E_Schaaf
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E_Schaaf

MOT: E.T.A Headphones, from Staten Island, NY

Pyrate BWC

What are some of your earliest memories regarding noticing good or bad sound quality? Jan 16, 2024

    1. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Driving my JBL L55s with the S7 at max pot, controlling volume through Saga passive for parallel output to subs. Sounds absolutely j u I c y
      1. Lyander, LetMeBeFrank and Gazny like this.
      2. Gazny
        Gazny
        Loved the Saga on my Technics receiver.
        Dec 12, 2020
    2. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Just tossed on Marv's thicc heavy power cables. Dropped the noise floor a tad, sounds a little smoother cold than normal... maybe.
      1. dubharmonic and YMO like this.
      2. zonto
        zonto
        What are they made from and what plugs?
        Dec 10, 2020
        dubharmonic likes this.
      3. Thad E Ginathom
        Thad E Ginathom
        "Just tossed on Marv's thicc heavy power cables"

        Don't know what that means in American, but this Brit is thinking, hey, whatever turns you on.
        Dec 10, 2020
        Cryptowolf and Josh83 like this.
    3. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      1. Merrick, Huhnkopf, Sqveak and 14 others like this.
      2. robot zombie
        robot zombie
        I don't think I've ever heard anyone refer to modding as a 'binge activity' before. That's hardcore. Can't knock the results there but I do hope everything's alright, with all of this talk of binge modding.
        Dec 8, 2020
        Thad E Ginathom and E_Schaaf like this.
      3. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        I have hyperfocus tendencies (lifelong ADHD). Once I get into the groove of a task, especially one that's meticulous and using my hands / fine motor skills, I can go forever. I *love* modding. To me, it's its own hobby. No need to worry.
        Dec 9, 2020
    4. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
    5. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Four custom spec'd high-impedance drivers coming in soon. N52 magnets across the board - bio, graphene, wool, Be-coated. Cant wait.
      1. hikergrl, Philimon, obsiCO and 22 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        You should pop em into a Grado-esque enclosure with extended front baffles for more conventional pad fit! Bruce at Wabi Sabi could probably do this for you (fleasbaby on Etsy). He makes my XL cups, he's very interested in atypical and experimental designs. If you ever want to take your builds to the next level!
        Dec 2, 2020
        tommytakis likes this.
      4. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        Also if you want better sub extension you should vent your baffles, I did notice some flex on the cardboardophone despite the perf pads.
        Dec 2, 2020
      5. penguins
        penguins
        Very curious about the graphene driver. Also nice to see graphene falling in cost vs ~10 years ago and becoming much more readily available and widespread.
        Dec 2, 2020
    6. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Well, broke my rule of never spending >$1k on a piece of gear. Oops. VPI will fit in nicely, but I'll have to reorganize the apartment lol
      1. Hammy, Cryptowolf, Lyander and 12 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        Unless I can get a perfect-condition Nak 3-head under $500 or Theta Gen V under $700, I am done buying audio shit. If anything, hoping to downsize and optimize.
        Dec 1, 2020
        yotacowboy likes this.
      4. Ziva
        Ziva
        A very worthy exception. Built like a tank, will last forever, VPI supported, many available tweaks (but will sound great as is). A total steal.

        It is massive, though...
        Dec 1, 2020
      5. dncnexus
        dncnexus
        I used to have that rule...... I am not so good at following it it seems.
        Dec 1, 2020
    7. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Updated my old for sale post with new stuff and price reductions. I've found my niche and want to clear house a bit to optimize my setup.
      1. Jinxy245 and Gazny like this.
    8. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      I'll say it again - I fkn love my 1974 Nakamichi 500. So heavy, dense, and rich with color. Pure sonic umami. Down with the purists.
      1. Syzygy, Sqveak and Abhishek Chowdhary like this.
      2. Abhishek Chowdhary
        Abhishek Chowdhary
        I once auditioned a 700. The owner played it while I was checking his CD transports. It completely destroyed the cd players. Extremely refined, immediate and deep. I wanted it right then, but someone else had already paid for it
        Nov 29, 2020
        E_Schaaf likes this.
      3. Deep Funk
        Deep Funk
        Audio M.S.G. is real...
        Nov 30, 2020
        E_Schaaf and JK47 like this.
      4. Azteca
        Azteca
        I had a 400. Now I have a 582. Nakamichi has my respect.
        Dec 1, 2020
    9. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Totally blissed out on Lester Young With The Oscar Peterson Trio. Perfect winter vibe despite the 60+ degree weather. Such a rich tone.
      1. Jinxy245 and hikergrl like this.
      2. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        As an ex-sax player I have no idea how he could get such a subdued and mid-forward, almost woody resonance. Partly the recording, but still, that's just his sound. I always played so bright and zingy. I admire his breath control throughout his dynamic range.
        Nov 25, 2020
    10. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Tfw the music has simulated surface noise in the mix but you clean your record before taking a listen anyway
      1. dubharmonic, Inoculator and Gazny like this.
    11. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Soon cooking up a one-off ESX with sample 600ohm N52 Be-coated drivers, katalox wood baffle / passive radiator cups. Love a new challenge.
      1. Jinxy245 and Inoculator like this.
    12. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Anyone interested in buying a ready-to-go development ESX900 for about $1500? Cash to get two used TH900s, pay it forward for the next pair.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Lyander
        Lyander
        I actually forgot how strong the magnets on the 900s were— friggin hell that explains a fair bit (have the 1.5T claims been ratified? That's obscene strength).

