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HiFi Lounge
06-08-2014, 08:13
Hi Everyone,

I thought I would start a separate thread from our HiFi Lounge news thread with just all the news from our new Highend Headphone venture, as this is a fast moving side of HiFi nowadays with new and interesting products being released all the time.

If I'm honest I'm not really sure this will work as a separate company but I'm a firm believer in 'nothing ventured' and being that I do a lot of my own listening on headphones it is an area of HiFi that I am particularly interested in.

Below are a few recent posts from our website, Thanks for looking and please check back regularly for all the latest news and events from Highend Headphones, please find a link to our new Highend Headphones website below -

www.highendheadphones.co.uk

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
06-08-2014, 08:14
http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/banner-hh-forums-1_zpscf918c03.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/banner-hh-forums-1_zpscf918c03.jpg.html)

Hi Everyone,

This is some really exciting news for both myself and Wendy, due to the success of our headphone room we have decided to launch a new company called ‘Highend Headphones’ Please follow the link to our new website below, I have been over it thoroughly but if you do see any errors please let me know -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk ('http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/index.php')

launching the website is the first phase in the development of Highend Headphones, Phase 2 is my wife Wendy, who many of you will already know, joining the company to help run HiFi lounge and Highend Headphones, phase 3 will be Highend headphones moving into its own dedicated building, a stunning converted barn with 2 large demo rooms, on the same site as HiFi Lounge, and finally phase 4 will be the Highend Headphone website switching over to online shipping to make it easier for fellow headphone enthusiasts to purchase whatever takes their fancy at any time.

Both Wendy and myself are extremely excited by launching this new company, When we launched HiFi Lounge towards the end of 2012 we decided to take a gamble and to use the smallest demo room as a headphone room, we started of with 6 pairs of Grado’s and to be fair it got off to a very slow start and I really thought that it wasn’t going to work, undeterred we bought on some more brands and slowly but surely the headphone room really did take on a life of its own with people coming from all over the country for a chance to compare some of the best headphones currently available today. In the end the headphone room has become one of the busiest parts of HiFi Lounge so we took the decision to move the headphones into their own building and to start Highend Headphones so that we can expand it further and to give it room to breath outside of HiFi Lounge. Please see a couple of pictures below showing the headphone room when we opened and what it has become now, it is definitely time to move it into its own building :)

End Of 2012

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/19_zps15f4ef5c.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/19_zps15f4ef5c.jpg.html')

May 2014

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7621_zps98c6e237.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7621_zps98c6e237.jpg.html')

It really is such an exiting time for headphones, amps and Dacs at the moment, especially at the top end, with constantly new brands and products entering the market which all need demoing as matching the Amp/Dac to the headphones is vitally important. This is why we have put together a selection of the best headphones, amps and dacs in the world today all under one roof for our customers to come and compare and chose the perfect match for them.

As we are based in a converted stable well away from the high street, with plenty of free parking, you really can come in and spend as much time as needed to put a system together that suits you, it may seem daunting at first when you come face to face with all the options but you soon find a sound that suits you and that is where we can help guide you in the right direction, in fact one of the real beauty’s of headphones is that you can own 2 or more pairs all with different characteristics to suit a particular type of music or mood maybe, something you would struggle with on a conventional hifi speaker system.

The quality of headphone rigs now really is quite amazing with some stunning setups possible that cost a fraction of the price of a traditional hifi system but will surpass it quite easily on pure sound quality, ok so it won’t have the scale and soundstage of a speaker system but for pure sound quality we really believe that headphones are tough to beat, the main area where headphones win is that they totally eliminate the effect the room has on sound quality, the room is pretty much one of the biggest parts of any traditional hifi rig so with headphones you are tapped straight into the recording, there really is no better way to listen to music as the artist intended than on a Highend Headphone rig, this also means when you demo your setup at Highend Headphones it will sound exactly the same when you get it home, not always the case with a traditional hifi system.

