Disruptive Forces - Liberators & Destroyers of Worlds

[Torq]

Not quite a back a full week, after three-plus weeks away from my main rig, and it has been interesting to see how I’ve responded to that rig, and it’s music. This was after just having my iPhone, Apple dongle and Bose QC20i on hand (and really not doing much listening at all).

First time I put the SR1a back on again was just as striking as the first time I’d ever heard them in my own system. I didn’t expect less. But it was still nice to come back to my rig and see that all the disruption (so far) was still justified and in the proper context.

And having the Vérité Closed around, again, while a different type of listening to the SR1a, was also a genuine treat. This was a “get drawn into and lost in the music” experience vs. the “pay rapt attention to everything” presentation of the SR1a. Both are extremely compelling listens and while different in their delivery, are similarly addictive.

When away from “proper” replay for a while, I have often found myself hankering for a dose of the HD650 … but that did not (and has not) happened. Which is probably good, since I had sold those, the HD6XX and the HD660S already.

I have a sneaking suspicion that the HD800S will stick about a bit longer than I planned. This is mostly because prices/demand for used gear on the major outlets seems to be at a MUCH lower level than at any time I can previously recall. Which isn’t to say they’ll get more use as a result, just that I am disinclined to take a bigger loss on them than necessary just to sell them quickly.

The pending (should be this week) arrival of my MySphere 3.2 will be interesting. It’ll give me “SR1a-like” stage, speed and resolution at the office (and with my portable units), so I am quite anxious for that, especially with my simpler office rig (Hugo M-Scaler -> Hugo TT 2).

The open-back Vérité continue to delight.

One set at home (Cocobolo), the other at the office (Ziricote).

And a set of Vérité Closed for bedroom listening … I am going to miss the loan set I have while I figure out what I want my own pair to be …

[Torq]

The SR1a claims another victim …

My Abyss AB-1266 Phi CC are gone.

I’ve had them, in one form or another, for just shy of four years. I started with the original release, then the Phi, then the Phi CC upgrade. I’d have done the TC upgrade too, but there wasn’t one; instead that required buying a whole new set of headphones.

Then the SR1a showed up, and other than in the bass/sub-bass levels were, for me, a better headphone in every other sonic respect. And one can bring the sub-bass/bass up to Abyss-like levels (>=95%) with a little EQ - and still have it be faster, better textured and more detailed.

While I remain a fan of Abyss headphones, and I’ll keep an eye (or ear) out for the next (post “TC”) release/upgrade, they just haven’t been getting used for anything other than comparisons since the SR1a arrived.

So, the collection gets smaller once again … and I’m left wondering “Which goes next?” …

[Pharmaboy]

I have a loaner Verite closed IMS right now. It is proving a fascinating and very different experience, even for this ZMF fanboy. The loaner VO is coming in another couple weeks. While I’m not really a candidate for the VC (closed headphones exacerbate my tinnitus & headaches), it’s very impressive & clearly a disruptive force for those susceptible to what it can do (and accepting of closed designs).

I’m told the VO will be the same, but even more disruptive for me because it’s open back w/magnificent sound. Can’t wait to hear that one.

In the meantime, my loaner Aeolus w/Verite pads went back to its owner–and this headphone was/is the most disruptive I’ve ever encountered. It utterly & totally seduced me. This was the 1st headpone of all I own or owned that made me think of a “pecking order” of my headphones, a beauty contest where the Aeolus was always at the top. That never happened before.

The jury is out on the Verite until the VO shows up. But at least for now, the Aeolus is 100% on my radar. This Spring I will more than likely sell 3-4 of my headphones to make way for one.

[Torq]

I’d be more than happy with either, and have elected to have both, but I do have a slight preference for the Vérité open.

And I totally get the “pecking order” thing!

[bobbmd]

@Torq @ prfallon69 just to let you know if you are interested–have had my Schiit Ragnarok 2 just the amp and Yggdrasil GS(yes with gen5usb!) mated with Legacy Audio Studio HD monitors.
just fantastic!!they get better/ warmer etc each day-- that amp is one Schiitload of a headphone amp–Jerry and the boys never sounded so crystal clear instruments so separated etc-- I almost prefer to use my headphones.
unretired my Yamaha c-750 cd/dvd-a/sacd/dvd changer RCA out to the amp
rediscovered a Harman/Kardon fl8370 HDCD changer connected by coaxial to the DAC(can also listen via headphone into the changer directly so i hear HDCD-sounds better through DAC even for DEAD albums)
ME2 is connected via RCA speaker out to the amp
AND… have digital optical out from my cablebox to the DAC and interchange it with digital optical out from my Apple tv gen3
my music world is complete
bobbmd

[prfallon69]

It sounds like you’ve found yourself a great combination and setup. It’s sometimes difficult to get good synergy with different components in the audio chain. Happy that you’ve got a setup your happy with. Enjoy.

