AudioNervosa

Group Therapy => NC Triangulation => Topic started by: hometheaterdoc on February 15, 2015, 02:54:10 PM

Title: Headphone Meet / Get Together - Sat. and/or Sun. March 21st & 22nd - Cary, NC
Post by: hometheaterdoc on February 15, 2015, 02:54:10 PM
Posting this over here as well for anyone that checks here and is interested.  This is cross-posted at head-fi.org here:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/753557/raleigh-durham-cary-nc-meet-saturday-and-or-sunday-march-21st-22nd-2015#post_11286367

Sol, our resident circuit genius is the host for this get together.  It will be held in the clubhouse of his housing development.  The clubhouse is more wide open and geared more towards holding more folks than at anyone else's house would be.  They've already got tables and chairs to allow setups like the one jtwrace setup at my house last time! :) Should be relatively easy clean-up after the fact as well.  Well worth the minimal rental fee to use the space.

Sol is looking forward to it so that he can showcase his discrete headphone amplifier he's designed.  He should have it in a case and ready for some sharing and feedback.  Carl and I got a sneak peek preview of it right before New Years... it's really good for what it would likely cost to build it out for someone.

Sol is very conveniently located in Cary, NC close to the Crossroads area in Cary.  Very easy to get there.  Please ask for address and directions via PM, email or calling directly.

In addition to stuff already here and shown at the last get together, new stuff that has arrived or *should* arrive by the time of the meet:

1) Audeze EL-8 open and closed back headphones - should ship in another week or so if all goes according to plan.

2) Enigma Acoustics Dharma hybrid 2 way headphones using their own proprietary self biased electrostatic supertweeter technology.  Also expecting their Athena tube headphone amplifier as well.  We were interested in the company for their loudspeakers first (and have a pair of Mythology M1 speakers shipping to us on Monday... so we'll need to have a speaker listening party at my place soon as well!  I'm also trying out Axis Voicebox monitors that our Unison Research distributor is now repping.  With a gloss black cabinet finish, we like how it matches well with our REL subwoofers for a complete system solution ;)...  more on that in another post!)... Anyways, even though we were interested in them for their speakers, their announcements at CES about a reference headphone and headphone amplifier were just icing on the cake and made the decision to sign on as a dealer a complete no brainer.

3) Alpha Design Labs (ADL) - a subsidiary of Furutech, my favorite audiophile connector company, they have some awesome electronics and a couple *really* good headphones (H118 & H128) that are very modestly priced!  Very excited to have added them...

4) I'm hoping against hope the Unison Research order arrives in time so I can have my production stock of the Unison Research SH DAC/all tube headphone amplifier that was such a hit at the last showing (when the distributor was awesome enough to ship us the prototype so we had something to show).... I've really, really, really missed it since I had to return the prototype unit back to the distributor so they could use it at CES in Las Vegas....

5) I know have stock of the Bakoon Products International HPA-01M portable all discrete current based headphone amplifier.  They managed to shrink the circuit down into a very compact unit while still keeping all the amazing sound of the bigger HPA-01 and HPA-21 desktop units. 

6) SPL Phonitor headphone amplifiers.... these didn't make it in time for the last meet at my place... While technically geared towards studio use, these amazing units are built like a tank and have some features you don't typically find on consumer gear...

If anyone is interested in attending, please reply here, as well as send a PM on here (at least after they have converted over to the new owners of the site!! hahaha) or email me directly at sales at nightanddayaudio.com. You can also give me a call directly if you wish to discuss.. Our number is 9 1 9 six three two 2 5 6 9.  Thanks!

Title: Re: Headphone Meet / Get Together - Sat. and/or Sun. March 21st & 22nd - Cary, NC
Post by: etcarroll on February 16, 2015, 04:42:32 PM
Put me down as tentative. I've begun exploring a portable headphone setup, so this piques my interest. Plus, I just said this morning I need to get to Raleigh as I just turned up a PM Richidoo sent me with 3 record stores listed.