We will constantly be evaluating new products and brands that enter the headphone market so please check back regularly to our site for all the exciting new developments as one thing is for sure the headphone market doesn’t stop for a minute and it really is exciting to be part of that.

If you’d like to explore a top end headphone setup please get in touch to book an appointment, there will be no time constraints, just sit back and enjoy comparing all the different options that are available, all under one roof in a relaxed manner with as much tea or coffee that you can drink, I think you’ll be surprised just how immersive and enjoyable listening to you favourite music will be to a dedicated highend headphone setup, it will be like re-discovering your music collection all over again.

Please find a few pictures of the stable building below that is currently undergoing some work in readiness for our launch hopefully sometime in June, all being well we will be having a launch party sometime in September.

The Entrance.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/HeadphoneBuilding_zpse259aae2.png ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/HeadphoneBuilding_zpse259aae2.png.html')

The Rear with large sliding doors opening into the gardens.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0435_zps6d1b512f.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0435_zps6d1b512f.jpg.html')

Demo Room 1, still plenty of work to do.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0468_zps15ad5f04.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0468_zps15ad5f04.jpg.html')

The Views, You can just see HiFi Lounge to the left.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0473_zpsa139eb77.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0473_zpsa139eb77.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0474_zps1cc41d3c.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0474_zps1cc41d3c.jpg.html')

Hope to see you soon,

Thanks,

Paul and Wendy.

HiFi Lounge
06-08-2014, 08:15
http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/hh-banner-mcintosh_zpsfa951bde.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/hh-banner-mcintosh_zpsfa951bde.jpg.html')

Hi All,

This is really exciting news as since opening HiFi Lounge towards the end of 2012 there has always been one brand that I have always wanted to add to our portfolio, the cherry on the top if you like, that brand being McIntosh.

Is there any Hifi brand more iconic than McIntosh Laboratory’s? probably not, with their classic black glass front panels, blue VU meters and green lettering, there really is no mistaking a McIntosh product. They are based in Binghampton, New York and were founded in 1949 by Frank McIntosh and have gone from strength to strength over the years creating some of the most respected Hifi ever created. They even powered The Woodstock Music Festival in 1969 and helped create The Grateful Dead’s legendary ‘Wall of Sound’ in 1974, delivering 28,800 watts of continuos power from forty eight McIntosh power amps, the most powerful sound system by some margin at the time.

Being that we are bringing on McIntosh for Highend Headphones to start with we are starting of quite small by adding the stunning new MHA100 dedicated headphone amplifier and the D100 DAC/PRE/Headphone Amp, once we have finished kitting out the new shop I will then bring on the big McIntosh stuff for HiFi Lounge, I’ve already got my wish list in place :)

The MHA100 really is a stunning headphone amp that will drive any headphone out there thanks to its 3 different impedance settings + normal and high gain, from ear buds to the hardest to drive headphones, it even has a 50 watts per channel power amp built in to drive a pair of speakers, you could also use the speaker taps to drive the hardest to drive headphones on the planet using their adaptor, the HiFiMan HE-6’s, leaving the front output for a more normal pair of headphones shall we say, the MHA100 also contains a highend DAC with asynchronous USB, it’s a great way to own a piece of McIntosh without having to re-mortgage the house and it has to be the best looking headphone amp on the planet, can’t wait to try it with the Abyss AB01266 headphones :)

Then there is the D100 DAC / Digital Preamp with a high quality headphone amp built in, use it as a headphone amp or hook it straight up to a power amp to create a fantastic digital system, I know a lot of headphone guys in the states use this DAC into some very high quality headphone amps so I am really looking forward to getting my hands on the D100.

I am expecting my demo MHA100 and D100 to be with us in a couple of weeks so If you would like to see how McIntosh could sit at the centre of your headphone rig please pop into Highend Headphones for a demo and to discuss further.

