Golden Schlong 2019 Nominations

As a newl guy, I can only state that I bought my HD 600s about 6 months after they came out. They have been my trusty go to pair for a very long time and have parts replaced (pads, head padding etc. ) several times. Only recently have I purchased my HD 650s and my HD 660S just this Black Friday. If a true audiofool only had the HD 600 and 650 and the ZMF Verite (either) and one other ZMF, you would be fixed for life. I personally vote another Longevity award for the 600/650.
Although a bit pricy, I also vote the Excellence award for the DNA Starlett.

 

ECP DSHA-3F – the mids are a hair recessed, it’s solid state and it’s neutral, but my-oh-my, by-the-balls driver control brings a wonderfully addictive euphonic presentation with exemplary imaging and separation that takes the listener into an audio cathedral with palpable holography. Doug said he strived to create a product that never fatigued and in spite of everything this amp gives you he succeeded. Brownie points too for its simplicity and good looks (E)

Bifrost 2 w/ Unison – adds extras across the audio spectrum – more bass, more detail, turns the lights up across the board, almost brings a kind of bubble-gum luminescence (not even sure what I mean by this) – initially found it too much with the DSHA-3F but now I want more and is my default DAC with that amp (V)

ZMF Verite – I am lucky enough to own the Auteur and the Verite but the Verite with its outstanding driver speed and beautifully controlled low-end are the ones I reach for. I wish it had a bit of the tonality and the bass quantity of the Auteur and have hopes that Zach will one day create a bastard love-child of them both (E)

 

ZMF pads. E

Top-notch build quality and materials.

Lots of variety to dial in desired sound.

Don’t need to own a ZMF, work great for modding other brand headphones.

 

Another vote here for the Starlett. For E.

 

Probably easier to go low tech... https://lmgtfy.com/?q=create+a+mate
(first link is SFW, followup links at your own risk)

 

Bitfrost 2 V+E
Verum 1 V
HD6x0 L

And to second @captkirk, ZMF pads (E) if we add an accessory category. I use them on my ZMF cans, Verum and Hifiman cans... exceptional

 

I am having trouble finding the magic decoder ring for categories, but want to offer my $0.02 worth.
*edit* it was in post 1 all along, very clear. Shouldn't skim quickly when tired.

System Schlong:
Bifrost-2 + SW51 + HD600 is an amazing combination without having to spend enormous amounts of money. Performance to price ratio is way above normal.

 

SW 51+, Verum 1 - V

 

Verum One - V
ZMF Verite (Open and Closed) - E
DNA Starlett - E

Also, another recommendation for ZMF pads (V and probably L). Really the most versatile in size and shape for most headphones, with enough variety of options/materials to tweak sound preferences cheaper than swapping source gear.

 

DAC:
Schiit Bifrost 2 for both excellence and value. It comes with what might be the closest cure to USB nervosa, plus very good SE outputs that put much more expensive DACs to shame.

Amp:
I don't think it got the spotlight it deserves here (especially in comparison to Aficionado, which I don't believe is better), but if DSHA-3F is a nominee for excellence, then so should be EC Studio Jr. with tertiary feedback. It's not an uber-detailed amp like Studio, but comes very close with a much friendlier tonal balance, making it suitable with a wider range of headphones. A significant step up from ZDS and Stratus. It's not cheap at $3300, but so isn't the headphone below.

Headphone:
The guys at RAAL and Requisite succeeded in pulling off something that is both significantly "better" and "different" than the majority of so-called TOTL headphones. Its floating drivers may not be for everyone, in fact I also feel that I need a complimentary circumaural headphone with it, but listening to SR1a was one of the most revelatory moments I've had in this hobby.

 

Pi2AES - VE

Kaldas RR1 - V
I realize that not many people have heard these yet. But low price, can be driven by modest electrostatic amps but scales with better ones, Sounds excellent (darkish though) and really decent bass response. For about 1000 bucks (headphones/ used amp) plus dac you can have something a little bit special.

 

I missed it too until someone posted that the key was back in the 1st post...I had to look close (I'm not the swiftest cheetah on the Serengeti)
Edit...nor the most nimble, fat fingers hit post to soon.
Marv said
"Looking at products that embody value, excellence, and longevity. Please indicate L E V with each nomination."

 

Aww, you are correct. I looked at the first post and didn't grok it, probably because I shouldn't attempt speed reading at end of day when tired. Or posting either.

Brings to mind Grateful Dead:
Trouble with you is the trouble with me
Got two good eyes but still don't see

 

Headphones

Verum Audio Verum 1 - V
HD600/650 L

IEM

JVC FD01 E/V

Headamps

SW51+ - V

Source

Modi 3 - V



Notes:

I would put the HD800 in E but some people will stone me.
I would put the Crimson for E but it's "discontinued" so...

 

Though it is a product that came out in 2018, I would like to nominate the Khadas Tone board for V. It smacks the AQ Dragonfly Red all over the park at half the price.

<Edit>

I have taken note of the rules as stipulated and removed my recommendation of the khadas. If I may qualify my ignorance I always had my board in a reasonably neat case, but this is not the default state of the product and I should have kept that in mind when putting in my submission, apologies for this oversight.

In any event I look forward to seeing the final results.

 

Without a case and headphone jack. Not quite the same product
Would be interesting to compare to Modi 3 or similar, though.

 

Is it acceptable to nominate the HD800 for Longevity?

 

I'd like to throw another vote into the hat for Aegir - VE

Also, I didn't see anyone vote for Yggdrasil. I think that would now qualify for "L" and arguably still "V+E" despite some other DACs being released that people may prefer, but usually they're more money.