I'm deep into critical Caldera listening at this time & have been for weeks (preparing to write a review). Between ~200 hrs burn-in, then cycling through 4 sets of ZMF pads, then comparing to other planars, it has pushed aside all other headhphones--including my favorite headphone ever, the silkwood VO.
I look forward so much to resuming listening to the VO. There's something special about the VO that always grabs me all over again when I return to it. The sound is like a benign, pleasing hallucination, perhaps a fever dream. I forget it when I don't hear it, but as soon as I hear it again, off I go on that VO magic carpet ride.
The VO's combination of speed, resolution, slight warmth, tonal & timbral truth, and eerie 3D-ness of every note is unique, in my experience. No other headphone quite does this, not even really great ones.
Speaking of Caldera, I finally just tried the Caldera suedes on the VO and wow! Stage is immediately wider and more open and bass quantity makes it like another new headphone. I've been using Universe suede probably 90% of the time and they have been my favorite headphones until I got the Caldera. While I've never found VO bass lacking, between the Caldera and the 1266TC being my newest headphones, I've gotten used to bass being on another level up from the ZMF dynamics. I think the Caldera suedes even push vocals a bit more forward. They're also pretty great on the TC too.
No idea about Lambskin or cowhide Caldera pads, but if you've got any Caldera pads on hand it's definitely worth trying them out on the VO. I ordered a set of Caldera suedes immediately!
Speaking of Caldera, I finally just tried the Caldera suedes on the VO and wow! Stage is immediately wider and more open and bass quantity makes it like another new headphone. I've been using Universe suede probably 90% of the time and they have been my favorite headphones until I got the Caldera. While I've never found VO bass lacking, between the Caldera and the 1266TC being my newest headphones, I've gotten used to bass being on another level up from the ZMF dynamics. I think the Caldera suedes even push vocals a bit more forward. They're also pretty great on the TC too.
No idea about Lambskin or cowhide Caldera pads, but if you've got any Caldera pads on hand it's definitely worth trying them out on the VO. I ordered a set of Caldera suedes immediately!
Damn, that's an interesting observation. I just put the Caldera suedes on the Caldera, preparing for my 1st listen to those pads (the 4th set I'll hear on the Caldera).
I've never felt a moment's urge to pad roll my VO, which still has the stock pads on it. But I may have to reconsider that. Not because I need more bass on the VO (I really don't), but because if the suedes can improve the already beguiling midrange, I'd be foolish not to hear that.
Speaking of Caldera, I finally just tried the Caldera suedes on the VO and wow! Stage is immediately wider and more open and bass quantity makes it like another new headphone. I've been using Universe suede probably 90% of the time and they have been my favorite headphones until I got the Caldera. While I've never found VO bass lacking, between the Caldera and the 1266TC being my newest headphones, I've gotten used to bass being on another level up from the ZMF dynamics. I think the Caldera suedes even push vocals a bit more forward. They're also pretty great on the TC too.
No idea about Lambskin or cowhide Caldera pads, but if you've got any Caldera pads on hand it's definitely worth trying them out on the VO. I ordered a set of Caldera suedes immediately!
Exactly what I needed to hear. I am also predominantly using uni suede pads on my VO. And has been thinking about getting the Caldera suede to try. Will get it now for sure.
Exactly what I needed to hear. I am also predominantly using uni suede pads on my VO. And has been thinking about getting the Caldera suede to try. Will get it now for sure.
I don’t have the V281 but I have the smaller sibling unit of V280; without preamp function. For V281 specifically, will let @Pharmaboy or @jonathan c to comment as they have it.
What I can say is that there is perfect synergy between V280 and VO in my SS chain. The V280 is highly transparent, accurate, and has a unique touch of warmth; often lacking in other SS amps. Together with VO, I get tight bass slams, visceral mids and smooth treble with that crazy 3D-ness when using uni suede pads. The tonality and timbre really shine. Of course, the staging part may not be the widest. That could be further enhanced with tubes; which I do in my chain extension connecting to my Cayin ha-6a; when I want to enter into a virtual musical air bubble. Even without tubes, I find the VO/V280 pairing intoxicating enough without any FOMO.
Exactly what I needed to hear. I am also predominantly using uni suede pads on my VO. And has been thinking about getting the Caldera suede to try. Will get it now for sure.
Unfortunately, i am not having good luck with Caldera suede pads on my VO. Theres just too much mid bass/bloom in the sound. The top end is still wide and airy but the mids are just too bloated. I think it might have something to do with the solid/non perforated inner side of the caldera pads. I have been using my BE2 lamb mostly but I do agree that the soundstage/3dness of the mids are missing with the Be2 pads but the caldera suedes are not my cup of tea with the VO, they sound amaing won the Caldera though. Instead i slapped on a pair of Uni suedes and now all is well with my VO. I might give the ultra perforated caldera pads a try though. I dont see any pads with solid inner linings would sound well with VO since the perforations help with the low end/ mid bass.
If anyone have any input, plz do share. I would love to hear other impressions.
I don’t have the V281 but I have the smaller sibling unit of V280; without preamp function. For V281 specifically, will let @Pharmaboy or @jonathan c to comment as they have it.
