The Monkey

I have thoughts on the bass and my perception if it. I did some solid listening tonight and the JH13 us simply superb. It's hard for me to imagine someone disagreeing with that. I have mentioned previously that I wished for a touch more bass. Yet I also understand those of you who are satisfied with it. Indeed that's good bass. However, the highs are so crystalline (but not shouty) that I feel like just a touch more on the bottom end would achieve a perfect balance. But a perfect balance doesn't exist. So be it. The JH13 is world class. I had a hard time taking them off tonight and even found myself grooving to shitty songs unconsciously. Then I listened to the O2 rig and to me it sounded more alike than different, which is probably the highest compliment I can offer. So I guess I owe the Yeti a peck on the cheek?

Thanks Deepak. Greg, clubby could be a good word for it, but without that echo-y sound that I sometimes associate with it. I'm not sure where this DAC falls along the hi-end spectrum, but I find it very satisying. I plan on getting the bridge, provided that they get the ALAC issues sorted. I think PS Audio is ahead of the curve here. There will always be purist type no nonsense DACs, which is a good thing. But the PWD is the kind of Swiss army knife expandable product that is very useful now with digital music. And they seem to be trying to future proof it. MOAR KOOL AID PLEASE!

Very very preliminary impressions. But wow. I really, really like it so far. I've got it going head-to-head with the Dodson now, using the SkipJack to A/B (not blind). As you guys know, I love the Dodson. But compared to the PWD, it sounds a bit veiled and smeared. I haven't done any volume matching, which of course is important. But my gut reaction is that regardless of whether the PWD may be a little louder, I feel like I'm hearing deeper into the musical presentation. For instance, on The Pogues' "Misty Morning, Albert Bridge," there's a banjo that I simply have not heard so clearly before now. I knew it was in the mix, but now I can hear it being plucked. Who knows, maybe I just like the fact that it has cool lights and my mind is playing tricks on me. But my initial thought is that the PWD is revealing more layers than what I have previously heard from a source. PEEL THE ONION, BABY! And the thing has lights and features galore, so I'm a pretty happy monkey right now. But we all like new car smell, so I will insert the caveat here that I need to live with this baby for a while. Most of my listening so far is on Native (no upsampling) and Filter 3. Of course, I will post at 33, 97, 398, and 1000 hours to catalog the changes.

It can be found new for 2100-2200.

Listening to Interpol's "Untitled" which I think has one of the best rock intros of all time. Sounds awesome.

Well, let's put it this way...IMO, these easily give the O2 a run for it's money. And I really don't make that statement lightly. The fit stuff is annoying because it really does have to be spot on to deliver full awesomeness. Bassballs impressions to come.

Now for some Fugazi "Waiting Room." Waiting for ball-rocking.

Listening to them now. iMod--->TTVJ Portable--->JH13. The refit is very good. Maybe not perfect because I feel like it now might be a tiny bit too small. But I need to listen a bit. Definitely not painful, which is great.

The PWD is at home waiting for me to caress it.

Hopefully our other PWD owners will join in here, too. Heh: Pefect timing. I don't think my unit has shipped yet...

I ordered one of these DACses and will post impressions, pics, and random musings here.

Nate, the fit issue you are describing seems very similar to what I experienced with my JH13. The right earpiece was ever so slightly comfortable while in, but I sort of didn't notice it after a while...until I removed the right earpiece and felt a sense of relief, like my ear canal was sore and I didn't realize it.

Fell asleep before I could do any listening. Dreams of yetis dancing in my head.

I'm about to go to bed and listen to the refits. If I don't like the bass it appears that I am a yeti-kissing, unrock-balled, fucktard BatMonkey. That's a lot of pressure.

Yetis need love, too.

I love Charlie Murphy.

The Jh13s are waiting for me at home. We have company coming tonight, but whatever I'm gonna listen to these things first.

I liked that article, too. One thing that has me confused now, however, is why it took so long to get it out. As I understand it, the Steve had always said the tech just wasn't there and he wouldn't release it until it was perfect. Well, it doesn't seem perfect. But more importantly, it seems like the tech was there when they launched the iPhone. Hell, we could be on the 3rd or 4th iteration by now. Regardless, I agree that the debate about the fundamental way in which we relate to computers and technology generally is fascinating and worthwhile. I'm just not a fan of Apple's self-fueled hype machine. Basically, I think Jobs is a disingenuous prick. A genius, but still a prick.

Another universal remote for iPhoneTouch: L5 Remote - Turn your iPhone or iPod Touch into a Universal Remote

How else will this damn thing connect to the internets?

I've been listening to a lot of Warren Zevon lately. He was really good. A real loss.

smarty pants.

I just found out there's no RS-232 port. Deal-breaker.

Gotdammit. Where does the Beyer T1 fit into all of this? One of you will need to buy that soon.

I know.