Leonardo Drummond Posted August 17, 2014 Report Posted August 17, 2014 There's a group of Brazilian hobbyists on Facebook that we sometimes actually call the "Brazilian Head-Case" because it's a small and closed group of actual friends who are more experienced in the hobby and some of the traits that we find here (irreverence and occasionally some hostility ) are also found there. It's a place we really treasure. Recently we decided to get together in a meet and this is the result! The pictures are not mine, they're courtesy of Matias. Impossible not to start with Hugo's Orpheus set (although that's not his DAC), always a fantastic joy to listen to. ^ The whole point of it all! And now, to some brief impressions: Sennheiser HD800 I never liked it, but recently got a pair, understood it and I'm a convert. I get fantastic results with the GS-X, but it's undeniably rather cold so I guess I like it a lot mostly because it has a role to play in a more complete system. I wouldn't be able to live with it as my only headphones with the HeadAmp, but I thought both the DNA Stratus and the Leben CS300XS made it a lot more musical. HiFiMAN HE560 and HE6 The HE560 was a nice surprise mostly because of the upgrade in its physical qualities. Fit and finish is a lot better but the biggest improvement is the weight. It's really light and a lot more comfortable than the other models. Soundwise it seems more correct than the HE500 (although not as fun) but still clearly a step behind the HE6 in authority, resolution and transparency. JVC DX1000 Nice headphone, but IMO not worth the price tag. Audio-Technica W3000ANV I always thought that pairing it with a more musical amp would be too much of a good thing but I was wrong. I reckoned the result with the DNA Stratus was utterly incredible. AKG K1000 Again a surprise with Felipe's set – DNA Stratus and Yulong DAC. It really made it sing. It was never this good in my system. Unique Melody Demos (Merlin, Miracle and Mentor) Curiously I prefered the Merlin to the Miracle because it had smoother mids, but while I liked them, the treble was a bit pearcing for me after becoming accustomed to the Roxanne. The Mentor, however, is in a class of its own compared to the other two. Still no Roxanne, but to me it's a JH13 (pre-freq) beater. Grado SR200 w/ Black Star HP1000 Drivers Somehow it sounds a lot different than an actual HP1000 (which was present but didn't make it to the pictures). There's a lot less body, but there's also a lot more transparency. Audez'e LCD-XC After testing it with the Leben I thought it wasn't all that (still sounded like a closed headphone with somewhat sucked mids and piercing treble), but the Stratus changed that. I much prefer it to the LCD2, which I never liked. Audez'e LCD-X Even better! This I like. Ultrasone Edition 8 Sounds good, although a bit too energetic and I think it's weirdly positioned in the market. Too expensive and in the territory of much more capable headphones. Parrot Zyk Big surprise! It's obviously not an audiophile headphone, but it sounds good enough for portable use, it's supremely comfortable, wireless and massively convenient. DNA Stratus As you can probably tell from what I already said about other equipment, this to me (and to most other people there) was the surprise of the show. I know they don't get much love around here but I thought it was an extremely musical and engaging amplifier. I'm usually a SS guy, but I really could see myself living with it. Plus, that blue paint is bloody incredible. Calyx M Portable Player In the past I've had a HiFiMAN HM-801, an iBasso DX100 and a Sony ZX-1. I sold all of these because to me they just weren't worth the extra over an iPod in sound quality terms, especially since the former two offered big compromises in terms of UI. Well, the Calyx is the exception and I thought if offered a pretty substantial upgrade in SQ, IMO well worth the money. BMC PureDAC Already posted a review, so I guess some of you already know what I think. Great DAC, not so great headphone amp (even though it's technically a no-amp). Schiit Magni How on earth can something so small and cheap sound this good?
Torpedo Posted August 17, 2014 Report Posted August 17, 2014 Did you like that enormous POS which is the Leben?
Leonardo Drummond Posted August 17, 2014 Author Report Posted August 17, 2014 Did you like that enormous POS which is the Leben? You know what Antonio, that was really surprising for some of us, but the amount of people who didn't like it wasn't small and I had high expectations for this amp. Didn't know it was considered a POS around here, but now I'm not surprised. Me and Hugo especially didn't like it. While it did soften the HD800, the mids were somehow distant and the total balance was weird. The result with the HD650 was especially wrong, it had so much bass! Also, I first heard the LCD-XC with it and didn't like it because it sounded too harsh in the treble and the mids were sucked out. The DNA solved the issue to a large extent. I think the fact that I forgot to say what I thought about it says much...
Torpedo Posted August 17, 2014 Report Posted August 17, 2014 Yeah, my guess was that you didn't want to upset one of your mates >D
blessingx Posted August 17, 2014 Report Posted August 17, 2014 How does gear get on the wall of fame?
