Welly Wu
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- May 16, 2003
- Posts
- 5,165
- Likes
- 12
Hello! Yes, I am still lurking at the periphery.
Several members requested for me to post a new thread to describe my Resolution Audio Opus 21 system. I have the Opus 21 separate CD player and the power center, the S30 power amplifier, and the XS (extra sources). I also have acquired the Boothroyd Stuart Meridian Audio Signature Reference 808i, but that will not be discussed within the purview of this thread.
A plethora of information from current and past RA Opus 21 Head-Fi owners is still abound: do your searches. The XS has received few comments thus far. It is quite simply one of the most versatile one-box pieces of high end high fidelity that I have come across thus far (do pass the sea salt). Of particular note, the headphone amplifier is quite simply superior to that of my much beloved Ray Samuels Emmeline HR-2 with the stock AD797 operational amplifier ICs. It is in perfect harmony with the Opus 21 CD & power system and leaves me flabbergasted after each listening session. At first, the speed and pace were much faster. I had thought something was off, but it took time to acclimate my ears. The deep bass is not necessarily the most bottomless, but the midbass and upper bass / lower midrange are quite warm without sounding slow or intermeshed. The prick of bass guitars, the boom of kick drums, and the deafening explosions of cinematic war scenes (of which I am accustomed to) are astonishing. The midrange is particularly sumptuous. Clear, open, honest, and yet quite warm are choice descriptors. Somewhat similar to the Meridian 808i, the RA Opus 21 XS warmly invites into the heart of the music. I can easily pinpoint time and spatial cues (training helps too) with clarity and this has surprised me given the particular voicing of this system. That is not easy to accomplish. The trebles are well extended, clear, and clean. Supremely smooth. There are no major sonic distortions except in the lower midrange, but it is quite pleasant and slightly warmer.
I look forward to acquiring the Grado GS-1000 and RA-1 headphone system to compliment the Resolution Audio Opus 21 full stack soon. I think the Ultimate Ears Ue-11 will match the Meridian 808i better based upon careful scrutiny of the said posts.
I have not yet had the opportunity to try the S30 power amplifier although I own it. Delayed gratification is not popular, but a necessity these days. I will turn my focus upon loudspeakers next year.
I will have some free time this December 2007. I will look into a New Jersey meeting with greater interest and commitment. Now is the right time for me to reach out in person to this community. Be forewarned though: I simply can not take my entire system with me to each meeting as it is not wise and I still have yet to do more research into a pickup truck (Ford F-350 or Toyota Tundra...perhaps not so much so).
I do welcome questions, comments, concerns, and criticisms within reason. I look forward to reading your replies, if any, in the future. Thank you for your time.
Do visit http://www.resolutionaudio.com for more information. Mr. Jeff Kalt is a very nice and down to earth businessman. I actually requested the S30 be sent directly to my home with instructions on how to build the kit. Aha! My first DIY project. It was fun and nothing blew up when I was doing the electrical wiring. Thank God!
Several members requested for me to post a new thread to describe my Resolution Audio Opus 21 system. I have the Opus 21 separate CD player and the power center, the S30 power amplifier, and the XS (extra sources). I also have acquired the Boothroyd Stuart Meridian Audio Signature Reference 808i, but that will not be discussed within the purview of this thread.
A plethora of information from current and past RA Opus 21 Head-Fi owners is still abound: do your searches. The XS has received few comments thus far. It is quite simply one of the most versatile one-box pieces of high end high fidelity that I have come across thus far (do pass the sea salt). Of particular note, the headphone amplifier is quite simply superior to that of my much beloved Ray Samuels Emmeline HR-2 with the stock AD797 operational amplifier ICs. It is in perfect harmony with the Opus 21 CD & power system and leaves me flabbergasted after each listening session. At first, the speed and pace were much faster. I had thought something was off, but it took time to acclimate my ears. The deep bass is not necessarily the most bottomless, but the midbass and upper bass / lower midrange are quite warm without sounding slow or intermeshed. The prick of bass guitars, the boom of kick drums, and the deafening explosions of cinematic war scenes (of which I am accustomed to) are astonishing. The midrange is particularly sumptuous. Clear, open, honest, and yet quite warm are choice descriptors. Somewhat similar to the Meridian 808i, the RA Opus 21 XS warmly invites into the heart of the music. I can easily pinpoint time and spatial cues (training helps too) with clarity and this has surprised me given the particular voicing of this system. That is not easy to accomplish. The trebles are well extended, clear, and clean. Supremely smooth. There are no major sonic distortions except in the lower midrange, but it is quite pleasant and slightly warmer.
I look forward to acquiring the Grado GS-1000 and RA-1 headphone system to compliment the Resolution Audio Opus 21 full stack soon. I think the Ultimate Ears Ue-11 will match the Meridian 808i better based upon careful scrutiny of the said posts.
I have not yet had the opportunity to try the S30 power amplifier although I own it. Delayed gratification is not popular, but a necessity these days. I will turn my focus upon loudspeakers next year.
I will have some free time this December 2007. I will look into a New Jersey meeting with greater interest and commitment. Now is the right time for me to reach out in person to this community. Be forewarned though: I simply can not take my entire system with me to each meeting as it is not wise and I still have yet to do more research into a pickup truck (Ford F-350 or Toyota Tundra...perhaps not so much so).
I do welcome questions, comments, concerns, and criticisms within reason. I look forward to reading your replies, if any, in the future. Thank you for your time.
Do visit http://www.resolutionaudio.com for more information. Mr. Jeff Kalt is a very nice and down to earth businessman. I actually requested the S30 be sent directly to my home with instructions on how to build the kit. Aha! My first DIY project. It was fun and nothing blew up when I was doing the electrical wiring. Thank God!
