Phantaminum

Not Phantaminum, but Matrix DAC does sharpen the transients for Starlett. I think they balance each other very well

I preferred the MSP much more when paired with the EC Studio Jr because of the rounded off nature of the sound than the BF2. MSP adds more snap and crunch and I agree with @tommytakis that they synergize better. BF2 was a bit too much.

It would. I ran this pairing (XSP + Starlett) for a while.

Yep. That’s why I keep losing money on new gear, lol. Who knows, if Jason has replaced the Lyr 3 with the Jot 2 the I’m looking forward to it.

I’m hoping Jot 2 will be a cleaner betterer Asgard 3

Mine should be here today. Looking for super Asgard 3 experience. That amp is killer for $199.

Oops meant to put that last comment here:
Same group project that Famish and Yota worked on. :)

Which is ...

Edit: so you guys are all making this?
https://www.elekit.co.jp/en/product/TU-8600

I just priced it out here:
- basic kit TU-8600R, no tubes: $1,088
- with Lundahl upgrade: $1,693
- EH Gold tube set: $273
What's this thing supposed to sound like? Just found the thread ... will read.

It is. I think one of the main reasons I found the Utopia uncomfortable was the clamping pressure on my ears. The rest of my stable don't clamp as hard. I didn't want to try to bend the headband since I've horror stories about them breaking. The headband didn't help either but that puppy is heavy as well.

Agreed. Among the same weight class, focals feel much heavier than the rest. And that's also my reason why I let elex go in the end.

Strangely enough, I didn't find the Elex uncomfortable. I did find them on the heavy side but it was bearable. Too bad because I really enjoyed them.

@crenca I’m shaking my head since I live in Texas, it was at the right sorting facility by me, and now it’s in Louisiana. I have a feeling @Vtory diverted the package to his address. >_>

By the way, I have been sporting the Utopia's now for a week and sometimes, like right now listening to the first Rage Against the Machine album (not my usual genre) they just F#$%ing rock. They are always special, but even beyond this sometimes RROOCCKKK! ;)

And just now the RAtM album ended and Elgar's Violin concerto B minor (Hilary Hahn featured) was cued and I can still say RRROOCCCKKK!! Believe it or not, I have not been drinking ;)

The Show Must Go On. Looking forward to your impressions!

getting ready to write a paragraph or so on my impressions as my came in 48 hours ago. I expected it to be more hd800 than hd650 tonally, I was wrong...

I am supposed to present my research accomplishments to med school students and faculty members. Feel both excited and nervous. lol

Three things got better in Philly: (1) cooler summer, (2) now I have more noise-tolerant neighbors, and (3) cheesesteaks taste really good here!

You're going to do great man!

So what you're trying to say is....next SBAF meeting at your place? :D

Unless... I am living in 440 sq ft studio. lol. A lot smaller than my previous [email protected] Worth. Same rent but half area. That's one thing I have to deal with in Philly. Funny thing is to add any change to my current living condition (house, car, etc), pandemic should be over anyway.

Bro, my work schedule is bananas. 76 hour weeks have eaten up all of my time that writing a review is the last thought in my mind. Once the dust settles (hopefully in two weeks) i’ll probably pump out the EC Jr, Pendant, and Borealis review over a weekend.

Nope

Unfortunately they lost my romanticism when I scrolled down to this point: https://imgur.com/bfzYtL2

@Vtory Maybe Amir was moved with how the "spiritis elevate, the heart is warmed, and your body is
brought back into balance." Or he just got his jollies off reading the graphs.

@Phantaminum I've been curious about this amp for a while since Zach had a major part in tuning it, but barely any impressions on here :( How is the front/back layering compared to big boi Eddie Current/DNA stuff?

The comparison depends on the type of power tube being used in the Studio Jr. I say Studio Jr.because out of the box the ZMF Pendant does this really well with the default tubes. The EML 300B staging is flatter than the Pendant and I've rolled several sets of 396A/2C51 driver tubes. I came to the conclusion that's the characteristic of those power tubes. I'd rather listen to the Pendant than the Sjr with the EMLs in.

Now the Psvanes 300bs are a different story. It has a deeper and wider sound stage than the Pendant but the Pendant gets very close to it's front to back layering. The thing that surprised me most was the clarity of the Pendant. Very vivid images. Personally this amp really hits it out the park with its price to performance ratio.

Rachel reminds me of Geoffrey from GoT. Two characters so well written that your natural reaction when you see them is a deep, subconscious hate. She is “ugly”. SIU should really rename it Tower of Harem. ;)

I still confused as to why SIU took down his earlier work. I guess it gives away too much about the tower and axis/exis.

Oh I had no idea SIU had other works relating to ToG? Are they prequels or something?

Rachel is despicable, but there's some part of me that sees her as relatable and feel sorry for her more than hating her. She is destined to be outshined by Bam and wants to change destiny.

hah I don't mind Harems at all as long as there's no excessive fanservice like some anime/manga

I find it funny that Rachel whines all the time about how life is unfair and she’s so unlucky, for someone being hard carried up the tower. How a cruel place like the Tower hasn’t eaten her alive really makes it hit home what Headon said. Some people are born strong and others are just lucky.

The ToG Universe is bigger than what’s been shown. Let me know if you have any questions about it over PM.

While the talk is going minimal I'm heading the wrong way, lol. Hope things are going well for you in Philly bro!

Sorta knew you go that way some day, knowing your journey. We both love, say, controlled sweetness (my take of teton as well). Seems you're even closer on that end. I am just too procrastinated (and chicken-herted) to perform that due diligence though.

Still good to see non-NOS non-WE conclusion.

Now I sadly? moved to El Cheapo.. no idea when/whether to come back to where I belong. lol

Just don't tell your significant other about how much that beautiful glowing things costed. haha.