Tristram

I thot your fav was the Beetle? Din know you like bug and cat too... HaHaHa... *** All Hail the "King" *** I paid homage yesterday, and was heavenly blessed with some fine "triangular" tunes... "Wow"... of what dimensions the magnificent soundstage... of what clarity the treble w/o missing any exquisite bass... and hardly any listening fatigue. I'm impressed by the simplicity (it's not enormous) of the unit and the beautiful intricate design but yet can produce such music. Thanks to Wilson and to the owner, that I have got the chance to be blessed by this heavenly king. And Great to know brother Ahdui. Good buys you got! Hope you enjoy your new precious-es.

U may check with Top-Gun if he's sold his Headroom Total Airhead. He posted earlier in the Classified.

I have the same sentiments on this too... not that we love to be suspicious... but it sure helps to be cautious. I feel local dealer better bet for purchase & support anytime too. Perhaps more support for the dealers here will lead to better offers somemore for all of us even.

Hi xboxer, Congrats on your A500 buy & may you enjoy your new cans. I agree fully with you (from your post in the other forum) that u should buy with your own decision after trying the choices as u will be the one using. Reviews should at best be as references, to be taken with some openness/receptiveness as well as with reservations. I am also fellow newbie to this audio hobby (which can be rather costly) and have limited funds to fuel with. I briefly tried the A900 and was impressed with it too. Until more funds then... Just my 2 cents. Cheers.

Hi theory_87, happen that I was comparing these 2 I got, and just my 2 cents worth here (I only newbie in audio, and my views are just IMHO)... I got a PA2V2 most recently , and I was listening to different tracks using it and comparing to my earlier acquired LDM+... along with the iCute Beyond... My findings is that though the PA2V2 plays with more warmth and bass than the LDM+, when I was playing a Wang Chieh song, there was one part when the sound just went muffled with some hiss... the iCute Beyond just drive smoothly thro it and the LDM+ managed that part ok too, albeit not as smoothly as the iCute. I went playbacks thro that quite a few rounds, switching between the Cardas and the Ultimate Link Black Emperor Interconnects I have. Btw, the PA2V2 really sounds great most of the time, and is more musical and warm unlike the rather clinical sounding LDM+. As stated very accurately by [J]-ohn in his thread "Ultimate link cables, Good news for little dot owners", I find that the Black Emperor goes rather well with the LDM+ and makes it more musical. The Cardas just did not sound as good with the LDM+. Of course there will be other ICs (DIYs or non-DIYs) which may suit better. For the PA2V2, I feel that it can drive much louder than the LDM+(important for me as I enjoy some spare power for the oomph! sometimes) and the Cardas works very well with it. Sometimes I do try the Black Emperor with it, and find that though the Black Emperor expands the sound transparency, the results varies with the music types or songs played. Well both will be for keeps at the moment at least as my portable setups. My iCute Beyond will too as my desktop setup. The Source I am using is line-out from a simple Panasonic SL-CT720. Cans used is Beyer DT990 (250ohms, 2005 ed -- the one with the champagne gold tinted venetian blinds). I may try the Go-Vibe V5 again somemore based on the good reviews I read... somehow the music thro it did not impress me during my previous trials (except that I really luv the volume pot!). May you get to enjoy the kind of SQ u looking for. Cheers, Tristram

Hi, YGPM.

Hi ekoliew, Thank you for your advice. I've actually bought the iCute Beyond (non-battery) on Tuesday already, after getting some advice and made the decision after some more listening with my own PCDP and music @ Jaben. As it was for my home, dun really need it battery-powered... and I prefer my music to be "Powered". The only concern after got the amp was some static felt when touching the sides and the volume pot initially. Wonder any good advice to enhance grounding or safety suggestions. Even though believe it's safe but still kia-si, dun want to be one of the first to be known fried by amp while listening. I am using it with my week-plus old DT990. Like I mentioned earlier, DT880 is very, very good as it was the first pair of cans to Wow me. But I preferred a bit more bass for my music and DT990 was it. I felt DT880 brought the singer's voice closer and the decision wasn't easy for me then. Anyway both are good choices and there are so many other good choices for this audio fetish... like I briefly listened to the Little Country and felt it is another notch heavenly for me. For now, I am happy and contented with DT990 & iCute Beyond. Great that besides the better music I'm enjoying, got to know some audio knowledge, get to know some of you nice guys, and got to enjoy the friendly and patient services of Mr Wilson. S.E. far for me in East... Cheers.

For me, it's my good old Senns 495 Silver which is light, comfortable and safe on the ears (flat cushy earpads on the full ears). IEMs may not be safe to ear, and perhaps to wallet too (if it falls apart).

