Struggling with upgrade

[markkr]

If I could just convince Headroom to "donate" an Ultra Desktop to me... My quest could be over... I dont think they will cooperate with my request

 

[aimlink]

Quote:

Originally Posted by markkr /img/forum/go_quote.gif If I could just convince Headroom to "donate" an Ultra Desktop to me... My quest could be over... I dont think they will cooperate with my request

They had a little competition earlier in the year and a lucky bloke ended up with an HD650 and Desktop Amp!! You could look out for one of those competitions later.

 

[markkr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aimlink /img/forum/go_quote.gif They had a little competition earlier in the year and a lucky bloke ended up with an HD650 and Desktop Amp!! You could look out for one of those competitions later.

WOW... that would be a nice way to start out a year!!

 

[Jalo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aimlink /img/forum/go_quote.gif Moving from the desktop to the ultra desktop made for a noticeable difference. Improvement? I've been faltering where my opinion of the added value is concerned when compared to the actual cost. There seems to be more clarity for sure, but the house sound remains which is what I'm primarily interested in. I think I'd rather go for a different sound than move further up the HeadRoom amp ladder. I'll likely stick with their DAC though. Of course, I may change my mind.

For me to move up from BUDA, I'll have to look at amps that cost much higher. The SPL Phonitor comes to mind. But the BUDA/UDAC is a very nice system and it matches the UDAC perfectly. I particularly liked to have a complete balance signal path throughout. I recently compared the BUDA set up to my new portable balance Protector w/ the HD800 and the difference in sound is immediately obvious. I know the Protector is a portable unit and it is only one third of the cost. But given the rave of the Protector recently and almost competing with some of the desktop amps, I was just curious how much difference is there. The BUDA was very smooth, rounded, warm with fuller body, clear and nautural. These days, I do not like hot stuffs, hot as in bright, like bright phone, bright amps, bright Dac, bright cable etc. The HD800 has been reported that it could be on the bright side on the upper end. But the BUDA set up makes it sounded very smooth but not laid back, reminiscent somewhat to the R-10 in that regard. To be fair, the difference may partially due to the clean power supply of the DPS also. That said, the ability of the Protector to drive the HD800 to even a listenable level is pretty amazing.

 

[aimlink]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jalo /img/forum/go_quote.gif For me to move up from BUDA, I'll have to look at amps that cost much higher. The SPL Phonitor comes to mind. But the BUDA/UDAC is a very nice system and it matches the UDAC perfectly. I particularly liked to have a complete balance signal path throughout. I recently compared the BUDA set up to my new portable balance Protector w/ the HD800 and the difference in sound is immediately obvious. I know the Protector is a portable unit and it is only one third of the cost. But given the rave of the Protector recently and almost competing with some of the desktop amps, I was just curious how much difference is there. The BUDA was very smooth, rounded, warm with fuller body, clear and nautural. [size=x-small]These days, I do not like hot stuffs, hot as in bright, like bright phone, bright amps, bright Dac, bright cable etc.[/size] The HD800 has been reported that it could be on the bright side on the upper end. But the BUDA set up makes it sounded very smooth but not laid back, reminiscent somewhat to the R-10 in that regard. To be fair, the difference may partially due to the clean power supply of the DPS also. That said, the ability of the Protector to drive the HD800 to even a listenable level is pretty amazing.

Your current sonic preferences as you've described them, mirror mine. I left the HD650 sound and went off in search for better, thought I did, but then have found myself coming full circle after discovering I was having short-lived infatuations with all that I encountered. I've since repurchased the HD650's and am now finding them to be my favourite with a newfound appreciation. With that experience I'm having a similarly based suspicion about the HeadRoom Ultra Desktop. It sounds simply great and I'm content with the sound. I could listen for hours on end, and when the recording is great, I feel very satisfied indeed. I'm growing to trust that feeling. I don't plan to go balanced, so for me, the Ultra Desktop Amp with DPS is as much as I'll go with HeadRoom amps in their current configurations. The only curiosity that remains is with those HD800's. I may well get a pair for Christmas or some other time before, when I can justify getting them to my wife!

