cmk

See the Headfi folks talking, wrong, raving about these, and the pics look tempting... Are they available here?

No change in the price, as above first post.

Where is this? Can you provide the link?

I think a distinction needs to be made regarding the 990pro and the 990 (06 model). The later is a complete re-design and not the same as the 990pro. In terms of pricing, its the 990pro, 880, then 990 being the most expensive. I own the 990pro and the 990 is a much better can, clearer and more musical. The 880 is good, high in detail, but ultimately I found it not as entertaining as the 990s, YMMV.

Got the K501s from Jaben. I'm writing this as I'm running in/listening to these cans. For the little money spent on them, they are an extraordinary value$$$. Very even balance throughout the frequency range and they produce a clean and clear treble. Bass, at present, does not go very deep, but it does hit those bass notes. The good thing about these cans are that they sound coherent and musical, and even after listening to them for over an hour, they are still comfortable and not-fatiguing. A good sign given that they are just fresh out of the box.

Due to the govt's generosity, us SGeans have some funds to buy new goodies. I just wonder who is going to get which new toy? I'm looking at the Grado 325i or the Alessandro MS2i.

Alessandro MS2i have landed.

Thanks Mackie, BTW, nice review. If I could summarise : the new 990 has better detail than the 880, better bass than the 990pro, the speed of Grados, and still has the Beyer comfort - an impressive combination. I would have liked to have tried it out with a better source.

Mackie I want to mod my DT990pro, can you point me to the link? How to open the can? thanks

While you are there, have a listen to the DT990 too, I think you may reconsider your purchase.

Yup, the 325i is impressive indeed, I did find a bit of excess treble energy on a CD or two, probably the material - so it is not very forgiving of poor recordings (do take note). Nevertheless, the detail retrieval is quite amazing. The lower bass goes really low, certainly lower than most other cans I've heard, and it was very tight. I suppose some might like a little fuller bass, but it certainly went deep hitting around 20hz quite cleanly. The pads can be changed, so don't fret, there's some posts here on alternative pads - it will change the sound though. When you try to compare to something you heard in the past, it is quite difficult to draw any parallels. Time does funny things to the brain and probably what you heard could never compare to what you are hearing now. While you are at this auditioning stage, do have a listen to the Alessandro MS2i (a Grado 325i variant) as well since they are being brought in by someone in Adelphi - something quite rare.

I would suggest you test with something you are very familar with. The thing is to know what to look out for when listening.

I've heard the DT880 before(not at AA though), it is very detailed, but doesn't have the same violin tone as the 501. More likely the newer 990 is more suitable. So far, the 990 is much more balanced, having detail as well as bass, while its highs are very fast, similar to Grado. This is only a general observation as the listening equipment at AA is not on par with MBD, however given the disparity, the 990 was certainly impressive. For a better feel, I think I should bring down my own amp and have a listen. Another idea I have is to bring down my cello CD and test it out. Cello is even harder to reproduce than violin and would certainly test the lower mids and bass, the area where most cans have problems. This is highly recommended = Delos DE 3326 Zuill Bailey Debut Recording

Is Asia Sound the only place to get this can? The other place is AA? Is the latest price of $250 still valid? After hearing Aaron's 501 on classical pieces, I was taken back. It has the most beautiful violin tone, very sublime.

IMO that would be a big waste, but then, its your money. Not saying that electrostatics are not good, they are very, very good for what they do well. For some types of music, nothing beats them. Yes, you should try them at Kingsley.

Electrostatics (reference to Stax): Pros - v highly detailed, good soundstaging, out of head sound (Omega). Cons - lack of dynamics (compared to dynamic cans), cost, cannot change amp (except within Stax line). Dynamic cans: - well this one really depends on which can you are referring to, but for the price of a Stax, you could get a few dynamic cans, unless you get things like the L3000, R10, or one of those other exotics.

Latest news, MS2i should be in these few days.

Does he carry the MS2i?

Hey, any other good sources for classical CDs available? I spoke to Ernest of NDV, and he can order the CDs wanted, but he doesn't have the space to hold an extensive classical section.

Nice one,

Mackie Can you also do a comparison with the older DT990Pro and the DT990? RE : out of head sound Anyone considered/listened to the Grado 325i? How do these compare with the current crop of new cans?

Beethoven: The Violin Sonatas [bOX SET] Reviews of this set are mixed. It is certainly not a stright-and-narrow Beethoven performance. If you are familiar with these works, you are in for a few surprises in Mutter's interpretation; her phrasing, use of vibrato and rubato may be a bit disconcerting to those familiar with the standard recordings of Menuhin and Kempff. But listen to them again and you begin to hear a new freshness to these works. The wild tempi and free dynamics give way to a powerful lyricism that Beethoven would surely have approved of. Buy this CD set for a new listening experience. A fresh approach to Beethoven, and a truly satisfying feast of music.

Sing Music 2nd floor Lucky Plaza.

Hi Not fully given up, W100s too good to let go. Let me know when you want to drop by.

Hi Adhoc I'm not familar with the 6AS7, but 6SN7 yes. Wil has already provided you with the sources. Each tube has its own characteristics, but the one's which I prefer are the Sylvannia VT231. Frankie at Well Audio may also have some other exotic tubes which are interesting. Checkout those with the brown base. I hope you don't need many of these as they are expensive. If you require a lot, I would instead consider current production by EH 6SN7, which actually isn't too bad. There is a lot of hype about NOS, some are good, some just don't cut it. Not everything NOS is good. Which amp are you using it for?