Torq
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Torq

MOT: Headphone.com, Male, from Seattle, WA

Pyrate

When I see audio sites getting all frothed-up about phrases like "PTSD", I can only assume they mean "Post Tequila-Shots-Disorder" ... Oct 4, 2018

    1. Torq
      Torq
      The new "CC" ear-pads are a worthwhile upgrade to the AB-1266 Phi. Smoother top-end, better mid-presence, more nuanced bass texture.
      1. A1Gear likes this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Torq
        Torq
        For the HD800 I wouldn't use them without the SDR mod (and often using Sonarworks at the same time). The HD650 I run stock ... if I want a different sound I have different cans. I'd run them modded if they were my only headphones.

        For the LCD-4 I will often use the Reveal (or Roon DSP) plug-ins for them.

        And for mixing work I'll run Sonarworks with almost every headphone I use there.
        Jul 19, 2018
        A1Gear likes this.
      4. A1Gear
        A1Gear
        Thank you for sharing your ongoing advice & preferences, Torq; it makes sense, I appreciate it!

        BTW, did you mean "Sonarworks Ref4" suite, for both uses (home-listening/EQ-ing & work); and not just the cheaper-priced SW "True-Fi" desktop app?

        One day I'll figure out how to properly setup & run: AtomicBob's "IVS Settings/Parameters" Guide. I think I'll need to get several programs: JRiver, SW Ref4, Waves NX, EQuick.
        Jul 19, 2018
      5. Torq
        Torq
        Responded via PM ... too long for these posts.
        Jul 19, 2018
        A1Gear likes this.
    2. Torq
      Torq
      Fun: Get on a morse station. Instead of keying English, key in time with the baseline of Daft Punk's "Giorgio by Moroder"; count copycats.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Lyander
        Lyander
        Not sick enough to ruin your good taste in humour, apparently. Hope you get well soon though!
        Jul 15, 2018
      3. direstraitsfan98
        direstraitsfan98
        God I love that song. It was hilariously fun with the the big dual 15 inch woofers I had. The top end sounds great on horns too the electronic guitar riff sounds awesome on horns for whatever reason. If there was a song or album they would make me miss my Cadenza, Giorgio/RAMA would be it.
        Jul 15, 2018
        Lyander likes this.
      4. atomicbob
        atomicbob
        Wishing you to get well soon @Torq !
        Jul 15, 2018
        Case and Thad E Ginathom like this.
    3. direstraitsfan98
      direstraitsfan98
      Whats your favourite headphone amp?
      1. zerodeefex likes this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Xecuter
        Xecuter
        I've heard wa234 V1 with WE 300b (nos). I would say studio mops the floor with it.

        Unless wa234 V2 is far more resolving than V1 and actually has extension in highs I wouldn't even put the wa234 in the running.

        Wa33 for me was definitely on the same level though. Very resolving with wonderful extension and amazing bass.

        Did you compare the stock wa33 to the wa234 V2?
        Elite was worse imo
        Jul 12, 2018
      4. Torq
        Torq
        WA234 Mk2 is significantly more resolving than the Mk1 (which I'd not heard originally; have since). Different front end, different signal tubes (13EM7 instead of 6SN7), etc. No lack of extension at either extreme. Also, easily the quietest tube amp I've heard.

        WA33 => WA234 Mk2 (2A3).
        WA234 Mk2 (300B) > WA33.

        A WA33 to WA33 Elite comparison eliminated the Elite, so other comparisons were to the standard WA33.
        Jul 12, 2018
        Xecuter likes this.
      5. Torq
        Torq
        Other amps compared to include the EC Studio, Aficionado (NF) and Balancing Act, DNA Stratus and Stellaris, Apex Pinnacle, Viva Egoista (845 and 2A3), and a few pre-power (speaker) 300B (and other) configurations.

        300Bs used included original, NOS, WE 300B, Takatsukis, KR, etc. 2A3s included NOS RCA CR mono-plate, black-plate, and KR.
        Jul 12, 2018
        Xecuter likes this.
    4. Torq
      Torq
      Abyss AB-1266 Phi CC inc.
      1. JoelT, pedalhead and slankoe like this.
      2. rott
        Jul 12, 2018
      3. ufospls2
        ufospls2
        Did you buy the CC, or just the new pads? I had to sell my pair of regular Phi (along with most everything else.) Hoping to buy a pair of CC when funds allow :)
        Jul 12, 2018
      4. Torq
        Torq
        Both - want to compare the Phi to the Phi CC. Mostly to see if there's more to any sound difference than the pads. Got the new pads in today ... definitely sound different (too early to comment beyond that).

