trouble indeed… I get ‘subway, Grado, broadway’ everything else just flew over my head.
Yuengling. America’s Oldest Brewery
The folks who made my turntable. They are in Jersey
www.pbs.org /food/recipes/ water-bagels
Most bagels you see these days are goyish influenced rolls. Water bagels are real, dense, chewy and tasty.
Nittany Lion… You’ll have to google that one.
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Hi,
I am coming here, feeling there is too much bais on another forum where sponsors pay to have their products covered in official videos or to be able to write messages, and where sponsors donate very expensive gears to reviewers ; and where too many (not-sponsored) posts are not really useful.
Things look much better here :-), giving me some hope, hence I am joining!
All the best,
bidn
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Hi @bidn and welcome to this forum. Pretty sure I’ve seen you on other parts of the internets. 
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Nice to have you join. Welcome.
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Hello Headphone Community.
I’ve ended up lurking here for a while and thought I’d introduce myself since this seems like a place I’d like to continue spending my time “if you’ll have me”. I’m a big fan of Resolve’s reviews on YouTube and posts from DarthPool and mentions of Torq on other sites made me aware of this community.
A bit about me… I live in New York. I work as a Design Director for a Design firm. I am also a musician and have been recording music for a long time. I’m fortunate I get to listen to music while I work, so quality headphones should be important to me, but I’ve always seen myself as more of a speaker guy until lately where I’ve become obsessed over headphones.
My setup consists of the following…
DAC - SMSL SU-8
AMP - Drop THX AAA 789
PORTABLE - Monoprice THX AAA 788
HEADPHONES - Sendy Aiva, ZMF Aeolus, Focal Elex, Focal Elegia, Drop 6XX, ATH-AG1x.
I’m currently agonizing over my next purchase, Focal Stellia or Meze Empyrean.
I also love taking pics of gear and sharing. Some of Darthpools, Resolve’s and Torq’s photography are breathtaking!
I’m looking forward to contributing to your community, getting to know all of you better, and learning from all of your own personal experiences.
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First, welcome!
Second … that’s an interesting pair of options … especially with the Stellia being closed-back and the Empyrean being open.
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Thanks Torq! I listen to the Elegia most of the time in the office so as not to disturb others around me, so the Stellia seems like the next obvious step, but I personally prefer the sound of open backs and really appreciate the product design of the Empyrean. Argh!
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Welcome! Have fun, looking forward to your thoughts, contributions to conversations etc!
Cheers
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Welcome! If you are/were sort of a speaker guy, which speakers?
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Welcome @PapaEmeritus
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I’m a huge JBL fan. I’ve been using JBL monitor speakers in my studio for years. I’m also a guitarist, I’m into digital modelers for convenience but own Mesa Boogie V30 cabs.
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Hi PapaEmeritus,
I too am new here. If you like the Focal sound, I can assume you would love the Stellia, as for me they do improve a lot on the Elegia. Also they usually don’t feel like closed headphones, but feel astonishingly open, though sometimes (with extreme metal) I notice they lack air compared to open headphones. So you don’t miss much compared to open headphones, and then they are among the best in many respects (speed, resolution, neutrality) and very good re. other aspects. If I had to keep a single pair of headphones, these would be the Stellia.
The Empyrean are very confortable but sound very smooth, too smooth for me. Smoothed out metal is a no go for me, so I didn’t purchase them. But for other genres like folk or pop I can image people loving them.
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Hey bidn, thanks for your opinions. My heart has been set on the Empyrean being my next headphone for quite some time, but the Stellia will probably be the better choice for me. The Stellia is beautiful to look at, but the Elex/Elegia/Utopia is much more my preferred style. Unfortunately from everything I’ve heard about the Stellia, I’m afraid it’s going to be my preferred sound signature.
I enjoy all kinds of music, but my main focus in listening, writing/performing and recording is progressive metal. It’s difficult to envision metal coming out of brown cans that look like they should be playing soft jazz.
I’m currently buying a house, so whatever I end up with will have to wait for a while.
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Welcome @PapaEmeritus.
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welcome @PapaEmeritus /Matthew - your alias seems somehow familiar 
it´s a hard choice - both are excellent. I was able to audition both in may.
in new york you should get you hands on each model?
From sound(test two differnet pads), looks and comfort I would go for the Empyrean
If you use a closed back set most of the time and want the “endgame” the Stellia choice is obvious
so easy to say - haha
how do you like the SU-8 > THX 789 > Elegia combination?
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Thanks prfallon & Martin,
Yes, I’m a big Ghost fan. 
I find the Su-8 & 789 suit my needs. I’ve been eyeing the R-2R DAC, but don’t want to pull the trigger until there’s a balanced version. As for both the 789 & 788 amps, I couldn’t be happier. They are both fantastic amps that allow me to hear music uncolored, with way more power than I’ll ever need.
As for the Elegia, It’s “mostly” closed. Focal did a great job at making it feel open. I don’t feel the timber is “metallic” sounding but I understand why people use that adjective to describe it. I feel the Elegia is clinical sounding in its frequency response. I am treble sensitive, and I don’t think I’ve ever complained at a headphone having too much bass. I love as much bass as I can get as long as it’s clear, defined and doesn’t inhibit the mids from detail & clarity. 
I use the Elegia primarily at work with the 788.
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the same here - wait for the 789 to be shipped end of sept, get the SU-8 - thought about adding the R2R for some of that “sweet sound” - the airist r2r drop is active at the moment
and my Elegia is on it´s way - at the moment it sits at customs in frankfurt
will use it with ifi xDSD at work and with the SU-8/789 at home on the sofa
had the choice between ananda and elegia last week - so a few classes under your “similar” decision
chose the closed back first getting more head-time
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Congrats on the new equipment Martin! Personally, I’m not a big fan of Hifiman design. I hope you love the Elegia. I know you’ll love the SU-8 + 789 combo.
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thank you!
I am not happy with the build but liked the sound of the Ananda
will try to get my hands on the Sendy Aiva and others before I buy something in a few months