riceboy

Yeah those new MD5000s with Jena looks SWEET But seriously, I'm so happy to get a chance to hear a headamp finally

What's below and the balanced Equinox cable

After you said that I totally believe you . Don't want some Samoan associates kicking my ass and leaving a permanent imprint

Let me first start off by saying thank you to 4n6 for having me over to listen to some sweet gears. Also, thanks for the great beer to partake in. Now on to the impressions Here is what I listened to first: Audio Research CD7 - 307A- (can) SA5000 Balanced with Silver Dragon: When I listened to Eric Clapton unplugged with the song "Hey Hey" playing I noticed Clapton's voice more laid back and natural sounding. The guitar had a some body when he hit the strings. With the song "Tears from Heaven" I noticed the that Clapton's voice was very natural sounding and the guitar did reverberate throughout the song. I was surprised by the separation of the vocals and guitar during the tracks. I listened to some other tracks as well, but overall I noticed that it had good separation of the vocals and instruments. Everything had it's own space and there was good tone and substance in the music. The tubes did warm up the highs as well. R10s: When I listened to Clapton Unplugged with "Lonely Stranger" it was fantastic. Everything had it's own space with greater clarity than the SA5000s. The sound was a lot more natural and had a more real tonality to the vocals and instruments. The SA5000 felt like they lacked some body and airy goodness that the R10s had. Not to say the SA5000s aren't good, but it really is hard to compare the two different sounding cans. This is what I heard with other tracks as well. When listening to Diana Krall Live "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" the tone is beautiful, detailed, exquisite, and full of life. You could feel the energy from the bass player strumming on the strings. Then Diana comes in and you could hear every vocal expression articulated beautifully with the piano sounding all too real. I did notice that the 307A made the R10s a lot more detailed than I ever heard them. But I feel that the Dragon from SinglePower had a little more warmer/darker sound that I personally like, but the 307A is seriously just a wonderful amp. SR225 Woodied: Okay I really wasn't expecting much from this can but the 307A really made this can shine. I know that 4n6 didn't have a chance to listen to them with the 307A, but there will be another time for sure . When I listened to Diana Krall live again with "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" there was a very wonderful low end that was controlled and tight. I couldn't really believe it. The bass player sounded so dynamic and the strums on the strings was very tight and controlled. Diana's voice was very clear and clean. This is by far the best I've ever heard the SR225 or any Grado I heard with another amp by a long mile. With the amount of Grados I own/owned stemming from the SR60, SR80, SR225 twice, SR325i, MS2, MS1,HF-1s three times, RS1s twice, GS1000 twice, and HP2s twice, I thoroughly enjoyed these woodied SR225s. Even the cymbals sounded clear and natural without the edgy high end. Let's just say that this amp really, really brought out something beautiful in these SR225s. Diana's voice in "Look of Love" had a uncharacteristic misty dimension and charm to it that I never heard a woodied Grado ever produce. The amp just draws you in and makes you want to listen to more. Then I had to put on Clapton's "Tears in Heaven" and again his voice was warm, inviting, and very intimate. The tone of his guitar was just killer. Then I moved on to Sam Phillips "Fan Dance". It didn't disappoint there as her vocals were so picturesque, real, and so silky smooth. The Grado as you all know has a small sound stage, but this amp really, really does a marvelous job in separating the vocals, tones and instruments so very nicely. The natural sounding reverberations of some the guitars just made me grin inside . K340 Headphiled: Overall everything had it's own special space with the mids and highs sounding fantastic. The only thing is that it lacks the low end, but it really does make it up with realistic and warm mids and highs. It did sound wonderful with most of the tracks I threw at it. Cambridge 840C - B52 R10s: When listening to Diana Krall "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" the piano and bass player had a more darker and laid back tone to everything. I felt that the 307Abrought everything more to the front, well the B52 had a relaxed sound. I didn't have a lot of time with this amp, but I would say that I would prefer the 307A because it had greater detail and a more upfront presentation with excellent energy. PrimaLuna - Cary SLI - 80 JVC-DX1000 I listened to Sam Phillips "Fan Dance" and this can and amp is a perfect match. I mean the mids are beautifully detailed, not thin, with nice, tight low end bass. I never heard the DX1000 sound so good. I then put on Sam Phillips "Wasting my Time" and you could just feel the reverberations, warmth, and ethereal balance of the violin strings. The low end from the violin alone is pretty amazing. The synergy between this can and amp is a truly a wonderful pair. I would be very happy to listen to this duo and understand why 4n6 uses this rig at work. Fantastic. SR225s woodied/GS1000: With both cans and playing Clapton's "Tears in Heaven" I noticed that the body that the 307A presented with the SR225 wasn't there. The vocals were a lot more laid back and I felt the Grado didn't have quite the synergy as with the 307A. In conclusion the 307A surpassed my most humble expectations as it is a wonderful sounding amp. For me it really made any can that I threw at it that much better with it's strong suits in giving the cans a lot more detail, separation and sense of realism, with a more energetic presentation. Also I really enjoyed 4n6s "man cave" with his gorgeous tube powerblocks and exquisite sounding speakers. I could spend all day and night in there Some of the cans The Dragon with R10s Beta22 with the 840C 307A front view 307A from the side 4n6 man cave I love these speakers 4n6 with the R10s Me enjoying the R10s and the 307A goodness

