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Thanks for the impressions and ownership experiences Boomana - they're very helpful. I had a brief stab at re-reading/looking for more info at HF but your 2 posts were pretty much what I wanted. I will attempt to nab a pair, when my wallet recovers (next year..... maybe ( )

Sorry - like many audio addicts, I'm always hoping for something bigger and better down the road. Good luck with the balanced TVC's from Nick. The poor man sounds constantly inundated. Like another audio retailer we all know and love.

On the subject of amps, is it worth getting either of these if using them unamped (out of an Ipod)? I quite like my Etymotic Er6i's direct (except for the anemic bass) and wonder if getting a high-end custom is worthwhile. Also, how often/easy is it to clean custom IEMs? Cheers!

I can recommend a MHDT Havana, if NOS DACs, no opamp and tube (coupled?) output appeals to you. I use it via USB from my PC without much issue, though I do plan on trying it out with coax at some point. The things that attracted me to this DAC were the positive reviews, the build quality, the price and good impression from owning the cheaper Paradisea+. The Havana is a solid step up and good value imo.

I have a Promitheus TVC (Reference C-Core) but haven't really done much listening on it since its in my speaker system. First blush impression is that its not a good match with my existing system - a bit subdued and boring. I need a better source and speakers but headphones suck all my cash.

Luc Besson clearly did.

Thanks for the recommendations. Unfortunately round-plate Tung Sol's aren't an option, but 2C51's (I have some Bendix 6385's) will be. I'll have to think a bit more on the cable. Cheers!

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread, but I wanted to chime in as an almost satisfied Qualia owner. I've finally (after almost a year) managed to get a working Supra XLR and balancing these puppies seems to be the way to go imo, since if I had to listen to them single-ended, they'd probably have been flipped by now. Different, impressive, but not worth it. Balancing them has increased the sense of palpability (dynamism?) as well as fleshing out the overall tone, especially the bass. The sound just seems to have gotten 'bigger', reflected by the reported experience and mine that placement now doesn't seem quite as crucial to obtaining a good sound. It's not a completely different headphone by any means. The sound is still a little too fragile sometimes and difficult to like with rock. I had a small period of adjustment where the sound seemed to be too cavernous and tizzy in the treble, but it's probably the adjustment I need to make from the L3000 that I do most of my listening on, as it is bassier than it needs to be. Also playing a selection of tracks had me doubting whether its the headphone or the music as the effect seems to be dependant on the recording. In fact, I don't think I've ever had a set up where I could discern the quality of a recording so well. The lens into the music is very clear and makes me realise how poor(ly integrated) the vocal miking is, sometimes. For instance, on the first track of Goldfrapp's "Seventh Tree" album, I can hear a faint hissing in the background everytime Alison sings. Also Anna Nalick's vocals sound oddly dead in "Wreck of the Day", as if it has been overly processed. Listening to her acoustic version is a lot better as it sounds more real. Because of this, it's also not quite as involving as I'm used to. Not huge amounts of foot-tapping as yet. There are a number of settings on the amp, so I've found that setting it to high voltage output, hard texture and no negative feedback seems to be my preference. These headphones are quite picky. Does anyone with similar setups have any input tube recommendations? I'm using a pair of 6BK7's that Mikhail likes quite a lot with this amp and I'm finding them to be pretty good. They're supposed to be a fairly 'euphoric' tube but they sound pretty neutral to me. Also, any recommended balanced cables? I know Dan likes the Black Dragon and Apuresounds v3. I have a Blue Dragon at the moment, which he reckons is the worst. I'm not finding it that mushy, but am prepared to be convinced... I like music that has refinement, soundstage, detail and a slight euphonic touch - in that order. Cheers!

I like how it looks (both inside and outside, with the exception to those stupid fans) but I'm glad I'm not really in the market for something like this right now. My previous experience with an amp from that part of the world was the Doge 6021, so I tend to view any products from there with some caution. I hope the sound quality makes up for it. I'd recommend replacing the fans with Nexus ones (known for very low noise and reliability). Maybe even enlarge the holes and fit 120mm ones.

Didn't think any PC game (other than Diablo 3) would grab my attention, but it seems Spore might well do that. Comic-Con Demo by Will Wright: Exclusive: Spore - Comic-Con demo

It's not bad with (bassy) R10's either - even though I've been "stuck" using it for the past year, it serves very well until I eventually get something better.

Partially completed a couple of psy-trance artists yesturday, buying the rest of the Infected Mushroom catalogue (Converting Vegetarians, I'm the Supervisor) and Simon Poshford's Younger Brother (The Last Days of Gravity). Also a couple of Cecilia Bartoli CD's - The Vivaldi Album and Cecilia Bartoli: A Portrait. Wonderfully engaging mezzo soprano )

I'm guessing yes, since I asked MHDT if the USB implementation was different in the Havana than the Paradisea+ and the reply was they're the same. The USB input on the Paradisea+ also 'takes priority' as a source and so the only way to use the coax would be to unplug the usb cable. Would be nice if there was a switch, I agree.

