Justin S
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May 21, 2025 at 7:42 AM
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Location:
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Occupation:
Filmmaker

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Justin S

Friend, Male, from Toronto

Pyrate Contributor

Switching from Oyaide to OG WE tinned copper interconnects is like switching to a new system. Makes me want to dig up my homemade Duelunds. May 18, 2025 at 8:55 PM

Justin S was last seen:
May 21, 2025 at 7:42 AM
    1. Sqveak
      Sqveak
      Which cables were you using? I use their DJ interconnect cables and found them to be quite clear vs my old (BJC) LC-1s. I don't perceive them as sharpening anything. The old cables were just a bit muddled in the bass, comparatively at least. EDIT: Apologies. Had intended this as a reply to your profile post.
      1. Justin S
        Justin S
        I forget the oyaide model, but you are right - I think they are just clean which reads as sharp next to the WE tinned cables. With the 800Ss it's a balancing act to between clarity and itchyness. The WE Tinned copper cables are decidedly 'mellow' - I would actually say muffled. I just put my Duelunds in and they are very promising.
        May 19, 2025 at 1:34 PM
        Sqveak likes this.
      2. Justin S
        Justin S
        The duelunds are remarkable. detailed, clear, and fluid. Where the WE wire was overly soft, these maintain all the detail and present with a bit more space and fluidity than the Oyaide. I made braided cables with DCA16GA and a KLEI copper harmony plugs.
        May 19, 2025 at 2:02 PM
    2. Justin S
      Justin S
      Switching from Oyaide to OG WE tinned copper interconnects is like switching to a new system. Makes me want to dig up my homemade Duelunds.
      1. Justin S
        Justin S
        It's really significant with the Pi2AES>S/PDIF->Geshelli J2S 4499/Sparkos 2590->TA-66->HD800S. The oyaide is like naughty sharpening +25. I will get the Duelund in here. Tube preferences changing. Fussy-sauce is triggering quantum recoherence.
        May 18, 2025 at 9:42 PM
      2. Justin S
        Justin S
        Duelunds are remarkable!
        May 19, 2025 at 1:46 PM
        yotacowboy likes this.
    3. Justin S
      Justin S
      The "reflector" 6n2p in the front of the ta66 it really pleasing. VG with the Sovtek 6AS7. I'll work on a front and back synergies grid.
      1. joch
        joch
        It has been a while, but I think that combo was a touch "aggressive" in some genres for me. Your idea on creating a table would be brilliant...a matrix of tube combos based on your mood for listening. What's great about the TA-66 is that you can easily swap out the tubes.
        May 15, 2025 at 6:51 PM
        Justin S likes this.
      2. Justin S
        Justin S
        I felt that the rocket+6as7 was too agressive. The reflector is more well rounded, I think. The 6as7 is also a champion with the ken rad, but not so much with the melz.
        May 15, 2025 at 8:53 PM
        joch likes this.
    4. Justin S
      Justin S
      Kenrad clear glass 6sl7 in a TA66 is more fluid with the 800s than the Melz Metal base. Glad I bought a pair. Zero itch. All the detail.
      1. Slade01
        Slade01
        Cannot go wrong with original Kenrad tubes!
        May 13, 2025
      2. Justin S
        Justin S
        They were my favorite 6SN7 with the Lyr+, too.
        May 13, 2025
      3. Justin S
        Justin S
        They're giving me that "relistening to faves wow and enjoying stuff I was tired of" vibe.
        May 13, 2025
        Slade01 likes this.
    5. Justin S
      Justin S
      like a dingdong, I've spent more on tubes than the ta66. Love the stock 6N5P and the Melz metalbase. Looking forward to the Ken Rad 6sl7.
      1. internethandle
        internethandle
        Sometimes it do be like that.
