Vtory
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heart 11 24
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Vtory

Audiophile™, from East Coast

Pyrate MZR

I always feel ambivalent whenever seeing end-game items in one hobby are priced lower than entry/budget ones in another hobby.. Mar 22, 2024 at 4:49 PM

    1. Vtory
      Vtory
      Magnesium addiction in progress..
      1. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        Remember to look away after you light it.
        Mar 24, 2021
        pure5152, Syzygy, Merrick and 4 others like this.
    2. Vtory
      Vtory
      First impression of Clr-Mg: Legit. Subtle but significant delta in a few areas. Unequivocally my favorite focal hp. Period.
      1. Cryptowolf, jexby, JellyRhino and 8 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Vtory
        Vtory
        I've not perceived OG or utopia stages closed or boxy. But I am hearing a little more spaciousness with MG -- partly due to current upstream. On top, extra air and ambience better heard with MG. Overall, not as holographic as verite or hedd but not nitpickable to my ears.
        Mar 22, 2021
        Ksaurav402 likes this.
      4. Yethal
        Yethal
        Is it worth upgrading from OG clears?
        Mar 23, 2021
      5. Vtory
        Vtory
        Nah. CMG is best described as an "alternative" flavor. Although I hear slight technical improvements, a little different gear pairing required imho. Not recommendable for those who already like how COG sounds.
        Mar 23, 2021
    3. Vtory
      Vtory
      Getting mg in later this week. Will I love them? Well, we will see.
      1. Cryptowolf, sheldaze, Lyander and 2 others like this.
    4. Vtory
      Vtory
      Now seeking for clear mg loaner opportunity. Seems focal made a great 'trim' (as per YMO) for dudes like myself.
      1. jexby likes this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. jexby
        jexby
        yah would like to trial the Clear mg on BW2 and EC Af. amps which make every can sound good.
        Mar 20, 2021
        Vtory, YMO and Gazny like this.
      4. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        Mar 21, 2021
        Vtory and YMO like this.
      5. jexby
        jexby
        these Eddie Current products are amps, not magic unicorn dust. :)
        Mar 21, 2021
    5. Vtory
      Vtory
      Loaner hedd hp incoming. Excited!
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Jinxy245
        Jinxy245
        I tried them at CanJam NYC and enjoyed the sound very much. They are heavy on the noggin IIRC, though there might have been a revision. Looking forward to your impressions.
        Mar 17, 2021
      3. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        @Jinxy245 well the prototype weighed over 1kg IIRC
        Mar 17, 2021
        Jinxy245 likes this.
      4. Jinxy245
        Jinxy245
        They are currently listed at 718g on the website...yikes. Better than 1kg though.
        Mar 18, 2021
    6. Vtory
      Vtory
      My MG (non-pro) speculation: MG pro could more likely to be a better buy. Rationale below.
      1. Tchoupitoulas likes this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Tchoupitoulas
        Tchoupitoulas
        Focal already peels customers for $200; is it now imposing planned obsolescence? Compare with Auteur; released at roughly the same time as the OG Clear, still going strong, and ZMF sells affordable replacement pads.
        Mar 16, 2021
      4. Vtory
        Vtory
        Exactly. I kinda respect their perfection in the headphones products per se (I like all of Elex, Clear, and Utopia for each respective set of reasons), but couldn't accept their intentional or unintentional pads BS.
        Mar 16, 2021
        Tchoupitoulas and Senorx12562 like this.
      5. gixxerwimp
        gixxerwimp
        I just washed Elex pads with Savon de Marseille. They came out like new. Going to use my OG Clear pads for a while and then wash. I think you're good as long as you don't damage them. Frequent washing might reduce breakdown of the foam from oils.

