There & Back Again: A Hobbi...Headphone Lover's Tale
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Re: There & Back Again: A Hobbi...Headphone Lover's Tale
Cheers Fret, I will do exactly that
Modified Airlink BPS 3110S with LDA DC filter
TTs, Kenwood KD 8030 with AT OC9XSH, Opera Consonance Wax Engine mk2 with modified Apheta 2 MC cart, PT TOO awaiting restoration.
LDA MCJ3 phono,Schiit Freya plus pre amp, NAD M23, Audiolab 9000 CD transport, Denafrips Pontus 2 DAC, Mano Ultra2 streamer, Cisco switch, Audio Technica ATH 70 cans, Serhan Swift Mu2 mk2 speakers & NSNO W48.5 speaker cables
TTs, Kenwood KD 8030 with AT OC9XSH, Opera Consonance Wax Engine mk2 with modified Apheta 2 MC cart, PT TOO awaiting restoration.
LDA MCJ3 phono,Schiit Freya plus pre amp, NAD M23, Audiolab 9000 CD transport, Denafrips Pontus 2 DAC, Mano Ultra2 streamer, Cisco switch, Audio Technica ATH 70 cans, Serhan Swift Mu2 mk2 speakers & NSNO W48.5 speaker cables
- Lindsayt
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Re: There & Back Again: A Hobbi...Headphone Lover's Tale
A quick Google indicates they're £2000. Is that what you paid for them?George Hincapie wrote: ↑Fri Apr 14, 2023 11:28 pm Another addition to my headphone collection has arrived; again from ZMF in the US. This time the Atrium Open Ltd in Hawaiian Koa. Just...
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- George Hincapie (Tue May 09, 2023 1:07 am)
- George Hincapie
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Re: There & Back Again: A Hobbi...Headphone Lover's Tale
£2699.Lindsayt wrote: ↑Mon May 08, 2023 8:52 pmA quick Google indicates they're £2000. Is that what you paid for them?George Hincapie wrote: ↑Fri Apr 14, 2023 11:28 pm Another addition to my headphone collection has arrived; again from ZMF in the US. This time the Atrium Open Ltd in Hawaiian Koa. Just...
They can be bought used for around £2000. ZMF hold their value extraordinarily well. Have a look here.
If you'd like to listen to them, then I encourage you to visit CanJam London between 19-20 August. ZMF will be present. It'll be a superb opportunity to buy some very special Ltd variants in rare woods or beautiful stabilised resins.
I would start by listening to the Auteur Classic, which is the most neutral ZMF headphone. Then Vérité Open & Closed. Then Atrium Open and Closed. Finish with Caldera, their first planar magnetic.
I shall be going, so please let me know if you'd like to meet up.
https://canjamglobal.com/shows/london2023/
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- Lindsayt (Tue May 09, 2023 10:17 am)
Headphone Amplification
Linear Tube Audio MZ3
Headphones
HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)
Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0
Cables
Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt
Power
Farad • Tomanek
Sources
Roon • Tidal • Qobuz
Linear Tube Audio MZ3
Headphones
HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)
Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0
Cables
Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt
Power
Farad • Tomanek
Sources
Roon • Tidal • Qobuz
- George Hincapie
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Re: There & Back Again: A Hobbi...Headphone Lover's Tale
While I wait for my next DAC to arrive, I am rolling some tubes in my MZ3. Out go the Russian Melz 1578, in go the Sylvania 12SN7 'Green Print'. Some lovely (and stupidly expensive) GEC 12AT7 are being shipped from Holland as well. These tubes are older than I am, and I'm no longer a Spring chicken!
- These users thanked the author George Hincapie for the post (total 2):
- Fretless (Mon Jul 03, 2023 8:44 pm) • antonio66 (Tue Jul 04, 2023 5:57 am)
Headphone Amplification
Linear Tube Audio MZ3
Headphones
HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)
Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0
Cables
Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt
Power
Farad • Tomanek
Sources
Roon • Tidal • Qobuz
Linear Tube Audio MZ3
Headphones
HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)
Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0
Cables
Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt
Power
Farad • Tomanek
Sources
Roon • Tidal • Qobuz
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Re: There & Back Again: A Hobbi...Headphone Lover's Tale
@George Have you got a converter for the GE 12AT7's?
- George Hincapie
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Re: There & Back Again: A Hobbi...Headphone Lover's Tale
Hello folks,
It's been a while without updates, but system developments have been on hold pending delivery of my latest DAC in the seemingly endless search for headphone audio nirvana. This item was a real gamble, for a variety of reasons.
The DAC is the Audial S5. It's a reference DAC built around the TD1541A chip, constructed in Serbia by Pedja Rogic. You can read all the details and specs here. I wasn't able to audition it beforehand and there are no returns. Additionally, the import duty was both unwelcome and painful.
I shall keep this super short, as I have had this for 5 minutes and haven't yet been able to find a proper high quality source to use with it. The S5 has no AES and no SPDIF Coax connections. It does have USB, but I have no high quality USB source to try with it. I have tried the Pi4 and Ropieee, but it's just underwhelming as a source in isolation (really needs to route through a DDC first). I'm currently using the SPDIF Coax output of the Metrum Acoustics Ambre into the S5 using a BNC adapter. Not ideal and completely defeats the purpose of the 75 Ohm BNC connection, but needs must.
I am hoping to identify a high SQ USB source, Any suggestions? I'd really like to listen to it using an Optical Rendu, so if any of you own one and fancy a trip to Buckinghamshire for an afternoon of critical listening then I shall make it worth your while - drop me a message.
