Honestly, I would not buy the HS8 again. It is definitely fine for the layman mixing I am doing. They are too big for being so close but there isn’t more space in my room. I have had better luck with the Utopia for mixing. I just check the mix on them at the end.
2 Likes
I gave up trying and switched to laptop instead. After a literal lifetime of insisting on desktop power, it turns out we’re finally at the point where a totl laptop is more or less just as powerful as its desktop counterpart. And a helluva lot easier to get.
2 Likes
That dac…man oh man…
2 Likes
Wow two very nice setups posted. I love the dedication on both setups.
3 Likes
After 6 years of climbing the ladder in performance with incremental gear upgrades (I started with a Schiit Modi/Magni stack and a pair of HD650) and tons of research/ learning . . . I have found my Endgame. I am all for starting at the bottom and working your way up from there, so that you can learn how to listen and what you prefer. I don’t think I would appreciate where I am at as much or have such a synergistic system, if I had jumped straight to the “top” from the start.
36 Likes
Finished this setup. Liquid Crimson into a Bricasti M1. My Roommates gave me the rack as a surprise Christmas Present.^^
27 Likes
It must feel good to have reached that place where you no longer have to chase the dragon. Are those headphones VC and Atticus?
6 Likes
It does feel amazing, and quite rewarding. 
You are correct with the VC and Atticus, and I love both headphones equally.
6 Likes
Very cool rack, what is it and where did you get it?
1 Like
The setup is near completion, but looking for a new rack, some artwork, and potentially a new chair (though, while it’s not the best looking, it is motorized and with 3 different areas of adjustment - so you can lock in the perfect neck positioning for the Abyss)
While I am fans of The Stones and David Bowie, I predominantly have that picture because my two sons are named Jagger and Bowie.
Gear in rack from top to bottom is: Woo Wa33 Elite, Chord Dave, Lumin U1, Enleum Amp 23 R, M Scaler, Assorted Power Supplies / Opto Dx.
Headphones: Abyss TC, LCD4, Hifiman Susvara, LCD XC
Not pictured: PS Audio P12
Would love rack suggestions!
27 Likes
It’s from Z Audio on Audiogon.
2 Likes
That is awesome!
Coolest parent award is awarded to you!
3 Likes
Ha - thanks. They have more clothes with lips and lightning bolts then you can imagine.
3 Likes
Fantastic system. Well done. Enjoy it!
1 Like
Do you still like the Chord-Ferrum-D8000pro chain?
I‘m looking for a solidstateamp between Hugo2 and D8000pro (and VeriteOpen)…
1 Like
This is my current movie setup. I have on the desk:
Samsung 4k TV > Audioquest Vodka Toslink > Sound BlasterX G5 DAC > Audioquest Sydney 3.5 to RCA > JDS Labs Atom amp > Senn HD 800.
I’m very satisfied with the sound now, but I’m always open to perhaps a higher end amp / DAC in the future. But right now, I don’t really feel the need. (just updated from Golden Gate cables to Sydney and am impressed with the extra space, dimensionality and detail level)
11 Likes
Tidal Connect > Bluesound Node 2021 > Coax > Technics SU-G700M2 > Hart Audio Cables > Sennheiser HD 800S / DCA Ether 2 / Oppo PM-1
Hated this amp initially streaming LDAC from an iFi Zen Blue V2. Upgrade to Tidal Connect via Bluesound Node seems to have improved things significantly. Either that, or psychoacoustic adjustment stretches from loathe (harsh, strident, artefact-ridden) to like very much (i.e. as good as any other solid state amp I’ve heard, bar a possibly slightly narrow soundstage - but this may be because of the juxtaposition with my new two-channel setup).
13 Likes
Is that a ZMF TH900 on the left @Torq?
5 Likes
I’m thinking of buying a Forza Noir Hybrid for my ZMF Auteur and would appreciate anything you could tell me about them. Thanks.
2 Likes