[MrCypruz]

The SR1a just claimed the second victim on my collection, the first was the Meze Empyrean and now Stax SR-009S + KGSSHV Carbon amp…

My electrostatic rig was let go today because it has been left abandoned with zero head time since the SR1a arrival. The dust covers were very well used, probably the most used item on that rig after the SR1a took over most (if not all) the head time around here.

[Torq]

They’re an amazing headphone …

Initially I was worried that the “wow” factor would wear off, and some of my reaction to them was “new toy syndrome”. But it’s been more than 6 months now … and they’re still claiming victims, and getting the majority of my at-home listening time.

The rest is split between the Vérité and the MySphere 3.2, with the Vérité consistency getting 90% of my in-the-office head-time.

[MrCypruz]

They’re indeed!

Your assessment of them was spot on and your impressions were the main reason why I bought them and boy…I’m glad I did! Thank you!!!

I feel like the SR1a will make me (= it will force me) become more conscious about my future purchases…it will have to be better or different enough that raises my interest high enough to acquire.

They’re a true disruptive force…

[Tchoupitoulas]

@Torq, I’d be interested to see what’s left on your list now, on the eve of your trip.

I recall Tyll Hertsens saying he’d take his Astell & Kern AK240, CEntrance M8, and a pair of Aeon Flow open and closed headphones on his retirement trip (clearly his travels in a van, and his needs - re. energy supply - are different than yours).

[Torq]

I don’t have my final list down, yet.

Sound-wise, particularly for the tube-output, I really want to take the Cayin N8 for the portable-only aspects of the trip. However, the lack of on-device streaming and inability to stream high-quality audio to it from an iPhone, even wired, will likely kill that idea.

So the DAP will likely be the A&K SP2000.

Closed-back cans will be the Vérité Closed - as long as I have them before I leave.

Other parts are still up in the air.

[tmarshl]

Many years ago, I was a big fan of the AKG K1000 “ear speakers”, and spent months finding just the right amplification to bring out the best in them (Nelson Pass’ FirstWatt F1), and enjoying their presentation - but always yearning for more bass response. I had made peace with having these funny-looking panels attached to my head in exchange for the most incredible sound stage. Headphones were my ancillary system to my “big system” MBL speaker setup.

Two years ago, we downsized, and there was no room for a “big system” any more. Headphones were just the ticket, so I decided to focus on the best headphone experience I could find. I thought I had my “end-game” system: STAX SR-009 driven by BHSE from a Chord Dave. It gave me hours and hours of listening pleasure.

Then lightning struck in quick succession.

• There was (for me) always something missing with the Dave (YMMV), so when the dCS Bartok with headphone amplifier came out. I got a demo unit for two weeks, paired it with the Nucleus, and I was sold. It had more warmth and liquid reality than the Dave. There was more “there” there for me, particularly with the Focal Utopias and balanced Transparent Ultra cabling. I thought that was “it”.

• Then lightning struck again! I had always been impressed by the ribbon tweeters from Raal, from listening at CES and RMAF in the Raal demo rooms. When the Raal Requisite SR1a came out, I read the early impressions; I remember seeing video of the looks on audiophile’s faces when they tried them at RMAF for the first time; it was priceless! So I ordered a pair and an SPL s800 to power them.

The Raal SR1a is the biggest disruptive force I have ever heard in my long audio experience. Accordingly, I have reduced my headphone collection to Utopia, Stellia, Verite C, and SR1a’s. Each one meets a different use case and emotional desire.

I feel like I now have my endgame system. But, I have to remind myself, that’s what I said two years ago!

[Torq]

Further Disruptions …

This time courtesy of the relatively lowly, somewhat pricey, Apple AirPods Max …

It is NOT because of some amazing leap in sound quality. You can still easily beat them, for less money, if you don’t need/want wireless and ANC capabilities; depending on tastes, and the computing/music ecosystem you swim in … and … perhaps even if you do.

But they are the first wireless-ANC (and by impute, closed-back) headphones I’ve come across that meet the “good enough” threshold for background listening on a sonic basis (without needing third-party EQ assistance), while working 100% seamlessly in my environment.