And last, having met Sol once I'm intrigued to see what that rascal has been up to.
Title: Re: Headphone Meet / Get Together - Sat. and/or Sun. March 21st & 22nd - Cary, NC
Post by: hometheaterdoc on February 16, 2015, 07:34:13 PM
Awesome!  It would be great to have you!
Title: Re: Headphone Meet / Get Together - Sat. and/or Sun. March 21st & 22nd - Cary, NC
Post by: Carlman on February 19, 2015, 11:42:24 AM
3) Alpha Design Labs (ADL) - a subsidiary of Furutech, my favorite audiophile connector company, they have some awesome electronics and a couple *really* good headphones (H118 & H128) that are very modestly priced!  Very excited to have added them...

I have to agree with the "*really*" emphasis.  Be sure to hookup the X1 amp with them... Very nice setup. :)

Hopefully I can make it... just depends on a few other plans that are up in the air at the moment.
Title: Re: Headphone Meet / Get Together - Sat. and/or Sun. March 21st & 22nd - Cary, NC
Post by: richidoo on February 19, 2015, 12:36:40 PM
Put me down as tentative.

 :D


Edit: I'll be there too
Title: Re: Headphone Meet / Get Together - Sat. and/or Sun. March 21st & 22nd - Cary, NC
Post by: stereofool on February 19, 2015, 02:51:42 PM
I think my schedule is open, one or both days...I'll double check!

If I can set a fire under my butt, then I'll bring some cookies, this time  :D!
Title: Re: Headphone Meet / Get Together - Sat. and/or Sun. March 21st & 22nd - Cary, NC
Post by: stereofool on February 20, 2015, 03:27:09 AM
I think my schedule is open, one or both days...I'll double check!

If I can set a fire under my butt, then I'll bring some cookies, this time  :D!

I may have a conflict on the 21st, but can do the 22nd.
Title: Re: Headphone Meet / Get Together - Sat. and/or Sun. March 21st & 22nd - Cary, NC
Post by: richidoo on March 14, 2015, 09:35:05 AM
Gene, I just found another record store for you in Raleigh, called Record Krate, (http://recordkrate.blogspot.com/) on St. Mary's St. near Tucker St.
 :thumb:
Title: Re: Headphone Meet / Get Together - Sat. and/or Sun. March 21st & 22nd - Cary, NC
Post by: etcarroll on March 14, 2015, 11:26:12 AM
Thanks Rich, I got to Richmond last weekend and hit Plan 9.
Title: Re: Headphone Meet / Get Together - Sat. and/or Sun. March 21st & 22nd - Cary, NC
Post by: hometheaterdoc on March 14, 2015, 04:43:35 PM
some head-fi'ers wanted me to put everything in one place with details about whom is bringing what to the meet.... I updated the first post over on head-fi with the details... I copied and paste it here now for folks to reference...


Event Date & Time:
 
Saturday, March 21st, 2015 - Noon Until 10PM  (doors open at 10AM for folks bringing stuff to share so they can get setup)
 
&
 
Sunday, March 22nd, 2015 - 1PM - 5PM (although it will likely end up running slightly longer if past history is any indication... doors open at Noon or so for folks bringing stuff to share so they can get setup.  We will leave tables and everything setup from the day before so should be quicker setup time this time with just the gear itself)
 
Event Location:
 
Cary, NC at Pirate's Cove Housing Development Clubhouse
http://www.home-owners-assoc.com/piratescove/page.html

[snip]
 
List of Equipment that is going to be in attendance:
 
NightDayAudio is bringing:
 
Headphones -
- Alpha Design Labs (ADL) H118, H128, EH008 IEMs
 
- Audeze LCD-2 Fazor in bamboo and rosewood finish, LCD-X, LCD-XC, LCD-3 Fazor, EL-8 Open Back, & EL-8 Closed Back
 
- Fostex T50RP with upgraded ear cups, TH500RP (our TH600 and TH900 demo and open box models are now sold, but we do have new, sealed units if folks wanted some.  We just wont' have demos to listen to. Sorry!)
 
