909

In general, if all components are kept the same and you are just swapping RCA cables or using an A/B switch box I think most would be hard pressed to tell the difference. Most cables often slight differences in flavoring the presentation though. In my experience, cables with less mass usually offer more details whereas thick cables can seem slower and bloated at times, but it does depend. Silver can have a bright tendency, but not always. Copper has a warm and fuller tendency, but again not always. Also, the connectors and the soldering can?t be underestimated since it impacts the sound quality for better or worse. I?ve had a few cables in my system that I just couldn?t handled because they were either bright or reached higher in the upper frequencies. And I?ve had other cables that made my system seem bloated and fuzzy. Yet it depends on your components and what you like. I like a cable that does a lot of things right to my ear such as but not limited to being extremely detailed, balanced, smooth, offering great separation and imaging, focus, clarity, etc... and right now that cable is the Grover Huffman S (tweaked).

I suppose $1700 is a pretty decent price, but I got my Saturn new for $1570 delivered and the second best price was $1800. I?ve been spending a lot of time listening to the Saturn. I still think it is leaps ahead of the Apollo. I suppose the biggest immediate noticeable difference is vocal and instrument separation. On the Apollo when I would listen to Appetite for Destruction for example quite a few times I would loss the bass line within or behind the drums, but not with the Saturn I am able to follow it through the entire CD. So across the board the Saturn takes recorded vocals and instruments and presents them in a more distinct manner, which is easier to detect, hear, and follow. The other thing it does superior is bass. The bass has power, fullness, and control that the Apollo just can?t match. It also seems to reach deeper too. And dynamics are improved upon as well. It?s really macro-dynamics, which gives the music great energy and fun-factor. I would say the micro-dynamics are also improved, but just not as noticeable. The Saturn also extracts just a bit more content off the CD, but everything presented is done with more focus and clarity so it's just plain out easier to spot and hear. I think the Saturn is easily worth $2100, but more than that I would be listening to other stuff within the $2500 price range. Compared to my listening time with the 508.24, I would say the Saturn easily would hold its own and improves dynamics and PRAT. Though, I think the 508.24 is a fantastic sounding source and possibly slightly more refined, but doesn't have as much kick. And bring the G08 into the picture I think the Saturn comes as close as I?ve heard to presenting things so it is easier for the listener to pick out this or that or hear things that most other players can?t reveal. But as amazing as I think the G08 is, it presents music in an unnaturally beautifully way while sacrificing macro-dynamics whereas the Saturn does so in a more organic and naturally beautifully way and keeps things very close to how they were intended to sound by the producer/engineer. The G08 has better micro-dynamics, slightly larger soundstage at least horizontally possibly not vertically, and better defined bass, yet vocals are really recessed and at times the player seem too silkily smooth, artificial and overly laidback. I am very impressed with the Saturn. I can?t wait to compared against other players.

Weird the neutral feedback looks like it?s for the same item too. I guess the other buyer backed out? I think you are lucky you didn't win the auction.

Did you think about these things before bidding? seller had no feedback before bidding? Everyone starts with zero. read the payment terms before bidding? It indicates only money order/cashiers checks. Check out this website. It's like an eBayer's background check. I don't think you are being scammed.

Pete and Mr.Shadow... Congrats on the W11JPN

I suggest the Dimarzio M-Paths or Grover Huffman's UR8 or his new "S" cable. I think they all cost $150 for 1 meter pair and offer great SQ at a reasonable price. In fact, regardless of price I liked the UR8s better than the Cardas Neutral Reference cables I just sold. Recently Grover sent me a replacement S cable after reading my comments on Head-Fi. I've only had them a few days, but they are more pleasing to my ear than the initial "S" cables I got some time ago. I don't know if these are a custom job or consistent with the way he's now making all his "S" cables.

Drill holes in it shoot it stab it freeze it burn it give it a nice hot bath do an Irish jig on it then bury it

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1173925789 $400 obo on Audiogon recently listed. I liked them a lot, but prefer the older ones w/ the wooden box. And my biggest gripe with them is the lack of soundstage.

For the most part it?s pretty simple and quick calculations. I doubt it took me more than 180 seconds and I was curious to know how long it would take to make one per each amp. It was also my 909 post here.

That?s only 24,000 feet or 288,000 inches. At 3 seconds an inch, it is 864,000 second or 14,400 minutes. That?s only 240 hours or just 20 hours an amp. It?s feasible.

X3 The source is the foundation.

