junki
My Preferences
For DACs, I prefer to optimize for transparency. Specifically, I look for design, engineering, and validation excellence across distortion, jitter, noise, crosstalk, and other errors that are a part of the overall reconstruction error of the analog signal. I pay attention almost exclusively to measurements over subjective impressions of DAC performance.
For amplifiers, I am open to euphonic distortions, and accordingly, I value nuanced, honest-to-self impressions from listeners who possess a competent technical foundation for the subject matter. Objectively, I look for class A designs, THD+N below the audible threshold (SINAD > ~80 dB for my headphone impedances), and resistor-ladder or digital IC driven volume knobs.
For headphones, I prize manufacturer-tuned neutral-warm tonalities that yield effortlessly accurate timbre, with smoothness from the upper midrange through presence, and I prefer technicalities that sway musical and dynamic rather than analytical and refined. I look at measurements and subjective impressions roughly equally here. As this is the category that most impacts my experience, this is also the category I prefer to spend the most money on.
My hobbies do not include audio equipment, in the sense that I'm here for the destination, not the journey. My relationship with audio equipment is like my relationship with my cars. I don't buy a car often, but when I do, I like to buy something that is nicer than average, a great value, and lightly used. For some parts of the car, I care about performance specs and ratings. For other parts, I'm more subjective.
I wade through information here and elsewhere, editorializing what I read and filtering for signals that are useful to me. I don't post often, but when I do I try to contribute signals or spicy takes.
Headphone Impressions:
For DACs, I prefer to optimize for transparency. Specifically, I look for design, engineering, and validation excellence across distortion, jitter, noise, crosstalk, and other errors that are a part of the overall reconstruction error of the analog signal. I pay attention almost exclusively to measurements over subjective impressions of DAC performance.
For amplifiers, I am open to euphonic distortions, and accordingly, I value nuanced, honest-to-self impressions from listeners who possess a competent technical foundation for the subject matter. Objectively, I look for class A designs, THD+N below the audible threshold (SINAD > ~80 dB for my headphone impedances), and resistor-ladder or digital IC driven volume knobs.
For headphones, I prize manufacturer-tuned neutral-warm tonalities that yield effortlessly accurate timbre, with smoothness from the upper midrange through presence, and I prefer technicalities that sway musical and dynamic rather than analytical and refined. I look at measurements and subjective impressions roughly equally here. As this is the category that most impacts my experience, this is also the category I prefer to spend the most money on.
My hobbies do not include audio equipment, in the sense that I'm here for the destination, not the journey. My relationship with audio equipment is like my relationship with my cars. I don't buy a car often, but when I do, I like to buy something that is nicer than average, a great value, and lightly used. For some parts of the car, I care about performance specs and ratings. For other parts, I'm more subjective.
I wade through information here and elsewhere, editorializing what I read and filtering for signals that are useful to me. I don't post often, but when I do I try to contribute signals or spicy takes.
Headphone Impressions:
- HIFIMAN HE6se V2
- HIFIMAN Arya
- HIFIMAN Sundara | Large Head Mod
- Massdrop x Focal Elex | Addendum
- E-MU Teak
- RBH HP-2 | Addendum
- Location
- United States
- Headphone Inventory
- Bose QC35 II
HIFIMAN Sundara
Massdrop x Focal Elex
Massdrop x Sennheiser HD6XX
RBH HP-2
E-MU Teak - SOLD
Massdrop x HIFIMAN HE4XX - SOLD
Massdrop x Noble Kaiser 10 - SOLD
Monoprice Monolith M1060 - SOLD
Sennheiser Game One - SOLD
Sennheiser HD579 - SOLD
Sennheiser HD650 - SOLD
- Headphone Amp Inventory
- Arcam rHead
Massdrop CTH (EH 6922)
Massdrop Objective 2
Audio-gd NFB-11.28 (ES9028PRO) - SOLD
Sennheiser GSX 1200 (CX20745) - SOLD
- Source Inventory
- SMSL SU-8s (ES9068AS, 5x OPA1612)
Topping D50s (2x ES9038Q2M, 3x OPA1612)
Topping D50 (2x ES9038Q2M, 3x OPA1612)
JDS Labs OL DAC (AK4490, OPA2227)
Massdrop SDAC (AK4452, OPA1652)
AudioQuest Dragonfly Red (ES9016) - SOLD
- Cable Inventory
- "Cable inventory"... lul
- Gender
- Male
Signature
Home: SMSL SU-8s » Arcam rHead » HIFIMAN HE6se V2 | Drop x Focal Elex | Drop x Sennheiser HD6XX
Wife: Topping D50s » Drop O2 » HIFIMAN Sundara
Mobile: Dunu SA6 | Bose QC35 II
Console Gaming: RBH HP-2
Reviews & equipment history | Make your own choice
Wife: Topping D50s » Drop O2 » HIFIMAN Sundara
Mobile: Dunu SA6 | Bose QC35 II
Console Gaming: RBH HP-2
Reviews & equipment history | Make your own choice
Followers