- Sennheiser Urbanite XL, Momentum, IE800, HD600, HD800 (as with the Fostex, our demo and any extra open box HD650s and HD700s are now sold.  We have plenty more new, sealed stock, but no demos to share.  Sorry!)
 
- ENIGMAcoustics Dharma (we won't know if they will make a surprise appearance at the meet until late in the week... it will be just in time via overnight shipping to make it in time if it does happen.... schedule is tight with limited supply and lots of press wanting to get time with them before CanJam.  If the meet was being held next month, it wouldn't be an issue at all, I'm sure)
 
Electronics, etc. -
- Alpha Design Labs (ADL) GT40a, X1, A1, Formula 2 USB cables, GTA-8 Lightning USB cable
 
- Bakoon Products International HPA-01M, HPA-01, HPA-21
 
- ENIGMAcoustics Athena A1 tube headphone amp (as stated above, this is not a definite and we won't know until late this week if it is going to happen or not... we're crossing our fingers, toes, and anything else we can cross in hopes it does happen)
 
- Fostex HP-A8C, HP-A4, HP-V1
 
- iFi Audio Micro iDSD, iTube, iUSBPower, Nano iDSD, iPurifier, Mercury & Gemini USB cables
 
- Klutz Design CanCan headphone stands
 
- PS Audio Sprout all in one DAC/phono/headphone amp/integrated, DirectStream DSD DAC
 
- Sennhesier HDVD 800 DAC/headphone amp
 
- Sieveking Sound Omega headphone stands
 
- SPL Phonitor Mini headphone amp
 
- TelluriumQ wires
 
- Unison Research SH headphone amp/DAC
 
- WyWires Red headphone cables, Blue & Silver Series ICs and USB cables
 
- Various DIY headphone and other cables, power cords, extension cords, power conditioners, etc.
 
 
 
Xoen is bringing:
 
- Audeze LCD-X with a Norne Audio Solv X cable
 
- Schiit Lyr 2/Bifrost Uber DAC combo (if he ends up buying Schiit Ragnarok amp and Schiit Gungir DAC combo, he is bringing that instead)
 
 
 
LNCPapa is bringing:
 
- Audeze LCD 2.2 non-fazor headphones
 
- WooAudio WA7 tube headphone amp/DAC
 
 
Chillburger is bringing:
 
Everything in his signature: 
Home Setup: ODAC -> O2 -> HD600  | Alpha Dog | HE400i
At the office: iPhone 4S with Fiio L9 > JDS C421 with OPA2227 -> Alpha Dog
 
 
 
Afghan Vet is bringing:
 
Fostex TH900, Peachtree Audio Nova, Cambridge Audio CD player
 
 
 
Howlin' Fester is bringing:
 
Cans:  TH900, RS1i, K702, Momentum - Over Ear 1st gen.  Can also bring my son's Momentum - ON Ear if anyone is interested.
AMPS: Peachtree Audio Decco65, RSA Intruder (upgraded and back in time for meet), Neco v3, Arrow 2.2
DAPS: DX50, Touch, Classic, Nano 5G, Shuffle
IEM:    Alfa Genus, TF10, SE530, HA-FX40
 
 
 
dxanex is bringing:
 
DNA Sonett 2 and Sennheiser HD 800 w/ DHC balanced cable, along with my Emotiva XDA-2 DAC.  Audeze non-Fazor LCD-2.2 and balanced Norne Audio Draug cable
 
 
 
subieNOVA is bringing:
 
Fidelio X1
 
 
 
richidoo is bringing:
 
AKG 701
 
 
 
audiorapture is bringing:
 
Beyerdynamic d880 if not sold and a Audio Tech m40 f/s and a receiver
 
 
 
jtwrace is bringing:
 
still trying to decide, but if he does bring his setup, it will be:
 
Headphone Setup:
AURALiC ARIES > AURALiC Vega or ODAC > AURALiC Taurus MKII > MrSpeakers Alpha Dog (Black)
AURALiC Gemini 2000
 
 
 