        They also look different ... different mounting rings, perforations, texture etc.
        Jul 12, 2018
    5. Torq
      Torq
      Hugo 2 -> Phonitor x -> HD800S ... with 80's era synth-pop ... wow!
    6. Torq
      Torq
      Phonitor x replaces my Pro iCAN for solid-state purposes. No discernible loss of transparency even vs. DAVE's direct output ...
      1. Jinxy245, A1Gear, FlySweep and 3 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. A1Gear
        A1Gear
        Nice, happy to hear of such a good & sturdy build quality!

        I'll patiently await your Phonitor X impressions/review, whenever you get a chance to post it, on here, HF or elsewhere. Thank you!

        Just wondering, do you know if the current retail/sale price, of the Phonitor X, from the US-based dealers, still around $2500 to $2800, or did it ever come down in price over the years?
        Jul 11, 2018
      4. A1Gear
        A1Gear
        And since the A16 is still some ways off... we'll have to sit tight (personally I can't freaking wait for the A16 to come out to general public, since I, unfortunately, never got in on their initial KS Campaign, nor their lower-priced Pre-order offers; but oh well; as I'm still quite excited for it) before anyone & myself, one day; get their units in for testing/evaluation.
        But hopes are high that it fully-delivers!
        Jul 11, 2018
      5. Torq
        Torq
        I believe current US retail prices are still $2,499 w/o the DAC module and $2,799 with it.