I wondered if or when you would share your extreme pleasure w/ the Extreme on Head-Case. We get sloppy seconds. I am glad you?re still enamored with your two new SP amps. They look really cool and I hope to hear this new addition to the SP family soon. So is the Extreme now your new SP favorite in your large and growing family of SP amps? I am curious, if the Extreme offers the same level or better or worse of detail conveyance as the MPX3 w/ NOS tubes? Just a healthy dose of curiosity and skepticism about those fascinating transformer claims and lighthearted play. Don?t take things the wrong way (or flip out JK). If it came off that way, I guess I shouldn?t question Earl. I for one didn?t know why he called it the best transformer currently available and if it had to do w/ the sound, operation, or both.

I heard the Benchmark DAC1 w/ the HD650s out of it's headphone jack and it wasn't half bad. I only listened to two tracks so take it w/ a grain of salt.

unreal \

you've peak my interest--so details, specifics, blah, blah, blah... I missed this fiasco.

My question about have you heard every amp on that list wasn't directed towards you, but it's good to know. I doubt anyone giving an opinion here has heard even half the amps on your list so take that into account when they make a suggestion. It would be nice to know what other amps on your list those giving opinions have also heard.

You've about five minutes to edit anything you post here. Thereafter, it's a done deal.

Have you heard every amp on that list? If so, wow

I've owned the RSA Hornet (not "M"). I've spent extensive time with the EC-SS. And heard the Gilmore Lite briefly at a meet. I've also used my HD650s on each of these amps. I?d cross the Hornet off your list. It's an ok to decent portable amp, but nothing really special and pricey. I suppose if portability was of the utmost importance you might consider it, but with the HD650 there are better options. I really liked the EC-SS. I thought it sounded great. And walked the fine line between solid state (analytical) and offering a bit of tube warmth and magic without getting bloated or muddy. It's a great amp. During my brief listen I thought the Gilmore Lite provided an equally enjoyable musical experience, but slightly more analytical presentation and still some warmth. I think it had the power supply too. You've got a free noobie pass this one time

The ER-4P is a great IEM, no doubt. Some have reported microphonic issues with the cord and discomfort with the 3-flange insert eartips. Also I've read that the new shuffle has some sort of hiss issue with the Shure E4s, which it might also do with the ER-4s. The Shure E4 are another great IEM that don't have such microphonic cord issues and provide more sleeve eartip options and most consider them to be more comfortable as well. Just some food for thought.

I forgot to mention that I used the soft flex sleeves with the E4s because it's comfortable and fits well. five minute edit window... sometimes I wish it was ten \

I own the Shure E4 and like them a great deal. They offer a very balanced presentation and an acceptable amount of bass for an IEM. I've not heard or owned the ER-4P/S but researched them extensively before I made my first IEM purchase. I surmise that the ER-4ps are an overall better sounding IEM, but they lack impactful bass and do have some things you should know before you pull the trigger. IIRC, the ER-4P/S have been reported to have microphonic issues with the cable so probably it isn't ideally suited for the exercise bike unless you can keep the cable pretty still. You can do a search on Head-Fi with the keywords "ER-4p" and "microphonic" and that should bring up some results about this issue. Additionally, the ER-4 tips that insert into the ear canal aren't the most comfortable things. In fact, some people find them slightly painful or even unbearable. There's a foam tip option, but I've never gotten a good seal with foam and it is essential you get a proper fit and seal. With the 3-flange they need to be inserted deep into the canal. Even though, the ER-4 are regarded as an incredible IEM bass isn't impactful and some might say pronounced enough. http://www.headphonereviews.org/headphone.php?action=view&headphoneId=45 As for the E4s, I've never noticed any cable microphonics while working out. Shure offers about four different tip styles and three sizes in each style so that you can pick one that's the most comfortable and fits best while providing a good seal. I've tried the triple flange and after about an hour my ear canals got sore. Again, a good seal is very important. I suspect that the E4s aren't as good as the ER-4, but they are close, offer better comfort, a cable that isn't microphone, and impactful bass. http://www.headphonereviews.org/headphone.php?action=view&headphoneId=148

For what it's worth, I'll give a second nod to the HD650s. If you look you can probably find a new pair including delivery for around $300. I?ve heard most of the headphones discussed here and on Head-Fi and the HD650s are one of my favorites when properly amplified. The K-1000s took a bit getting use to and are usually around a grand, but I feel like I am hanging tiny speakers on either side of my head instead of wearing headphones and the K340s sound really nice, but both require amply power to be driven properly. Another headphone I?ve heard recently which has sparked my interest is the beyerdynamic DT 990 because it sounded great in my rig, but I don?t know if it would replace my HD650s.

I am getting the same message. I thought Head-Fi had undergone substantial improvements so that it wouldn't have such issues and loading would be faster. Head-Fi Speed: Very Slow (96% of sites are faster), Avg Load Time: 8.6 Seconds more money and members, but same poor and slow functionality?.

ditto