And the effect of that turns out to be quite significant.

My primary headphone rig has been in my office ever since I moved to the Seattle waterfront. That’s mostly a function of space. The view and location was too good to pass up. I even gave up my beloved Aston and Range Rover (due to limited parking) to live here. But that time has come to an end.

So … my primary headphone rig will move from my office to a dedicate listening space. The office, whether it is on the Nordhavn or our various, temporary, shore-bound residences, will switch to a simple speaker setup (likely Kef LS50II Wireless w/ JL-Audio Fathom F1-110v2 sub) for anytime I don’t have to be considerate of others, and the Apple AirPods Max for when I do.

This means my secondary rig becomes, essentially, entirely superfluous. Sure, I could keep it around for stints in locales where we have less space, but most of those don’t look like we’ll be “at home” much anyway … so I’m going to let that go … (and will likely just to a DAP and IEMs, and maybe one set of full-size cans in those places).

And with it, finally (it’s been hard to get to this point) … all of the gear that doesn’t get mainstream use. Of which there is rather more than I’d like to admit to. All of it is stuff I love, or have a soft-spot for, but don’t use enough, for one or more reasons - that probably won’t make sense to anyone else.

So, at some point in the next week, I’ll start posting those pieces for sale …

I have a very good handle on how most of that will go. It’s all relatively high-end stuff. Some of it is a modest pain to get, some has long lead-times and/or is limited-edition.

A few things on the “sell” list include:

• 64Audio tia Fourté
• AAW Canary (IEM)
• Cayin N8 (Brass Black)
• Chord Hugo TT2 (Black)
• Chord Hugo M-Scaler (Black)
• Sennheiser HD800S
• Sennheiser HD820
• ZMF Aeolus LTD (African Blackwood, Black Chassis, Rose Gold Grills/Rods)
• ZMF Eikon LTD (Bloodwood, Classic Grey Chassis)
• ZMF Vérité Closed LTD (Sea-Green/Blue Stabilized Maple Burl, Black Chassis, Rose Gold Rods)

Details on the what/why’s of that list will be here, when the time comes … but none of it is down to any lack of love for, nor dissatisfaction with, the items in question.

And … for those that I’ve talked with about it before … while I’ve had some absolutely crazy, unsolicited, offers for those stabilized-maple-burl Vérité C LTDs, I won’t be looking for more than I paid for them.

I should add … I have TWO pairs of stabilized maple burl Vérité Closed LTD, and I will absolutely be keeping my original, custom, pair (the purple ones)!

[Torq]

And for those that have already asked (…), there are literally only TWO things I might even vaguely be interested in trading against …

One would be a very recent build of one of Donald North’s Stellaris units, and the other would be a super-specific configuration of the ZMF Auteur and would be picture-dependent even then.

[BuffaloWing]

"I should add … I have TWO pairs of stabilized maple burl Vérité Closed LTD, and I will absolutely be keeping my original, custom, pair (the purple ones)!"

Cries in @TylersEclectic

[Rhodey]

That’s a nice list of gear. I know someone who will be interested in a few of those pieces.
I’ll keep a lookout for the postings.

[dncnexus]

Looking around holding my Stellaris Invoice

[bpcarb]

For those that missed out on ZMF November, Torq January is coming.

I wouldn’t have expected the APM to serve as a disruptive force, amazing.

[Torq]

They’re really a catalyst … providing a good-enough experience for background listening, when speakers in that environment won’t work, coupled with high, all-day, convenience.

The problem with running my primary rig in my office is that listening with the SR1a or the Vérité Closed LTD tends to result in my not getting anything done. The music starts, and a minute or two later I’m not coding, or designing, or writing … I’m leaning back, eyes closed, and purely listening.

Hours will go by …

And, sure, I could run a less engaging headphone for background listening, but at this point I’d rather save the space/box/gear count and have less to keep moving around.

Prior to the APM I figured I’d just wind up using the direct outputs of an RME ADI-2 Pro fs BE R into the Aeolus or Eikon (or swap my secondary rig into the office). But the APM is more convenient still, less likely to result in the above kind of music-induced-trance type listening, and … do an even better job of shutting out other distractions.

[bpcarb]

That makes sense to me. I like your distinction and reference to catalyst.

My office (2020 work from home) rig does not claim to be on par with yours, but I experience the same where it can get in the way of productivity.

I can see where good enough and less engaging sonics, gear simplification, convenience, and seamlessness of use are driving factors.

For “real” work, I currently like my Porta-Pros with Yaxi pads and microphone.