[MattTCG]

To my ears the treble is certainly there on the pm-1. My hd650 is certainly a darker hp when it comes to treble presence. The hd800 is certainly brighter and more treble energetic than than the pm-1. But I don't feel that I'm missing and details or any of the music when I listen with the pm-1. 
 
It's a well executed design functionally, aesthetically and musically. It doesn't punch as hard as the lcd2, but it puts you in the same neighborhood. The overall sound signature is very cohesive and blends well. It just sounds "right" with nothing wonky or strange about it. Good speed on complex music and the decay seems quick. 
 
It's an interesting hp. I can't think of other flagships that could be driven so easily with maybe the exception of the d7k. Some might turn their noses up because it doesn't need a powerful amp like the he6...not me. I just sit back and enjoy the music with this fine hp. 

 

[vkalia]

Continuing my impressions with the PM1 - where it absolutely superb is with jazz.   There I dont find the LCD2s to be as strong;  the HD800s are very good here and so are the PM1s.   I am not a huge jazz fan, i have to admit, having a relatively small collection and really liking an even smaller subset of it, but the PM1s made Charlie Parker come alive!   
 
It also does a better job of rendering my old Furtwangler and Toscanini albums than either the LCD2s or the HD800s - until now, I have limited myself to listening to these off my 2A3 SET amp and speakers, but today, for the first time, i actually enjoyed the Lucerne performance on headphones.    That smooth, relaxed sound again.    
 
So, for those keeping track so far:
Classical:   LCD2 > PM1   (except with the old, vintage recordings)
Jazz:  PM1 > LCD2
 
Also, with regards to "hearing treble details" - it isnt just about that.   Only audiophiles listen to bass, mids and treble separately;  most music fans listen to them as an integrated whole.  For them, it isnt about the perception of highs, but how accurate those highs sound.    As I've mentioned before, with many instruments, the "leading edge" of the sound falls in the treble range even if the main note is in the mids - and a change in treble response affects how the timbre of that instrument is perceived.   Too much is egregious - it sounds painful and fatiguing.   Too little makes the instrument sound... well, recorded and not real.    
 
However, it is very hard to judge exactly what is the Goldilocks standard (just right), as people do perceive treble differently, and if you are going to err somewhere, better to err on the side of excessive warmth.    

 

[MattTCG]

I'm a huge fan of jazz, both old and new. The pm-1 does very well with jazz. Bill Evans to Diana Krall all sound wonderful. 

 

[Xenophon]

  Continuing my impressions with the PM1 - where it absolutely superb is with jazz.   There I dont find the LCD2s to be as strong;  the HD800s are very good here and so are the PM1s.   I am not a huge jazz fan, i have to admit, having a relatively small collection and really liking an even smaller subset of it, but the PM1s made Charlie Parker come alive!   
 
It also does a better job of rendering my old Furtwangler and Toscanini albums than either the LCD2s or the HD800s - until now, I have limited myself to listening to these off my 2A3 SET amp and speakers, but today, for the first time, i actually enjoyed the Lucerne performance on headphones.    That smooth, relaxed sound again.    
 
So, for those keeping track so far:
Classical:   LCD2 > PM1   (except with the old, vintage recordings)
Jazz:  PM1 > LCD2
 
Also, with regards to "hearing treble details" - it isnt just about that.   Only audiophiles listen to bass, mids and treble separately;  most music fans listen to them as an integrated whole.  For them, it isnt about the perception of highs, but how accurate those highs sound.    As I've mentioned before, with many instruments, the "leading edge" of the sound falls in the treble range even if the main note is in the mids - and a change in treble response affects how the timbre of that instrument is perceived.   Too much is egregious - it sounds painful and fatiguing.   Too little makes the instrument sound... well, recorded and not real.    
 
However, it is very hard to judge exactly what is the Goldilocks standard (just right), as people do perceive treble differently, and if you are going to err somewhere, better to err on the side of excessive warmth.    

I see you have the HE-500 in your signature.  How do these compare to the PM1?  Going by what I read here and by MattTCG's comment on the good pairing for jazz I suspect they might be close though at the price the PM1 should clearly have the lead.

 

[randyb]

I sold my he500 and after listening some more my opinion...just an opinion is the oppo is much better than the Audeze LCD X still testing against the senn800.

 

[randyb]

I do love things about the audeze but I don't think it is what was in the original mix....again an old guy just listening.

Been listening to live recordings who I am familiar with the band.

 

[vkalia]

  I see you have the HE-500 in your signature.  How do these compare to the PM1?  Going by what I read here and by MattTCG's comment on the good pairing for jazz I suspect they might be close though at the price the PM1 should clearly have the lead.

 
Off the top of my head, I am tempted to say the PM1.   However, I can do a comparison over this weekend, once i am home.   Would you prefer a comparison on a portable setup or a desktop setup?

 

[x RELIC x]

Why is 6 afraid of 7? Because seven eight nine!

