Pioneer SE - Monitor 5’s
Very nice, neutral sounding dynamic driver set but needs a shed load of hours to run in before they strat to sing.
I have been itchin to get the TA-20 back in the setup, but I didn’t have the inputs or realistically the power. But this morning I said the heck with it and moved it in any way!
I’ll just move the power and the inputs over to the SH-9 whenever I want to use it. Right now I am on a tube groove. Or in this case, tube hybrid. I am a firm believer in the architecture, and the IEMs seem to love it. It was only going to be a test, but I like the sound so much I’m going to keep it there. The nuanced differences in the presentation between the TA-20 and the LP ae distinctive enough to warrant it. Great stuff. 
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Well, the TA-20 is off the desktop setup again! I have lifted it to make way for the RAW-MDA 1 DAC. The idle SH-9 has been removed also, though I can bring that back later if I wish. This has really changed how the system operates now in that now that I have a dual DAC setup, the speaker setup and the headphone rig are completely isolated from one another. Here is the new diagram:
I’ll edit in an updated pic when there is light to take a decent picture. Just imagine the pic above, but with the TA-20 replaced by the RAW-MDA 1. As mentioned, this was only supposed to be temporary, but I think it’s going to stay like this for a good while.
EDIT: After some consideration, I had to bring the SH-9 back into the system. The mere fact that I own a Radiance demands that I do it! That is a bread-and-butter pairing, if ya know what I mean. The diagram has been updated to reflect this. It’s too sweet of an amp not to re-integrate it.
OK… NOW I am done! 
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Evolution of my setup.
Now with dual subs, Holo Serene pre, Wiim Ultra,and a boat load more acoustic treatment.
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My current “Endgame”, but a Valhalla 3 will be added in the near future. 
My latest addition is the Yggdrasil MIB, and it is quite the upgrade from the BF 2/64. 
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Very nice! I got my brother the Arya Stealth for Christmas and he loves them…
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Thanks, I got my Arya Stealth back when they were still full priced, yet now that they are $600 they are hard to pass up. Glad to hear that your brother is enjoying his pair, I am sure it was a jaw drop moment when he first listened to them.
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My AAW ASH CIEM form 6 years ago lost and found. Surprisingly besides the DD which is old schoolish in that there is a noticeable drag to the bass demn BAs are as good as present day kilobucks.
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The audiophile journey is a fun one. Starting 2025, this is how my headphone collection looks.
Stuff I’m currently eyeballing to potentially try this year in no particular order.
-ZMF Caldera (open and closed)
-Meze 109 Pro & Lyric 2
-DCA E3
-Susvara OG
-Tungsten
That’s pretty much it currently. Tho I’m sure other things will pop up at some point.
Also have been getting better at utilizing PEQ which is a game changer for so many headphones. It also helps you to learn how FR really affects the sound of many headphones and does a lot to teach you about what sound you like with the music you listen too. Even if you are a hardcore subjectivists, you learn so much from just playing and practicing with it. Also with sites like Squid Link. It’s so much easier to be able to design filters for most headphones nowadays.
I want to do some YouTube videos showing how I approach EQ. I’m already practiced doing YouTube videos for my job, so I might give it a try. It’s just a lot of fun to do too, IMO. Adds a new dimension to the hobby.
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Nice collection of headphones. I also have the Caldera Open on my to buy list for later this year to complement my Atrium Open. The SJY Audio Horizon is also on my list.
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@MindBreak @giova05 Nice, guys! I was saving up for a DCA E3 but I got impatient and decided fuck 'em, too expensive. I got the Mega5est IEM instead and I’m lovin it for 1/4 the price.
As for my audio goals for 2025, I am still in the evaluation phase. Chain-wise I am reasonably happy with everything, so I don’t know. Could be a quiet year.
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Yeah, I’ve also been off and on considering the DCA E3. Issue is I’m generally not a fan of Harman stock tuning. It’s just too lean with too much ear gain (3k) for me. I’m already making changes to my collection this year. Sold off the Atrium and the HE1000SE. Putting that money towards some IEMs to try out. Also ordered the Arya Unveiled as the stock tuning seems more in line with how I adjust the HE1000SE with EQ.
I like the Atrium, very beautiful, but something happening in the 2.5k range that just does not agree with my hearing that I have to adjust with EQ, so I do not think it is for me, personally. I will probably wait for an opportunity to pick up a nice, stabilized Caldera open. Seems way more in line with what I’ve been leaning towards. No rush on that one though.
IEMs wise… I recently picked up the Meze Alba and Dunu Davinci. Alba is very very good for the price. The Davinci is a step above it… fantastic tuning IMO. I also have a Mega5EST on the way and HBBs Deuce to try out something with super low-end.
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Congrats on the Da Vinci. I have a set and I love it. In general, the discovery of IEMs has been a game changer. Personally, I think there is more upside to the value/performance equation with IEMs. That is not to say I prefer them over headphones; I thoroughly enjoy both experiences. I have my HP-2 on right now. It’s just that the next jump in a headphone for me comes at a price I can’t justify anymore. That said, I may consider the NOIRE X. I have heard good things, and it’s not a bank breaker. Not sure what my next IEM target will be.
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100% agree on IEMs being a game changer for me as well.
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Current IEM collection
Current favorites are the Meteor, P5+2, Dunu 3001BD, Hype4, and ThieAudio Origin.
Best IEM to sleep with is probably the Bunny.
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I am further adjusting the layout of my Audio Chain on my desk in preparation for more Schiit. 
Horizon Open on the desk this time around.
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Some new additions to my setup since the last post.
I think I will need a bigger desk at some point.
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Awesome. Are there speakers that aren’t in the shot or is this a headphones only setup?
Also, I just got home so I don’t know if you have posted any impressions yet, But I’m curious how you are getting on with the Val. The Mimir, too. For whatever reason, I am very intrigued by that DAC. With the entry of the DA-9 into the system I was thinking of grabbing a Mimir (if it proves itself to be good) and running it with the DA-9 as a standalone setup for the Horizons.
Been working, so not much time to listen to to music via this setup the last two days. 
At one point there were speakers in this setup, but they didn’t work out due to neighbors (less of an issue in the living room setup). Valhalla 3 is impressing me thus far, as it has most of the slam/authority of the Mjolnir 3, but it also has larger soundstage. It sounds great with both dynamic & planar headphones, but due to current limitations of lower power tube amps it will pair better with some planars more than others.
I am loving Mimir, but I have yet to do an ABC comparison between my three DACs. From memory I would put it above the current iteration of the Bifrost 2. I am waiting on longer cables (of the same model as the ones used on Mimir) to do a more detailed comparison to the Yggy. Granted that for $300 it is hard to argue against the sound for the money.
In other news, my NOS tubes arrived early.
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Nice. I don’t know your tube experience but the 6SN7 can draw a good slug of current. Best to confirm the Valhalla can support what they need with a decent tolerance. Forgive me if it’ already known to work fine with them, just hate for you to burn up the device unknowingly.
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