purk

Any special software/hardware required? I have several MDs that would love to have archived as well.

I would get the Sony MDR-Z7 and make a silver cable upgrade to improve the sound. The Z7 is very well build but a little too boomy stock. A silver cable upgrade (DIY of course) does make a nice difference on this pair of headphones. Amazon has them listed for $500 (not authorized Sony retailer however).

I wasted countless hours per day during my teenage years sitting on the bus dealing with traffic jam in Bangkok, Thailand. As a birthday present, my dad got me my first Aiwa "Sound-about" and I've been hooked with portable audio/headphones ever since. I was so amazed that such a great sound was able to come from such a small package and I was able to take my music with me. My first highend phones/earbuds was the Sony MDR-E888 in 1996. I thought nothing will be able to best the E888 sound wise...glad I was wrong. Then I got seriously interested in portable minidisc and discman and started collecting them. Then found Headwize in 1999 and found others who were just as passionate about portable audio/headphone like I do. I still remember fondly that one day I would like to own the legendary Ety ER-4S and Headroom Cosmic and capped off my collection with Sony MDR-CD1700. I should have stopped at the E888.

Glad you got there safely Tom! Enjoy your time up there. Hope your music room will be as good if not better than your old one.

Hey Dan...I need to check on my disc and I'll get back with you. Hope your T2 build is going well.

What's the headphone out rating on the Pono? I'm a Sony guy so I'm using my tiny NWZ-A17 & ZX1 for hi-rez portable playback. I also have the PHA3 that can act as a balanced DAC/Amp connected digitally with A17 & ZX1.

Just like you Tyll...I think most of it is due to much better mastering and one will need a resolving enough system to different standard redbook & hi-rez system apart. I wish every redbook album can sound just as good as Eva Cassidy - Live at Blues Alley album.

Justin is trying to be royal to his Astell & Kern lineup.

Sadly I am still holding on to so many MD equipment.

It is going to be sad for my wife and I not be able to visit the Hankins at home here any more. Their place is/was always fun and always welcomed. His audio room will hold a special place in my audio memory. Some of the very best tunes I've heard any where. You guys up there are in for a real treats once his speaker rig is setup and running. Of course, I enjoy Tom & his wife company (Lyra) even more. Glad the move is done and over with. At least I still have Mulveling around.

$2499 from Moon-audio http://www.moon-audio.com/hifiman-he-1000.html 32 ohm efficiency according to one of youtube covering the released.

You got me there on the storage space. 128GB onboard isn't quite enough to store many hi-rez albums.

You should really check out what Sony has to offer for the MDR-Z7. It is a bassy and forgiving phones that is very good once recabled. The craftsmanship on the Z7 is superb in many levels. Thoese 70mm drivers take awhile to burn in as well.

I wonder what did you find so lacking about the ZX1 & AK100II? I personally love the ZX1 as a "do everything very well player". If you don't need a digital out, the battery is plenty long enough for all file types. It also support hi-rez/lossless streaming from a wifi drive as well. I love my AK100 modded too but mainly due to its 288gb storage capacity.

for a Japanese released, there will be ATRAC Lossless supported though.

Well the HE1000+amp will be 10K. Stax SR-009/SR-007 + BHSE or KGSSHV/KGST will continue to reign supreme then.

Saw it. Nearly twice as expensive as the ZX1 for longer battery life, better sound quality, and expandable storage option. It also almost twice as heavy as the ZX1. The battery life on the ZX1 isn't too great so this is quite welcome. I think I'll continue to use my ZX1 & A17 then.

I think you have to unscrew one earcup to gain access to the headband to do it. I can't remember exactly either. Luckily the headband last a lot longer than the earpads.

Thanks Justin....very sad news indeed.

Have a great New Year to all!

I would recommend the JH Audio but their craftsmanship is poor IMO. Mine is slightly over 2 years old and it got repaired twice. Actually more times than that given that their repair tech can't seem to get the driver wired correctly. I say go for a full sized phones if you want better sound, but get the Custom IEMs if you want to listen on the go. BTW, I highly recommended the silver dragon IEM cable to anyone if you want the last bit from your old 13pro. Another candidate is the Sony MDR-Z7 reterminated with a really good silver cable. Stock for the Z7 is too bassy but they do sound much better after the cable upgraded plus your iPhone should drive them okay.

Not many will be able to celebrate with them. Will this be a limited run?

The current or the old price or the original price of the Orpheus?

So an Orpheus II is for real? Would love to have a HD1100!!

The JH repair crew has been dropping the ball as of late. My right earpiece recently made contact with the floor again due to a loose socket. This resulted in a blown bass drivers. I sent them in for a repair only to have the same problem migrating to the left earpiece. They paid for my returned shipping and promised that it will be properly repaired. Sadly they rewired the replaced driver out of phase causing a very muddy sound on the left earpiece. I call it a very bad QC and I hope that they will get it right on the third time.