Please find a link to both products on our website + a few pictures -

McIntosh ('http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/mcintosh')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Untitled6_zps5c837bf0.png ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Untitled6_zps5c837bf0.png.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Untitled_zpscd45590c.png ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Untitled_zpscd45590c.png.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Untitled4_zps6b752ffb.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Untitled4_zps6b752ffb.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Untitled5_zps775e5c58.png ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Untitled5_zps775e5c58.png.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Untitled3_zps53676abd.png ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Untitled3_zps53676abd.png.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/McIntosh-D100_zps87273d72.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/McIntosh-D100_zps87273d72.jpg.html')

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
06-08-2014, 08:16
Hi All,

Every since being made aware of the Abyss headphones at the Whittlebury HiFi show last year I have been following their progress with interest, many people have described these as the best headphone available today so needless to say that I couldn’t resist a statement like that so am really pleased to announce that we now have the Abyss AB-1266 Headphones on Permanent demo.

Abyss Headphones are a division of JPS labs, an American company best known for their highend range of audio products mainly focusing on interconnects and cables, afew years back though the founder of JPS, Joe Skubinski, decided that he would create a sub division of JPS with the sole aim of developing, not one of the best headphones on the planet, but the very best headphone available today, certainly no small claim. Like Audeze and HiFiMan they decided to go down the Planar Magnetic route but developed proprietary very thin, very low mass diaphragm with custom made high power neodymium magnets resulting in a headphone with no coloration that is extremely revealing and lifelike in its presentation with unbelievably good bass response, along with the clever fitting of the ear cups to get the best seal and the highend stock cable and accessories that come as standard then the Abyss AB-1266 Headphones really do promise to be something quite special indeed.

I only got them yesterday and started to run them in straight away but couldn’t resist to spend a couple of hours listening last night, firstly, they are far more comfortable than they look and although their styling is a little different shall we say, the good thing is that once you have got them on you can’t see yourself so it doesn’t matter, seriously though the only thing that does matter is how do they sound? and this is where they really do shine, the funny thing is they don’t do anything spectacular as the overall balance is superb it is only when you compare against another headphone do you realise how special the Abyss Headphones really are.

Last night I only had time to compare against the Audeze LCD-3’s, one of our biggest selling headphones and one of the best around, first I must point out that the Abyss cost £4524, so significantly more than the LCD-3’s, but they really are a clear step up, the Abyss offer an extremely tight and punchy bass, with a stunning mid range and a very refined treble, when you compare directly to the LCD-3’s it really does sound like a veil has been lifted and you are presented with a far cleaner and insightful sound, I guess that is what an extra £3000 buys you. The trouble is once you’ve heard them you can’t listen to anything else again so be warned.

The big comparison will be the Abyss AB-1266 headphones v the amazing Stax SR-009’s, also considered by many to be the best on the planet, I want to run in the Abyss more before sitting down to try that one so at the moment I’m running them in with some Rammstein blasting through them which with the Abyss’s industrial looks only seem right somehow.

I’m also going to try a few different amps to see what will get the best out of them, at the moment the Bryston BHA-1 has done a brilliant job with its balanced stereo outputs but I have heard that the HiFiMan EF-6 also does a great job and I’m really keen to try the Trilogy 933 amp as although it only has a single ended output it really is my favoured amp at the moment.

Anyway please feel free to come into have a listen, and as ever here are a few pictures -

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7395_zps67140e2d.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7395_zps67140e2d.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7411_zps483efedf.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7411_zps483efedf.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7412_zpsbb75b90b.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7412_zpsbb75b90b.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7417_zpsea5d03a5.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7417_zpsea5d03a5.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7418_zps3607b165.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7418_zps3607b165.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7423_zps2424ab74.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7423_zps2424ab74.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7425_zpsd9b3885d.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7425_zpsd9b3885d.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7428_zps4102a8bb.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7428_zps4102a8bb.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7429_zpsb3b06b87.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7429_zpsb3b06b87.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7430_zps2b91c21f.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7430_zps2b91c21f.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7441_zpsf7731157.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7441_zpsf7731157.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7444_zps37e11118.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7444_zps37e11118.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7447_zpsd69d5d3b.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7447_zpsd69d5d3b.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7449_zps9b8aa6cf.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7449_zps9b8aa6cf.jpg.html')

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
06-08-2014, 08:23
Hi Everyone,

As most of you have probably guessed by now, I quite like listening on headphones so I’m really pleased to announce that we have now added Ultrasone to our line up of top headphone brands and are now a certified Ultrasone Elite dealer.

