What did you buy today? (Part 1)

Nothing like it here in Columbus, Ohio either :frowning: at least, not that I’ve been able to find

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What about ā€˜meetups’?

They’re a good way to be able to listen to gear, and get to know your local audio community.

They are very sporadic, and some of the folks I have met from the Ohio area tend to be socially inept. Thank God for Amazon’s return policy. :slight_smile:

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Haha! Yeah, there is the social aspect…

But you can always reach out to manufacturers and see if they’re hosting/participating in anything locally.

And I do love Amazon’s return policy as well.

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I went to a meet back in 2013 and there was this guy with a NAD VISO HP50 treating it like it was an egg about to crack and wouldn’t even let other people listen to it. Why bring your gear to a meet or go to a meet if that is the case, lol?

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I have a few, most are very bottom end budget items. (Check profile for full list) BUT, I have all sorts of sound signatures and enough decent stuff that I couldn’t really find enough of a different (to me) sound signature in the bunch I went through today to excite myself. Don’t misunderstand, if I had $10k or so to just throw at the guy I would have bought a few but honestly for some things 75% or so of the sound is good enough for me.
I really like nice stuff, I just don’t like headphones enough to really justify many more at full retail price. Maybe 1 or 2 more used…maybe.

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So out of everything you did hear today, what did you like the most?

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What sources did you get a chance to try, or was everything off the Arche?

Believe it or not the Grado 2000 were the only sound signature completely different from anything I own currently. Very light and airy with nice midrange for blues, jazz, vocals. They really barely have any bottom end, it’s there but so light and dainty. I liked those though and would seriously consider a used pair of whatever high end models Grado makes.

SenN HD800S, I like how comfortable they feel, I kept trying to justify them to myself. Yep, used worth it, otherwise my nighthawk carbon are close enough. Big, soundstage, detailed and very comfy.

The LCD z4 Were very clean, detailed, too bad their bass was not closer to the lcd 2 closed backs, those had nice bass. I really liked all 3 Audeze models, especially the beefy look. ZMF Auteur and HE6se HIffiman give me enough similar sound to only justify any of them at cheap used prices. Oh, those bitches are heavy but fairly comfy.

The meze I wanted just because they were so pretty/good looking.

I really thought I was going to purchase a pair of the focal, the clear, but honestly they did nothing more for me than my ZMF Auteur. Spent more time with the Focals, all of them, I like the way they look and was set on a pair, again, none of them did anything my ZMF don’t give me to some degree or other. No value for me new…used and much cheaper, sure why not.

Now, understand something before you all jump down my throat about how crazy I am to compare these to the particular stuff I own. Yes there are differences in sound signatures. They are there and real, but I was doing, quick and dirty comparissons and could only compare to what I know best. These were all at full price, new. Anyone of them would make an awesome addition to my collection, problem is I have a good collection. At 50% or less below MSRP, I’ll consider TOTL and even lesser headphones, at full price, no go for me, I would rather buy more speakers or bigger amplifiers, that’s where my personal preferences lie.

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I liked the Prima Luna EVO 400 best, and one of the owners was kind enough to let me sample through it. I did not like the Archie at all, sounded weird to me, too much midrnage harshness and felt underpowered for some reason.problem was it was pushing a stream thru a Blue sound node thingy, And I could not get a better quality DAC in the signal chain

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I personally didn’t like the Grados GS-2000e but it had a lot more to do with the price. I feel that the PS500e and RS2e are the best headphones Grado makes, and they both can be had for $500 or less. But, Grados are definitely unique, that is for sure.

I love the Auteurs and what you said is similar to how a lot of people feel.

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The focal amp is surprisingly enough made for focal headphones lol

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Well then, I did good in searching out the Prima Luna and getting some time with it. Really nice owner, he knew I was serious. I was really trying to like something enough to pay full retail, just wasn’t happening today

I’ve heard the Focal Arche and I don’t love it, but it’s ok. I wouldn’t be happy if I paid $2500 on it

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Same, not my favorite amp tbh

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Tube amp and a headphone came in yesterday.

Hagerman Audio Labs Tuba

AudioQuest Nighthawk Carbon

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Sweet!

How’s the Tuba?

So far so good. No complaints. Still low play time, but its getting there. Also my first ā€œrealā€ tube amp yet I find it more favorable than my expectations.

Only really used an Aeolus with it and its delivering an experience I’ve been seeking ever since I got those headphones. I have been on the fence with them, but now I’m all in. I’ve read that people have used Clears with the Tuba. I tried it initially and it wasn’t bad, I just haven’t had a compelling reason to switch off of the Aeolus for extended listening.

All still in the honeymoon phase.

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I just pulled the trigger on the RNHP. It is supposed to arrive Friday. :slightly_smiling_face:

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nice! you must be stoked… I wonder how the kph30i pairs lol I look forward to your impressions

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