neilvg

Can't I just tag off of Al? pllleeeeaaasseee Neil

I totally sorta pretty much maybe disagree with you icelander. Why? Because just as you have optimized your setup for your O2, I have optimized my setup for the HE90. Yes silver may be more revealing, blah blah and blah. But the way my system sounds I would be hard pressed for anyone to find major problems (except for the spatiality issue and the slightly diffuse nature which IS true of the HE90). But brightness and upper mid harshness? NOPE! Not if you have it even moderately setup correctly with the right amp (like ES2) and tubes (Mullard XF2) and cables - thick copper! =) Neil

Wow, forgot about this place. Ok, anyway. So here is the news: Leeav is coming with me. Alex Paychev from APL will be at the meet hand delivering my NWO. Mikhail from SP is considering coming. Neil

Unbalanced!? The shame!

I'm so happy my balls no longer burst. That sucks. Good Luck! Stay Potent!

Haha, that's what I've been sayig about the ES-1... hopefully I'll have it soon

Well I had the L3k's some time ago. I tried them w/ the EMP AE, the Rudi RP6, it's matching amp (forgot the name), SDS-XLR, MPX3 (maxxed). It sounded the best out of the MPX3 actually (to me). But I couldn't get used to the complete LACK of air, and what I feel ARE rolled off high's. It had a very, umm, "intimate" sound I guess you could say. It even has/had an upper midrange spike around 1-3khz (which came off as harsh or rolled up). Certain recordings sounded good, but in general, it did NOT have the tonality I usually like... ...Nevertheless there was something about these headphones that kept me listening. It was a unique and intriguing way to listen to my music. Eventually I ended up trying to EQ these suckers. I even put up a thread on headfi somewhere. It was interesting, and I was able to isolate and find just those frequencies I thought needed some work. The headphone sounded better (in that it now sounded less like an L3K!), but it also sounded more sterile, and less effortless in its reproduction. The bottom line was, I realized I was asking something out of those phones (and those drivers) that it clearly wasn't designed to do. Hearing the rest of the AT line, I guess, to some degree, I'm not an AT Fan. Eventually I ended up selling them. BUT, nevertheless again, there is something about these phones that still, to this day, intrigues me, and I woundn't be surprised if one day I acquired another pair. Neil

Do the right thing and get your self an HE90 to compliment your setup! C'mon... btw... did you hear anything from Dell?

Well my claim is based on the following: 1) Having an O2, HE90, HEV90, Balanced HD650 2) Having heard and purchased an ES-1 I like the O2 with the ES-1. it sounds great. Just not great enough given direct comparison. I will admit it depends on source material. Poorly recorded, or highly sibilant material will sound more comfortable (and therefore better) on the O2. Neil

Depends on the HD650 Amp. The SDS-XLR is one of the best things mated with an HD650. Blows the OII out of the water... hell it certainly competes with the HE90's.. oh... all in MY opinion

I would love to hear the ES-1. I have been listening to the HEV90 all weekend and to me, Hirsh's descriptions seem right on. Warm, smooth, articulate, but a little ethereal. It doesn't have the bass impact or 'etched out' high's that it could. I like the laid back sound, and I have had the pleasure of noticing the burn in effect. I have NOS Siemens, and it took a good 100 hours to start to really feel that signature liquid sound. It's like cream. The ES-1 makes me very curious.

Sometimes neckties don't tie on as well as porcupines pinch. But then again, it can be overdone. Don't worry though, all in good time... all in good time. I like it smooth. Neil