Today is the long awaited release of the HA-1 Headphone Amplifier. Initial units will be in Black only, but Silver units will be available this June.

Spoiler: Press Release

OPPO Releases HA-1 Headphone Amplifier

High Performance Headphone Amplifier, Pre-Amplifier and USB DAC in One Unit



MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA--(Marketwired - May 7, 2014) - Shortly after the successful launch of its PM-1 planar magnetic headphones, OPPO Digital ([COLOR=0066CC]www.oppodigital.com[/COLOR]) released another member of its family of personal audio products today -- the HA-1 headphone amplifier.
OPPO Digital is well known for its reference quality universal Blu-ray Disc players, and the HA-1 headphone amplifier builds upon the success of the BDP-95 and BDP-105 audiophile players. Drawing upon the proven circuit design of these award-winning players, the HA-1 combines an uncompromising analog audio section with the latest technology in digital audio.
The analog audio section of the HA-1 is a fully balanced design with an emphasis on keeping the audio signal in the analog domain once it leaves the DAC. The HA-1 is anchored by a hefty toroidal power transformer, and linear power regulators and filters with custom made capacitors ensure that the headphone amplifier has a clean power source with plenty of reserve energy. The fully balanced Class A power amplification section uses hand-picked and paired discrete components to ensure symmetry, and a motor-driven precision volume control knob allows for both manual and remote control volume adjustment while keeping the audio in a pure analog audio path.
The HA-1 is especially suitable for high-resolution digital audio playback. Its digital inputs include coaxial, optical, balanced AES/EBU, and an asynchronous USB DAC. It is easy to connect the HA-1 to digital audio players or to a computer running the listener's favorite playback software. The USB DAC supports PCM audio up to 384 kHz 32-bit resolution and DSD audio up to 256x the CD sample rate. The same ESS 9018 Sabre³² Reference DAC and output driving stage used in OPPO audiophile Blu-ray players ensure extremely low noise and low distortion performance. The HA-1 is compatible with Apple's iPod, iPhone and iPad for use as an external DAC, enabling the listener to directly tap into digital music played from these devices. For additional convenience, the Bluetooth audio transport with high quality aptX CODEC sets music free from your mobile phones with a performance boost.
OPPO designs the HA-1 headphone amplifier with the same versatile approach as the Blu-ray players. The HA-1 is a high performance headphone amplifier, and it doubles as an asynchronous USB DAC, a stereo pre-amplifier, a digital audio dock for mobile devices, and a Bluetooth audio transport. Users have a choice of using the 4-pin balanced XLR or the traditional quarter-inch headphone jack. Line level analog inputs and outputs are provided with both RCA and balanced XLR sockets.
The HA-1 sports a classic design with contemporary elements. It is a desktop component housed in an aluminum chassis, and the familiar volume and source selection knobs are complemented by a 4.3-inch color screen for easy operation. While music is playing, the screen can show a classic VU meter, a modern spectrum display, or detailed technical information about the audio signal. A supplied IR remote and a smartphone app provide complete control and convenience.
With its exemplary sound quality, versatile connectivity, and energetic driving power, the HA-1 headphone amplifier is a good match with any high performance headphones or stereo sound system. The black version of the HA-1 is available now directly from OPPO Digital's web site at a retail price of $1199, and the silver version is estimated to be available in June.
* Trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

The MSRP for the HA-1 is $1,199 and will become available for purchase later this afternoon.

EDIT: You can now purchase the HA-1 Headphone Amplifier by clicking on this link

You can read more about the HA-1 by going to the dedicated HA-1 Headphone amplifier website.

Got my email notice today. 5 minutes later I am the proud pre-shipment owner of the HA-1! Can't wait to share my opinions!

By the way, I used to tell my children that joke! Classic.

 

[Xenophon]

   
Off the top of my head, I am tempted to say the PM1.   However, I can do a comparison over this weekend, once i am home.   Would you prefer a comparison on a portable setup or a desktop setup?

If I've got the luxury of choice then a desktop setup please.  Thanks, looking forward to it!

 

[vkalia]

  If I've got the luxury of choice then a desktop setup please.  Thanks, looking forward to it!

 
De nada.   That's what forums are for, helping each other out   Will listen to it on my Audio GD stack and post comments here (if I dont by Sunday night, feel free to PM me a reminder!).

 

[manzano804]

De nada.   That's what forums are for, helping each other out   Will listen to it on my Audio GD stack and post comments here (if I dont by Sunday night, feel free to PM me a reminder!).

Also looking forward for your comparisons between PM-1 and HE 500 .

 

[MattTCG]

Pm-1 vs he500 or he400i would be interesting....

 

[efeist]

The HA-1 was just delivered to my office, I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve.  I'll post some thoughts when I get it home.

 

[ImmaLizard]

My PM-1 and HA-1 will be here Tuesday.  This is gonna be a long weekend!

 

[olegausany]

Unfortunately HA-1 is already out of stock until end of May