        May 11, 2025
      2. joch
        joch
        Thanks for leading the way
        May 11, 2025
      3. Justin S
        Justin S
        Ahah. Well I have the Ken Rad and a carbolite base Melz on the way. The carbolite base tubes a very reasonably priced. I want to compare with the metal-base. The rear Thompson 8080 ends up feeling a bit thin compared to the stock 6N5P - I ordered a few of those so I could keep a small stock here. The Sovteks 6AS7s are thunderous but a bit harsh.
        May 12, 2025
    6. Justin S
      Justin S
      650s. I get it...finally. TA-66 with a Melz 6N9S metal-base+adapter in the front and the stock 6N5P in the back.
      1. Justin S
        Justin S
        The trick was making them my first listen for the session. If I go from the 800s to the 650s, they read less well. That Melz in the front really brings things up a notch.
        May 11, 2025
      2. Emojiless
        Emojiless
        Interesting, can you please link adapter?
        May 12, 2025
      3. Justin S
        Justin S
        google: 6n2p to 6sl7 adapter. It's the jemosa one.
        May 13, 2025
        Emojiless likes this.
    7. Justin S
      Justin S
      "I used to be...a lounge lizard. Now look at me......I'm a wizard"
      1. YMO
        YMO
        Yes virgin, I do know a 42 year old super wizard who is into toys and lives with his parents. Good guy.
        May 3, 2025
      2. Gazny
        Gazny
        @YMO tell me about the origin of your pfp
        May 3, 2025
        YMO likes this.
    8. Justin S
      Justin S
      First proper tube burn. PSA: 6N5Ps - don't grab them - let them cool down first.
      1. Qildail, Deep Funk, Lyander and 3 others like this.
      2. Deep Funk
        Deep Funk
        First the burn, then the radio wave distortion. So analogue...
        Apr 27, 2025
        Qildail and Justin S like this.
    9. Justin S
      Justin S
      MELZ metal base 6N9S with the TA-66 brings it up another notch. With HD800Ss it's even more "natural" and more nuanced sounding. Digging it.
      1. joch likes this.
      2. Justin S
        Justin S
        I don't want to say more relaxed as that has fuzzy connotations. It presents more effortless without losing any resolution. It's like going to your favourite noodle place where they would never ask you "How's your first few bites" because A) They've done this a million times and know its great, B) They don't give a f**k what you think. That's the notch up the big front tube brings. Good noodles.
        Apr 25, 2025
        SofaSamuraiX, Lyander and joch like this.
      3. joch
        joch
        The MELZ is quite nice…more relaxed as you mentioned. I also tried a new Psvane 6SL7 in “coke bottle” form that is somewhere in between that and the OG Voshkod but more toward the latter. I chuckle every time thinking the amp + tubes (with adapter) cost me less than 300. But then I remember springing for a 800S. Still a good deal.
        Apr 26, 2025
        Justin S likes this.
      4. Justin S
        Justin S
        @joch still a good deal, indeed. I picked up my 800Ss used for 1K Canadian $. As a headphones+amp unit it is really good value for something that is this pleasing. I also picked up some reflector 6N2 tubes. I have not had much time with them but they are also nice.
        Apr 26, 2025
        joch likes this.
    10. Justin S
      Justin S
      As kids, we discovered we could use our dad's OG 1970s HD400s as microphones for various shenanigans.
      1. zottel, Qildail and Lyander like this.
    11. Justin S
      Justin S
      Update. A couple days with ZMF Lambskin pads on my HD800S. Really good. Realistic, actual subbass, great clarity. TA66 w Thompson 8060.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Thad E Ginathom
        Thad E Ginathom
        Sennheiser stock pads are difficult to install. At least, on HD800.

