Oct 25, 2015 at 8:53 PM Post #811 of 834
Already did 10 years ago. Also bought an HE90 and Qualia 010, all sold in favor of the HD650. This summer, also bought and returned an HEK and Ether. I have yet to try an Abyss and LCD4 (I really like the LCD2 so far).

 
That's a lot of flagship experience you have.  It seems you like warmer, slightly darker and laid back headphones then.  The Audeze line seems right up your alley.
 
Oct 25, 2015 at 8:57 PM Post #812 of 834
That's a lot of flagship experience you have.  It seems you like warmer, slightly darker and laid back headphones then.  The Audeze line seems right up your alley.


Yes. Once I fix the comfort issues (ordered the lohb pads, extended yokes; waiting for the new head band), I will surely get another Audeze. No comfort issues with the HD650 ;)
 
Oct 25, 2015 at 9:14 PM Post #813 of 834
Man so far I have reached endgame - its probably mostly I have reached the end of what I am willing to spend on gear and I hope this last very long before I upgrade - its just a matter if I have more $$ I guess.
 
I have the oppo 103 which plays flac / hi res files  - coax  cable to a schiit yggy - xlr cable to a passive preamp luminous audio axiom II with caddock stuff - xlr to a nelson pass F1J amplifier - norne draug II speaker taps and headphone cable to a hifiman HE6
the hifiman he6 has the grill mod and sorbothane mod , and I use hifiman focus pads / and I also have audeze vegan pads , lohb's leather suspension stuff  . I also use after market power cords
 
this is the best I can afford right now  and this sounds so so good - but I also toyed with bought and sold sennheiser hd800 , audeze lcd x  , audeze lcd3 , alo studio six , decware csp3 preamp  , schiit Valhalla 2
 
 no intentions of trying out the hifiman he1000 , audeze lcd4 , abyss .  unless reddog lets me try out his gear LOL
 
Oct 27, 2015 at 5:22 PM Post #818 of 834
All a matter of taste, as some like Grado´s, some Stax. Two different world´s 
biggrin.gif
 
 
Oct 29, 2015 at 1:59 AM Post #821 of 834
If anyone really wants an endgame set-up you are going to have to wait until the headphone makers solve the mechanical resonance problems I note in
 
 http://www.head-fi.org/t/744839/damping-mechanical-resonance-distortion-of-stax-and-other-phones-with-sorbothane-and-other-materials
 
Sorbothane damping is not just a trick to tweak your phones, that it works at all is a sign that designers of headphones have not come to terms with the fact that mechanical vibrations in the earcups are contaminating the sound of headphones. I have found this problem even the high end Stax phones. Others have found the same issue with other makes and types of phones so   I think the problem is universal. At this point I regard all current designs as obsolete.
 
Oct 29, 2015 at 2:37 AM Post #822 of 834
Already did 10 years ago. Also bought an HE90 and Qualia 010, all sold in favor of the HD650. This summer, also bought and returned an HEK and Ether. I have yet to try an Abyss and LCD4 (I really like the LCD2 so far).

What is your take on the SDS-XRL vs. Stax rig?
 
Oct 29, 2015 at 4:29 AM Post #823 of 834
I have received my DIY T2. Amazing transparency. I do not think it is more detailed than my HD800 setup or any clearer, but it sounds much more natural. The bass is incredible as well, even better than the KGSSHV (which is amazing given the T2 is a tube amp). My only gripe is that I think there is some woolliness and lack of blackness of background and clarity compared to the HD800.
 
Oct 29, 2015 at 9:34 AM Post #824 of 834
  If anyone really wants an endgame set-up you are going to have to wait until the headphone makers solve the mechanical resonance problems I note in
 
 http://www.head-fi.org/t/744839/damping-mechanical-resonance-distortion-of-stax-and-other-phones-with-sorbothane-and-other-materials
 
Sorbothane damping is not just a trick to tweak your phones, that it works at all is a sign that designers of headphones have not come to terms with the fact that mechanical vibrations in the earcups are contaminating the sound of headphones. I have found this problem even the high end Stax phones. Others have found the same issue with other makes and types of phones so   I think the problem is universal. At this point I regard all current designs as obsolete.

Hi edstrelow , thank you for your thoughts and perspective on what there is left to do. Have you had any comments come back from the top end headphone makers such as Axel Grell on this? I have damped my HD800s and have seen and heard the effect of sorbothane damping on an He-6 compared to an unmodded. 
If you regard all current designs as obsolete then the future holds many treasures to come.....
 
Oct 29, 2015 at 9:39 AM Post #825 of 834
  Man so far I have reached endgame - its probably mostly I have reached the end of what I am willing to spend on gear and I hope this last very long before I upgrade - its just a matter if I have more $$ I guess.
 
I have the oppo 103 which plays flac / hi res files  - coax  cable to a schiit yggy - xlr cable to a passive preamp luminous audio axiom II with caddock stuff - xlr to a nelson pass F1J amplifier - norne draug II speaker taps and headphone cable to a hifiman HE6
the hifiman he6 has the grill mod and sorbothane mod , and I use hifiman focus pads / and I also have audeze vegan pads , lohb's leather suspension stuff  . I also use after market power cords
 
this is the best I can afford right now  and this sounds so so good - but I also toyed with bought and sold sennheiser hd800 , audeze lcd x  , audeze lcd3 , alo studio six , decware csp3 preamp  , schiit Valhalla 2
 
 no intentions of trying out the hifiman he1000 , audeze lcd4 , abyss .  unless reddog lets me try out his gear LOL

The HE-6 could well be the top of the pile for many of us out there. My friend is making me a mini beast http://www.head-fi.org/products/diy-the-beast-power-amplifier/reviews/14314 
I have the HE-6 in readiness for some Vegan pads and have heard this combo over many hours. To my ears it is end game, the retirement package, the final solution. If there was one....
 

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