[treebug]

Even the two subsequent pieces in a recording might have different mixing, which will make them sound different on different setups. The genres vary, the tastes vary, the setups vary, our listening volumes vary, auditory system responses vary. With so many variables it is highly possible that what tickles our brain will be very different from some others'. There are no absolutes here. There are things that can be objectively analysed, like build quality, lack of big dips and spikes, resonances, distortion, etc., but that is it. As not every person likes a particular music genre, not everyone likes a particular tuning. No need to keep telling people your favourite albums in your favourite genre are the best music in the world, and quarrel with people that don't agree.

Well said.

 

[jlbrach]

interestingly when I used to use my abyss tc or lcd-4 with my dave direct and then with an external amp I found the bass more prominent and the soundstage expanded with the amp...I know the sol p is much easier to drive but when I add an amp to the dave I find nothing along the lines of what I described,in fact I find the sol p straight out of the dave to not only be more transparent which I expected but also to have a more pleasing soundstage and bass response that is wonderful...I am a bit surprised to be honest

 

[ThanatosVI]

interestingly when I used to use my abyss tc or lcd-4 with my dave direct and then with an external amp I found the bass more prominent and the soundstage expanded with the amp...I know the sol p is much easier to drive but when I add an amp to the dave I find nothing along the lines of what I described,in fact I find the sol p straight out of the dave to not only be more transparent which I expected but also to have a more pleasing soundstage and bass response that is wonderful...I am a bit surprised to be honest

After the power requirements are met it's all about synergy.

 

[yellowblue]

Got my Solitaire P today. Yes, it´s all about synergy! Magical with Dave/Mscaler and Innuos gear. Much better than with the HA 200 and simple laptop. And in this chain surprisingly much better than my HEK-SE which I really love.

 

[Newsee]

Got my Solitaire P today. Yes, it´s all about synergy! Magical with Dave/Mscaler and Innuos gear. Much better than with the HA 200 and simple laptop. And in this chain surprisingly much better than my HEK-SE which I really love.

Not surprisingly. The P has more body and weight in the lower regions. Well noticeable even on simpler chain, like Hiby R8 - MHA200, where my first experience of the HEK-SE happened.

 

[jlbrach]

Got my Solitaire P today. Yes, it´s all about synergy! Magical with Dave/Mscaler and Innuos gear. Much better than with the HA 200 and simple laptop. And in this chain surprisingly much better than my HEK-SE which I really love.

interesting you say that because I use it with my dave/blu2 and innuos zenith 3 and find it a terrific combination...as I have mentioned I find the sound and presentation out of the dave direct to be better than adding an external amp....I cannot speak to the HA 200 but have heard good things about it

 

[treebug]

I had the HA 200 on demo for a while. With the P I found it increased soundstage width, increased detail and controlled the bass nicely. I was a little disappointed with vocals though, wouldn’t say recessed but they seemed to take a step back just a little. Decided to stick with my Luxman P-750u which ticks all the boxes for me with the P.

 

[DarginMahkum]

I had the HA 200 on demo for a while. With the P I found it increased soundstage width, increased detail and controlled the bass nicely. I was a little disappointed with vocals though, wouldn’t say recessed but they seemed to take a step back just a little. Decided to stick with my Luxman P-750u.

HA200 is really excellent for the stage width, layering, separation and detail. I wasn't actually planning on buying it initially, but when I heard how good the instrument definition and isolation in their own space is, I couldn't stop thinking about it. Also I can confirm that the mids, especially the vocals do not pop up. There is a slight warmth added in the low mids. I think it is a very neutral tuning.

I was actually willing to let it go but with Stealth I really like the pairing, so I guess I am changing my mind for selling it.

 

[DarginMahkum]

I think I found a customer for my HA200. This way, I can continue to keep it on my desk. The new owner is only interested in a warm afternoon sleep...

 

[jlbrach]

would be worried about the fur getting into the mechanism...you sure cannot say no smoking or animals in your home for a resale

 

[ThanatosVI]

I think I found a customer for my HA200. This way, I can continue to keep it on my desk. The new owner is only interested in a warm afternoon sleep...

Best HA200 upgrade ever!

 

[dukeskd]

would be worried about the fur getting into the mechanism...you sure cannot say no smoking or animals in your home for a resale

Don't be a debbie downer JL, cats need a warm place to lay on.

 

[DarginMahkum]

would be worried about the fur getting into the mechanism...you sure cannot say no smoking or animals in your home for a resale

HA200 has no openings other than the ports. So, there is no way for the hair getting into the device. Besides, I wouldn't want to sell to anyone that wants to be so "pet free".

 

[yellowblue]

Got more time with the Solitaire P. I like that it is completely free from distortion and I can hear for hours with it (on high volume levels). I thought it to be a warm sounding headphone before I bought it and was surprised that it sounds very neutral to me. Sometimes I get the effect that it sounds kind of dry in the beginning of a song, but suddenly you get to hear details that you never heard before, as if somebody is switching on an extra speaker in a surround chain. It´s really unbelievable which details you get to hear in Radioheads Paranoid Android in the left channel. Layering and instrument seperation are fantastic. The soundstage seems to follow the soundengineers intention in every second wheras with the HEK-SE you always get a wide soundstage (which I also like at times). Maybe the Solitaire P is a bit more natural here, as it is more holographic when intended in the recording. It sounds cleaner than any other headphone I have heard. In 90% of the recordings I enjoy the Solitaire P more than the HEK-SE and never miss more treble, but in maybe 10% of the recordings the HEK gets some magic in the recording highlighting details in the treble which makes the whole thing more enjoyable. For some reason Nick Caves Push the Sky away and some recordings of the Nits are more to my taste with the HEK-SE, even if the bass is a lot better on the Solitaire P.

 

[nwavesailor]

I should have a shorter 1.5 meter WyWires platinum cable later this week for the P.

The 3 meter T+A OEM cables are way too long for my listening location.