cmk

While the changes maybe subtle in some cases, I believe that they do make a difference if you can use more of the vol pot between the 10-2 o'clock range. The reason I asked this question, was because I don't know whether there was a direct co-relation between the highs/lows and impedence. Over the past couple of days, I have been experimenting with the 120ohm adaptor with the AT W100 and the Melos. The W100 being a low impedence design, I could only get the vol up to 9 o'clock at most, cos' it was pretty loud already. With the Beyer DT990, I had to go up to 11-12 o'clock to get the same SPLs. The impression I had was that the Beyers were more detailed than the W100, which was a bit perplexing, cos' I liked the W100s a lot. With the 120ohm adaptor, I could now push the vol up to about 10-11 o'clock and the sound quality improved noticeably. The music was allowed to flow more smoothly and the details are back. More importantly, the reason why I liked the W100 seemed to come back again - its musicality. The only problem being that the 120ohm adaptor is an 1/8" plug, while the W100 and the Melos are both 1/4", so I've got 2 sets of adaptors - not an elegant solution. I'll be doing some more listening to confirm my findings, and then make a final decision on my next move.

amp > hp impedence matching? OR How does varying headphone impedence affect sound quality? Specifically which range of frequencies are affected more, treble/bass?

Has anyone heard/seen the R10? How much do they cost?

whoa! need to slow down a bit. The Omegas are in a class of their own. Build quality, comfort, sound quality. It is clearly better than the 4040. On classical music, the sense of space and separation are really good. The 4040 was also good in producing that engulfing type of sound, but the bass was some what lacking and so the tonal balance was a little tilted. The one area which I think is the weakness of electrostatics is their dynamics, when compared to dynamic cans. However, these impressions are NOT conclusive as the Staxes were not run-in fully. Also, after we finished, they kept them back into the boxes. Suggest you go have a listen and hear if they light your boat. The one thing about them is their delicacy and nuances are really in a class of their own.

Talk to tropicalrips, he has a custom amp for the SR80 and it really sings.

Present? I think I can find a color pencil box for you somewhere.

Wah, one year older...and wiser. Keep the music on...

Don't expect too much with compilations. The recordings were all done in different studios and the mastering done in "one size fits all" type. With better source equipment, you would be less forgiving of these pressings. I usually don't compromise, just go for the best. In relation to your question, generally the CD imports are better(especially US and Jap pressings), although there are some local pressings which are of decent quality.

Sorry going today! May go again on Sat, depending on schedule, family, etc...

hi fuwen Thanks for the suggestions, I'll need time to chase up on those pieces - too many at one go. Pls do continue to add to the list. I hope it will continue to grow and stimulate further interest.

hi red ryder I think you should not jump to the conclusion that those audiophile recordings are bad, just because you have upgraded your CDP to the NAD. I have no doubt that some of them are not as advertised, but most of them are. I have heard the NAD and felt that it was highly detailed, with its balance tilted to the treble. It would therefore be unforgiving of brighter recordings - again, depending on the interconnects and cans used. I reckon(not knowing your setup completely, especially wrt to power supply and interconnects) that the problem could lie elsewhere. If you are open to suggestions, I could drop by and have a listen to your setup and maybe suggest an alternative which could make CD playback more...enjoyable(?).

On my Melos and AT W100. The AT W100 has few hours on it, at most 200. The Melos is stock, except for new tubes. If you are interested, kindly send me a pm.

Guys Good news! The STAX is IN! Ready for audition. I should be at Kingsley this Sat afternoon. Did I mention the OMEGA is there too?

Did I hear "new amp"?

Rameish, touching story. He died of boredom? Mine is the 1981 version.

Hey Welly, have a great day. BTW, how's the pioneer player coming along?