Hi saiga, Just want to clarify that you really should not compare the LDM+ to an iCute amp. Size, power, price too different. Best if you can listen to the differences to make your decision. If the price of any amp is beyond a budget, then there is no point comparing. An iCute is not exactly very pricey. To be fair to the amp and our friendly Mr Wilson from Jaben, the iCute offers very good value for its performance/price. Moreover its good looks and the "smooth as silk" volume pot are major pluses for it too. And do not forget his impeccable service and the warranty provided. The LDM+ you getting probably from the MO like me in the prev one? I would suggest if you really want to find out about the iCute, go to Jaben, and try it, you might get to try other stuff there that interests you too. (**IMPT: I am only a customer of Jaben, and get no benefit if you buy) That may help you make a better decision than just going through others' reviews. For me, I am using the DC powered iCute Beyond at home to run my 250 ohm DT990 from my PCDP. The pocketable LDM+ will be moving along with me to drive my portable gear. If I have further budget and the chance to. then I would like to go for a Xin supermini or macro... which I was lucky enough to briefly listened to. And maybe a Little Country for the home based iCute upgrade. With its nice looks and portable sizes, I dun mind having another Firestone amp in the house to switch between, or put them in different rooms. Or the upgrades could be for new items that proven themselves more worthy... Of course, ultimately you make your choice. Good luck to you and may you get the amp u like and enjoy. Cheers & a good weekend to all.

As what i know, cannot compare becos LDM+ not in same class. iCute cost few times the price of LDM+. It is a good amp for its price, size and performance. The LDM+ battery seems to run on forever... mine still not charged once, as it came already charged from the MO. According to some of the brothers, it lasts > 100 hrs. Cons basically due to its tiny size : 1) vol knob diff to turn (too small & smooth surface) 2) cannot really drive high impedance cans well enuf 3) sound not as warm as I would have like but at its price & portability, one really cannot complain. The iCute on the other hand, has plenty of potential (as i just got it). The volume control is smooth as silk, and power is much better. The Battery II model is conveniently portable (not pocket though), looks good & cute, and batteries think lasts 10 - 12 hours? Maybe you can check @ firestone amp webpage or with uncle Wilson @ Jaben. Cheers, Tristram

Since I brought back, I'd only used it on my desktop "formica" surface on the non-slip mat. Today morning tried again and did not detect the currents for a while, will try somemore later... b4 just running back to Wilson. I feel the Beyond consistently more power (maybe that's what a Class A Amp does) as conpared to the Battery II which is more conveniently portable. I did envisage earlier to put on bed or carry around, but I can't see myself using the open 990s everywhere. For that usage, It would prob be next project (more like next budget) with a Xin super macro or mini... as battery powered ones should be safer. Now I am very contented with my modest setup of the DT990 with it. It really adds a new lease of life to my music cds as I run them through again.Cheers.

Was burning in the iCute Beyond and enjoying the process... I felt some current when adjusting volume knob... and touching the top and sides. I tried my test pen and it lit up! Did not felt this way when testing the demo piece at the shop. Otherwise, the amp is performing ok while burning it in. Just want to check if this is normal or any dangers? Regards, Tristram

It sure is... Thanks to all brothers who highlighted the finer details to me before this impulsive purchase (Wilson will insist I was not impulsive, hahaha. My 2nd Precious within a week! ... (after my Beyer DT990 & blown my budget for some time) Thanks to Wilson for being "friendly" on both occasions. So now I am really a poorer but happy man. And btw, madsumm please kindly share your "Transistor opamp" rolling and mods pics and experience. I am keen to learn/know. Gracias. Now to burn in my little precious-es, A‧dieus amigos.

Hi Top-Gun, U mean the LED light colour to differentiate, since not the coloured faceplates? Then how come davidcsk2112 posted on 22 Jul 2006, 05:24 PM in his thread WTS: Firestone Audio iCute Beyond Class A that the blue light is flickering? Beyond is Yoda/Luke -Green... Encore is Darth... Battery is Obi-Wan???

Ya Zhapchit, thanks for pointing it out. I did not realise it then... thot wanted to monitor it until the closing bid time then chiong my bids to secure it, but fail to wake up luckily. I saw the other PA2V2 where postage is only 4USD and assumed same. Wah, really dangerous to bid for ebay stuff man, seems like besides the winning bid price + postage, still got a few dollars more for postal insurance required as per the amount. Dun really know how to see. Anyway, thanks. Really find so many tube amps in ebay, all sorts of fantastic or weird designs. But i think i can't have tube amp in my home becos not nosey kids (nephew/niece) safe. But why the postage from HK to Sing so exp??? even cost more than the amp??? The bid winner paying SGD about 255.95 SGD (39+47 =86 pounds) Issit still good price for the XS708b? Cheers.

Wahhh... thanks brothers, very happy to get your advices, even though some are too technically chim for me as per now. I do roughly get the ideas... Will go down next week to test the cute babies out, hopefully got stock... can get to chat and learn from Uncle Wilson, as well as try out the toys there, maybe even meet up some more brothers... ok, or sisters also (not sexist) Wonder if I should get the icute and drop the LD2+ MO or go for both... ($$$???), but seriously concerned about the exposed tubes as nosey nephew and niece running around weekends... somemore will surely next try to get better source like a desktop CDP... siong. (Sigh)This is really a money-draining ear-fetish black-hole that I'm happily being sucked into... help. ;P

Hi, I am interested to find out more about the cute & fun looking amps. I briefly tried the battery one at Jaben. Understand from the Firestone website Beyond is latest update and Little Country is Tube amp. My home rig is a Panasonic PCDP SL-CT720, BlackEmperor or Cardas HP-1 Interconnect to Beyer DT990. Currently stressing a LDM+. Before I go Jaben to test again, any brother/sister here can offer advice? Have a happy weekend, Tristram

Yes, u r right, I was looking at all those fabulous weird-looking tube amps by seller by nick of leshele. Some cost 1000s but open bidding from a few GBPs... U can take a look too, so many not heard of in this forum. Guess my next HK trip must go visit, but no address stated.

