Now with 100% more shelf.
Alll this is made with scraps off my floor. If I get it dialed in, I’ll either paint it, or make a nicer version.
(Also @pennstac I moved the comic books to appear more sophisticated. 
)
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Calvin and/or Hobbes is unsophisticated!! Spaceman Spiff and Stupendous Man are pissed!
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It was the comic books that made me jump to the conclusion that you were a complex & worthy human bean.
Although I didn’t see any Pogo by Walt Kelly.
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Added to reading list. Thanks!
I added my first mechanical keyboard today and am enjoying my battle station very much.
My laptop is a “convertible” meaning it flips into tablet mode.
Some brew, games, and a live performance via tidal.
Liquid Carbon X > ZMF Eikon
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Awesome setup! What tubes are you rocking in the Crack?
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The input tube is a Mullard New Production 12AU7 from Upscale Audio. The power tube is an RCA 6AS7G that I bought from Paul at Bottlehead when I picked up my finished unit. Best I can tell it is from 1958 (if the box is accurate).
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Oh my! These are the two options I’m looking at to compliment my Rad-0. What do you think of them? What would you say are the main differences between the two? I’m particularly interested to hear your thoughts in the Z1R given how controversial it is. They’re both beauties though!
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The Z1R is heavily under-rated. People don’t give it enough head time, or decide to A/B it against a Arya or something stupid. It has a peak or two up top, doesn’t bother my ears, but if it bothers yours just EQ them.
They have excellent build and engineering. Comfortable. Big soundstage. Laid back. Have a refined sound as you sort of expect. Some reviews say mids all recessed and treble peaky and weird, but personally feel thats well overblown. A no-fuss relaxing headphone which I do enjoy. They are $1400 AUD used and $1600 AUD new here in Australia most the time, so high value too.
Empy is similar in ways. Also supreme engineering and comfort. No fuss fit. Empy has more detail and a lot more sparkle. The have overlaps, but they both suit my preferrred sound, and having a Closed and a Open suits me, choose one based on environmental factors too.
Empy isn’t as laid back and relaxing as the Z1R, but its not in your face look at me look at me like the HD800S or Utopia or something.
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That’s awesome! Those are two fine headphones.
Congratulations. 
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Yeah I have my eye out for a Z1r as it’s supposed to have a real nice synergy with my Sony AIO…
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Thanks for the write up! I appreciate the thorough explanation, it certainly helps!
Have you heard the Z1R on tubes? My keeper amp is the ZMF Pendant, and I’m wondering how those two would play together. I know the Emp is supposed to be great with it.
Either way, a lovely pair for 2021!
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Not yet. But I’m aiming for that.
I can imagine on a clean tube amp they will sound even better.
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Sony needs to get back to the high-end audiophile headphones… or perhaps they are cooking up something in the lab.
A company of their size has enough financial resources to make magic — just like they made magic with the Z1R.
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How do you like the Questyle? Realizing it’s hard to find much out there about it, and while you’re looking for tubes to go with the Questyle I’m looking for some SS to compliment my BF2/Pendant combo haha.
Have the Violectric gear, the BHA-1 and the CMA 12 Master on my radar, so would be curious to hear your thoughts on the CMA.
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Not sure if it’s in the budget, but the SPL stuff is great for SS.
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One vote for the bha. Love mine.
(Even though it has a black faceplate and @Roark keeps making fun of it)
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It’s an excellent amp. Powerful, clean, nudge to warm.
The DAC is very capable inside too, and build is top notch.
Only complaint is no analogue input. Use the build DAC only. But I bought it for the all in one neat desktop aspect. So I knew this going in.
I have the rebel SS amp. It’s pretty nice