        They seem have clicked in place, but just bounce off. I have it to do and this is my second time. ISTR something needed to be stretched. I'll let my existing pads fall to bits a little more yet, but I have the new ones ready.
        Apr 12, 2025
        Justin S likes this.
      3. Justin S
        Justin S
        So far , unsurprisingly, the Shuguang is the right tube in the TA66. The Thompson is very very nice in the mids but gets a touch grating, the sovtek is a slamming party machine, but I can take an hour of it max. The Shuguang it perhaps a touch less detailed, but it is fun, spactious and very balanced.
        Apr 12, 2025
      4. Justin S
        Justin S
        I'll be curtious to try the Melz with an adapter in the pre section when it arrives.
        Apr 12, 2025
    12. Justin S
      Justin S
      ZMF HD800 lambskin pads on the 800Ss: Bit more crisp, cleans up the bass, seems more of it too. Space is different - we'll see how it wears.
      1. Qildail, rlow, joch and 1 other person like this.
      2. Justin S
        Justin S
        First day in, I like them. The bass is really something: detailed and thusty. The treble is also more detail without being itchy or annoying.
        Apr 9, 2025
    13. Justin S
      Justin S
      Ordered a pair of the ZMF lambskin HD800 pads. They're here along with a 25% "import" charge. I hope that they figure this out quickly.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. jnak00
        jnak00
        Speakers and sound amplifiers are in there too.
        Apr 8, 2025
      3. joch
        joch
        They’re technically just cushions as they don’t make sounds on their own?
        Apr 8, 2025
        Lyander likes this.
      4. Justin S
        Justin S
        @joch yes, but they're from a headphone company and labeled as headphone earpads. The process is likely quite zealous at the Canadian border.
        Apr 9, 2025
    14. Justin S
      Justin S
      HD800S can has that sproing. Who knew.
      1. Riotvan likes this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Justin S
        Justin S
        @joch What 6SL7s are you using. My vendor has some of the Melz metal base 6N9Ss which are 6SL7 equivalent, as I understand it.
        Apr 8, 2025
      4. joch
        joch
        I am using the non metal Melz. I read that the metal ones are better. I recently got a cheaper end Psvane which I find very not bad.
        Apr 8, 2025
        Justin S likes this.
      5. Justin S
        Justin S
        Thanks @joch. I ordered one from the same guy I got some refelctor 6n2ps.
        Apr 9, 2025
        joch likes this.
    15. Justin S
      Justin S
      Rebought 800Ss to try with a TA66. Before: nice but a bit wierd and itchy. TA66: full, natural, senn mids and 800 clarity. It's love.
      1. zottel, Jinxy245, Sqveak and 6 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. joch
        joch
        Yeah I hear you @Sqveak I just thought he had an opportunity to get an OG earlier
        Mar 31, 2025
        Justin S and Sqveak like this.
      4. Justin S
        Justin S
        @joch I tried on a couple pairs of the 800 non Ss but I blinked and they were gone. I found a pair of Ss in mint condition for a song. They're really very good with the TA66. As I found it with the 600s, the TA66 really brings the best out of the 800Ss. I prefer them to the ZMF AutCs on this amp.
        Mar 31, 2025
        joch likes this.
      5. Justin S
        Justin S
        New toy caveat: Yes it's a coloured amp and coloured headphones, but the TA66 + 800Ss are like the fabled super 600s for me. I grew up on 400s and can't quit Senns as much as I try. After much stuff, I would say that the TA66 + a used pair of 800Ss is a high value combo. I'm running Pi2AES>J2 4499 with the sparkos opamps>TA66 w Thompson 6080. @atomicbob noise nukes on fiber LAN box, Pi2AES and J2.
        Mar 31, 2025
        atomicbob, Michael Kelly and joch like this.
    16. Justin S
      Justin S
      After 5+ years, I can't get any traction with the 6XXs: kiss modded, a ton of amps/DACs. Are the 650s different? Am i just Mr. 600?
      1. zottel, roshambo123, Lyander and 2 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. roshambo123
        roshambo123
        No memory required (mine is not that good) I just read your gear list in your profile which still shows LIM
        Mar 10, 2025
        Justin S likes this.
      4. Patrickhat
        Patrickhat
        Changes over time with gear and taste. I spent 10 years liking 600 and 650 equally. Then another five preferring 650. Now it’s back to finding them equal again.
        Mar 10, 2025
        Justin S likes this.
      5. Justin S
        Justin S
        Mar 11, 2025
    17. Justin S
      Justin S
      ZMF AutCs/600s on the TA-66. The 600s are ahead with separation and tonality. The AutCs feel crowded to me. 800s must rock on this amp.
      1. joch likes this.
      2. joch
        joch
        Try it ;)
        Mar 7, 2025
        Justin S likes this.
    18. Justin S
      Justin S
      With the TA-66 in the house, I am interested inthe HD800s again. I've had the 800Ss, which I liked. I have a line on the OG 800s. What do?
      1. Jinxy245 likes this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Riotvan
        Riotvan
        If it's considerably cheaper and it has or you can do the SDR mod go for the OG IMO. But also consider pad replacement in the price though.
        Mar 1, 2025
        Justin S, RestoredSparda and joch like this.
      4. Justin S
        Justin S
        Thanks for the input. I've reached out to the seller. I think I am going to go for them. I have an SDR kit here somewhere that I bought years ago. I really liked the ZMF 800 pads the 800Ss. I'll likely do the same thing again.
        Mar 2, 2025
        joch and Riotvan like this.
      5. joch
        joch
        Looks like you've got this lined up already :P ...I'll probably need to scratch that itch one day even though the 800S has been really good
        Mar 2, 2025
        Justin S likes this.
    19. Justin S
      Justin S
      Picked up a demo Drawmer CMC2 monitor controller for a song. What a difference compared to using various passive boxes: clarity, imaging.
      1. Sqveak and Thad E Ginathom like this.
      2. Justin S
        Justin S
        Whoh. The headamp on this thing is no slouch when using 600s. Not just a pretty face.
        Feb 28, 2025
        yotacowboy and Thad E Ginathom like this.
    20. Justin S
      Justin S
      Sparkos opamps in the Geshelli J2 4499 for the win. Fat stack SS2590 for SE and a couple of the dual SS3602s for bal. Very very nice.
      1. Justin S
        Justin S
        Using the J2 for pleasure listening at work. My Motu Ultralite interface is nice, but less fun. I am using SE to the Lyr+ or TA-66 and Bal to my monitors. Very clean and detailed with a friendly tone to it. Fantastic imaging and staging.
        Feb 22, 2025
      2. ilikebananafudge_
        ilikebananafudge_
        I have a J3 with three SS2590s and I agree that it's quite nice sounding.
        Feb 23, 2025
        Justin S likes this.
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  • About