Hi Ekoliew, Any reason for your choice of the non-battery iCute instead of the battery one? I am interested in the amp too, but wondering if it is "power" enough for the Beyer 250ohms cans. I briefly ampled the battery one but not impressed with it, will go Jaben again to test somemore. Great choices you got. I tried the DT880s and yes they are very very good, DT990 are just as good and I feel they sound different. Of course the price is different but it really depends on the choice of the preference based on the kind of music/songs or hardware used together, synergy. Cheers.

Hi Mackie, Thanks for your advices here and everywhere. I have been reading them and learnt much from them. But may I know what is "slew factor" you mentioned? Me really limited audio-knowledge, sorry. I really enjoy the new cans even though it does not accomodate my specs very well when wearing... comfortable as it is. I am surprised tt my 32ohms Senns 495 Silver needs to be driven as much as this 250ohm Beyer flagship to dish out decent music (at 3-4 o'clock position on the poor LDM+ too) due to its actual sensitivity being low @91dB/mW rather than what Senns stated on the specs). Of course the 495 is rather a mid-fi can only, but it is much lighter being all plastic, and just as comfortable and still enjoyable enough to keep since not much resale value anyway. Currently I use my Panny SL-CT 720 or my Akira DVD 2105 player as source, both needs the only amp I got until my LD2+ from the current 4th MO , I do not see much desktop amp as economic as the MO price for LD2+ at moment. Saw posts of the PA2V2 and wonder if I should get that some time in future or the Go Vibe V5 from Uncle Wilson. I am also keen on the cute and nice form factor of the Firestone Amps like iCute and the Little Country, but not now as the budget taken for the Beyer cans. Hopefully can manage to fork out for a better source soon. Cheers, Tristram

Thanks for your response. Really tempted by your advice especially about the potential but I not a DIY person and no electric/electronics/mechanics skills... never used a soldering iron, and furthermore the seller not responded yet. Will wait somemore and see how.

Hi, I just saw in Ebay that the XiangSheng 708B Pre Amp going for current bid of below 40 SGD for a few hours more. Is it worth getting it at that selling price? And is it the same XiangSheng this thread talking about that a fellow forummer recommended me. I was considering between LD2+ and this XS708b since this thread compared... Just want to make sure. Thanks.

Hi, guess I'll stick to the buy as cannot afford to stretch the spending too much so soon... btw, the kids are my nephew and niece. They do come on weekends or holidays as I am at their grannies place. The LDM+ drives the phones ok at about 3 o'clock position for me for the Celine Dion songs. Like the super transparency, openess and soundstage of this phone. I found that closed cans do not suit me and IEMs give me some symptoms of claustrophobia. Do they really have a 32ohms set for DT990? Will those be as good at that impedance? Ya man, luving MY PRECIOUS every second of it. Sama sama. Hahaha.... Wow, so many nightbirds here. Cheers, Tristram

Wat happened??? for your "almost and nearly" Btw, I got the one with the lourves. The same tt ralli`fto got. No regrets as I am driving my LDM+ crazy with it. I would love to try it, but dun seem to see any posting of MO or offer of it. And it seemed that tube amps need some technical know-how about DIY... I only know how to listen to music and songs. I may explore the chance of seeing/trying the XS708 if I were to go HK sometime not so soon. Or do you know of any good lobang? U a nightbird too, huh? Cheers, Tristram

Hi ralli`fto, your posts coupled with Mackie's in depth reviews (Many thanks!) have led me to to finally go test the Beyers @ Jaben, and thanks to Uncle Wilson's impeccable patience and service, I have got myself the DT990. I initially tested the DT880 and found it very, very good, and was eager to see how the DT990 can top that... somehow, the new set of DT990 just did not sound right when I tried it on... using various sources, hiss and all, one side no sound... but when uncle Wilson went about and got a 2nd new set and I tried, I felt the oomph in the Celine Dion's tracks melting me. I just had to get it, My Precious. And btw, I am getting a LD2+ from the 4th MO. Just my worries about the tubes becos sometimes kids run around in my room, as I have a PC with games. I had wanted to try out the amps like Go-vibes V5, Icute, little country.. w/o the exposed tubes, but too short of time today. Hi Qsilver, I found out I more deaf or the vol not as "power" on my LDM+ becos I have it at 3 -4 o'clock to appreciate the 250ohms. Many thanks to Genocide too whom I'm glad to meet with, that I got to try the Grado 225i & the Hornet and Supermini 3 amps from. Really nice to know you and uncle Wilson today.