[mrarroyo]

Today (September 27, 0f 2009) thanks to Gary’s (gjkphd) generosity I was able to audition the Audio-GD Phoenix. It so happens that a week or so ago I posted that I wanted to listen to one and Gary out of the blue sent me a PM and offered his home for me to have an opportunity to listen to the Phoenix. Very thoughtful and I really appreciated the gesture and opportunity.

I was very favorably impressed with the headphone amp both in SE and Balanced, it does run hot but being Class A is not surprising. Fit and finish is also very good and it made the Denon AH-D2000 come alive, the ATH-W5000 sounded very nice as well.

Today was not used as a typical day comparing gear back and forth. Instead we simply took it easy and just took the opportunity to leisurely check our respective gear. To say that Gary is a music-nut would be an understatement, boy does he have nice gear as well as a great looking dog (a 14 year old havanese). Here are some pics of some of the gear we had at our disposal.

Other gear not photographed:

- AKG K501 w/ APuresound V3 re-cable
- ATH-W5000 w/ Moon Black Dragon re-cable
- AH-D2000 w/ MarkL Mods, Bubinga V4 Wood Cups, Jmoney Leather ear pads, and Zynsonic re-cable
- Two Zin Reference portable amps (C5 and D5 modules)

I hope to see Gary again perhaps in an upcoming mini meet in Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, etc. Cheers Gary and thanks.

 

[shellylh]

Miguel: Some very nice gear you two have there. How do you like the Isabellina?

 

[KingStyles]

I have heard good things about the yamamoto amp and phoenix. Just curious how the hpa stacked up against those. Nice mini meet and nice gear.

 

[gjkphd]

I too enjoyed our ultra mini meet, Miguel. Thanks for posting and including the pics. I enjoyed the modified Denon 2000's and the Graham Slee is a fine SS amp. Miguel's fully battery operated Wadia/ Isabellina combo was a marvel and sounded very clean with an extemely low noise floor. A good time was had by all, all two that is

 

[krmathis]

Looks nice!

What do you think of the Audio-GD Phoenix against your RWA Isabellina HPA?

 

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shellylh /img/forum/go_quote.gif Miguel: Some very nice gear you two have there. How do you like the Isabellina?

Hi Shelly, the Isabellina HPA is a killer unit. Like Gary wrote it has no background noise I could detect specially when drive by the Wadia or USB from the PC. Hope you have the opportunity to listen to one shortly.

Sadly this was not a meet where we compare gear to each other, more of a getting acquainted type of meeting. I will try to see if we could set up a 2nd round and invite vorlon1 with whom I have done a few comparisons. That way we will be able to answer some of the questions posted by you all.

 

[shellylh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hope you have the opportunity to listen to one shortly.

Me too.