Ultrasone are a German company founded in 1991 and based near the Alps, their prime objective is to produce the most musical headphones available today. As a certified Ultrasone Elite dealer we have decided to focus on the very special Ultrasone Editions range of headphones, many of which are limited editions. Ultrasone now have over 60 patents in place, one of which is their S-Logic technology which with its decentralised transducer gives a different listening experience to all other headphones out there. The Editions Range only use very select natural materials and are all crafted by hand by skilled craftsmen, every driver being hand selected and matched in pairs then every headphone is tested before leaving the factory to ensure the customer gets the highest quality pair of headphones,

We have on permanent display the Edition 8, Edition 10 and Edition 12, and can get in the Edition 5 (limited to 555 pairs worldwide) upon request. Since getting them in a couple of weeks ago I have spent a fair bit of time listening to all 3 models, the first thing that strikes you is how beautifully made they are, also how light and comfortable they are, but mainly how right they all sound, very balanced presentation with great detail but not bright, just very musical, the kind of headphone you could wear for hours on end and forget you have them on.

Please find a link below and some pictures, please feel free to come in for a listen anytime.

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/ultrasone

Edition 10 - Limited to 2010 Pairs Worldwide

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/Edition10-2-500x500_zpsb21184b9.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/Edition10-2-500x500_zpsb21184b9.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/Edition10-1-500x500_zps8d74c2f4.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/Edition10-1-500x500_zps8d74c2f4.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/Edition10-3-500x500_zpsa170634b.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/Edition10-3-500x500_zpsa170634b.jpg.html')

Edition 12 Headphones

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/Edition12_168_300dpi_4c-500x500_zpsa31dd371.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/Edition12_168_300dpi_4c-500x500_zpsa31dd371.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/Edition12_193_300dpi_4c-500x500_zps5fe4adc4.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/Edition12_193_300dpi_4c-500x500_zps5fe4adc4.jpg.html')

Edition 8 Headphones

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/Edition8Limited_lay_reflect_4c_300dpi-500x500_zps3f9c4930.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/Edition8Limited_lay_reflect_4c_300dpi-500x500_zps3f9c4930.jpg.html')

Edition 5 - Limited to 555 Pairs Worldwide

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/Edition5-002-500x500_zps7e28c122.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/Edition5-002-500x500_zps7e28c122.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/Edition5-104-500x500_zpsf00c602d.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/Edition5-104-500x500_zpsf00c602d.jpg.html')

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
06-08-2014, 08:24
Hi Guys,

It really isn’t everyday that a new brand enters the headphone arena, we all know that OPPO have proved their worth with their stunning Blu-Ray players over the last few years but the headphone market is a very competitive place at the moment, particularly at the highend so as a big fan of what OPPO have achieved with their disc spinners I have been looking forward to both these products for some time now.

Obviously they come with the fantastic OPPO packaging that OPPO are renowned for, as for the headphones they are extremely light, beautifully made and one of the most comfortable headphones I have tried. They use Planar Magnetic drivers but they really are very easy to drive, I tried them on the Astell&Kern AK240 and that was a brilliant combination with plenty of volume, I have yet to compare with other headphones at the same price point but knowing the lengths OPPO went to for the development of the PM-1 I’m very confident that they will take the fight to the establishment, they are priced at £1099.

