Elephas

No way! I would rather give you an L3000 than lend you the O2Mk2. Somehow the O2Mk1 doesn't seem so attractive to me anymore. You can take it, too.

Saving double the amount you spend is a good idea. An external DAC usually means any unit that accepts a digital signal. The signal could be wireless, optical, FireWire 1394, AES/EBU, etc. Almost all have a set of RCA analog outputs to connect to your pre-amp or integrated amp, and some also have XLR balanced outputs. A built-in DAC usually means something like a USB DAC, such as the one built-in to the Pico. The MacBook Pro also has a built-in DAC, as does a computer sound card or an iPod. Anything that plays digital files has a built-in DAC, which is necessary to convert the digital files to analog. Most people use external DAC's, despite the additional cost and complication, because they sound better than the built-in DACs. I'm using the MacBook's built-in DAC and headphone amp when I plug headphones into its headphone output. It sounds decent, somewhat similar to an iPod, but not very good. I prefer plugging in an optical cable (into the same headphone output, which changes to an optical output) and adding an external DAC and headphone amp in the chain. This requires two extra pieces of equipment and cables, which can be cumbersome. This is why a Pico with USB DAC is so convenient with a laptop. Just one small box and one USB cable is required. I'm Team Source First, but I don't think you need to spend a lot on a DAC at this point. A Stello DA220 might be a bit overkill (Gah, I hope my Team membership isn't revoked!). A used Lavry DA10 or Benchmark DAC1 would work very well. Something in the $500 to $600 range might also do the job. In addition to a laptop's optical output, you can also use the external DAC with an AirPort Express and move them around as required.

Birthday? Purk, you need the SR-Omega and SR-007 MkII. Sell the dynamic systems if you have to! Or arrange with your wife reciprocal budgets: her shoe budget equal to your headphone budget.

It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, if you think it sounds awesome, it is awesome. Well... until you hear something better that's even more awesome. A MacBook Pro and a DAC that works well with optical should sound good. I have a regular MacBook and use either its optical out with a DAC or the Pico's USB DAC.

waddragon, welcome to Head-Case. I'm also curious about the markl D5000. I've heard a stock D5000 and didn't think it sounded very good, not better than various headphones such as HD650, RS-1, W5000, K701, etc. Based on what I heard, it would take a large transformation to make the D5000 competitive with an R10.

That Akai looks impressive and in very clean condition. Supposedly some "classic-type" integrated amps have decent headphone outputs. But that source and those headphones... Sorry, sorry, I'm just joking, I know you like them. I don't know why I have this aversion to Ultrasone. Maybe Boomamma spanked me with an Edition 9 when I was a baby?

I'm glad some people liked the SR-007 Mk2 and BHSE. My expectations for HeadAmp are high, unlike a certain other amp maker with the initials SP. I expect more energy (read: working on my amp) from Justin. Tired after packing a BHSE and a couple of measly Picos? That's weak, man. He could've skipped CanJam and finished my amp already.

I think there's an optimal head size for the SR-007 due to its fixed width headband arcs and non-swiveling driver housings. Bending the headband can improve fit, but fit could still be less than optimum. I think female heads which tend to be smaller will probably find both the Mk1 and Mk2 a bit largish and loose. A lot of bending might be needed to increase clamping force. If one's head is wider or narrower than the optimum, the angle of the drivers will not be as parallel to the sides of the head. A too small width will make the drivers tilt inwards at the bottom, and a too wide head will make it tilt outwards. On my head the Mk2 housings stay mostly parallel with just a slight inward tilt towards the bottom. I think wider heads are less of a problem than too narrow heads. I believe the thicker earpads of the Mk2 makes it a bit more suitable for smaller heads than the Mk1.

Gah, those packages are expensive. An RME HDSP 9632 sound card, a Lavry DA10 or Benchmark DAC1, and a set of powered monitors would work very well.

I think my SR-007 Mk2 has about the same bass quantity as the SR-007 and a bit more brightness. I prefer the extra brightness, which brings the Mk2 closer to the SR-Omega and HE90.

Haha, source has become the topic now. Watch out, the source is potentially the biggest wallet-drainer! I've tried the optical output of an AirPort Express and MacBook with various DACs. Sound quality is not too bad compared to other transport types. An AP Express matched with a DAC could be an inexpensive alternative to other music server solutions. I think overall sound quality with optical can be dependent on the DAC, some work better with it than others. I've had good results using optical with a Chord DAC64, for example. A combination DAC and CD/SACD transport works very well, you can have PC, network and disc-based playback.

I'm looking forward to hearing the BHSE. And, the O2 MkII is here!

You need some better headphones than the Ultrasone 750 if you're going to spend so much for an amp. Maybe some electrostatics? And a good source. I think a good source is more important than the amp, but then I've only heard the Corda Opera of the ones on the list. I don't think it is a good amp, certainly not better than a Zana Deux.

