High End Audiophile Thread Part 2

Discussion in 'Soundcards, Speakers HiFI & File formats' started by vbetts, Sep 24, 2018.

  1. AuerX

    AuerX Ancient Guru

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    It's all good of course, just old school me throwing out thoughts.

    I guess "Desktop Audiophile" is a thing.
     
  2. gridiron whirlw

    gridiron whirlw Ancient Guru

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    Does the AKG headband have the bumps on the underside of it.
     
  3. vf

    vf Ancient Guru

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    It's flat but hard leather.
     
  4. Mufflore

    Mufflore Ancient Guru

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    Meze did it right with the Empyrean headband, I dont get fatigue with many hours use and they aren't light, just very comfortable.

    https://audiosolace.com/meze-empyrean-headphones-review/

    [​IMG]
     

  5. Mufflore

    Mufflore Ancient Guru

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    My brother just got the new KEF LS50 meta speakers for his gaming PCs front speakers and has been looking for an amp to make them shine.
    https://uk.kef.com/products/ls50-meta
    [​IMG]

    We both have KEF Reference 1 speakers in our music systems so are aware of what the LS50 meta should be able to do as they use a similar but updated waveguide mid/tweeter setup that also feeds bass from a single speaker! The imaging should be superb.

    While searching for amps around £500 to £1000 I came across the Topping PA5 at only £350 / $350 !
    Its performance is astounding for the price. Only one amplifier beats its THD+N and thats the one I just bought, the Benchmark AHB2 at 10x the price!!
    I laughed, thats amazing.
    Its 1/2 the power of the AHB2 maxing at 48W into 8ohm + 83W into 4 ohms, can handle 3 ohms, is fully balanced and has a volume control + 2 balanced inputs (the AHB2 has neither a volume or switched inputs).
    And is tiny!
    https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/...lifier-fully-balanced-class-d-power-amplifier
    https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-pa5-review-amplifier.28512/
    [​IMG]


    I only told my brother of it tonight, he was in bed lol.
    He'll give his verdict tomorrow but I already know the answer, he has no choice but to get one.
    I'm sure it will show his £7K stereo amp downstairs some teeth as well :D
    As the audioscience review says:

    I've not seen mention of it on this forum, after a few search attempts, but the search here ignores 3 letter words so is practically impossible.
    This is an fyi to everyone here, just in case: There is an incredible amp for very little money.
    I'll be back when he gives his opinion if anyone has any interest.


    Edit
    User experience thread
    https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...st-listening-impression-of-topping-pa5.29344/
     
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2022
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  6. vf

    vf Ancient Guru

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    Who was it that said they have a Shiit BiFrost 2? and what AMP to go with it? I've read people recommending the Jotunheim 2...
     
  7. Chastity

    Chastity Ancient Guru

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    Jot 2 is a nice pairing.
     
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  8. gridiron whirlw

    gridiron whirlw Ancient Guru

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    I have had the pleasure to demo these cans for the last 10 days or so.

    It is the ZMF Atrium

    Fantastic sounding headphones....very open sounding with a wonderful deep and tall stage..very 3d sounding headphone.

    A15.jpg
     
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  9. Mufflore

    Mufflore Ancient Guru

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    I like the direction this is going, another great looking set of cans too.
     
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  10. ROBSCIX

    ROBSCIX Ancient Guru

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    ..some nice rigs.
     
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  11. Mufflore

    Mufflore Ancient Guru

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    Whoa, its been some serious time, welcome back!!
     
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  12. SplashDown

    SplashDown Maha Guru

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  13. SplashDown

    SplashDown Maha Guru

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    That design is nice kinda gives you a 60's vibe the scroll work ...to me anyway.
     
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  14. Mufflore

    Mufflore Ancient Guru

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    A long long time ago (in a galaxy far away) you asked if we would like this thread created, being most exuberant I said yes loudly and was thankful you did.
    It would be great if you could give us a feel of your situ since the 9 years when you created part 1 of this thread.
    https://forums.guru3d.com/threads/high-end-audiophile-thread.373023/
    We know so little about you now, is there any chance of a peek inside your world?

    Cheers for helping push Guru3D audio in the right direction :)
     
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2022
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  15. gridiron whirlw

    gridiron whirlw Ancient Guru

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    I remember getting some great OP AMP advice from you years ago. :)
     

  16. ROBSCIX

    ROBSCIX Ancient Guru

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    I felt a disturbance in the force.
    Glad I could help.
     
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  17. alanm

    alanm Ancient Guru

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    KEF recently released a Meta version of the Ref 1.
    https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/kef_reference_1_meta/
     
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  18. Mufflore

    Mufflore Ancient Guru

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    Yes I've been waiting for reviews to see how different it is.

    From what I gather so far, the LS50 Meta sounds as good as the original Reference 1 but has much lower power handling.
    It looks impressive for the price.
    The Reference 1 Meta will improve on it, but how and how much :):)

    I must express just how good the original Reference 1 is, to improve on this significantly will be some kind of magic!
    I'm still amazed, "stereo" shouldnt be able to do this, bringing parts of the soundstage (some voices/instruments/sounds) right out into the room to my left/right, occasionally behind my head and way beyond the speaker positions front left and right.
    The soundstage is so much larger, clearer and more believable. Sometimes unbelievably so lol :)
    Although some of the larger soundstage width might be down to my DAC, thats also known to widen it.
     
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  19. tunejunky

    tunejunky Ancient Guru

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    the R1 meta is amazeballs.
    i was hanging with KEF @ CES (at a hotel not main floor) and used my (Audiophile recommended) LG V-60 as a source, so all of the material i was intimately familiar with.
    the Amp used was the big Audiolab (which is very impressive by itself).

    my take away is - everything you loved about the R1 with a lower noise floor and far better HF detail.
    which i feel strange saying as those are hallmark KEF characteristics.
    the imaging is as precise as always and no real difference (to me), but i didn't expect the meta material to make this big of a difference in the HF. the only analogy i can come up with is instead of having "sparkling HF", the HF is like diamonds on black velvet.
     
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  20. Mufflore

    Mufflore Ancient Guru

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    Thanks for that snippet :)
    I'd be interested to know your opinion of the R1 Meta vs Reference 1 Meta if you get the chance to hear both.
    And/or Ref1 vs Ref1 Meta please.
     

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