appearance, this is some serious pro audio gear... with all that such entails (pristine sound quality). Go audition it at Apogee's table and you'll want one.
Audeze
Prize: LCD-2 w/Fazor in Bamboo
Value: $995
For the third time in a row, Audeze is showing the love for Head-Fiers by throwing in a new LCD-2 w/Fazor. BTW, if you haven't heard this new LCD-2, you only *think* you know what an LCD-2 sounds like. Go check it out at Audeze's table, and you'll realize just how much better it is!
Audio Nerd
Prize: $200 Gift Certificate
Value: $200 (duh)
Not familiar with Audio Nerd or its proprietor Steve Holt? Well then you're missing out. Imagine if you started a store with only good sounding gear (not just "status" gear), loads of vinyl, and staffed it with people that truly loved music just like you. That's Audio Nerd.
Brooks Berdan Ltd.
Prize: Grado Labs SR-80 Headphone
Value: $99
Certainly no stranger to SoCal Hi-Fi enthusiasts, Brooks Berdan joins us for the first time. They hosted the recent West Coast debut of the VPI Nomad, so it's a good bet that they'll have Nomads available for audition. BTW, I've heard it remarked that Nomads were voiced with Grado headphones, so the SR-80 makes total sense here.
Darin Fong Audio
Prize: Out of Your Head Software package w/all 22 presets
Value: $600
For the third time in a row, Darin Fong and crew join us to demo his incredible software that frees you from that in-head sound that ALL headphones possess to some degree. And this isn't just the basic software package either, he's including all 22 presets!
Grace Design
Prize: A new gravity-defying headphone stand!
Value: ???
We hate to be all cryptic about this, but honestly we just have no idea about this. It's new, it hasn't been released, and all of us are going to be the first to check out a prototype of it at the meet. Still, it's "gravity-defying" - when's the last time you didn't want a "gravity-defying" anything, no matter what it is?
HiFiMAN
Prize: HM-700 DAP & RE-600b IEM
Value: $499
Yeah, that's right, HiFiMAN is giving away AN ENTIRE PORTABLE RIG! I can't say how any of it sounds since I haven't auditioned it. But again, just to reiterate... Entire. Portable. Rig.
Light Harmonic
Prize: Geek Out 450
Value: $199
This is the USB-stick DAC/amp that turned me around on USB-stick DAC/amps... so much so, that I had to give it a Positive Feedback Writers' Choice award. The only drawback for me is that the thing is kinda hot... like it makes my DACport LX seem frigid. Whatever, it's Class A. That's what Class A do. Still sounds fantastic!
Massdrop
Prize: Sennheiser HD 800
Value: $1,499.95
No, we are not screwing with you. It took a while, but someone finally knocked Audeze and WyWires off the top-prize-donor list. This generous prize alone is worth the time and effort of doing the treasure hunt. Thanks guys!
MrSpeakers
Prize: Mad Dog Headphone
Value: $299.99
The one and only original Mad Dog headphone, now with Alpha Pads and Comfort Strap. Don't miss your chance to win this classic! BTW, MrSpeakers has been consistently selling out of Alpha Dogs at all the meets and shows he has been to. So while you're there getting your card validated... if you've been wanting an Alpha Dog.. just buy the damned thing already. He has them on show special.
Noble Audio
Prize: Noble 4 Universal IEM
Value: $450
I'm actually reviewing these right now. And lemme tell you, it's pretty darned good! I was afraid that it would be all bassy and stuff. But it surprised me by being unexpectedly neutral (enough) and surprisingly flat (enough), while still being fun to listen to. It's a pretty sweet prize to be sure.
Oppo Digital
Prize: PM-2 Headphone
Value: $699
Technically, these aren't even out yet. I myself have not heard them, but my fellow Audio360ers who have say they're pretty good. I'll check them out at the meet, so that I can write up a better prize description for next time (hint to Oppo ).
plussound
Prize: Interconnect Cable Set
Value: ???
Honestly, I have no idea. Sorree.
Schiit Audio
Prizes: Bifrost DAC + Asgard 2 amp stack
Value: $598
**** me, that's some crazy Schiit right there. This is, like, a whole freakin' rig that they are giving away. Actually, it's EXACTLY a whole freakin' rig that they are giving away. The only thing missing is a pair of headphones - and NONE OF YOU can tell me you don't already have a pair - so don't even think about whining.
Sennheiser
Prize: Night + Day Pack (Amperior + HD25)
Value: Who knows? It's all limited edition and stuff.
