The Monkey

I think I'm going to buy an MK1.

Has anyone hereother than Spritzer (i.e., someone with lower DIY skills) replaced the cable to a 007 mk1? If so, how hard or easy was it?

Could be an issue of semantics. It was not quite the same as I have heard on the other Stax cans, but still a bit familiar. Again, more like a grain than an etch and a bit higher in the treble than what I have heard before. Now, it is possible that some of this is a source issue. deepak and I discussed a bit, and we agreed that the Oppo source was not doing any favors to the headphones. But I still heard it a bit on other rigs. Very subtle, but still there to my ears. I am also open to the possibility that what I was hearing was the treble extension compared to the mk2, which was resulting in a slightly "hotter" signature from the mk1. Maybe the finer detail can be perceived as grain in a direct comparison. Regardless, we are splitting some very fine hairs here. Whatever the phenomenon--be it etch or grain or hyper-detail--it was very very subtle. On a side note: I don't think I heard any Stax farts, so I'm still not quite sure what that is.

Pillows at Macy's--nightmare. Then Christmas Tree.

heh, sorry about that. Meant to post again last night. My comparison between the mk1 and mk2 left me very satisfied. I own the mk2 and had listened to the mk1 in the past. I loved both. But based on some of the thoughts of several folks whose opinion I trust, I was concerned that perhaps I was severely missing out on the mk1, so I decided to spend more time with it at the meet. Given the ability and nuances of presentation capable of being delivered by these cans, Meet conditions are certainly less than ideal for comparison. However, my basic conclusion is that these are really 2 different headphones. I hear a collective, "duh" out there, so I'll expand. The mk2 does not sound evolutionary to me in comparison to the mk1. The sound signature is that different. The mk1 midrange is absolutely stunning. I think it sings in the way that my Lambda Signatures do, but even better because it is more neutral and transparent. That said, I heard just the slightest bit of etch. This familiar Stax etch does not bother me, but I heard it. And it was definitely more subtle than on certain Lambdas. So maybe I'll refer to it as just a bit of grain rather than etch. The highs and treble extension are excellent. But the top end is very unforgiving. I heard some splash and sibilance on several recordings, which I think is likely do to the mk1's resolving ability than to its natural tendency toward sibilance. That said, this is where I think one of the main differences is between the mk1 and mk2. I do not think the mk1's treble extension is completely balanced by the bottom end. Not that they need to offset. However, the comparatively less bass extension led me to feel that the mk1 has a more ruthless presentation than the mk2. That is not a bad thing, but it is a consideration when thinking about how I'm going to actually live with these phones. For all the talk of neutrality, I still think the mk1 retains that euphonic sound that will keep me with stats for good. But the mk1 manages to balance the euphonic presentation, keeping itself honest. To me, with the exception of the slight grain, this phone has that special capability of only the best to simply disappear. The mk1 is truly an outstanding headphone. The mk2. A totally different beast. And I do think they mk2 is a bit beastly. In a good way. To me, more slam than the mk1. The mk2's low end is big and expansive, but not one-note boomy. To me, the bass extension in the mk2 is not quite balanced by its high end extension. Almost like the inverse of the mk1. And I think that big bass can bleed into the mid-range a bit, and this causes the mk2's mid-range to sound more colored to me than the mk1. Perhaps this factor is compounded by my impression that the mk2 does not have the treble extension of the mk1. That said, I do not detect the same grain in the mk2, which results in a less strident presentation. To me this is both good and bad. I think the mk2 is more source forgiving, but perhaps at the expense of a slight bit of detail. But it is smoooth, and the mk2 rocks more than the mk1. It might be a little less agile, but it stomps harder. In short, I think the mk2 is fun. But that statement alone does suggest that the can is perhaps not disappearing quite as much as the mk1 by inserting its signature more into the presentation. I need more time (and a quieter room) to really sort that out. Bottom line? I'm keeping the mk2. But I could see myself buying a mk1 sometime in the future. However, for now, I think that a better amp than the 007t (for the O2) is a more important piece to the puzzle. So I am very seriously considering the GES, but I would like to talk to Jack to see if there is anything that can be done to give that amp just a little more juice. I am also very tempted by the KGSS. We'll see. But my overall feeling is that these are 2 excellent headphones. I completely understand the love for the mk1. It is a classic. But the mk2 kicks a bit of ass, too, and has fun doing it. Equipment/Disclosures: I own the mk2, not the mk1. I listened to both cans on a stock Woo GES, a maxxed GES, and a KGSS. Sources, and I'm not sure any were particularly wonderful (although I'm not sure what the Woo source was). The room was hot and loud, making comparison possible in only the broadest of strokes.

The orthodynamic cans were the most exciting part of the NYC meet for me this weekend. Thanks deepak and faust for introducing me to them. As promised, I will now proceed to drive up prices worldwide.

Post away with impressions and pics. As usual, for me, it was more about the folks than the gear. But I did accomplish what I set out to do re gear: compare the O2 mk2 to the O2 mk1. Great to see friends old and new.

The Stone Vertical Epic is excellent. Very dry at first taste, then flowery hops and a burst of malt followed by a clean almost spicy finish. Really very good stuff. Now if I'd only waited until 2012 when I'm supposed to drink it...

I was not overly impressed by the Stone IPA I had this evening. My first time trying it. I found it bitter and uninspiring. But I was cranky and I don't think it was cold enough. I like the Arrogant Bastard more.

check your pm's diebenkorn...

I wear a suit. I'm also fearful and an idiot. But I'm not too selfish. So one outta four ain't bad. Tyll, I think the audiophile desktop is a smart move that hopefully will grow the brand. How are our less enlightened "speaker only" brethren responding to the systems?

I will depose Nate at the NYC Meet. Tyll, it sounds like you guys are doing a nice job managing within the current economic climate. Good idea not to tap that credit line. Those are the next things we will see get yanked from under the feet of consumers and small businesses. Also, I've been surprised to see the negative comments on HF regarding the "lack" of a flagship. I think the fact that the flagship electronics have trickled down the line is a good thing. It seems like now is a transition time at HR, but that you have not neglected efficiencies and you continue to innovate with your current core products. Most companies would have just slashed the Max line and left a void.

Y'know, the SR-303 is pretty good.

D1 is the crowbar, correct?

I think he's going to get the sf 5 EB. He'll learn someday.

People should do what I say.

linky please?

after a couple of those, sho'nuff.

Should I bother trying out the CA DACmagic?

I am offering a suggestion for a loose theme here. What if we were to make the gift the CD that either got you into a totally different genre after you became involved in this hobby, or the CD that changes the way you listen to music (again after becoming involved in head-craziness)? Just a thought.

Oh for fuck's sake. Now I want to buy one more than ever.

Ah, I thought it was some acronym. BeerTutor: Highest Alcohol Percentage Beers - Statistics

MID?

good god, 14% is high. How sweet is it, if at all?