Just wonderful impressions, so well put! Love your jump into the headphone journey. All in baby 😉 I can only guess, but I'd think so. It's a regular pattern that Hifiman follows - new products with prior models being deeply discounted until stocks depleted.

I was spending the day today walking the streets of NYC with my son, who is now graduating high school. I got him into the hobby a couple of years ago with a pair of Focal Elex and an iFi neo streamer/dac; he has developed a keen appreciation for good music and a good ear.. As it happened, we...

Nice way to put it 👍

Fun discussion on amps 😉 I’d like to echo that sentiment. Some of my most powerful amps - AIC10, Auris Nirvana, and Aegis, Decware Taboo - are all single ended (where they have XLR outs in some cases, they are provided for convenience only). When it comes to tube amps, single ended may...

If the amp has only 6.3 headphone output then we know it is a single ended topology inside. So having both XLR and RCA input options (common to have also in SE amps) services 2 purposes: Continence of accepting XLR interconnect (some components only have that; or up may want to use voltage...

😁😁😁

Yes. Sorry I should have clarified. I am using the Decware/ZMF Reference OTL as a preamp into the Decware Taboo, which drives the headphones. The OTL has both headphone output and preamp outputs (they are all "hot", no switch to toggle). When I use the combination (usually for Caldera), I...

Enjoying the Atrium with the Decware/ZMF OTL. A wonderful combination. With Tung-Sol 5687 output tubes and RCA 6BQ7A gain tube, listening to music feels like standing below a waterfall of fresh cold water, letting it wash over you. The caldera lamb ultra perf pads add further clarity, air, and...

For anyone who wants to dig further into the surgery, here it is...

Indeed

nice....! ❤️

Saw this wordplay in an ad somewhere. It felt apropos.. :beerchug: :beerchug: :beerchug:

Yes, I can. Sorry for jumping into the thread without context.. but on this one point: the Decware/ZMF OTL + Decware Taboo is one of the most addictive amp sections I’ve ever heard. Specifically, it’s my personal go-to for the open Caldera headphones - the pristine and holographic presentation...

While ZMF users are much more accustomed to pad rolling (as those headphones come with multiple pad options to start with), many users of other headphones don’t pad roll as much, and it’s a missed opportunity. With the exception of my estats, I think I tried swapping swapping on nearly all my...

The AC does sub-bass like no other headphones for me. If that's important, look no further..

I'm heavily prejudiced toward the Atrium Closed, but I'd have been grossly negligent not to have shared that link... 😉

good one 😁

Sounds like an amazing meetup! Danny told me about it and, if I didn't have so much recent business travel under my belt, I'd have made the trip for it. What a fantastic lineup! Can't wait to hear your impressions from the event, please share after.. 🙏...

Nice!!

TLDR; best output tube options for me are Mullard EL37 (massive soundstage) and Tung-Sol made 6550 (thicker texture and bass). Both NOS.

Sure thing. I first heard the 3kT at CanJam NYC and loved it. Been looking for a successor to my SP2000 and all the releases in between were lacking its warm full-textured presentation and, finally, it seemed a worthy successor has come. I got one and had it with me at home for a week. With...

yea, those aligator LCD-XC look so cool! never seen a pair of those in person, but from pictures I have the same reactions. I admit I have a weekness for anything wood and leather.. my wood obsession goes through many wonderful ZMF headphones (and other). And AT have some of those classic...

Smooth transaction, excellent communication, and a pleasure. Great seller, happy to recommend!

In NYC, they always arrive fresh and good 🤷‍♂️😁

Revisiting an old favorite, the Audio-Technica ATH-L3000 (refitted wtih ZMF Universe Lambskin Solid pads). From the amps I currenlty have on hand, it has the best synery with the Aegis - these lush and bassy closed-back headphones match up beautifully with the Aegis' delicate presentation and...