......

 

[Jalo]

If you do HD800, make sure you allow a good cryo OCC copper recable in the pruchase. That will increase the smoothness and solid bass feel to the HD800. I audition a pair of R-10 driven by a tower of single power amps at the Can Jam last year and since then I cannot shake that smooth chamber like sound signature off my head. My current set up does give a little feel of the R-10 which I like.

 

[aimlink]

Novelty is a hell of a thing Jalo, isn't it? You listen to a new signature and the novelty get's you going. You want it. You get it and then the novelty dissipates in a few months. Sometimes the residual feeling can become downright negative and you lovingly go back home. Just consoling you re: the R10's.

 

[Jalo]

Very well said. Looking at your signature, we have very similar gears. I have the HD600, Mustang and the ESW10jpn also. I used to have the Ultra Micro stack. The only thing I covet is your ED8 Any way I can pry it off your hand?

 

[plonter]

me,after 3 years of buying all sort of gear/stuff without a break I just want to take some time off and enjoy the music and my gear. I think I have achieved a nice mid level system including some great headphone inventory.

I didn't think of an upgrade for more than 8 months..at least not a serious one. when taking the time to enjoy your gear you are getting to know it very good,to the most subtles and afterwards you will appreciate better/other gear much better.

 

[aimlink]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jalo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Very well said. Looking at your signature, we have very similar gears. I have the HD600, Mustang and the ESW10jpn also. I used to have the Ultra Micro stack. The only thing I covet is your ED8 Any way I can pry it off your hand?

The Ed8's I do not plan to sell. They're fantastic closed cans. The only reason I don't use them more is because I much prefer using open cans because I'm not too isolated from the noises around me and the open format is easier on my eardrums. However, there are times when I do wish to use a closed can and the Ed8 delivers sweetly.

Not to worry though, your HD800's have me thinking as well.

 

[Paganini Alfredo]

All this talk about the BUDA has got me confused about balanced, can you use a single ended headphone on the BUDA or have to use just balanced phones?

 

[aimlink]

Yes. You can use a single ended phone with the BUDA. It would be like using the Ultra Desktop electronics.

 

[plonter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paganini Alfredo /img/forum/go_quote.gif All this talk about the BUDA has got me confused about balanced, can you use a single ended headphone on the BUDA or have to use just balanced phones?

in fact,I remember tyll once said that if you use singel ended with the buda it might sound even less good that the regular ultra desktop because it is more power hungry and draws more power from the PSU.

there are a lot of talking about balanced operation,and some say that using the phase splitter is not really balanced and you need fully balanced dac in order for it to be fully balanced....and even than,some say that it is STILL not fully balanced because of sicentiffic stuff that I really don't understand,
something related to seperated grounds or something like that.
many say (after listening to balanced headphon systems) that the difference is very subtle if any at all, others say that they can hear a noticable difference (and even than...they still state that it is not night and day)
and that it was worth the money.
I decided that for the meantime I will stick with single ended because it sounds fantastic, although I wonder how the D5000 sounds when balanced.

 

[Paganini Alfredo]

MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!

Just stepped over to the dark(er) side and ordered an Ultra! I was talking to Jeremy on the phone and was asking him the best way to go around conducting the transaction and told me that if I A) didn't like it or didn't think it was worth the money to just simply return it, or B) If I did like it just sell the regular Desktop here on the forum. Which would be easier than just sending the Ultra back, THEN sending mine in for an upgrade and me being out of an amp for 2 weeks or so. Plus I can also include the Astrodyne to sweeten the deal when I sell as I don't need it when I got the DPS. I really did talk myself into it cause of their 30 day return policy, isn't that such an amazing thing?

Vive Le HeadRoom!

 

[markkr]

Shoot me a PM if/when you decide to sell the regular Desktop!!