I'm also using the Quad with the R2R-11, but the THX 789 is under way, i hope it won't get stolen/lost because its in Germany since last Monday.. I'm switching to the Topping D70(i have it already)+THX 789 combo from the R2R-11.
If i get the amp, i will report back how its sounds
I got a very good deal on the Quad Era1 some months ago, and i buyed it based on the opinion of fericske, and others on our forum
To what I know, there's no better headpone going up the Ladders until the Hifiman Aryas, and of Course: Stax. Maybe a well-driven ESP-95X could strife against it (Heck, even defeat it!). But who knows?
so I stumbled on these somehow and realize that the Era-1 will be my next headphone. however, I need to buy a DAC n amp and would appreciate suggestions. I've always wanted a simple stack like the Schiit Magni 3, Modi 3 and Loki...but perhaps they would impair the sound compared to a more refined solution. I have thought about the THX 788 from Monoprice or perhaps keep it all in the family and grab the PA-One+. I'm confident that the headphone was likely tuned to be paired with that.
also @FullBright1 , would you agree with Zeos on his statement regarding the Alara's, that they would be the headphones he'd introduce some to hi-fi with? do you think they are that good?
yes, the Magni 3 and the JDS Labs Atom are both very well regarded.
The main fight of the day: Quad era-1 vs. Final Audio d8000
I started with
- Move D. - Amazing Discoveres
- Subsurfing - The number readers
- Pascal F.E.O.S - Down to Earth
Already after a few minutes I noticed that although the bass of the Era1, in my opinion, is terrific, he can not keep up with the d8000.
The bass of the Final Audio sounds a lot more harmonic, as well as faster / agile, which I especially noticed in the track: the number readers of Subsurfing.
On the track: Stay the Same from the album Black Sands (Bonobo),
the d8000 has, in my ears, revealed its genius.
Namely, the Mids are much more detailed, more transparent, and at the same time less aggressive than the Era1.
Andreyas singing was permeated by a lightness, as well as emotionality, as I have never experienced.
It's hard for me to put into words, but over the entire frequency spectrum, I had the impression that the playback was extremely fleet-footed, stressless, and at the same time incredibly thrilling, dynamic, "close to me", on a fantastic stage and locability.
Why worry - Dire Straits (20th anniversary Edition, DSD) Mark sounds with the d8000, more delicate, filigree, and emotionally charged.
The guitar more coherent, realistic.
Zangetsu by Minezaki Koto from the album The Art of Japanese Bamboo Flute and Koto:
Here, the quad is sometimes unpleasant, especially when using the bamboo flute by 1khz.
The d8000, on the other hand, acts more sensitively and at the same time finely dissolves.
The bamboo flute never sounds sharp.
The location of the instruments succeeds much better. As if the musicians were playing in a completely different space, a room with more depth, with more dimensions!
My conclusion: the d8000 plays in a different league.
The Quad is a talented and always dedicated student, but he does not have the skills of the Master by far.
So transparent, poignant, captivating, dynamic, excellent locatable, rich in detail, yet unobtrusive, I've never heard music before.
For me, the Final Audio d8000 is a masterpiece
Oh yes, by the way, this headphone is also very comfortable.
so I stumbled on these somehow and realize that the Era-1 will be my next headphone. however, I need to buy a DAC n amp and would appreciate suggestions. I've always wanted a simple stack like the Schiit Magni 3, Modi 3 and Loki...but perhaps they would impair the sound compared to a more refined solution. I have thought about the THX 788 from Monoprice or perhaps keep it all in the family and grab the PA-One+. I'm confident that the headphone was likely tuned to be paired with that.
also @FullBright1 , would you agree with Zeos on his statement regarding the Alara's, that they would be the headphones he'd introduce some to hi-fi with? do you think they are that good?
), maybe one of the Xduuo amps?
I never had the modi 3, but the Magni 3 is a fantastic Amp for the money with a crap ton of power. I would suggest the monoprice 788 if you'll be happy with a budget end game solution that satisfies many audiophiles quest for a balanced system (though the single ended 6.3mm output is somewhat underpowered). Either way you either buy one of these amps or a hybrid Amp (if you aren't using IEMs) and you'll be good (edit) as long as you don't get curious
so I stumbled on these somehow and realize that the Era-1 will be my next headphone. however, I need to buy a DAC n amp and would appreciate suggestions. I've always wanted a simple stack like the Schiit Magni 3, Modi 3 and Loki...but perhaps they would impair the sound compared to a more refined solution. I have thought about the THX 788 from Monoprice or perhaps keep it all in the family and grab the PA-One+. I'm confident that the headphone was likely tuned to be paired with that.
also @FullBright1 , would you agree with Zeos on his statement regarding the Alara's, that they would be the headphones he'd introduce some to hi-fi with? do you think they are that good?
The main fight of the day: Quad era-1 vs. Final Audio d8000
I started with
- Move D. - Amazing Discoveres
- Subsurfing - The number readers
- Pascal F.E.O.S - Down to Earth
Already after a few minutes I noticed that although the bass of the Era1, in my opinion, is terrific, he can not keep up with the d8000.
The bass of the Final Audio sounds a lot more harmonic, as well as faster / agile, which I especially noticed in the track: the number readers of Subsurfing.
On the track: Stay the Same from the album Black Sands (Bonobo),
the d8000 has, in my ears, revealed its genius.
Namely, the Mids are much more detailed, more transparent, and at the same time less aggressive than the Era1.
Andreyas singing was permeated by a lightness, as well as emotionality, as I have never experienced.
It's hard for me to put into words, but over the entire frequency spectrum, I had the impression that the playback was extremely fleet-footed, stressless, and at the same time incredibly thrilling, dynamic, "close to me", on a fantastic stage and locability.
Why worry - Dire Straits (20th anniversary Edition, DSD) Mark sounds with the d8000, more delicate, filigree, and emotionally charged.
The guitar more coherent, realistic.
Zangetsu by Minezaki Koto from the album The Art of Japanese Bamboo Flute and Koto:
Here, the quad is sometimes unpleasant, especially when using the bamboo flute by 1khz.
The d8000, on the other hand, acts more sensitively and at the same time finely dissolves.
The bamboo flute never sounds sharp.
The location of the instruments succeeds much better. As if the musicians were playing in a completely different space, a room with more depth, with more dimensions!
My conclusion: the d8000 plays in a different league.
The Quad is a talented and always dedicated student, but he does not have the skills of the Master by far.
So transparent, poignant, captivating, dynamic, excellent locatable, rich in detail, yet unobtrusive, I've never heard music before.
For me, the Final Audio d8000 is a masterpiece
Oh yes, by the way, this headphone is also very comfortable.