        But agree, costs for replacement pads is ludicrous.
        Mar 17, 2021
    7. Vtory
      Vtory
      1. zonto likes this.
      2. zonto
        zonto
        But what did they use for drivers!?
        Mar 16, 2021
      3. yotacowboy
        yotacowboy
        much sanding. very CNCs. such layer of paints.
        Mar 16, 2021
      4. Vtory
        Vtory
        Mar 16, 2021
    8. Vtory
      Vtory
      Doing shootout of Verite vs 650 in the binaural context. Thought 650 would easily outperform due to its better fr, but I was wrong again.
      1. Syzygy, Cryptowolf and Raimei Templar like this.
      2. Vtory
        Vtory
        Unlike my expectation, Verite could render more believable layering and distance (I was using video material, so could see where sounding objects really were). And reverberation was more spot on with proper ambience.
        Mar 12, 2021
        Jinxy245 likes this.
      3. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        I need a way to not see your posts when you post about Verite. Every time I read one I have the urge to listen to it more even if I'm listening to it at that second. Guess it's going to be another super late night listening session
        Mar 13, 2021
        Vtory, Jinxy245 and Cryptowolf like this.
    9. Vtory
      1. View previous comments...
      2. gixxerwimp
        gixxerwimp
        Thanks @nishan99. My radar has a Topping filter.
        Mar 6, 2021
        nishan99 likes this.
      3. penguins
        penguins
        We could say it was ASR that helped push the market in this direction though.
        Mar 6, 2021
        dubharmonic likes this.
      4. Tchoupitoulas
        Tchoupitoulas
        Marketing slogan? "Perfect for transforming your HD 700!"
        Mar 6, 2021
        Huhnkopf, Biodegraded and Merrick like this.
    10. Vtory
      Vtory
      Feels like Starlett always pops up whenever I don't quite need a new amp..
      1. Jinxy245, penguins, atomicbob and 5 others like this.
    11. Vtory
      Vtory
      Sample bad/good questions imho: 'Is X better than Y?" (x) ; 'Good to go for X?' (x) ; 'How would you describe X over Y' (o)
      1. ChaChaRealSmooth likes this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Gazny
        Gazny
        If only upgrades could be put gear on a scale being an upgrade. Something like a harmonic mean, or reference by out peers. Via some null hypothesis. Spider charts seem to be one of our best ways to visualize the data.
        Mar 3, 2021
      4. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        @Gazny And even spider charts aren't infallible. Familiarity with how the maker of the chart describes sound, plus familiarity with how that user defines terms is a must.
        Mar 3, 2021
        Vtory and Gazny like this.
      5. Vtory
        Vtory
        At the end of the day, I re-found there's no royal way. Everything is a matter of translation from one coordinate to another coordinate. Experience talks.
        Mar 3, 2021
        ChaChaRealSmooth likes this.
    12. Vtory
      Vtory
      I still have no idea why apple tv remote can work with 2541 -- weirdly the remote can control volume and input selection quite well...
      1. Syzygy and pure5152 like this.
      2. gixxerwimp
        gixxerwimp
        Commonly used used codes for popular functions?
        Mar 2, 2021
        Vtory and dubharmonic like this.
      3. Cspirou
        Cspirou
        Apple remote and clones are actually quite common for smaller consumer audio devices. What's annoying is when i try to change the volume on my preamp and it changes the settings on my mac mini.
        Mar 3, 2021
    13. Vtory
      Vtory
      Finally hooked up all the puzzle pieces: 2541/Jot 2/VO. Was ready to be blown away. But damn this perfection.. this refinedness.. wow.
      1. atomicbob, Soups, Jinxy245 and 14 others like this.
      2. Syzygy
        Syzygy
        Glad it finally arrived.
        Mar 1, 2021
        Vtory likes this.
    14. Vtory
      Vtory
      2541 seems to have interesting interactions with spk. Doubtlessly more caution needed than hp uses. Had to mess with toe-in a lot.
      1. Syzygy, Jinxy245, yotacowboy and 2 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        I should have taken this warning more seriously. Overall digging the 2541 (I am still hoping it loses a little bit of sheen/shrillness after a bit more warmup) but I am having a hell of time getting my speaker positioning/toe-in set. MUCH pickier than with the BF2.
        Mar 11, 2021
        Vtory likes this.
      4. Vtory
        Vtory
        Yeah.. I believe that schiit mb dacs developed mainly for speakers which just happen to work decent with headphones. Soekris, particularly 2541, seems more headphone-oriented. Maybe because of Soren's voicing references? Anyway quite interesting contrast.
        Mar 12, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
      5. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @Vtory Yeah it is kind of bizarre, never a problem I have had with a source and these speakers. I kept toeing in further, but could never really get the speakers to "disappear". Counterintuitive, but I actually went back to flat, and like that setup the most nearfield. EDIT: NM, did have to stick with speakers further from wall and more toed in.
        Mar 12, 2021
    15. Vtory
      Vtory
      Testing 15in*2 OB in the near field (why wasn't I conferred BWC badge yet? lol). What a challenge. And how entertaining.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Vtory
        Vtory
        Settled down with 2541 SE out --> Aegir SE --> M3. Borderline minimalism simple but they worked.
        Feb 28, 2021
      3. luckybaer
        luckybaer
        What is a BWC badge? Some kind of professional certification?
        Feb 28, 2021
      4. Vtory
        Vtory
        Nah, just a semi-meme exclusive in sbaf -- "Big Woofer Club". Conferred to obsessive lovers of large (15in or larger) drivers.
        Feb 28, 2021
        luckybaer likes this.
    16. Vtory
      Vtory
      Peaceful Sat afternoon. Coffee, music, .. all super great. Except.. working drafts/codes pulled out on the screen. Oops. Sth might be wrong.
      1. Cryptowolf and dubharmonic like this.
      2. Vtory
        Vtory
        To my employer's credit, this is not a weekend extra work. Just personally working on a publication with Texan coresearchers. So, should be categorized to a 'hobby'.. haha.. ha...
        Feb 27, 2021
        aamefford, Cryptowolf and Syzygy like this.
      3. dubharmonic
        dubharmonic
        Nothing beats music & coffee!
        Feb 27, 2021
        Vtory and aamefford like this.
    17. Vtory
      Vtory
      Past 5-year DAC journey (primary only): Gumby1(Schiit)→ ADI2(RME)→ Convert-2(DM)→ X26(Gustard)→ BF2(Schiit)→ 2541(Soekris)
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Vtory
        Vtory
        Looking back, all quite interesting. Each (from,to) pair is a great illustration of what I struggled and what I sought for.
        Feb 26, 2021
        Cryptowolf likes this.
      3. Gazny
        Gazny
        It would be cool if you could add some thoughts on the D/S thread and why you moved the direction you did. Even if you enjoy the MOTU
        Feb 26, 2021
      4. Vtory
        Vtory
        Maybe.. but probably not. I'm kinda opting out that thread because I am not qualified. To me things aren't framed that way. Above certain levels, what I liked or didn't like were more associated with product-specific voicing.