I'm trying to cut back too, but if you actually see, hold and wear the SR-007MkII you'll know what I mean. I really like the looks, materials quality, the changes to the earpads, and the firmer rotational force required. Every time I put on the SR-007 I have to match up both earpads and then rotate both outside rings so the cable points directly down. The earpads and the outside rings rotate way too easily. If you're just a little bit OCD like I am (OK, maybe not just a little bit), you'll really like the MkII, no need to fiddle with the earpads or outer ring rotations anymore. If the MkII sounds the same or very close, and has less fart... Aaargh, I just convinced myself, I'm placing an order.

Eh, what's going on? SR-007 headband bending? You guys must have humongous heads! - I held the SR-007MkII for the first time recently. It looked very good, high build and materials quality. I liked the way the earpads rotate together with the outside housing ring. Another welcome change was more rotating resistance. The SR-007's earpads and housings rotate too easily and separately, and I always have to realign them every time I take it off and put it on.

Yes, I didn't mention that I prefer several electrostats, the R10, Qualia, K1000 and maybe a few others more than the L3000 or HP-2. I was disappointed with the HP-2 and Zana Deux combination. A major reason I got the ZD was to use it with a stock HP-2, because I've recabled most of my dynamics with balanced cables. I don't think the HP-2 ranks with the top electrostats or dynamics, to me it is RS-1, K701 or HD650 level (single-ended amp).

I currently have an HP2 and two L3000's, one stock and one recabled with APureSound v3, which I use with a Zana Deux. Primary source is the Esoteric P-05, D-05, G-03X. I also use a Chord DAC64 and Accuphase DP500. I like a large soundstage, precision imaging and an open, airy type of sound with liquidity and maximum details and refinement. I'm not a basshead and don't like heavy, pounding bass. I'm usually less concerned with absolute perceived tonal accuracy or tonal realism, which is a reason why I enjoy using multiple headphones. I prefer the L3000 over the HP2, especially the recabled unit which has a larger soundstage and more air. It still can't match open headphones or the W5000, but the recable adds just enough to move it up my rankings past the PS-1 and recabled W5000. Compared to the stock L3000, it does sacrifice some weight and fullness of body. I would describe the HP2 as accurate, tonally balanced and neutral-sounding, but it lacks details, some body, extension at both ends and most importantly, refinement vs. the L3000. To me, the L3000 is also more colored in a good way and is more engaging with faster-paced and more energetic types of music. The L3000 has a very unique sound and is probably the headphone that requires the most "brain burn-in" of the ones I rotate through. This means I don't use the L3000 often and usually listen to it exclusively for at least a week at a time. Both the HP2 and L3000 sound excellent with the Zana Deux, better than the AT-HA5000, Raptor or the limited number of other amps I've tried. The ZD has excellent dynamics, is very quiet and allows both headphones to open up more.

Very tempting.

Whoa, some nice action going on in this thread. And here I was mistakenly thinking the Stax threads were becoming too tame. I'm not interested in buying a HeAudio 1.2B until it has a Stax 5-pin plug (no adapter) and better build and materials quality. I don't think the product naming was done well. EH-1.2, EH-1.3, now the latest EH-1.2b. What's next, EH-1.2c? Apparently they are all mostly the same except for some minor changes. To me, those changes in materials and colors indicate the product still isn't ready for prime time. The manufacturer Winny seems inexperienced and doesn't have much of a track record. I'm currently enjoying several electrostats with the Aristaeus, KGSS and SRM-T1W. The HeAudio would have to be very good to get any listening time. But I'm the type who seems to like everything, except Ultrasone. I can't wait to receive my ES-1 and Blue Hawaii so I can post more.

The Sennheiser HD25-1 isolates reasonably well and is durable and relatively small-sized. Bass quantity shouldn't be deficient. New prices might be high, but a used pair could cost less than $150. I bought a used pair with velour earpads that are more comfortable than the stock pleather pads.

Thanks for the Remove It Permanently info. I really like Firefox.

Even an amp noob such as myself am aware of the RK50. HeadRoom's Max Balanced amp page has a photo of one, gold and massive-looking. How is a Shallco 45-step attenuator, two of them in an amp? I looked at this page http://www.shallco.com/attenuators.html but it is Greek to me.

Not an issue for me: dual 24" monitors. Hey, one is dedicated for iTunes or foobar.

I forgot my Stax SRM-T1W also has independently adjustable left and right volume on one knob. I've never adjusted them separately. I've experienced imbalanced hearing once, which was due to excessive earwax in my left ear. After it was cleared, I suddenly heard better and more clearly from the left ear; everything was louder on the left side. After two days, both sides became balanced again. I can understand dual volume controls on balanced amps, which can adjust volume for two single-ended headphones independently. But I think it would be more convenient to have one knob on a KGSS or SinglePower ES-1.

Why do some amps have two volume controls? My HeadAmp KGSS has two volume knobs. I always set them at the same setting. I would prefer one knob and not have to set the volume twice or use both hands at once. They are stepped attenuators so it isn't too difficult to do so, but one knob would still be more convenient. Is there a reason for this?