Hey guys. Sorry I've been M.I.A. I've been out the whole morning and afternoon out with the family and I just got back. I'll be posting my impression either tonight or for sure tomorrow with some pics as well

You must've read my mine. I have a SR225 woodied Grado boxed and a AKG 340 headphiled boxed as well that I am bringing down to listen with the amp. This will be my first time listening to the 307A and B52. We'll post impressions later

Have a Happy Birthday to both

I can't wait. I'm packing my Singlepower Dragon and Beta 22 as we speak. Can't wait to hear the DX1000 and R10s and HD650 out of your new amp

Yeah it does suck, but I'm hoping that I can at least just get that one disc exchanged or I'll do some research and see what others have done in my situation. Have a Happy 4th.

Just as n_maher mentioned. It was a Desktop DAC module in mine as well.

Did a bunch of work today since we have the day off on the 4th. Ordered a bunch of stuff for everyone in the dept from Cyberguys yesterday. First time I'm ordering things from them. I can't wait to get all my goodies . Watched some of the Matrix Reloaded on HD-DVD, but noticed that the disc had a hard time reading sometimes and would stop during certain parts of the movie. I'm going to try and contact Amazon and see if they could help me exchange it. I never had this type of issue before with a HD-DVD. It is practically brand new since it was the first time I've watched it. Other than that just getting ready for the 4th holiday.

Hey Jack. I never heard them side by, but I do have similar impressions like Iron Dreamer. The Pico is a lot more clearer and cleaner sounding. The music from the HR Desktop is not as resolving as the Pico, but from what I remembered it could drive my HD650 pretty well. Basically, I do agree with what Iron Dreamer mentioned. I did enjoy the HR Desktop when I did have it though.

Great pics 4n6. Can't wait to hear this amp with my R10s soon. That rack with all that silver looks sweet

Wow nice CDs you got there Deepak. I hope to get a great copy of the Animals one day.

Wow I didn't know it was that long Ain't that the truth Dusty

Thanks Chris . I've had the CDs for around 15 years, but I've been waiting for them to do a remaster on them for a while. Well hopefully it happens sooner than later. Cheers.

I just saw this article and I remembered reading it last year. Has anyone heard any news of when the remastered Beatles album might be coming out?

There is no patience when a 307A is around . Just j/k. I'm glad that you are having a great time with the new amp. Have fun during this 4th of July week with it.

Oh Boy . How exciting. I'm so glad it has arrived. Have fun. I can't wait to hear it later

Oh nice deal . If that is the case I might have been tempted as well. Just from what I've read about Stax impressions I'm guessing I would like it so just to protect my wallet I'm going to stay away for now. Stax is pretty appealing to me though. I'm still happy with my dynamic cans right now though.

No kidding . Everyone is really liking Statz. I am still going to stay away for now because I'm guessing I would like it. Have fun with your new toys Nate

Happy Birthday and Aloha from your former haunt Hawaii

Great deal with the eSata. Dusty stop tempting me Thanks for posting up the deals

Downloaded some great remastered stuff . Played it twice today with my system at work and home. Good stuff

37 record store clerks are feared to be dead because of a roof collapse at a Yo La Tengo concert. On a side note, I didn't think this band was still together. 37 Record-Store Clerks Feared Dead In Yo La Tengo Concert Disaster | The Onion - America's Finest News Source