        For example, I found X26-BF2 rather close (warm, dark, responsive) whereas CV2-X26 and BF2-2541 both quite drastic.
        Feb 26, 2021
        Noodlz, gixxerwimp, Jinxy245 and 2 others like this.
    18. Vtory
      Vtory
      Failed to asleep and kept saying wow for 5 hours.. Damn 2541.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        ^although weirdly enough, I find it less amp-picky than Auteur. Kind of a strange dichotomy
        Feb 26, 2021
      3. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        I have been doubting my 2541 order lately as I wait for it to arrive...so your posts over the last 24 hours have been just the affirmation I need. Very excited to try it out. I think it will be just the ticket for my LS3/5A. Now whether I like it more than BF2 with SW51+ and stable of headphones will be the question.
        Feb 26, 2021
        Vtory likes this.
      4. Vtory
        Vtory
        @ChaChaRealSmooth Haha, Verite is also picky at different levels. I often hook up to a couple of Toppings. Rejection severer than I recall for Auteur. lol. Auteur more pickier as approaching to the optimal point.

        @Inoculator Looking forward to hearing your impression. I don't think I can go back to any of bifrost, gungnir, or yggdrasil for different reasons respectively, but huge subjective/personal factors kick in.
        Feb 26, 2021
        ChaChaRealSmooth and Inoculator like this.
    19. Vtory
      Vtory
      911 GT3 always surprises me. Lower hp, lower torque, lower 0 to 60 mph... but always wins over 'better spec' cars in nordschleife circuit.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Vtory
        Vtory
        Yup. All agreed. Real race is not a one time show (such as drag race) but complicated sum of every part of system. And that's often observed in any part of specialized tech areas -- of course including audio.

        Anyway naturally aspirated engine must be super obsolete (as per JA) in 2021, and glad to see such a car outperforms something like Tesla by big big margin (1:15 delta in Nordschleife lmfao)
        Feb 25, 2021
        9suns likes this.
      3. gixxerwimp
        gixxerwimp
        Feb 25, 2021
      4. Vtory
        Vtory
        Yeah, that's the newer 992 gt3 one. Indeed most previous gen gt3s commonly showed "spec is only number" in any shape. lol
        Feb 25, 2021
    20. Vtory
      Vtory
      Love BE2 pads. How did I leave them unused for 1.5 years... How foolish I was..
      1. DJ XtAzY and Cryptowolf like this.
      2. Huhnkopf
        Huhnkopf
        Which covering type did you get back then?
        Feb 21, 2021
      3. Vtory
        Vtory
        Lambskin. Mines are one of the earliest prototypes, so I am unsure if they're the same as current ones.
        Feb 21, 2021
      4. Taverius
        Taverius
        Finally you see the light.
        Feb 21, 2021
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  • About

    Location:
    East Coast
    Gear List:
    Headphones: HFM Susvara (mod), Sivga SV023 / Amps: Topping LA90, SMSL HO200 / Dacs: Gustard X18, SMSL M500.3
    Team Susvara : Can't find anything sounding better than Susvara under 5k new yet.
    Team NFB: I realized a strong global NFB made me happier eventually.
    Team Delta-Sigma: I gave up R2R because anything below Spring 3 did not give me enough clarity/articulation in ways I wanted to hear. Moderately implemented 903 was pretty much good enough for my taste..

    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/vtorys-music-re-discoveries.12622/

    Signature

    Team Planar, Team On-Ear, Team NFB, Team Delta-Sigma
    Music Rambling: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/vtorys-music-re-discoveries.12622/