Sennheiser's HD 25-1-II is one of my all time favorite portable cans. And like Tyll, I'm one of those guys that hears a profound improvement in the Amperior (no idea which tosser discontinued it, but whatever). Anyway, for me, this prize is very much coveted and desired. Unfortunately, I'm ineligible for the giveaway... so Ima be giving one of y'all some dirty looks on the way out m'kay?
warrenpchi (kinda)
Prizes: A collection of rare music CD
Value: $150
As it turns out, it looks like I will be part of the giveaway after all. An amp manufacturer - who has asked to be kept absolutely secret and anonymous - has asked me to help them get impressions of their new prototype... so I'm putting all of you to work. Here's your chance to hear something WAY before it is released, and to help voice it with your impressions. For your trouble, I have secured a bunch of music from an LAOCAS buddy to add to the giveway.
Woo Audio
Prize: Universal Adjustable Height Aluminum Headphone Stand (Silver)
I have one of these suckers myself, and it's probably one of the most stable and heavy-duty headphone stands there is. Put it this way, I hang my LCD-XC on it, and it doesn't even blink from the weight. It's so solid, that you can use it as an ad hoc weapon for the coming zombie apocalypse.
WyWires
Prize: $1,000 Gift Certificate
Value: $1,000 (duh)
I love WyWires cable! Consistently noticeable improvements, at super-reasonable prices, so this $1,000 gift cert will go a LOOONNNNG way. It's enough to recable your entire rig. And their willingness to cater to your custom needs must be experienced to be believed.
Well, there you have it! These are some pretty fantastic prizes... thanks to all of the exhibitors above for providing them! You guys rock!
All told, we're talking about well over $8,000 in prizes. FYI, based on expected attendance and average giveaway participation rates, your odds of winning are better than 1:10. So if you're still thinking about skipping this meet... Ima tell you right now... you're an idiot.
How To Enter:
1. Pick-Up your Official 2014 L.A Head-Fi Meet giveaway validation card.
This is pretty easy. When you come to sign-in at the registration desk, you'll be picking up a meet badge. On the back of your badge, you will see the giveaway validation card that you'll be taking take with you throughout the meet. This giveaway validation card will contain the logos of every exhibitor that is participating in the giveaway (i.e. donating a prize). To keep the odds of winning favorable for everyone, there will be only one entry per attendee.
2. Get your giveaway validation card filled out.
As you make your way through the meet, make sure to stop by
each and every participating exhibitor. They will have some kind of task for you to complete. This can range from auditioning a specific item, to opting-in some info, to bequeathing your firstborn. Once you complete the task, you will receive a mark on your giveaway validation card for that exhibitor.
3. Turn-in your completed giveaway validation card.
Once you have your giveaway validation card
completely filled-in, turn it into a meet volunteer at the registration desk. They'll verify that you've completed the treasure hunt, and then give you an ACTUAL entry ticket. Giveaway validation cards will be accepted until 4:59p (because the giveaway announcements will start promptly at 5:00p as soon as the meet is over).
4. None of the stuff in Step 2 (getting your giveaway validation card filled out) applies to members sharing gear via table space) or meet volunteers.
Based on feedback from the 2014 SoCal Meet, we recognize that members tending to their rigs and meet volunteers don't have time to go on the treasure hunt. No worries. Come see third_eye or myself (warrenpchi), and we will auto-validate your entry.
5. Exhibitors (and their staff) are ineligible.
Pretty self-explanatory. So for all of you exhibitors out there, do NOT validate anyone's card if they have an exhibitors' badge.
How To Win & Claim Your Prize:
1. Show-up at the giveaway drawing to see if your number is called.
We will begin the drawing at 5:00p. If the number on your giveaway entry ticket matches the number called, YOU WIN! BTW, you must be present to claim your prize. If you are not, then another winner will be drawn. We are completionists and MUST have closure.
2. Decide to claim your prize or possibly go for something bigger.
If your number is called, you can choose to claim that prize, or pass on it in an attempt to win one of the other prizes. Is a bird in the hand worth as much as – um – a different bird in the bush maybe? Only you can decide.
3. Assuming you decided to claim your prize, gloat.
Make an "L" on your forehead, do a victory dance, taunt the rest of us, whatever. The fates have smiled upon you that day, and you won it fair and square. Just don't be caught alone in the parking lot after m'kay?
Oh, and just so you can be sure this is legit, here's some legalese for you: Only one prize per winner. Once you win (and accept your prize), you're done. Neither Head-Fi.org nor the meet's officials and volunteers warrant anything regarding the prizes in any way. We're kinda serious about that firstborn thing BTW. Good luck!
