Yeah, it does make it harder. Switch to using the XLR from the Gumby and RCA from the Bifrost and you’ll hear a difference for sure.

Yeah, you got it. And the difference will even more pronounced if you use the Gungnir’s XLR (which sounds substantially better to my ears than its SE). The XLR outs on those DACS just puts out more voltage and the SE.

I've never tried anything other than the Unison USB out, but now you've got me curious!

I can only imagine what the AuC sounds like off the ZMF/Decware Reference OTL. The Auteur scales like crazy and that amp is truly top notch.

I did. Had both at home for a few days at one point. The Atrium to me sounded a little dryer in the lower mids tonally, but with more weight and impact in the bass. It had a smoother, more resolving top end, without the slight “tizzy-ness” the AuC can have. The soundstage and layering is on...

Yeah, this seems to be the case. I didn't realize yours never sold! They're beautiful. Most people into ZMF's here (I'm guessing) are either lusting after the new stuff coming out (Bokeh on the low end or Caldera on the high end) or are saving their money for stabilized sets. But there's no...

Yeah what I should have said is "I would get a 6XX and an OTL tube amp...THEN stop right there" :sunglasses:

Thanks. My main concern is how it’ll get along with my Pendant and solid state amp. Both have relatively high output impedance (the Pendant obviously more so).

And I’ve been going back and forth whether or not to try the HE1000 Stealth as a complement to my Auteurs (instead of the 8XX) 😂 I love the 8XX’s for that expansive stage, but sometimes I do with for a more engaging sound and deeper bass.

Oh yeah, the 650 is peak Sennheiser! Having owned all 4 in the past, I agree with every point. If I could go back and do the audiophile thing again from scratch, knowing what I know now, I would get a 6XX and a tube amp and stop right there.

Haha that’s actually really validating for me! I find the Auteurs are all I need for 90% of the music I listen to. The other 10% is orchestral music, stuff that just sounds better with a thinner, leaner sound like the one that my modded 8XX gives. I’ve heard the 1000SE and agree completely that...

Dang! Endgame sound with these super rare tubes. You’d pretty much be done tube rolling with this, maybe only for curiosity. GLWS!

So beautiful. Mango is really a special wood!

Nice. I have the Vanatoo Zero’s and I love em.