Vtory

@mkozlows my daily driver for the last 4 years has been the Oppo pm-3. I got them reupholstered a couple weeks ago. I'll have to check these out.

The one combo that stuck with me long after I sold it was the AFO+Gilmore Lite MK2. Great tone and timbre. Sold it on the account that the small sound stage made me feel claustrophobic. I may need to revisit that combo and see if I can’t simplify my set up.

I bought A2C after not liking it at CAF, and in my own system I have to say I'm impressed. The Staging, detail and less coarse mid-range are the most noticeable improvements, OG AFC Sounds kinda honky in comparison. Macrodynamics are better too still not quite on par with HD 600 but better than Ether CX or OG AFC for sure

Have always assumed that closed back is meaningful only when isolation needed, regardless of price points. But this VC.. just sounds great with larger stages and more articulated highs (than VO). Typical disadvantages of closed back are surprisingly minimal.

It would be interesting to see if you prefer one over the other. Personally, I found that I tended to forget which was on my head.

Let me add. Borealis (open back) isn't amp picky. It can work well with even out of topping dx3. No hint of annoyance or shit, which hd800 often presents when paired wrongly.

But 3F drives it to another level. Really serious synergy.. alluring me every second.

Looking forward to when you're comfortable with a proper review plus measurements if it's not too much of a PITA!

(Preliminary) measurements already taken this morning lol. Will post review/impression/measurements later this week as I want to take more time for in-depth listening, investigation, and interpretation.

Temperature absolutely does change things. Depending on the suspension material they might get stiffer as it gets cooler, cone properties might change, etc. I know my Voxativ drivers have repeatable changes in FR and distortion depending on temperature and humidity.

I would also never let my room get to above 74F :P

... I wouldn't let my room reach 74F! Far, far too cold!

@netforce I agree w your thoughts. It went way beyond wanting to be politics free by the shear punitive nature of the punishments. They made a clear statement.

A business has a right to enforce their contracts.

At China's core the politics are communist. You want to make deal, they want to own you. That is it. Thing is China wants the innovation and freedom of thought of the West. Not going to work. Without compromise, nothing will work. Hong Kong is already showing symptoms. So complicated...

Two Auroruses (love that BTW) wow...your cup runneth over. Enjoy!

I tried once (having svs 12in sub around) but decided not in the end. Found I rather prefer purer (but leaner) sr1a bass to combined one.

Sr1a it’s the Raal? What amp are you using

Yup, it's raal. I am driving it via a DIY Accuphase: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/weiliang-a60-power-amp-review-accuphase-wannabe-amplifier-from-hong-king.8168/

Hadn’t really thought of a reason to update my 6s+, but this might be one.

Also, I prefer speakers to headphones with vinyl. No idea why. I used to listen to records with headphones while doing homework.

Maybe it was the headphones I had back then.

I've heard some well configured TTs before (some super heavy ones included). Great quality heck yes. But I can't estimate underlying effort/time/energy to get everything right. It seems a world where experts can benefit.

It's not really as bad as it seems. It does take about an hour to get it dialed in (actually the Schiit video was quite good, so maybe less with such an easily adjustable TT). Most of the tables we had when I was young weren't so easy.

After that, it's good.

I hope you're ready to workout your ears.

(not sure why it double posted...)

Good for A/B testing. Doesn't seem like you can do much in depth otherwise

What happened? Elnrik took the muthaship down? (joking)

I think someone used the server as a coaster, been there broke that.

Did someone strap the server to a seat-less chair and do some Dutch scratching - Casino Royale style?

Like it's about the gear, and not the social validation from the content stream.

Welcome to the Zmf triple f**k everything else club. Interested in your pad rolling adventures. Btw, my blackwood Auteurs drink ur milkshake.

@zerodeefex brings things down to earth with a thud.

Auteur Lamb 4 lyfe

Could it be driver burn in?

Maybe it's my brain that was burnt.. lol.

Ironic that the paired amplifier uses LM49600 op-amp based pre-made headphone amplifier chips. Probably sounds flat/lifeless.

We had the Sonoma back when Bluebird Music was their distributor. The clamp on it was unreal and super tight and we had trouble with folks and the closed system approach.

New strap headband looks better. High price tag though.

am first in line for closed Verite.

Thanks for the update

How are they different than the Auteur suede?

Surprisingly similar (expected more differences). ES just a bit warmer & darker.

Zach needs to make an African Bocote Burl Auteur just so I can say you love ABBA. =)

Really. I want some firsthand auditions of Bocote and Cocobolo auteur!

... and verite if possible.

Shame! Shame! Shame! <Ding>

Vtory, I thought you were going with the Verite??

@Vent : True. Just not exclusively so. haha
Well, I am desperately waiting for my verite (already ordered).