        Yeah at this point your best bet is likely to find some enterprising guy willing to manufacture parts to your spec. Idk honestly there's likely a dude somewhere who's already got it down pat.
        Nov 17, 2020
      3. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        @tommytakis pointed me in the right direction and already in the works to produce a nanofiber driver (either paper or compressed wool, though options like graphene exist) with an N52 magnet that's even larger in physical size than the one on the 900. Same venting scheme. Next up is making baffles.
        Nov 17, 2020
        Jinxy245, obsiCO, monacelli and 4 others like this.
      4. tommytakis
        tommytakis
        Nov 17, 2020
        monacelli likes this.
    13. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Full Compass is no longer selling TH900 drivers to customers, only 'authorized repair shops'. I guess ESX900 is now dead, unless OEM option?
      1. dncnexus likes this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        TH900 drivers feature the largest magnet of any dynamic driver in existence. I am working on a customized oem option now.
        Nov 17, 2020
        obsiCO, Lyander, Ntbm3 and 4 others like this.
      4. Vtory
        Vtory
        What a terrible news.. for myself, too (secretly budgeting and funding for them lol).
        Nov 17, 2020
      5. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        I mean if you get a stock TH900 I'll still do it, might charge less for labor too given no transplant needed. Just more cost up-front for the donor phone.
        Nov 17, 2020
    14. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Modding pro tip - check your work on multiple chains. Don't mod the headphone to fix deficiencies of upstream gear.
      1. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        If it doesn't scale you've gone too far.
        Nov 16, 2020
        Gazny likes this.
      2. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        Or be a lazy turd like me and don't mod :P
        Nov 16, 2020
        JK47 likes this.
    15. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      B-stock Magni 3+ just showed up. Wtih Theta Progeny fed by Eitr, quite smooth and tight. Totally different from the Modi 2U + Vali 2 stack.
      1. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        Still blows my mind how much the TH900 driver scales despite the low impedance. Every minor system change is a night and day difference.
        Nov 13, 2020
    16. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Looking like I'm going to soon start cooking up ESX900s with no need for a donor headphone to build from. Long lead time on parts though...
      1. Philimon, obsiCO, Jinxy245 and 8 others like this.
      2. Magnetostatic_Tubephile
        Magnetostatic_Tubephile
        Very much looking forward to that!
        Nov 11, 2020
    17. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Customer with a 5-figure Naim+Focal system just reached out to tell me he prefers listening to his CFA Polaris off his tablet. Hmm...
      1. rlow, crazychile, Priidik and 8 others like this.
      2. rlow
        rlow
        The room can be a cruel thing. Also Naim + Focal stuff is too bright and etched. Polaris is bass boosted with polite treble if I’m not mistaken - not exactly aligned with lean/dynamic/bright Focal/Naim. He needs to switch it up.
        Nov 10, 2020
    18. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      'The Augmented Heart' by ohbliv is difficult for a system to land, but truly satisfying if it all comes together. Unique noir aesthetic too.
      1. dubharmonic likes this.
      2. dubharmonic
        dubharmonic
        Nov 5, 2020
        E_Schaaf likes this.
    19. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      If your system can't make both 'Fun Tonight' by Macross 82-99 and 'April Ethereal' by Opeth sound enjoyable what are you even doing
      1. View previous comments...
      2. tommytakis
        tommytakis
        I really dig the Fun Tonight song! *saved*
        Nov 2, 2020
        robot zombie likes this.
      3. insidious meme
        insidious meme
        I've seen a later version of Macross singers live and Opeth collaborator Steven Wilson live. Not at the same time, but wouldn't that be something. Lol.
        Nov 2, 2020
      4. robot zombie
        robot zombie
        That's hardcore. The two greatest extremes possible. Macross 82-99 sounds about the same on everything lmao. So basically it's ALWAYS enjoyable ;)

        Forreal though, Jutsu EP's my jam. I don't care what anyone says. Ain't nobody gonna tell me A Million Miles Away isn't unironically good.
        Nov 2, 2020
    20. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Easy spider chart gear comparison template in Google Sheets. Please MAKE A COPY before editing. (link in comments)
      1. Cryptowolf, gixxerwimp, Hammy and 2 others like this.
      2. E_Schaaf
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  • About

    Home Page:
    https://www.etaheadphones.com/
    Location:
    Staten Island, NY
    Occupation:
    Sonic Optimizer

    Signature

    skunkworks headphone enthusiast - discovering new sounds