Mario_Fpolis Posted August 17, 2014 Report Posted August 17, 2014 It was LOADS of fun! Most and more important, even then Orpheus, is to be able to see a lot of friends, meet new friends and talk a lot about music and our passion, music. I know it sounds corny, but I guess we all love to see our friends, that´s what a meet is all about. I, as opposed to Leo, liked A LOT the Leben sound paired with the HD800, listened to Midnight in Harlem from Tedesky Trucks Band, twice, and loved the sweet and bold presentation. Also loved the UM Mentor, even as universal, at a point to seriously consider it to a near future. But the star of the show was the DNA, because it drove all the phones with poise and finesse. Bummer to wait another year to group this gang together, hopefully with new gears, since Stax was ill represented there.
Faithless Posted August 17, 2014 Report Posted August 17, 2014 LOTS of FUN !!! Great friends, big place, trash and serious talks. Heavy gears, many rooms, nice food and drinks. Some crazy people. Others, not so crazy, but almost there. Heaven on earth... My Wall of Fame: BMC PureDAC and Luxman DSD DAC - great units/great sound. DNA Stratus - best amp on the show. Lovely Cube - best "bang for the bucks" amp. Magni + Hifimediy Sabre DAC - like a "hi-end killer" combo. UM Mentor - make me change my mind about IEMs. LCD-X - Like it. But i dont feel such a great improvement over my LCD2.2 to make me rush and buy one (please dont take my money!!!) HE560 and HE400 MOD with BTG Cable and J$ Pads.
robm321 Posted August 18, 2014 Report Posted August 18, 2014 Enjoyed the impressions and pics. I want the DNA.
torresfelipe Posted August 18, 2014 Report Posted August 18, 2014 This image sums up this meet. Not kidding. We were all listening to Felipe's K1000, amazed by how good it sounded and then realized that it was a 128Kbps MP3 playing. 2
Torpedo Posted August 18, 2014 Report Posted August 18, 2014 Which speaks a lot of how they perform compared to modern standards 1
Leonardo Drummond Posted August 18, 2014 Author Report Posted August 18, 2014 (edited) It was a fantastic time indeed! Mário and Faithless spoke well! Also about the Leben – while I didn't like it, some did and it was in meet conditions, so maybe I would think of it a bit differently. But I have to say that I didn't really like what I heard there. Which speaks a lot of how they perform compared to modern standards I'd have to agree Edited August 18, 2014 by Leonardo Drummond
tin ear Posted September 6, 2014 Report Posted September 6, 2014 very nice looking kit and grub. don't think i've seen the stratus mentioned here before. it's a fetching looking amp tho.
Emooze Posted September 7, 2014 Report Posted September 7, 2014 I have organized meets before and I am ashamed by your superior quantity and quality of both gear and food. I wish I could have been there.
Leonardo Drummond Posted September 7, 2014 Author Report Posted September 7, 2014 Thanks a lot, guys! tin ear, I was amazed with how large (and beautiful) it is in person. Ed, you'd be more than welcome, let us know before you come! Lately we've been trying to organize a meet once a year. About the Leben, I guess it's just like Mario said: some people did like it, but I didn't! In any case, it was in meet conditions, so who knows! Emooze, it's Fabio's credit. He really was an incredible host!
Torpedo Posted September 7, 2014 Report Posted September 7, 2014 Well maybe POS is a bit exaggerated, let's say it's way too expensive for the kind of tubey colored sound (and distortion) it provides.
jp11801 Posted September 9, 2014 Report Posted September 9, 2014 I too thought the Leben was a POS very colored and sounded like what people would quantify a tube amp to be, soft top and bottom end fuzzy warm midrange with soft transients. I'd rather by a used Fisher integrated amp and have it refurbed for the $$$. Godd to hear about the Caylx I really want to hear one of these
tin ear Posted September 11, 2014 Report Posted September 11, 2014 the stratus is a sweet looking amp alright. it seems to get consistently high praise at meets.
spritzer Posted September 11, 2014 Report Posted September 11, 2014 DNA Stratus? It's firmly on the the "what idiot threw this together" scale....
tin ear Posted September 11, 2014 Report Posted September 11, 2014 i know jack shit about amps so i'll take your word for it. shame tho coz it's pretty.
Aimless1 Posted September 11, 2014 Report Posted September 11, 2014 Great looking meet guys. I used to host a meet. It was the friendship that stood out. I've forgotten about a lot of the gear we had.
Mario_Fpolis Posted September 11, 2014 Report Posted September 11, 2014 DNA Stratus? It's firmly on the the "what idiot threw this together" scale.... Birgir, I know I am hearing impaired, because of shooting practice. I know I don´t have too much experience on top notch, first class, "audiophile" amps. I know a lot of "auiophiles" don´t like 2A3 for being too mellow, too soft, and all kind of stuff. I know a valve amp is as good as the iron, and You had told that the irons on DNA amps are el cheapo as it gets. But, there were some skilled and seasoned friends down there at the meet that liked the presentation of that amp. With a lot of different hp, like HD800, HE-6 and AKG-1000. So, if You don´t mind in answering this, what is the problem, sound quality wise, with this amp? Great looking meet guys. I used to host a meet. It was the friendship that stood out. I've forgotten about a lot of the gear we had. We will try to have a meeting like this at least once a year. And, indeed, is the friendship that drives us to the meet, not the gear. But, having a Orpheus to listen helps a lot.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now