Reconfiguring my rig - Random updates on the journey

[Armaegis]

Quote:

  It is getting to where it may be the only piece of kit I don't sell off in exchange for a new flavor.

 
That's just silly talk 

 

[aamefford]

That's just silly talk 

No kiddin' especially given my usual pattern. The DT 1350's were never gonna get sold either...

 

[Armaegis]

I have yet to listen to a Beyer that I've really liked. The DT1350 was the closest, and even then I was kinda *shrug* as I preferred the M80 and HD25. After the DT1350 I think I'd pick the DT880, though it and the 770/990 are a bit too clunky for me to consider portable. There's that new "Custom One Pro" with the variable ports that seems intriguing though.

 

[aamefford]

The HD 25 is too punchy for me, and I can't get past the M80 looks.  I like the DT1350's a lot, but new flavor-itis has hit.  The 770 / 600's are interesting.  There's a lot I like, and a fair amount i'm not so sure about yet.  I'm still interested in the modded Fostex - I'm really thinking about the Mad Dogs. Dan and I have corresponded a bit, so I figure it is just a matter of time.  The Mad Dogs do command a reasonable resale value, which fits into my buy/listen/sell MO pretty well.  As to the DT 770 / 600, not sure yet.

 

[Armaegis]

I'm comfortable with the fact that I will never settle with just one sound. It's all about the adventure of new toys and listening to the music all over again.

 

[aamefford]

I have a nice, low priced, upper mid-fi quality speaker rig, lousy car stereo, a nice pair of custom iem's, and generally only one pair of headphones at a time, as my listening time is really restricted lately.  That will change, and my headphone collection will grow, I'm sure.  I cycle through the one pair of headphones 2 or 3 times a year, give or take.  I also seem to cycle through some sort of desktop or semi/portable dec/amp combo a couple of times a year.  The Pico Slim may just get a permanent home though - unless something comes along that does what it does better.  Compared to cars, motorcycles, gambling or womanizing, headphones are a pretty cheap hobby.

 

[Armaegis]

My speaker rigs are budget-mid fi at best. Some old Paradigm speakers and an HK receiver for my dance studio (aka basement), and some interesting sets in the Cambridge Soundworks Model Twelve and the NuForce Icon2 + S-X speakers + W-1 sub. The car stereo is whatever came with the car; if I ever decide to put any money there it'd probably go into noise reduction before speakers. Headphones I seem to go through at an alarming rate, although I've slowed down significantly. A couple summers ago I think I probably had something incoming/outgoing every week during my massive trading flurry. Right now I'm sitting on one peak of summit-fi and don't really know where to go from here. My voyage through amps has been slower, though it also sparked off several DIY projects that have been sitting idle for too long now. 
 
I'm not sure where I want to go for the iem route. I have a lot of trouble finding something that fits me properly. Customs seems like the way to go, but it's hard to justify jumping into that blind, especially when it's hard to sell if I don't like the sound. 
 
Or y'know... just get budget oriented bang-for-the-buck gear because the higher the pricetag the picker I become. My lowly PX100-ii probably has more headtime than my higher end stuff. 

 

[aamefford]

Same car stereo you have, but with a low end pioneer head so I can plug in my iPhone. I'm not sure I'll do custom iems again. Same reasons you list, plus they really aren't all that comfortable and the whole process from impressions through refits to finished product is really "fussy".A

 

[lee730]

Quote:

Same car stereo you have, but with a low end pioneer head so I can plug in my iPhone. I'm not sure I'll do custom iems again. Same reasons you list, plus they really aren't all that comfortable and the whole process from impressions through refits to finished product is really "fussy".A

Just one reason why Universal Custom IEMs are becoming a norm and I bet will be much more common in the near future (resale value and comfort).

 

[aamefford]

My customs are about as comfortable as universals, probably a bit more so, but not that much. Universals have resale value and generally lower price, and none of the fiddling with molds and refits. Lots of fussing with tips though.

 

[lee730]

I've been pretty fortunate with my selections. I have a few tips and I find 1 in particular to fit my needs in most cases. Even on my Custom universal IEMs.
 

 

[aamefford]

Well, I sold the DT1350's.  Cheap too - $200 shipped.
 
"Portable" rig now consists of Pico Slim / Touch 4G / 1964 Ears Quads, and strangely enough, DT 770/600's on occasion.  Not a great pairing, but not so bad - didn't expect that one.
 
Laptop Rig is an 11" macbook air / Apogee Duet2 / DT 770/600's.
 
Both the Duet2 and the DT770/600's are in jeopardy of being moved along.  The Duet2 weighs a pound, and is pretty large, the DT 770/600's are non portable (can live with that) and I haven't decided on the sound signature yet.  Very comfy though!
 
I may jump on the ortho bandwagon with a pair of Mad Dogs or Paradigms (yeah, I could mod my own, but no time or desire.  I went through the process with a pair of HFI780's a couple of years ago), and that dragonfly dac/amp - if it will drive the Fostex spinoffs well enough.

 

[lee730]

The novelty phase always wears fast on you doesn't it? .
 

 

[Armaegis]

Did you mean a Paradox? Or is there a Paradigm mod out now? (man I can hardly keep track)

 

[aamefford]

Quote:

The novelty phase always wears fast on you doesn't it? .
 

 
Yes.  Unfortunately.  If it hits my triggers, i.e. sounds a little like a D7000, or is shiny and works for my needs (like the Pico Slim I never seem to shut up about) I may keep it for a while.  The D770/600 may hit the sweet spot, but may not.  Nice bass extension, but not as prominent as the D7000 (good), mids are a bit better than the D7000, highs have a touch of sparkle, but seem a bit papery dry - could be the Duet2, could just be the headphones.  They sound actually really nice, but I haven't decided if they are for me yet.
Quote:

Did you mean a Paradox? Or is there a Paradigm mod out now? (man I can hardly keep track)

Paradox.  Got confused.