JWahl is bringing:
 
Resonessence Labs Concero HP DAC/Amp combo
iFi Audio Gemini USB cable and iPurifier USB Filter
AKG K712
 
 
 
nimbostruck14 is bringing:
 
Headphones:
V-moda m100 (xl pads & coil pro cable)
Akg K612 pro
 
Source:
my old hp laptop (spotify)
 
Amp/Dac:
Magni,modi (w/ cables needed)
 
 
 
terry parr is bringing:
 
SPL PHONITOR, a pair of XLR OUTS to RCA INS and a pair of GRADO RS1i
 
 
 
TomNC is bringing:
 
Audeze LCD-3 pre-fazor
Title: Re: Headphone Meet / Get Together - Sat. and/or Sun. March 21st & 22nd - Cary, NC
Post by: richidoo on March 14, 2015, 05:40:26 PM
Thanks Rich, I got to Richmond last weekend and hit Plan 9.

Cool, that looks like a great one!
http://www.plan9music.com/
Title: Re: Headphone Meet / Get Together - Sat. and/or Sun. March 21st & 22nd - Cary, NC
Post by: hometheaterdoc on March 20, 2015, 12:30:23 PM
in case anyone is only following here and not on the head-fi thread... 

please re-confirm your attendance and what day you are coming via post here, on head-fi, or via PM or email to us so we can get a final headcount... this looks like a heavy attendance on Saturday and it should be pretty full... so far, we don't have a single person who is confirmed to come on sunday only... so that might get cancelled... we'll see how saturday goes adn if folks want to come back...  for now it is still on and scheduled....

back to getting ready for tomorrow....
Title: Re: Headphone Meet / Get Together - Sat. and/or Sun. March 21st & 22nd - Cary, NC
Post by: richidoo on March 20, 2015, 12:44:41 PM
Rob S. and I are coming on Saturday.

Cookies are baked, and locked up securely... ;)
Thanks Shane
Rich
Title: Re: Headphone Meet / Get Together - Sat. and/or Sun. March 21st & 22nd - Cary, NC
Post by: etcarroll on March 20, 2015, 02:21:06 PM
Can't make either day, but you all have fun. And post some pics.
Title: Re: Headphone Meet / Get Together - Sat. and/or Sun. March 21st & 22nd - Cary, NC
Post by: Carlman on March 22, 2015, 05:23:02 AM
I can only imagine the work behind this gathering.
I hope some listening happened in the sea of gear and discussion.
Wish I could've been there.
Carl

Title: Re: Headphone Meet / Get Together - Sat. and/or Sun. March 21st & 22nd - Cary, NC
Post by: richidoo on March 22, 2015, 06:43:12 AM
Very fun!

Cool gear, nice people.
Title: Re: Headphone Meet / Get Together - Sat. and/or Sun. March 21st & 22nd - Cary, NC
Post by: Carlman on March 22, 2015, 06:28:15 PM
So were the el8's "all that? "
Can folks post some impressions of what they heard in new threads in the headphone section?
It's ok to start new threads!  :lol:
Title: Re: Headphone Meet / Get Together - Sat. and/or Sun. March 21st & 22nd - Cary, NC
Post by: Rob S. on March 23, 2015, 11:54:02 AM
El8's all that?  No, good phones.  Not a slam dunk, but good enough for me & my ears,  I'm hoping lots of break in and an upgrade cable will step them up some.   The xc's are a slam dunk! 

The midrange is not quite as smooth as the top models, signature is a little different. Still open and relaxed, though.    Rich preferred his old broken in AKG's.  Maybe he can add something. 

Rob S.
Title: Re: Headphone Meet / Get Together - Sat. and/or Sun. March 21st & 22nd - Cary, NC
Post by: richidoo on March 23, 2015, 02:22:43 PM
I like K701s better than EL8s when EL8s were on Fostex amp and 701s were on iFi iDSD amp, with both using iDSD as DAC. I don't remember ever listening to EL8 on the iDSD.