Sorry - my english is terrible - I meant to say that the Havana is quite a bit better than the Paradisea+. There are rave reviews for the Paradisea+ dotted about - but I'm not sure I'd go to the level that they're touted to. It's a nice little DAC that doesn't have the slight 'digital edge' that I find in DACs like the EMU 1212m or Pico and well worth picking up for the 2nd hand prices. There are only a couple of forum reviews for the Havana - apparently one is being written for one of the online pubs in October.

I'm using a MHDT Havana (upgrade to the Paradisea+) and it uses a non-OS DAC with no digital filters or op-amps. Specs here: MHDT Havana website I also own a Paradisea+ which is well regarded and imho it's quite a bit better, which it should be, for the price. I told Purk I reckon it's about 30% better - perhaps it isn't, but the added enjoyment it provides me when I listen to it is around that level. It does present a very full and detailed sound, with very good spatial separation. I use it with my SP Extreme Platinum and L3000 at work, via the USB input. Very happy with it. It costs about $900 + shipping if ordered direct.

Those pictures make me unhappy in the pants ;-(

I knew the dam would burst eventually and I'm pretty sure SP will manage to survive the negativity and criticism. I hope Mikhail can respond to this situation as a proper wake-up call and not just a knee-jerk patch up effort until the masses quieten down and then it's back to business as usual. I agree with N_Maher that a lot of the problems with SP seem to stem from the custom side of it, compounded by what seems like a severe lack of working organisational procedure and process. I think Mikhail has been overly ambitious from the start and learning the hard way why no one does this without charging ridiculous sums of money for the priviledge (some would say he already does - personally I don't think he charges as much as he needs to) as well as placing a limit on the number of orders taken each year - especially if he is the only person who can do the work for these units and trouble-shoot each and every problem amp that gets sent back. What I do find puzzling is why so much is dependent on Mikhail, even what I would consider relatively mundane tasks. Are the staff he hires completely worthless, or does he manage to obfuscate the day to day issues such that they are rendered totally ineffective? What's happened to Jay? Does he have a proper Q&A department? I'm also puzzled by the whole postal issue. I've been waiting on a shipment from him since February and it seems only he can send it out, despite it being packaged and ready to ship for months. I've been patient because it's really a goodwill guesture until something bigger and better comes along, so I've not really been pushing for it. However, if it's ready, why not just send it? Well, here's hoping that things improve for you Mikhail - best of luck!

Thanks for the review Rob - I was interested in the AMR at one point, mostly due to Thorsten's involvement with it.

Sony have just re-activated my two EQ2 accounts, so I downloaded the 5gb patch ( ) and playing around the newbie area as a Fae wizard )

I only started playing this February, but from what I can tell, it's a really nifty game. There are still some content issues and population is still a bit sparse. I think I've grouped less than 10 times and I'm about to hit 43. The only reason to group is to break up the solo grind boredom or finish an important quest-line. Love playing a necro - from what I can tell, they're a very strong class. Must say, I'm tempted by the new WoW expansion pack and being able to start a hero class from lvl 55.

Hardcore! I dabbled with EQ2 after EQ but lost interest after doing most of the Legendary quests and dying to the damn dragon lots. Played WoW quite a bit more seriously but stopped after not really getting very far into Burning Crusade content. Moved onto LoTRO as a bard - bored stiff fairly quickly. Playing on Vanguard - more like old EQ with updated graphics / gameplay. Grind still a bit much, but getting back into it again.

Interesting that you've decided to increase the space from the front rather than the back. Any reason why you chose to do it this way? Is this how it's done on the Sigmas?

Kim Greist was dead sexy in that. Pity she wasn't quite as hot in Manhunter.

Royal Tramp 1 & 2 Severance The Importance of Being Ernest Enterprise (Malcolm trying to defuse a Romulan Mine from the hull of the Enterprise) 24 Season 5 Blood Ties Chuck CSI: NY CSI: Las Vegas House

I managed to pick up a pair of vintage RS-1 (wooden box, brown leather headband, no serial number). However there's no sound out coming out of the right driver. I'm able to unscrew the 1/4 plug and the wires seem okay. Looking into the grill, again the wires seem fine. I'll check the wires against ground with a multimeter when I get home. However, in case worse comes to worse, is there a knack to getting access to the drivers? I've read about sharp screwdrivers, hot water and hair dryer and even spoons ( http://www.headwize.com/projects/showfile.php?file=grado_prj.htm ) though it seems to have been done mostly on plastic or metal-bodied Grados and not wooden ones. Any experienced advice would be greatly appreciated! Cheers!