Here is something I really like : Composers: Bach Title: Orchestral Suites 1-4 Artists: Neville Marriner, The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields International release date: February 1991 Catalogue number: 430378 Label: Decca In particular, listen to : Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067 : 7. Badinerie (01:27) Suite No. 3 in D, BWV 1068 : 2. Air (03:41)

Hi Fuwen I do like Dvorak, just not very familar with all his pieces, still picking up here and there. I have 2 versions of his VC - Sarah Chang and Christian something, both very nice. The sym9 will look to getting at least one version. Pls recommend some some good recordings/performances of those pieces. Will look out for those symphonic pieces you recommended : "Dvorak Piano Concerto Sviatoslav Ritcher/Carlos Kleiber EMI Classics 5 668952 Schubert Symphonies 3 and 8 Carlos Kleiber/Wiener DG 449 745-2 Tschaikorvsky Sym no. 6 Karajan/Berlin 1977 recordings DG 419 486-2 Karajan/Wiener 1985 recordings DG 439 020-2 Sibelius Violin Concerto Christian Ferras/Karajan DG 419 871-2" Glenn Gould on Goldberg is very good. He actually hums to himself in the background, making it appear that it is a live performance. He actually recorded these pieces twice - 1955 and the 1981. The later recording is "slower" and I felt more insightful. Even though "slower" it is still very quick for any pianist. I have both though. BTW there is a normal CD and SACD version of the 1981 recording. Mahler? - I always thought this to be too difficult to appreciate. I'll pick up those you recommended first before going on to his works.

To the others reading this thread, I hope I'm not scaring you guys/gals into thinking that the music suggested above is heavy/difficult to appreciate. These are actually maybe a little more than easy listening, but they are very well played virtuoso performances of these pieces. You could easily pick up any of these CDs and start appreciating classical music.

Cheers

Dvorak's New World, I haven't collected any yet. Somehow couldn't quite appreciate it, maybe I haven't reached that nice part yet Any good one to recommend? Anne Sophie Mutter - well, I won't go so far as to say I'm a fan, but I do appreciate some of her better performances, notably her early Mendelsohn violin concerto performance with Karajan, which basically launched her career. I tried one of her recent DG SACD of Beethoven's violin sonata 9, but felt it was generally not well accompanied. Mmm...you sound like you're a fan. For me, Heifetz is still the best violinist. The performances are striking in their artistry, speed, virtuoso. I particularly like his Bruch VC and Scottish Fantasy. I also have LP collection of some of his performances, incl Beethoven Violin Sonata 9 Krutzer (one of the best IMO). Mmm...no Itzak Pearlman? BTW, I learned the piano. Here are some favourites : Emil Gilels Eroica Variations Glenn Gould Goldberg Variations

This is a nice collection of violin pieces by Kyung Wha Chung : Composers: Beethoven/Mendelssohn/Sibelius/Tchaikovsky Title: Violin Concertos (2 CDs) Artists: Kyung Wha Chung, Dutoit/Kondrashin/Previn, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal/Wiener Philharmoniker etc. International release date: September 1996 Catalogue number: 452325

Augustine This is a very nice piece and a good performance for violin :

Hi fuwen You are right, I'm not exactly a beginner, but just want to pick up those popular pieces which I've not collected yet - there are lots. I'm still waiting for the previous Pentatone you recommended - Stravinsky. Ok, let's see : Mozart - I have the night music played by ASMF. Beethoven - I've collected a couple of the symphonies by Hogwood, AAM. Good recordings and I like the period instruments. Violin concerto - I've got a couple of versions, Heifetz, Pearlman, Kwung Wah Chung. Tchaikovsky - 6 - I don't have this one yet. Do you have the catalog #? Piano and violin - I've got, need to check. Dvorak Sym 9 - Label #? Mussorgsky - Pictures got this on CD and LP. I really like the Great Gate of Kiev. Actually the whole piece is a masterwork. I have the version by Riccardo Muti conducting the PO. Say, which are your favorite violinist? Pianist?

Yup, Tchaikovsky is good, quite nice ballet music. Most of his works that I have are Karajan's performances, except for the volin and piano concertos. Must look around for some good ones.