I liked LCD XC thru Shit Lyra tube amp and bifrost DAC. I liked 701s on Lyra too, nice amp. He had Amperex tubes in it.

I remembered Woo A7 sounding better thru LCD3s at Shanes house meet than it did this time on my 701s, I thought it was too tubey for K701s.

I find K701s to be more comfortable to wear than any other headphone I have tried to date. They are not as detailed as LCD3 but detailed enough for me. I like the tonal density and bass power, despite being open back. Apparently they sound bad when new, but I bought them used and mine are used hours a day for video gaming, so they are kept in prime condition. They need a powerful amplifier that doesn't make it shouty, like Fostex amp did, and a few others at the meet too. I don't know why, not enough current, or too low Zo,  I dunno

The iFi iDSD is an amazing machine. So many holes, so little time, makes some crazy hookup options possible. One setup was USB from laptop to iDSD powering one headphone controlled by iDSD's VC, with the iDSDs RCA preamp outputs switched to full volume feeding another headphone amp with it's own VC.  Another setup was laptop USB to iDSD, RCA outs to tube preamp on my speaker system, at the same time the iDSD SPDIF output to another DAC which is also connected to same preamp, allowing comparison of my own DAC to iDSD DAC playing in sync. As a DAC it sounded surprisingly good considering it lists at 40% of the cost of my diy DAC parts, and has commodity resale value tht tha diy doesn't. I did like my DAC better for more tonal texture, more natural tone on acoustic instruments, more realistic bass (iDSD is boosted bass a little even with the EQ buttons off) but iDSD was bigger rounder bolder overall that people will like. Certainly better sounding than most <$1000 DACs I've heard, and it has sota USB input, dejittering, internal battery for portable and many holes to explore. I also quickly compared iDSD to vinyl with Maestro Wood/Vista pre. The iDSD won that one, due to the differences in the mastering of the media. The TT played a 35 year old, thoroughly abused, noisy Japanese pressing of Coltrane's Blue Trane, while the iDSD played a recent CD remaster (Contrane's "Jazz Manifesto" compilation) with more bass, more treble, better panning, etc, the "technically correct by modern recording standards" version of the recording instead of the original RVG version with artistically appropriate bass and treble levels. But comparing midrange tone quality and liquidity of the iDSD to vinyl was very good, and that was playing redbook flac, not upsampled. The night before we used stereofool's older iFi DAC (similar model without DSD) as source for some very pleasant listening on my speaker system. Considering the price of $500 its an impressive bargain.

I also really enjoyed listening to iDSD on my K701 headphones, its a great synergy, clean sound, strong bass, plenty of power to play loud, not shouty.

EL8 has good isolation, and feels comfortable, seems lighter than LCD2-3 but I did not compare the weight. I avoided trying any LCDs at the meet.

Listening to Jasons Aurelic stack was also a highlight of the meet. He has a lot of great music on his "travelling" HDD so I was able to hear some great jazz and classical stuff that I would normally have to bring myself to hear. Bill Evans' Portrait in Jazz, and Rubenstein's Chopin, Elllington Newport, etc. Good stuff. The Aurelic DAC and headphone amp sounded great with my 701. Clean, transparent, powerful, that's it, no obvious personality. I could hear music without sound distraction better than the other demos. The iFi was like that too, but I didn't try that until got home later.

A guy named Rhett had a DX50 portable player that sounded really good with dual ESS 9018 DAC chips in it. That was the best sound with EL8 that I heard over the weekend. But there was an amp between the player and the cans, I don't remember what that was, Rob should know that.

One thing I learned from listening and several conversations at the meet is that some headphones (like mine) prefer a higher output impedance amp. Very low source impedance can make a shouty sound in upper midrange, lower Z (like tubes) removes that. I don't know what the iFi Zo is, but it didn't shout and it is SS, so who knows.
Title: Re: Headphone Meet / Get Together - Sat. and/or Sun. March 21st & 22nd - Cary, NC
Post by: jtwrace on April 07, 2015, 12:32:03 PM
Hopefully the next meet is being planned.   :D