philodox

Yeah, I saw it at the National... it was tiny! I keep bugging Mikhail asking if I can beta test it... but he doesn't seem to be returning my emails.

Thanks Nate, that looks like a great solution!

What a load of shite... not impressed in the slightest. [see head-fi for the 'funny version' of this post]

I wish... that there is about the only headphone that I would give um my K340's for. I am getting a custom amp built by Peter McAlister of McAlister Audio. It is loosly based on his PL12 amp... which is not on his website yet... though it is itself loosly based on his PL10 amp. Fully balanced, all tube [except rectification as Peter prefers solid state rectifiers], with a beefy PSU... and pimped to the gills. It should have quite a few tubes sprouting out the top of it... as far as I know there will be 4 6H30's, 3 or 4 27GB5 sweep tubes [in triode mode I believe], 2 12SN7, plus some other tubes used for regulation. The 12SN7 tubes are not in the audio circuit and are instead used to create an infinite plate resistance circuit for the 6H30's. It should be a real beast. Originally I was going to continue to use the Lavry as a volume control, but have to decided to upgrade my Eastsound with a ZapFilter to get a true balanced discrete output instead. This means I now need a 4 channel stepped attenuator or potentiometer in the amp... which is rather pricey. Anyone have good recommendations?

Will do so tonight when I get home... need to take pics of my squeezebox for Nate anyways. Everything must go!!! I seriously hope this amp is worth it. \

Mainly because of the volume control I think... the amp section is nothing special. However, their volume control implementation can be cloned for around $100... balanced.

The headphone out is perfect with Grados. I personally think that it is better than most dynalo implementations I have heard in this respect. Me? I will be selling mine shortly to finance my amp. Hopefully the Zapfilter upgrade to my CD-E5 brings it up to around the same level as the DA10 in terms of its analog output stage.

Hey Nate... Been busy and forgot to take those pictures. Will try to remember tonight. - JAy

Found it... http://www.russandrews.com/category.asp?src=email094&lookup=1&region=UK&currency=GBP&customer_id=PAA1542061606307POQTRVNGHFGWZKTC&cat_id=PRADAC

You should have gotten that 'upgraded hi-end' version with the matching amp... rebranded. Shit, can't find the link... anyone know what I'm talking about?

YGPM

I don't see why not... though I would imagine it would depend largely on the implementation you went with. I know that some are just creating a linear PSU that plugs into the pre-existing jack, which is fine... but some of the PSU is in the actual unit. It is much better to replace everything and have seperate supplies for key areas I would think.

I mainly used it with the Lavry, but the analog outs are pretty good. They could hardly be considered 'burned in' though if you believe in DAC/output stage burnin. I have heard from a few people that think the analog outs of the squeezebox sound as good as the Benchmark DAC1. Not sure how the monica would stand up as I have never heard it. Considering that you are a DIY type of guy, you could build a linear PSU or a battery powered setup as well as some other mods. A bunch are documented on the slimdevices forums, and you can get some ideas by checking what some of the mod companies [boulder cables and red wine audio] are doing with theirs. I will try to take some pictures tonight.

Mine is for sale if you are interested... it is a great piece of kit, but I am too lazy to rip all my music and find I have been using the E5 more often. I have the wireless version, but got it at the $250 USD price for buying two. I'll give you 10% off that, paypal included, plus actual shipping costs. It is in near mint condition... just a slight scuff on the front, nothing major, I can take pictures if you'd like. Also, I heard that if you send Slim Devices an email saying that your aluminum front plate isn't staying on properly they will send you a brand new one anyways.

Damn, that sucks. I always seem to get killed on shipping things back and forth as well. Too bad there are no local shops that carry everything us audio geeks need eh?

That push to hear thingymabob is bigger than I expected.

Hmmm... makes me think more and more that my unfamiliarity with those HD600's, the power conditioning, or something else was the culprit in it sounding the same as my lavry... hmmm

After they did the cap mod and when it was hooked up to my UPC200 it sounded nearly identical to the Lavry. What setup were you listening to it on? EDIT: Then again I was using the built in headphone amps in both and was listening on the HD600's.

The consensus at the Hamilton meet was that the GE Oracle was the most neutral cable. We didn't have anything from Zu though.

Definately Oscar.

Depending on the recording you can totally hear the difference of it being out of phase. Especially in the bass and soundstaging... that said, for most recordings it doesn't matter all that much.

Yes.

James, that is fucking sick. Maybe I can shoot a hole in the window and hide in the washroom?

Oh boo hoo... do the adds touch you in bad places? Just ignore them.