I auditioned these last weekend at the AT Concept Store in Paris. Configurations: DX100 > AD2000X DX100 > HA5000ANV > AD2000X Compared them also to W5000's, W3000ANV's, W1000X, ESW11LTD's Tracks used for testing: Artur Rubinstein - Chopin Nocturnes (16/44 FLAC) The Doors - The Doors - Break on Through (24/96 FLAC) Extrawelt - Schöne Neue Extrawelt - Messy Machinery (16/44 FLAC) Goldfrapp - Supernature - Ooh La La (16/44 ALAC) Fischerspooner - #1 - Emerge (16/44 APE) Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma - Do the Astral Plane (16/44 ALAC) The Avalanches -...

I tried a few Grado's —didn't like the Grado house sound—, a few Senn's —HD650 left a good impression—, a few lower-end AT's —I thought the AD700 were impressive for the price— and after reading Head-Fi and other audio forums for a long time, I thought the W5000 would suit me and my listening habits well.   For over three years I'd waited for a good deal on a used set sold in Europe —to avoid custom duties— and an opportunity finally came around.   Now, at first I didn't have any decent amplification to run them from, and but I could certainly...

Will post more soon, but I tried them briefly, and was impressed.

  A bit of background: I'm coming from using Sony MiniDisc Walkmans, Hi-MD specifically, with their ability to play full CD-quality LPCM, and providing true gap-less playback, aside a sound quality that is way above that of iPods and other typical MP3 players -and I have tried a few of those. My musical library just keeps growing, the price per 1GB Hi-MD MiniDisc just isn't competitive any more, and lugging around many discs isn't always convenient, so I'd been on the look-out for a replacement for my Hi-MD Walkmans, and ideally even an upgrade in...

When this came out in 2004 it was a neat universal player, that integrated nicely with the rest of the Onkyo Intec 205 Series components. Compared with nowadays solutions, it lacks some features, but it still holds up well, and for audio, satisfactory enough.   I can play the odd MP3 CD-R's guests might bring, of course regular CD's which is its main task, CD-R backups, and higher resolution SACD and DVD-Audio's, although I don't take benefit of the multi-channel capabilities of those latter formats as yet, since not having it connected to a...

The line out isn't that bad, but still leaves a lot to be desired for. My Hi-MD Walkmans sound so much better.   All the new iDevice DAC desktop docks, Home Cinema multichannel amps, Hi-Fi stereo amps, tuner amp combos, desktop CD players, car radios, with USB inputs certified for iPod finally make this mediocre sounding DAP a good candidate for a compact music server.   For those going the iMod / DIYMod route, there now is the option to go solid state, for improved ruggedness, better battery life & slimmer form factor since compatible with...

The durability of the legendary "twelve hundred" turntable doesn't need further introduction: original ones of the 70's still work to this day, and since it has been so popular and so many have been sold, availability of spare parts, should any servicing ever be necessary, is guaranteed.   Like all SL-1200's from the MK2 on, the die-cast heavy aluminium housing achieves great stability with a 12.5kg total weight. The vibration-damping proprietary Technics Non-Resonance Compound inside does a great job of reducing the vibration of the direct...

Good Recorder & Player, with excellent sound quality though quality hardware and PCM support. Unrestricted upload & download of track. Mac compatible. Standard Mini-USB for data transfer & Li-Ion battery charging, battery which is also easily removable and replaceable. Wired remote control support, up till the RM-MC40ELK & 55ELK, the 40ELK providing the best UI. The 35ELK is already a worthwhile upgrade over the provided 38EL, which has poorer resolution and no Kanji support. Line output through UI menu selection. Easy Rec button; also neat...

Qualia design & price tag but poor quality cable, & SQ should be better at that price range.   Another explanation could be that I didn't receive the real thing, since I didn't get all the accessories, box & documentation with them, just the actual EXQ1 set of in-ear earphones. They would be very well imitated fakes since cosmetically they look the same, AFAIK.

My favourite choice for using with my Sony Hi-MD Walkman & remote combos.   Value rating is for my second purchased pair, which I got for about $56 in 2008 ;) .   More detailed review when I find some more time to write here.   2012 Update: Well, lets say they sounded great for the price in the 2006-2008 period. There are certainly better options nowadays. Heck even the old ATH-CK7's have a higher resolution. Those would have been a nice alternative if their bass hadn't been too strong to my taste; the EX90's have a better tonal balance.

I ordered the Audio-Technica ATH-CK7(S) Titanium Earphones to replace my Sony MDR-EXQ1's in terms of a comfortable pair of earphones, with SQ hopefully at least as good as the EX90's. First Impressions It seems I may need to find something else with the SQ of the EX90's and the fit of the EXQ1, as so far I am a little disappointed by the CK7's... The mids of the EX90's sound better. I've been thoroughly comparing the EX90's & CK7's with the Maria João Pires playing the Chopin Nocturnes album recording in PCM on my EH1, and the piano sounds not...