Build wise, it's beautifully made. Built like a tank in fact. No subjective assessments for a few weeks; so I'll update then.
Thanks for reading.
It's been a while without updates, but system developments have been on hold pending delivery of my latest DAC in the seemingly endless search for headphone audio nirvana. This item was a real gamble, for a variety of reasons.
The DAC is the Audial S5. It's a reference DAC built around the TD1541A chip, constructed in Serbia by Pedja Rogic. You can read all the details and specs here. I wasn't able to audition it beforehand and there are no returns. Additionally, the import duty was both unwelcome and painful.
I shall keep this super short, as I have had this for 5 minutes and haven't yet been able to find a proper high quality source to use with it. The S5 has no AES and no SPDIF Coax connections. It does have USB, but I have no high quality USB source to try with it. I have tried the Pi4 and Ropieee, but it's just underwhelming as a source in isolation (really needs to route through a DDC first). I'm currently using the SPDIF Coax output of the Metrum Acoustics Ambre into the S5 using a BNC adapter. Not ideal and completely defeats the purpose of the 75 Ohm BNC connection, but needs must.
I am hoping to identify a high SQ USB source, Any suggestions? I'd really like to listen to it using an Optical Rendu, so if any of you own one and fancy a trip to Buckinghamshire for an afternoon of critical listening then I shall make it worth your while - drop me a message.
Build wise, it's beautifully made. Built like a tank in fact. No subjective assessments for a few weeks; so I'll update then.
Thanks for reading.
- These users thanked the author George Hincapie for the post (total 2):
- Fretless (Wed Jul 12, 2023 9:22 pm) • antonio66 (Sun Jul 16, 2023 3:32 pm)
Headphone Amplification
Linear Tube Audio MZ3
Headphones
HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)
Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0
Cables
Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt
Power
Farad • Tomanek
Sources
Roon • Tidal • Qobuz
Linear Tube Audio MZ3
Headphones
HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)
Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0
Cables
Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt
Power
Farad • Tomanek
Sources
Roon • Tidal • Qobuz
- Fretless
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Re: There & Back Again: A Hobbi...Headphone Lover's Tale
Fascinating , GH, and totally unknown to me.
USB source: you can temporarily convert an old/unused Windows PC / laptop by running Volumio from a USB stick.
The 2 converted desktop PCs here (with USB regen) are the best streaming sources I have.
USB source: you can temporarily convert an old/unused Windows PC / laptop by running Volumio from a USB stick.
The 2 converted desktop PCs here (with USB regen) are the best streaming sources I have.
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- George Hincapie (Wed Jul 12, 2023 10:18 pm)
Upstairs:
VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: Cube2 + LS6+ Sabaj A10a (2) + Little Bear MC2
Downstairs:
VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 (phono)Aiyima A07 MAX (2) + Arcam One
HP: Allo DigiOne + Sabaj A10d + AQ NightOwl
Office: Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith 887 + German Maestro GMP 450
- George Hincapie
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Re: There & Back Again: A Hobbi...Headphone Lover's Tale
Hello mate,
No, they work natively with the MZ3.
Headphone Amplification
Linear Tube Audio MZ3
Headphones
HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)
Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0
Cables
Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt
Power
Farad • Tomanek
Sources
Roon • Tidal • Qobuz
Linear Tube Audio MZ3
Headphones
HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)
Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0
Cables
Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt
Power
Farad • Tomanek
Sources
Roon • Tidal • Qobuz
- George Hincapie
- Posts: 321
- Joined: Wed Aug 21, 2019 7:46 pm
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Re: There & Back Again: A Hobbi...Headphone Lover's Tale
A new source has just arrived from the US; a Pi2AES 2.0, which mounts onto a standard Pi. The board can be powered either through the Pi, or with a jumper removal, separately via a 5v barrel connector. This will be powered by my trusty Tomanek LPSU.
The outputs are SPDIF (BNC), SPDIF (Coax), AES and I2S. The supported I2S implementations are Gustard and PS Audio, selectable via jumper assignment.
A clear, acrylic case is included.
I've always wanted to try one of these in my system, especially after the incredible review from GoldenSound, highlighting the insanely low jitter. Listening impressions to follow.
Thanks for reading.
The outputs are SPDIF (BNC), SPDIF (Coax), AES and I2S. The supported I2S implementations are Gustard and PS Audio, selectable via jumper assignment.
A clear, acrylic case is included.
I've always wanted to try one of these in my system, especially after the incredible review from GoldenSound, highlighting the insanely low jitter. Listening impressions to follow.
Thanks for reading.
- These users thanked the author George Hincapie for the post:
- Fretless (Wed Jul 19, 2023 6:35 pm)
Headphone Amplification
Linear Tube Audio MZ3
Headphones
HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)
Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0
Cables
Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt
Power
Farad • Tomanek
Sources
Roon • Tidal • Qobuz
Linear Tube Audio MZ3
Headphones
HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)
Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0
Cables
Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt
Power
Farad • Tomanek
Sources
Roon • Tidal • Qobuz
- Fretless
- Posts: 9390
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Re: There & Back Again: A Hobbi...Headphone Lover's Tale
I wonder how that compares to the Allo DigiOne SIG?
- These users thanked the author Fretless for the post:
- George Hincapie (Wed Jul 19, 2023 6:42 pm)
Upstairs:
VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: Cube2 + LS6+ Sabaj A10a (2) + Little Bear MC2
Downstairs:
VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 (phono)Aiyima A07 MAX (2) + Arcam One
HP: Allo DigiOne + Sabaj A10d + AQ NightOwl
Office: Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith 887 + German Maestro GMP 450