        How close to "retail" you pay is, as ever, as much a factor of how good your dealer relationships are as anything else.
        Jul 11, 2018
        A1Gear likes this.
    7. a44100Hz
      a44100Hz
      It’s brave to bring it up at all but you don’t have to obfuscate your cheese addiction. You’re amongst friends, and who here hasn’t gotten their night cheese on?
      1. atomicbob, drgumbybrain and Torq like this.
      2. atomicbob
        atomicbob
        Hey, I resemble that remark!
        Jul 10, 2018
        a44100Hz likes this.
    8. Torq
      Torq
      Spotify content, be it an innate Vorbis issue or the encode settings used, seems plagued with intersample-overs NOT present in other sources
      1. Cryptowolf, A1Gear and EagleWings like this.
      2. Torq
        Torq
        I do NOT use Spotify for actual listening. I long since got tired of the shitty output support and lackluster quality. This is just an experiment to try and elucidate why it sounds so much worse than the alternatives.
        Jul 5, 2018
        A1Gear likes this.
      3. EagleWings
        EagleWings
        Thanks for confirming. I’ve been loyal to Spotify, for the only reason that their library contains a lot of Indian albums that most other streaming services don’t seem to carry. Any recommendation for streaming services that are good other than Tidal? Because Tidal seems to have the least Indian album library.
        Jul 5, 2018
      4. Hrodulf
        Hrodulf
        In my experience none of the file format woes come close to audible watermarking done by UMG and the labels they own.
        Jul 6, 2018
    9. Torq
      Torq
      Unexpected synergy: ADI-2 DAC -> Phonitor X -> Abyss Phi ...
      1. pavi, Erikdayo, cskippy and 2 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Torq
        Torq
        Nope, totally flat.
        Jul 3, 2018
        Elnrik and Erikdayo like this.
      4. cskippy
        cskippy
        I eagerly await your thoughts on ADI-2 DAC. For me, it's not perfect but you can get lost in it's features or just sit back and listen to music as it has the ability to let poor recordings not rape your ears but still let most of the detail come through. As an AIO it's pretty hard to beat.
        Jul 4, 2018
        Cryptowolf, Torq and Erikdayo like this.
      5. Torq
        Torq
        It's very definitely not perfect. But probably the best example of it's breed that I've come across, at least at similar price-points, even omitting the additional features (EQ, crossfeed, loudness, etc.).
        Jul 4, 2018
    10. Torq
      Torq
      Arturia Audiofuse maybe very cool, extremely flexible and decent sounding, but it is a fiddly bleeda with some frustrating quirks ...
      1. Torq
        Torq
        ... time to replace it with something a bit more serious (i.e. that doesn't randomly disconnect from USB and requires a power-cycle when the computer sleeps), even if it is only for casual, desktop, use.
        Jul 2, 2018
    11. Torq
      Torq
      Tempted to do a SBD (Small Black DAC) comparison: RDAC, Pre-Box S2, Mojo, Nano/Micro iDSD BL, ADI-2, Hugo 2. Missing a black Modi MB though.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. drgumbybrain
        drgumbybrain
        Sweet! Ian it’s back in the DAC game !
        Jun 29, 2018
      3. Baten
        Baten
        Hello Torq, not exactly a small black dac but did you hear the Holo Cyan? Is it any decent?
        Jul 11, 2018
      4. Torq
        Torq
        I have not gotten to review it properly yet. It's still in the queue. Likely to get the auditioning treatment next week, with a review following a couple of days later.
        Jul 11, 2018
        Baten likes this.
    12. Torq
      Torq
      Not much winds me up more than people pissing and moaning about how you do something, when *they* won't/can't do it for themselves.
      1. A1Gear, 9suns, LetMeBeFrank and 13 others like this.
      2. Ringingears
        Ringingears
        @Torq I really understand how you feel. As a teacher, so many people who wouldn’t last an hour in a classroom have no problem telling you how you should teach, grade etc.
        Jun 12, 2018
      3. Deep Funk
        Deep Funk
        This issue unmasks the hypocrisy of many people. I work in a place with certain people. One of them refuses to learn English or Dutch but this person has a certain status. He curses most of the time but we mostly ignore him. His problem...
        Jun 12, 2018
    13. Torq
      Torq
      Apparently it takes me three times to learn some lessons. The most important being ... it's just not worth it.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. a44100Hz
        a44100Hz
        Happy to help!
        Jun 7, 2018
        JK47, Case and BillOhio like this.
      3. Ringingears
        Ringingears
        Many years ago, a 70 something teacher told me “people learn things one of three ways. The hard way, the hard way and the hard way”. I have found those words to be true quite often.
        Jun 7, 2018
      4. atomicbob
        atomicbob
        Man occasionally trips over the truth. Usually he will pick himself up, step over and continue on his ignorant way.
        Jun 7, 2018
        A1Gear, Thad E Ginathom and Lyander like this.
    14. Torq
      Torq
      Can it be Monday yet?
      1. Case likes this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Torq
        Torq
        Thursday is tomorrow, here. And I feel the same way. But portents for Monday are uncommonly good. Rare for me to want to wish away a weekend, but there you go ...
        May 30, 2018
        L'Orfeo likes this.
      4. atomicbob
        atomicbob
        Yep, third Monday this week.
        May 30, 2018
        zonto, L'Orfeo and Torq like this.
      5. Thad E Ginathom
        Thad E Ginathom
        I used to tell people that I'd get their task done by Thursday. I'm pretty sure they understood that meant probably never :)
        May 31, 2018
    15. Torq
      Torq
      deadmau5 "4x4 = 12" -> DAVE -> WA234 (PO/Lo-Z) -> Abyss Phi = Phuck Me.
    16. Torq
      Torq
      WM1Z + '92 Latour -> MDR-Z1R = :*) WM1Z - '92 Latour -> MDR-Z1R = >8§
      1. atomicbob and Colgin like this.
      2. Taverius
        Taverius
        Tunes + n * booze < tunes + (n+1) * booze
        Mar 9, 2018
        Torq likes this.
      3. atomicbob
        atomicbob
        '92 Latour is quite the auditory enhancer.
        Mar 10, 2018
        Torq likes this.
    17. Torq
      Torq
      Mary Black -> DAVE -> WA234 (300B, C-Out/Lo-Z) -> Utopia/Abyss ... pure, sweet, and absolutely holographic.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Gravity
        Gravity
        Didn't know about Mary Black. Cheers!
        Mar 9, 2018
        Torq likes this.
      3. Torq
        Torq
        While not cheap, the "composed of many, identical, flat plates" build of the casework means it's less expensive than a single-piece cast or milled to the same precision. Also means you can do this with a two-axis mill (or laser cutter for less robust materials) instead of needing huge billets of metal and a 5 or 6 axis mill.
        Mar 9, 2018
        A1Gear likes this.
      4. Thad E Ginathom
        Thad E Ginathom
        Why is "CNC machining" a hifi sales point? Or is that *anything* can be made into one.

        I find metal-work and machining fascinating. Currently, I watch more videos about it than I listen to music. I also love a beautifully-made thing. But I'm worried when I know that a huge proportion of the cost of some electronic item is... the box.
        Mar 9, 2018
        Kunlun and A1Gear like this.
    18. Torq
      Torq
      You should absolutely get an LPS to feed the power conditioner that you're using to feed the LPS for your LPS for your DAC... [#LPS-Nervosa]
      1. Kolohe, atomicbob, 9suns and 6 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Thad E Ginathom
        Thad E Ginathom
        I don't know how anyone can be content with cheap single-phase gear. I can't explain the technical stuff, but if you want smooth, maintained power from a motor, you go for three-phase, right? Well of course that works for audio too. Especially for amplifiers of 2hp and above.
        Mar 8, 2018
      4. Thad E Ginathom
        Thad E Ginathom
        @Cspirou... I had a horrible feeling that I hadn't imagined the audiophile poles. Wish I was wrong!
        Mar 8, 2018
      5. DigMe
        DigMe
        Mar 8, 2018
    19. Torq
      Torq
      Anyone here going to be at "Music Matters" (Seattle) *tomorrow* night (not the Thursday event)?
    20. Torq
      Torq
      "Before the Dawn" via WM1Z (USB) -> Hugo 2 -> Radioaktiv "Isotope: Protium" -> Utopia ... 155 minutes of "no need to move".
      1. atomicbob and Elnrik like this.
      2. Torq
        Torq
        The view over Elliot Bay and out to Alki does not hurt ...
        Mar 2, 2018
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  • About

