[RROWI]

After some serious Grado listening time last night, now it was time for some Qua(d)lity lazy Sunday afternoon listening time as well...



Wonderful (analogue, deep bass and holographic soundstage) synergy to my ears. I think I've never enjoyed Mr. Cale's sweet sounding music as much as right now



Yeah, that inner part of the headband certainly seems to be a real Quad quality 'soft spot'. Mine was also already a bit damaged there when I picked it up in the classifieds, but the seller was totally honest about that (also with pics) beforehand => not a problem for me at that time. As the Era-1 was a bit too big (and therefor uncomfortable resting on the top of my ears) for my, I guess average sized, head. I picked up this large headband cover: https://www.amazon.com/Protector-Installation-Compatible-Sennheiser-Headphones/dp/B0993NBFCR

So, now the inner part of the headband is protected and the Era-1 feels/stays way more comfortable on my (still average sized ) head. Beware, I also have the medium sized cover version over here, but that one didn't fit on the Quad => ended up on my Denon.



Hey, great to see you here! I think I was also influenced by you, when I picked up the Grado GH2 earlier this year and I'm still grateful for that advise!

I'm curious what you will think about the Era-1 once it has arrived. And please make sure that you'll also give it some 'tube amp' time later on

Thanks for sharing!
For me it's a night and day difference in comfort.
Without the headband cover the era feels loose in my head.

 

[ResidentAlien]

Have my Quad Era-1 for sale if it’s of any interest to anyone here.

 

[Shane D]

Got my new toy in today. Nice sound and a GIANT headband. And super easy to drive compared to my HiFiman's.

 

[llysender]

Curous which pads you will prefer.

 

[Shane D]

Curous which pads you will prefer.

The leathers are on, so I am going with them for now. From what I have read, I think the leather will be my choice.

MUCH easier to run than my HiFiman's! I had to turn everything down quite a bit. Usually my planar amp is the iFi, but I am preferring these on the Violectric V220. At least at first.

 

[Chris Kaoss]

Got my new toy in today. Nice sound and a GIANT headband. And super easy to drive compared to my HiFiman's.

Happy listening.
Enjoy mine with the Mojo 2 and ZMF Universe leather perf pads a lot.
Way more comfortable as OG leather with a somewhat pillow-like feel.

 

[DanielGT]

I run mine with a Mission LX Connect DAC (which I’m surprised doesn’t get much mention in this forum) and the hybrid pads - really like the punch and detail, particularly with electronic/ rave. I think the technical term is Oomph You’ll love them I’m sure, I’m generally grinning like an idiot when I use them

 

[lpd2]

Got my new toy in today. Nice sound and a GIANT headband. And super easy to drive compared to my HiFiman's.

Let us know what you think! Would like to know how you think they compare to those he6se, which I had for a while and liked. Really interested in the bass quality shopping for another planar.

 

[Shane D]

Let us know what you think! Would like to know how you think they compare to those he6se, which I had for a while and liked. Really interested in the bass quality shopping for another planar.

My initial thoughts were that the HE6se V2's were more detailed and more dynamic. Of course I run them on my iFi Pro iCAN, while using bass boost and 3D effects. Also, the V2's take a Ton more power.

I will likely be using the Quads every day for the next week and try to get a much better feel for them.

 

[Shane D]

They really do like tube amps. I have been up and down with my iFi and Vio amps, but Man do these sound good on my tubes (Valhalla 2 and LD MK9).

A lot of Mmmm today.

 

[dstarr3]

Got my new toy in today. Nice sound and a GIANT headband. And super easy to drive compared to my HiFiman's.

Oh man, I've been eyeing this headphone for quite a while. Almost pulled the trigger this month, but opted for a DAC upgrade instead. Let me know your long-term thoughts!

 

[Shane D]

Oh man, I've been eyeing this headphone for quite a while. Almost pulled the trigger this month, but opted for a DAC upgrade instead. Let me know your long-term thoughts!

I will. Just trying to get a feel for it.

 

[llysender]

Enjoying the ERA-1 with the moonriver Ti, its a suprising synergistic match. The psudo tube esque sound pairs really well with the ERA-1. Has a suprising amount of drive of a dongle as well.

Its like everything is just perfect. Very emersive. Doesnt have boosted dynamics but its like staring down into the abyss. Reminds me alot of pairing with the DX300. Detail is all there but doesnt feel like its being shoved down your throat. Very nice at low volume listening as well. Still very tactile.

Enjoying this combo with HANABIE atm. The saperation and imaging makes it so that everything is audable even though its the usual metal mastering and isnt very good.

Also as what Shane said the ERA 1 really works nicely on tubes. Almost like it was made for tubes.

 

[Kerouac]

They really do like tube amps.

Almost like it was made for tubes.

I wouldn't be surprised if they tuned the ERA-1 in combination with the QUAD PA-One
Recently I tried it from that amp (with stock tubes) and that also sounded pretty good to my ears

 

[Shane D]

I wouldn't be surprised if they tuned the ERA-1 in combination with the QUAD PA-One
Recently I tried it from that amp (with stock tubes) and that also sounded pretty good to my ears

I am just starting my Sunday off and I am going with the Violectric while the tubes warm up. It is getting pretty warm here lately and I can't have two tube amps on at once.

Today's tube sound will be provided by the Valhalla 2 by way of Amperex 6DJ8/ECC88 matched tubes. The gain will be high and volume will stick around 9:00.