I’ve been gone for a while. Someone get me up to speed.

Discussion in 'General Audio Discussion' started by TheIceman93, Feb 13, 2023.

  1. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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    I’ve missed this place. I think it’s been 3 years since I was active here. I graduated from college, started working, got married and had a kid. I’ve basically had no time to listen to any of my stuff but I’m looking to get back into the hobby.

    I’m curious what big changes have happened around here and in the headphone, amp and DAC market in general. Any new gear that is super noteworthy?
     
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  2. GanGreinke

    GanGreinke Friend

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    Welcome back, and congratulations on being a responsible adult! It sounds like you had your priorities in the right place!

    For me, I think there are some really exciting things happening from a headphone standpoint. @rhythmdevils modifies planar headphones (most famously newer Audeze headphones like the 2021 version of the LCD-X), and his headphones have gotten rave reviews. Same for @ext1, whose JAR Sennheiser mods (he has mods for the 600, 650, 800, and 800S models) are well liked here. ETA Audio is an up and coming company started by @tommytakis and @E_Schaaf that currently makes 3D printed headphones that sound really great out of anything, even a phone jack. They have a several models that are very reasonably priced, and I believe they want to eventually release a flagship at some point as well.

    The mainstream companies like Focal and have released new models, but I really like how the three people/companies I’ve listed have been contributors to this community.
     
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  3. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Hey dude, congrats on adulting and spawning your very own mini-me!

    I think half of us old farts barely even pay attention to audio these days but we throw a few buzz words around so we feel relevant :oops:
     
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  4. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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    1. Check out the Golden Schlong threads from the past three years.
    2. Hop on current loaner tours.
    3. Buy / Sell repeat.
    4. Eventually find yourself back at Senn 6X0. Nothing changes.
     
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  5. rfernand

    rfernand Almost "Made"

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    Well, let’s see:
    - Vinyl sales are up, yet half of US vinyl buyers don’t own a record player.
    - People who listen with their eyes are looking at plots and comparing equipment down to decimal precision.
    - Some headphone manufacturers have adopted a strange version of Moore’s Law: The price of their TOTLs double every release or so. (If you like Dan Clarks, check out Stealth and Expanse).
    - Mods are making heads turn and nails scratch skulls in a positive way (see JAR650, RD-X, as mentioned above)
    - Sennheiser will again try to finally retire the HD650: HD 660 S2 coming soon (for the eye-watering price of 2 HD6xx)
    - New Grado driver revisions (ending with x). Prepare to read “I listened to Grado before they were cool” statements by the jaded nerds who don’t like the fact hipsters adopted Grado for the looks.
    - Schiit made an OTL/OCL that was bananas and limited edition. Same with a Magni that sounds like a tube amp. So welcome to the era of collectors’ Schiit.
    - Choke inputs are the new “it” factor.
    - Class D stated preference is still a discriminator when applying to elite clubs.
    - MQA is still alive.

    That’s about it I think. Congrats on the kid. Put away all your expensive gear in a different room and keep it locked for 5 years. Don’t say you were not warned.
     
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    Last edited: Feb 14, 2023
  6. joch

    joch Friend

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    Also:
    • @CEE TEE 's launch of Nitsch. First product was a tube-like Magni collab with Schiit. Next up is a collab with ECP.
    • 3 Yggdrasil flavors.
    • What's old is "new" again: Grado, HD600 (especially JAR)...and maybe the PortaPro?


    Congrats on life!
     
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  7. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Beware listening to romantic music. Can all too easily lead to another three years off.

    :D

    I'm sad about this. Not hearing much about it recently, I had fooled myself that it might be fading away.
     
  8. señorhifi

    señorhifi Friend

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    Senn HD660S V2, with new 300 ohms drivers. That's what I am the most hyped about!
     
  9. RestoredSparda

    RestoredSparda Friend

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    Listen to a ZMF Atrium if the loaner tour is still open, or buy one.
     
  10. earnmyturns

    earnmyturns Smartest friend

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    Is that family-budget-friendly advice? :eek: Love my ZMF headphones, but I've not needed to put all my income towards bringing up offspring for a long time. ETA is more family-friendly.
     
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  11. RestoredSparda

    RestoredSparda Friend

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    Lol. I didn't see him mention family-friendly as a need, or specify a budget. I have two five-year-olds and own an Atrium (purchased used like all my gear). I just sold off everything I don't need and put it in one place. The way I justify big expenses for my personal hobby is selling old gear, or building amps on the side. I rarely use my own income from my job. Just saying it's possible to own expensive headphones with a family if you work for it or play your cards right.

    Obviously make choices based on your own budget however!

    Just wanted to bring up the Atrium as it's one of the best headphones I've heard in a long time and is relatively new.


    It's funny, now that I think about it my dad spent hundreds of thousands of dollars while I was growing up on his race car. I remember my mom was freaking pissed at him all the time for blowing his paychecks. Looking back I don't blame her! Cars are an insanely expensive hobby, but worth it to some.
     
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    Last edited: Feb 14, 2023

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