    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Gear List:
    Headphones:

    Abyss AB-1266 Phi & Phi CC, Focal Utopia (x2), Audeze LCD-4, Sennheiser HD800S, Sennheiser HD820, Sennheiser HD650, Sennheiser HD660S, Sony MDR-Z1R, Focal Clear, Focal Elear, Fostex TH900 Mk2 (EG), ZMF Eikon (Paduak), Fostex TR-X00 (Ebony), AKG/Massdrop K7XX (Red), Focal Elex, Focal Clear, Massdrop HD6XX

    IEMs (etc):

    Empire Ears Zeus XR (ADEL), Etymotic ER4-XR, Bose QC20i, 1More Triple Driver (Lightning)

    Wireless:

    Sony MDR-1000X, Jaybird BlueBuds X, Apple AirPods

    Headphone Amps:

    Woo Audio WA234 MONO Mk2 [WE 300B NOS/Takatsuki 274B, RCA 13EM7 CB NOS, SPL Phonitor x (w/ DAC), iFi Audio Pro iCAN, Massdrop x Cavalli Tube Hybrid, Massdrop Cavalli Liquid Carbon X

    Sources:

    Chord DAVE, Linn Akurate DSM/2 (Katalyst), Schiit Yggdrasil Analog 2, Chord Hugo 2, Meridian Explorer 2, AudioQuest Dragonfly Red, Sony NW-WM1Z, Massdrop x Airist Audio R-2R DAC, RME ADI-2 DAC

    Streamers/Audio Interfaces:

    Raspberry Pi w/ Digi+, RME ADI 2.0-Pro FS, Arturia AudioFuse, Schiit Eitr, Schiit Jil, Focusrite 2i2 (2nd Gen)

    Speaker & Vinyl Rig:

    Linn Akurate DSM/2 (Katalyst), Project RPM 9.2 Evo w/ Dynavector 10x5, Linn Exakt Akudorik (Katalyst) speakers, JL-Audio Dominion D108

    Office Turntable:

    Rega Planar 3 (2016)/Elys 2, Groovetracer Reference Subplatter + Clamp

    Cables/Power:

    AudioQuest Wind, AudioQuest Colorado, Radioaktiv Isotope Protium, Radioaktiv Fusion, Synergistic Research Alpha Sterling, Maze Audio Ref4 Carbon Alloy AC Power Cord (10 Ga/Furutech), Emotiva CMX-2, Furutech E-TP60 Audiophile Power Distribution Block, Akiko Mk2 AC Tuning Stick*

    Retired & Sold (but familiar with for reference):

    Linn Akurate DS/1, Linn Akurate Kontrol/1, Linn Majik Isobarik (Aktiv), Linn Akurate 4200, Peachtree iDecco, Meridian 506.20, Schiit Bifrost "4490", Schiit Bifrost MB, Schiit Modi MB, MHDT Stockholm 2, ALO Audio International+ Optical Edition, RSA Intruder, Schiit Lyr, Schiit Lyr 2, Schiit Vali 2, Schiit Jotunheim (w/ phono board), Schiit Saga, Woo Audio WA6, iFi Audio Micro iDSD Black Label, LH Labs GOV2+ Infinity, Chord Mojo, AK120, HiFiMAN HE-500, AKG Q701, AKG K7XX, Etymotic ER-6, Etymotic HF-2, Fostex TH-X00 Purpleheart, HeadRoom Supreme, HeadRoom AirHead, Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 - Circumnaural, Focusrite RedNet 3, Focusrite RedNet D16AES, Sony WM1A, FiiO X5 (3rd gen), Empire Ears Zeus R (non ADEL), Audeze LCD-2.2c, Shure SE846, Schiit Gungnir MB, Holo Audio Spring DAC L3/KTE, Auralic Aries, Schiit Ragnarok, Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital, Singxer SU-1, Abyss AB-1266, AAW W900, Sonore Sonicorbiter SE, Woo Audio WA5LE Mk2 (w/ parts upgrade)