    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Toronto
    Occupation:
    Filmmaker
    Gear List:
    USB | S/PDIF (PI2AES Lite) ->MOTU Ultralite MK5/Geshelli J2S W Sparkos OPamps -> Monitors: Genelec 8030s Headphones: TA-66, ZMF AUTEUR CLASSIC, HD 6xxM (sbaf kissmod), HD600, HD800S

    Previous equipment. Harbeth P3ESR Standards and XDs, Harbeth C7ES3s, Neumann KH120As. Soekris 2541, RME ADI-2 DACfs, Bifrost 2, Holo Spring1 LV2, BF2, BF2/64, Gungnir Multibit Multibit A2, Heed Dactillus, Denafrips Ares, Auralic Aries, Rega R-DAC, OG Schiit Freya, Schiit Magni 3, OG Burson Soloist, MassDrop LCX, Burson Fun, ZDT Jr., Rebel Amp, BHA-1, Lynx Hilo, Schiit Yggdrasil LIM,

    Previous Headphones: ZMF Aeolus, HD800S, LCD-X 2021, Focal Clear, Focal Elex, OG Sennheiser 650, Sennheiser 58x Jubilee, OG AKG Sextetts, Nhoord Red custom build, Symphones Magnum V8 custom build, Elleven Acoustica G1 custom build, Elleven Acoustica R1 custom build, Hifiman He400i, AKG K702.
    I am a filmmaker. I have also owned and operated a couple animation/video-post studios and have been buying and trading gear since the 90s. I am relatively new to hifi.

    Signature

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