cmk

Headamps are meant to drive headphones, of course, ie with a range of impedences up to 600ohms maybe. While the preamp is designed to drive poweramps, which may have input impedences of much higher than those of headphones, because the poweramp is supposed to amplify the signal anyway. For the above reason - diff impedences, its not a good idea to use a headphone amp to drive a poweramp. Active pres have a small amplification stage in them. The gain can vary from 8db to 20+db. Passive pres don't have any amplification whatsoever, just vol, and an input selector(some don't even have this). Another diff is that for passive pres, you have to make sure that the source has sufficient drive to power the interconnects, vol control, 2nd interconnect before reaching the poweramp. Else you will find that the music is lifeless, no dynamics. Nowadays there are a number of pres which are sufficiently transparent, such that passives are less appealing.

Thankfully I didn't have that much "bad" experience at Hung Bros, maybe cos when I was looking for cans, I dealt with their temp - Esther (actually one of the Hung Bros nieces) and she was very accomodating, even though I was trying out 4 cans and didn't buy till later. I think there's actually 2 guys with moustache, one more obvious(and taller) than the other(younger). The younger guy was nice to deal with too. The other lady(Hung sister) is not very friendly, although she did oblige my request to test the W1000.

Hi matbon What are you using for your pickup?

Good for you! Do update us when its run in and you have a better feel for its strengths.

The new owner is av98m. I just revisited my DT990 this morning and was very happy with the detail I heard. Also trying to see if it is more suited to any particular genre of music compared to the AT W100s. Must say that the 990 bass is definitely more prominent and it does have very nice tonal balance. Currently still doing more listening to determine the bias of this can, does sound good.

I believe tee is correct - fusion jazz.

On that recording there's no comparison.

Selling above reference tuner, was a Stereophile class B recommended component. Comes with remote and 16 presets, has signal strength indicator, wide/narrow band select, etc... Hi-fi World Magazine describes it as "The price of twenty concert tickets, and for that you can listen as if you were there. A bargain." http://www.hi-fiworld.co.uk/hfw/bgtuners.html Final fixed price $300.

Hi extremecans I have a pair of Tungsram 6922s, would you be interested in tube rolling? Still NOS in box, I only tested them on the Melos but didn't like the combination. It may suit the Xcans better.

Hi Adhoc Pls reserve #1 and 5. Thanks

For test discs, I usually will use whatever I'm currently listening to as a reference point, plus others such as : Holly Cole Trio's Don't Smoke in Bed - female vocal with accompanying double bass and piano. The double bass will test system's bass tightness, while the vocals are one of the best recorded. Take Dake Asian Roots - one of the ultimate bass test discs. Lots and lots of bass drums, I mean big bass drums. Avril Lavigne's Let Go - female pop rock with electric guitars and lots of instrumentation. If a system is very good, it will be able to separate the instruments and the guitars won't sound strained. Many systems cannot play this loud, it'll be just too bright, noisy, etc... Alternatively, Michael Jackson's Dangerous CD - same test, separation. Linda Ronstadt's For Sentimental Reasons - one of the best female vocalists. Recorded very well and if the system is good, you could almost place her in the room with you. Recently played : Cyndi Lauper's At Last - she has a nice raspy voice and the recording is excellent. On track 6 "If you go away", there's lots of emotion in her singing, as if she's going to cry. Singing happy songs is easy, sad songs are a lot tougher.

Only classical music.

DELETED. - Comment no longer valid. Nice review.

Hi Q00 Chamber music is basically small ensembles playing quartets, quintets, etc... quite a lot of the nice pieces are from the Baroque period. One of my favourite pieces is Bach's Orchestral Suites, all very enjoyable.

It comes with experience and lots of listening to different types of music. More important is whether the equipment is able to convey the emotion in the recording.

Maybe we could split cans into a few broad categories : Fast vs Slow Upfront vs Laid-back Punchy vs not-punchy bass Any others? Admitably, amplification also counts, but I believe the basic sonic signature of a can doesn't change very much.

There probably some truth in this since the sonic signature of each headphone varies quite a bit. Even cans from the same manufacturer and line can vary quite audibly from model to model. On the other hand, is it possible for a single can to "do it all"? What'd you guys think?

I'm curious about this comment about the need for at least 2 cans. Can you share your experience with diff music and diff cans? Which do you find preferable with which genre? Thanks.

ahgoh7 try bending the headband to fit your head.

Hi Rameish Just checking, this is only for stuff which you think "did not make it"? Or is it for the evolution of one's source to audio nirvana?

Guys, You can try different combinations of : DH cones + squares Unicones + squares under your CDP and/or DAC. For me, the combo which worked best is : Transport - Unicone + squares + Ikea board DAC - Jumbo cones + composite material(hard rubber) I did try out the whole range of DH cones, from Large, Super to Jumbo and the Jumbo(biggest) is the best, don't bother with the smaller ones. There was an increase in separation and tonal definition. These DH stuff are specially tuned for CD playback. I also have the squares only under my turntable.

You guys can get a spare set of pads from Hung Bros, using the Senn 414/5(?) yellow replacement pads. Cut a hole for the driver. This not only improves comfort, but also the bass response of the SR80 - see my earlier review.

Thanks to tropicalrips and Rameish for organising this power-buy.

I'd like to hear what the Acoustic Zen Silver Ref would sound like.