Audacity / At Ease

We'd like to add four (4) headphones to our reviews arsenal for magazine purposes:

1. Sennheiser HD-800 II
2. Stax 009
3. Sennheiser Orpheus
4. Audeze LCD-4

For personal use, we may add the Sennheiser IE80 and AKG 3003 in-ear headphones. These were initially very disappointing, however time has told us that a varied collection may add perhaps some poised nonchalance to our listening and wearable attire. Otherwise, it would be still optimal to purchase multiples of a head-phone we like, such as the audacious AKG K375, which has proved a best performer, over-all.

Now, not such headphone as the LCD-4 exists. We've listened to the LCD-3, and felt saddened that we would have to purchase it, based on the quality of construction, and the good-enough QOS (Quality of Sound).

At about a price of about $2000.00 CDN, the Audeze LCD-3 represents a good purchase value, given the abundant quality. Really head and shoulders above all other contrasting models. A bit like the Maybach Ambassador sunglasses, which would made a good complimentary purchase, or this year's Caneli cashmere and wool overcoat, shown in camel-hair like dye. For the gentleman, we can see no better headphone or choice.

At Hi Fi Art, we got off to a flying leap last year, with reviews of the Focal Grande Utopia III EM, and Devialet D-Premier, and then ran into issues with supply. A planned trip to New York to listen was cancelled due to health reasons, and our Canada's city of Toronto was out of the question due to the Gryphon Pendragon not being available.

Since having our Stax Omega II / 007t combo repaired, re-cabled, and re-tubed, we've remained hopeful that someone would come out with a decent Stax headphone amplifier. By this, we mean a contemporary product.

We've written Nelson Pass, and asked him if he would design and develop a variation of his SIT-1 amplifier for the 009. We also took the chance to see if Devialet would make a one-off of their excellent D-series to see if by possibility this would be an option.

Cary Audio makes one in the same form factor, using tubes, but for unbalanced dynamic headphones.

Likely we will get the Stax 727 II, however much it is panned in the forum circles to see how this compares to the 007t directly.

'May the New Years bring Joy. = Hi Fi.