909

Have you heard every amp on that list? If so, wow

I've owned the RSA Hornet (not "M"). I've spent extensive time with the EC-SS. And heard the Gilmore Lite briefly at a meet. I've also used my HD650s on each of these amps. I?d cross the Hornet off your list. It's an ok to decent portable amp, but nothing really special and pricey. I suppose if portability was of the utmost importance you might consider it, but with the HD650 there are better options. I really liked the EC-SS. I thought it sounded great. And walked the fine line between solid state (analytical) and offering a bit of tube warmth and magic without getting bloated or muddy. It's a great amp. During my brief listen I thought the Gilmore Lite provided an equally enjoyable musical experience, but slightly more analytical presentation and still some warmth. I think it had the power supply too. You've got a free noobie pass this one time

The ER-4P is a great IEM, no doubt. Some have reported microphonic issues with the cord and discomfort with the 3-flange insert eartips. Also I've read that the new shuffle has some sort of hiss issue with the Shure E4s, which it might also do with the ER-4s. The Shure E4 are another great IEM that don't have such microphonic cord issues and provide more sleeve eartip options and most consider them to be more comfortable as well. Just some food for thought.

I forgot to mention that I used the soft flex sleeves with the E4s because it's comfortable and fits well. five minute edit window... sometimes I wish it was ten \

I own the Shure E4 and like them a great deal. They offer a very balanced presentation and an acceptable amount of bass for an IEM. I've not heard or owned the ER-4P/S but researched them extensively before I made my first IEM purchase. I surmise that the ER-4ps are an overall better sounding IEM, but they lack impactful bass and do have some things you should know before you pull the trigger. IIRC, the ER-4P/S have been reported to have microphonic issues with the cable so probably it isn't ideally suited for the exercise bike unless you can keep the cable pretty still. You can do a search on Head-Fi with the keywords "ER-4p" and "microphonic" and that should bring up some results about this issue. Additionally, the ER-4 tips that insert into the ear canal aren't the most comfortable things. In fact, some people find them slightly painful or even unbearable. There's a foam tip option, but I've never gotten a good seal with foam and it is essential you get a proper fit and seal. With the 3-flange they need to be inserted deep into the canal. Even though, the ER-4 are regarded as an incredible IEM bass isn't impactful and some might say pronounced enough. http://www.headphonereviews.org/headphone.php?action=view&headphoneId=45 As for the E4s, I've never noticed any cable microphonics while working out. Shure offers about four different tip styles and three sizes in each style so that you can pick one that's the most comfortable and fits best while providing a good seal. I've tried the triple flange and after about an hour my ear canals got sore. Again, a good seal is very important. I suspect that the E4s aren't as good as the ER-4, but they are close, offer better comfort, a cable that isn't microphone, and impactful bass. http://www.headphonereviews.org/headphone.php?action=view&headphoneId=148

For what it's worth, I'll give a second nod to the HD650s. If you look you can probably find a new pair including delivery for around $300. I?ve heard most of the headphones discussed here and on Head-Fi and the HD650s are one of my favorites when properly amplified. The K-1000s took a bit getting use to and are usually around a grand, but I feel like I am hanging tiny speakers on either side of my head instead of wearing headphones and the K340s sound really nice, but both require amply power to be driven properly. Another headphone I?ve heard recently which has sparked my interest is the beyerdynamic DT 990 because it sounded great in my rig, but I don?t know if it would replace my HD650s.

I am getting the same message. I thought Head-Fi had undergone substantial improvements so that it wouldn't have such issues and loading would be faster. Head-Fi Speed: Very Slow (96% of sites are faster), Avg Load Time: 8.6 Seconds more money and members, but same poor and slow functionality?.

ditto

My wife would be interested, but you would probably get sued for trademark infringment though... LV leather AE-2 Special Edition

tease I got all excited to see info and pics :P

I like the fit of the HD650s better than the HD600s. And find them both to be comfortable. I haven't spent enough time with the HD600s, but I think both are really good sounding cans.

This has happened to me too. If you return and you're not logged in click on a forum or Head-Case.org on the homepage and see if that works.

When I've called Mikhail I used the number on his website, but the last time I called must have been a few months ago. I assume the number on his site is current.

Inside the Apollo... http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2091672&postcount=86

I was shocked to find an ?authorized? dealer had not only opened one up, but took pictures and posted them on their website. I don't think REGA would be thrilled. I did want to see the guts of the Saturn, but just happened to stumble across this. Within the last year or so I?ve heard the E5, Moth Hyper DAC, Wadia 861, Cary 303/200, G08, Apollo, 508.24, and 588.24 just to name some of the more memorable ones. I liked the Apollo better than the E5, but the E5 held its own. Both the Moth Hyper DAC and the 508.24 were very close, but the DAC seemed better. I really liked the 508.24 and looked into buying one. Apparently there are software upgrades and internal upgrades and if the transports needs to be replaced they aren?t available; asking price is usually plus $1500. If I hadn?t found such an amazing price on the Saturn ($1570) I wouldn?t have gotten it. Yet the Saturn does sound very impressive.

Inside the Saturn. A dealer opened one up and took pics... http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:ZFcpjy6qdKcJ:sigsound.com/potm_main.htm+rega+saturn&hl=en&lr=&strip=0

Move a foot or two further back from the HDTV and the Leno/sports desk difference you saw almost certainly becomes indistinguishable as well.

Congrats! Your amp quest now seems complete. Next item of business... getting tubes... I like the look of those old school SP amps. I think it would be awesome for Mikhail to do an updated retroversion in black. I assume your Supra sounds similar then. It must be cool helping Mikhail out a little bit with the design process, giving him feedback based on what you?re hearing. The more ears the better.

Congrats! I think the K701s are a really nice can. I enjoyed listening to them on a few occasions. Don't know much about the Oppo 970HD--do tell more...

Earl, have you heard it? That's a good intro price... Are you getting any upgrades or just the base model? I hope Mikhail gets better. I think he?s been sick a few times within the last year or so too. It really sucks being sick.

me too (wait what does Nate build?)

The Saturn hasn't really rested. Running it pretty much 24 hours a day. Probably got around 100 hours on her... My mind and ears are a bit jumbled. (Somewhat) New headphones, (sampling) new cables off and on, and swapping 2A3 tubes... Yet the Saturn still sounds really nice, very musical, detailed, and great dynamics.

I bet Mikhail gets tons of junk/pointless emails. Then when a customer or serious potential one asks via email a rationale question and no response is give within a reasonable time that doesn't bode well. And that?s for any business. Mikhail is a nice guy. We spent around 90 minutes talking during our three or four telephone conversations about the MPX3 and other things. I did a lot of listening and learning too. There?s got to be a way to somehow weed through the crap emails and selectively respond. I suppose most of my emails went unanswered so I gave up and used the phone. At least for me email is a quicker and more efficient way to communicate. I never feel I get a firm grasp on SP prices. And I mentioned this to Mikhail before that it would be helpful to read a brief description as to what each upgrade achieves. But I realize it isn?t so easy to write something up and add it to the a site. I assume clearer pricing, descriptions about upgrades, a few packaged custom amps with description, and info, pricing about the new stuff in the pipeline would reduce a lot of questions. It?s easier and less time consuming to answer something once instead repeatedly.

Current Theme: pdx-dk05 trying a new skin (a little easier on the eyes)

worked at least on this return visit...