What I can say is that there is perfect synergy between V280 and VO in my SS chain. The V280 is highly transparent, accurate, and has a unique touch of warmth; often lacking in other SS amps. Together with VO, I get tight bass slams, visceral mids and smooth treble with that crazy 3D-ness when using uni suede pads. The tonality and timbre really shine. Of course, the staging part may not be the widest. That could be further enhanced with tubes; which I do in my chain extension connecting to my Cayin ha-6a; when I want to enter into a virtual musical air bubble. Even without tubes, I find the VO/V280 pairing intoxicating enough without any FOMO.
V281/VO is captivating, is intoxicating. Dynamics are startling, soundstage is w-i-d-e, layering is tactile. Tonal balance and timbre are musically convincing. Note: I use the ‘stock’ VO earpads on VO.
Unfortunately, i am not having good luck with Caldera suede pads on my VO. Theres just too much mid bass/bloom in the sound. The top end is still wide and airy but the mids are just too bloated. I think it might have something to do with the solid/non perforated inner side of the caldera pads. I have been using my BE2 lamb mostly but I do agree that the soundstage/3dness of the mids are missing with the Be2 pads but the caldera suedes are not my cup of tea with the VO, they sound amaing won the Caldera though. Instead i slapped on a pair of Uni suedes and now all is well with my VO. I might give the ultra perforated caldera pads a try though. I dont see any pads with solid inner linings would sound well with VO since the perforations help with the low end/ mid bass.
If anyone have any input, plz do share. I would love to hear other impressions.
I'd try the ultra perforated too if they had a suede version. The Caldera suedes definitely do something odd and it's probably what you described. I still like them of course with the Universe, but going back to them the treble irritates me a bit. I'd actually been using my VC much less for awhile and have always used the solid Universe suedes on them. Switched to the Auteur sold suedes on those and I'm loving them again. Maybe I should also try the perforated Auteur suedes on the VO.
To be clear, there aren't treble issues with either of the Verites themselves, it's specifically my tinnitus which has made me more treble sensitive with all my headphones.
I don’t have the V281 but I have the smaller sibling unit of V280; without preamp function. For V281 specifically, will let @Pharmaboy or @jonathan c to comment as they have it.
What I can say is that there is perfect synergy between V280 and VO in my SS chain. The V280 is highly transparent, accurate, and has a unique touch of warmth; often lacking in other SS amps. Together with VO, I get tight bass slams, visceral mids and smooth treble with that crazy 3D-ness when using uni suede pads. The tonality and timbre really shine. Of course, the staging part may not be the widest. That could be further enhanced with tubes; which I do in my chain extension connecting to my Cayin ha-6a; when I want to enter into a virtual musical air bubble. Even without tubes, I find the VO/V280 pairing intoxicating enough without any FOMO.
V281/VO is captivating, is intoxicating. Dynamics are startling, soundstage is w-i-d-e, layering is tactile. Tonal balance and timbre are musically convincing. Note: I use the ‘stock’ VO earpads on VO.
Anyone here freak with Caldera pads + VO? If not, then i strongly suggest mixing caldera ultra perf / caldera suedes with you VO's and see for yourself just how soothing that combo sounds.
Anyone here freak with Caldera pads + VO? If not, then i strongly suggest mixing caldera ultra perf / caldera suedes with you VO's and see for yourself just how soothing that combo sounds.
The Suede pads do add a little bit of mid bass/ thickness to the mids. As a result, it doesnt sound quite as majestic with my Elise Mk2 due to some warm sounding tube roll. However, it sounds excellent with my Bliss KTE. I have decided to keep the Caldera Ultra perf pads with my VO because it plays with all 4 of my amps.
BUT heres my observation. Due to the caldera pads being a hybrid type (solid inside/ perf outside), the bass is whats impacted the most while using these pads on my VO. It makes sense because the VO is tuned to be used with perf pads and not solid. Pads that are solid on the inside, hybrid or solid, will alter the low end of the VO or any ZMF Open cans. Vice versa, the VC, Eikons will benefit from solid on the inside pads and I am using my Caldera thin pads with my VC and they sound awesome.
Hopefully this helps and plz keep the pad rolling discussion going.
The Suede pads do add a little bit of mid bass/ thickness to the mids. As a result, it doesnt sound quite as majestic with my Elise Mk2 due to some warm sounding tube roll. However, it sounds excellent with my Bliss KTE. I have decided to keep the Caldera Ultra perf pads with my VO because it plays with all 4 of my amps.
BUT heres my observation. Due to the caldera pads being a hybrid type (solid inside/ perf outside), the bass is whats impacted the most while using these pads on my VO. It makes sense because the VO is tuned to be used with perf pads and not solid. Pads that are solid on the inside, hybrid or solid, will alter the low end of the VO or any ZMF Open cans. Vice versa, the VC, Eikons will benefit from solid on the inside pads and I am using my Caldera thin pads with my VC and they sound awesome.
Hopefully this helps and plz keep the pad rolling discussion going.
Thanks for the nudge guys (@robo24,@shafat777). Just ordered the Caldera suede pads. Look forward to compare it with the current uni suede pads on my VO.
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