Gear Ideas for Loaner Program

I second the DCA Aeon 2 (closed) and Focal Stellia.

I’d want to hear the Stellia just for a reference, but the Aeon 2 closed would be more practical as far as things within my grasp.

Edit: I wasn’t at all excited by the red color choice on the Aeon 2, at first, but after seeing it for a while, it’s not horrible. Could have been way worse... The folding mechanism seems elegant and hopefully is as functional and durable as they’re claiming. Plus, the apparent driver upgrades & iteration rather than total redesign (I loath companies changing things for the sake of change itself, without significant improvements) on something that was generally well received, rather than a total redesign, gives it an element of...well, an expectation that it’ll, at the very least, be decent. Historically, Dan has seemed to give a shit about making good stuff and standing by it. I’ve been impressed by his evolution from DIY dude to producing full on original designs that compete with established companies’ products. ...So hopefully he resolved whatever issues that seem to have bothered some folks, or made amends for any unmitigated dickheadedness (which I’m still not clear on, but I generally trust it when enough folks here say somebody screwed up.)

I’d also like to add the suggestions of:

• HifiMan Sundara (mixed but overall positive feedback from what I’ve read) Cheap, high price/performance ratio. And, I’ve never heard a HifiMan.

• Massdrop (Drop) Collaborations, like the Koss ESP/95X Electrostat system, the Ether CX, the Beyerdynamic DT-177X (Yeah, I’ve disliked previous Beyers, but hey, maybe it’s better), the THX AAA 789.

• I know they were previously in a loaner program & I don’t know how this works exactly, but since I’m late to the party, I’d still love to get an opportunity to hear the Focal Clear, LCD-2C, Kipsch HP3 (I haven’t heard a good bio-cellulose driver headphone since the Denon D5000, and that had issues I couldn’t get past), and Campfire Andromeda, since they seem to still represent excellent values or unique offerings in their price ranges.( If no loaner is available from the SBAF vault, I’d appreciate any members messaging me I’d they’d be willing. Direct or small scale loaners seem less likely, but I’d happily do whatever I could to insure no losses or violations of trust. I still don’t know exactly how the process works, so somebody tell me if this is out of line, please?)

• Well modded HD800. Ive always been curious to hear this Teutonic corporate masterpiece, improved by dudes with craft supplies & sheer will.

• IEMs under $600. Massdrop Plus (if still available in loaner program), then whatever other relatively comfortable models folks like @shotgunshane think might be good. I’ve heard good things about the UE4 being a solid universal CIEM, but there are so many companies making CIEMs and universal models of them that it’s bewildering, now. I’d love to see an effort where the community tries to narrow down the field in a few price brackets to CIEM/Universal models that are current top of the heaps in their respective brackets, then make an effort to have the top contenders into an IEM loaner program.

Basically listing off what I want to hear that (mostly) isn’t outrageously expensive.

 

Also very interested in aeon2!

 

verum 1. for canada users. please?

 

I'm surprised no one asked for a Bifrost 2 loaner, I'd be very interested in that. The Rosson Rad-0 seems to have a bit of interest as well

 

I'm not eligible to participate but I would love to see the reviews from an Asgard 3 loaner tour.

 

Dunno if we are ready for another IEM Loaner, but the Campfire Audio Ara looks to be an interesting one to do with it's "audiophile" turning. Then again, the price makes me want to go "gulp."

 

Geshelli Labs stuff, few things I've tried were A+ and they're cheap.

 

They only use one akm chip in a balance output configuration. Think someone here might have bought the cheap one that was posted earlier this week.

 

Gear from the former Soviet block seems to be gaining in popularity here so this amp from Ukraine might be worth a look.

https://rebel.audio/products/amplifier

It looks like a GSX Mini and an Asgard 3 had a baby.

 

The new ifi phono pre!

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...k-label-the-official-thread.9311/#post-300997

 

Focal Arche?
I can get a good price for it, but in very limited quantity (please don’t inquire...).

 

I like the AKM 4493 idea. I have not seen much SMSL gear on here. It would be an interesting experiment.

I'd be willing to let my SMSL 10th Anniversary make the rounds.

 

This is an especially good suggestion now with so many working from home - desktop rig that includes an input for a decent mic. What about a Motu M2? All you need for work from home, and $170. I'll buy it if you want and ship it to whomever to start the tour.

 

When I first joined CS I got pilloried for likening grado. I’ve moved past grados, but I’m thinking it’s time to listen again. I know marv got into some with flat pads, but I gotta say, this latest limited edition from grado is potentially smokin’

let’s get it!

https://gradolabs.com/headphones/limited-editions/item/124-hemp

 

Want to bump this. I think there's enough interest now that a loaner of the hemp would be pretty popular. More people deserve to hear this wonderful grado.