number1sixerfan
Headphoneus Supremus
I've been using the Chord Etude with the Susvara and Abyss and it's pretty nice. It adds some heft and I do feel both the cans extend lower a little more easily through the amp. I got mostly the same impressions from the Pass XA25, but I might consider keeping this one a bit longer because, unlike the Pass, it runs cool and I can pick it up with one hand and not need a hand cart. It's a stunningly beautiful amp and very eye catching, especially when turned on.
Question I have for you all is do you unplug and plug headphones to the speaker tap adapter while the amp is on? I always try to be safe and turn off the amp, but is it enough just to mute the source? It's hard to A/B headphones when I have to wait 30 seconds in between! The Etude does it's thing to power off safely and tests the fans at power on, so there's a little delay because of that. I also generally just don't like turning things off and on and would rather keep them powered on.
Really a gorgeous unit. Thinking I should add it to the list given the Dave and other Chord products I've loved. One question, how would you describe it's presentation? Forward, laid back? Neutral or warmer? (considering chord I would assume the former). I've heard the Pass is a bit laid back and with the headphones I'd be using, I'm trying to avoid that, but thinking about something that would work well for the SR1a, TC and Susvara all at once.
Congrats on a killer setup!