Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Central Illinois Headphone Meet

Back on topic...

Did you have a chance to compare any of the high-end tube amps to a Little Dot? I've got a Little Dot MKII that I use with my HD-650's. I'm extremely happy with the setup, but just curious how the LDMKII compares to some of the more pricey tube amps.

The Zana Duex and HD 600's were a pretty amazing combo. Just...awesome. So smooth and rich.

The Sony MDR-R10's $4000 (The ones in the red velvet box with the odd shaped wood cups) with the RSA B-52 Tube amp...$5200 was like a fine wine tasting...also an extremely expensive combo.

The more outlandish grado 'phones were amazing too. Didn't have time to fully listen to them on music I knew, but the PS-1's and the HP-1's were there. Very clear, open, and transparent phones.

It's hard to do comparisons at meets because 1) There is an overwhelming amount of gear/headphone combinations, 2) There are a bunch of people talking while you listen and you end up talking to a bunch of people, 3) You don't have the time to really sit and listen because there is just so much you want to try! 4) Sometimes the equipment doesn't allow you to listen to music you're familiar with for whatever reason.

I did learn that I should bring a case full of burned CD's with music I know well, that way I can make good comparisons. Otherwise, it gets to the point where everything just sounds "good" and its hard to make conclusions on unfamiliar music.




I haven't heard the Little Dot yet. You really have to hear for yourself. Some people have discerning ears, some don't. It's all "ignorance is bliss" until you've heard the next thing better. If you're happy with the combo (from what I've heard the little dots are great for the 650's) then more power to you.

The more you go up, the more refinement and wow factor you get. It just depends what flavor you like and how much you want to spend :-)

It looked like a good time to be had.

Wow... I don't know which is more impressive, all the headphone gear or that first picture of a Horseshoe Sandwich

Sorry, wrong thread. I thought we were talking about headphones. I don't know what a MDR-R10 or B-52 is, but for $9,000 it better fit me and all my friends inside to enjoy the sound. $9,000 for a headphone setup? Do you people live in a van down by the river? Why can't you plug some speakers in? I'm dumbfounded at the waste of money, I must go now.
[leaves in a cloud of smoke is his $500,000 Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce]

Somebody smeared key lime pie all over your pretty car.

Yes, it was the free-be car. My normal car had a problem with the steering wheel heater - little too hot for New Orleans.

Lol, Charles, take a look at your avatar...looks like he's pissed about the car, maybe dropped one of his butts and started the fire?

Agreed. $9,000 would get you:

• 2xM80's
• 4xQS4's
• 2xVP150's
• 2xEP800's and 1 EP500

Yea...

Would way rather have that than a $9000 headphone setup :-)

It's all relative. $9,000 is pocket change to some people.

But I do agree, $9k is a whole lot of money for a headphone setup. But then again, I have a few friends and more than one relative that thinks spending $1,500 on a pair of speakers is insane. Why do that when you can buy a whole "Home Theater System" at WalMart for $199?

And when they've asked what my whole HT system cost, and prod enough that I give them a ballpark figure, the response was 'you could get a car for that!'

I know, I know....

It's all relative.