The Monkey

Sources are making me crazy...

Yes, I think that's pretty clear to everyone, my question should be read as regarding the DACs based on those chips.

Nate's right about the BHSE. It is stunning in person.

I heard the O2 mk2 (used to be mine...) with the BHSE at the Meet. I thought it sounded simply excellent. I also think that the Mk2, with its slightly more pronounced midbass (to my ears) is a better Meet phone than the Mk1 because it can overcome some of the ambient noise a bit better. Regardless, I thought that the BHSE took the Mk2 and gave it the kick in the pants that it needs. Bear with me here, I feel like that the Mk2 is just slightly, um, lazier than the Mk1. Just the very littlest bit slower than the Mk1--perhaps due to te midbass. And in some ways, when I was comparing the two, I found this to sound almost like the Senn veil, but to a far lesser extent. We are talking about very small differences here. So, when I had the Mk2, I found myself wondering if there was an amp that would be able to "punch through" that bit of veil. I feel like the BHSE is such an amp. The Mk2 sounded nimble and all around great. Unfortunately, by the time I got around to trying the mk1 with the BHSE, Nate had to break down his equipment to give it some time to cool down (for some reason Nate didn't want to risk his packing boxes bursting into flame). So, I don't have those impressions. But as Nate and I discussed, the differences between the phones may be obvious to Stax lovers, but they are much much closer than they are different.

Since I'm using the North Star as my reference point, I'm trying to get a handle on the differences here. How would you guys say the PCM63 and PCM1704 differ from it. Currawong, you said the 1704 made the North Star sound muddy. Is it also brighter?

Excellent Meet. Impressions later, but for now just wanted to say it was great seeing the HCers in attendance.

Thanks, deepak. What is the DAC you are referring to (the best one)?

What's particularly good about the pcm1704?

No, old model. D-EJ985. Wrong. D-EJ985 + ECD-1 = Good. Well, good enough for the meet tomorrow at least...I really need a iMacLapBook or whatever the hell they're called these days. USB does not play nice with my DACs since I parted with the Pico.

(it can haz optikal lineout)

Happy Birthday, Al! I hope you had a great day; you deserve it!

Will that drive my DT770? I WANT MOAR BASSNESS!

I'm a little surprised that Woo's development has gone toward this and not the updated 'stat amp.

I'll be there, and so will my dad (also a Vincent!).

Dealing with Yama's is such a pain in the ass. Which headband are you looking for, Colin?

I like bourbon, and didn't like the Elmer T. at first. Didn't stop me from drinking it. And I'd buy it again. Punk.

They sizzle a little up top, but I love them. They play pretty nicely with the GES and the 007t.

The Grado Heavy Metal Mod.

I like the way those aluminum cups look...a lot. How do they sound?

Nugget Audio Balanced Mini^3.

Now have to buy a replacement pair of MK2 pads. Dammit.

I'm ok with the name. I'm not ok with the website sucking.

for those that have tried them, do you prefer the mk1 pads or the mk2 pads on the mk1 in terms of SQ? (I don't want to get into the leather debate again, sorry if I missed this comparison, but I haven't seen it directly discussed).

Looks like the Abrahamsen v6.0 DAC is shipping in Norway, according to a thread on HF. But it's only shipping in Norway.

Wait, what?