As for the headphone amp, well I have been really excited by this since talking to the guys from OPPO when they paid me a visit a few months back, it really is extremely well built and caters for all inputs, has low and high gain setting, balanced and single ended inputs and outputs, runs in Pure Class A and is based around the ESS 9018 Sabre32 Reference DAC which will decode everything including the latest DSD codecs, best of all though it has VU meters or a Spectrum analyser which you can choose between :) The first thing I did was set it to high gain and grab the notoriously hard to drive HiFiMan HE-‘6’s which to be fair most headamps can’t drive but the OPPO HA-1 really didn’t have any problems which is a great start. I’m still waiting for the price to be confirmed 100% but hopefully it will be a similar price to the PM-1’s, which to be fair will be an absolute bargain, oh yeah, and you get full remote control which is quite rare with headamps.

In other OPPO headphone news, OPPO announced last week the PM-2 Headphones, which won’t come with all the goodies of the PM-1 but uses very similar drivers, looks the same and will cost £699, that should be an extremely successful headphone for OPPO.

Anyway here are a few pics, I have both the headphones and amp here on permanent demo, both are available to order now with delivery due later this month all being well. Please find more info in the link below -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/oppo

How Exciting

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7334_zps57d541b9.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7334_zps57d541b9.jpg.html')

Classic OPPO Packaging

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7336_zps4f8368f9.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7336_zps4f8368f9.jpg.html')

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Beautiful Dark Cherry Presentation Box

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7338_zps41a5e11e.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7338_zps41a5e11e.jpg.html')

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http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7368_zps1cf2ed87.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7368_zps1cf2ed87.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7369_zps97b1b34e.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7369_zps97b1b34e.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7373_zps80e5b596.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7373_zps80e5b596.jpg.html')

Time to Un-Box the amp

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7343_zpsf5c9b5b3.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7343_zpsf5c9b5b3.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7345_zps9d22ee7f.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7345_zps9d22ee7f.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7347_zps3c7ebd06.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7347_zps3c7ebd06.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7348_zps20e4ad16.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7348_zps20e4ad16.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7352_zps1fb967fd.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7352_zps1fb967fd.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7353_zpsfdfbdcd1.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7353_zpsfdfbdcd1.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7355_zpsdb6a3c3b.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7355_zpsdb6a3c3b.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7357_zps36411af6.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7357_zps36411af6.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7365_zps050bb14b.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7365_zps050bb14b.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7374_zps159d37e2.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7374_zps159d37e2.jpg.html')

Thanks,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
06-08-2014, 08:25
Hi All,

This is just a quick post to say that OPPO have just released details of the accessory range that they will be offering for the their excellent PM-1 headphones and HA-1 headphone amp.

Please see below, these are all due in soon as we are taking pre-orders now - you can see the full OPPO headphone range here -

Oppo ('http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/oppo')

OPPO Headphone Stand - £79

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/OPPOSTAND_zps00c70aa7.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/OPPOSTAND_zps00c70aa7.jpg.html')

OPPO Headphone Amp Stand - £150

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/AMPStand_zps7c50e17e.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/AMPStand_zps7c50e17e.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7355_zps462ff1e4.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7355_zps462ff1e4.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7374_zps284c3abf.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7374_zps284c3abf.jpg.html')

Balanced XLR Cable for Headphones From £129 for 2m, £149 for 3m.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/balancecable_zps8711ce09.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/balancecable_zps8711ce09.jpg.html')

We also have the new OPPO PM-2 headphones to look forward to, as far as I can tell they offer similar driver technology to the brilliant PM-1 but without all the frills and at a cheaper cost, more details and price to be confirmed.

OPPO PM-2 Headphones

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Headphone-PM-2_zps9196cdd5.png ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Headphone-PM-2_zps9196cdd5.png.html')

OPPO HA-1 In Silver - Available soon!

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/HAsandPM_zpsdcda658f.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/HAsandPM_zpsdcda658f.jpg.html')

So I think it is fair to say that OPPO really have thought through their Headphone products and will very shortly be offering a fantastic package with both a brilliant amp and headphones along with stands and balanced cable options, nice one OPPO :)

Needless to say we will have everything on demo at Highend Headphones as soon as it is all available so please feel free to come in to have a look and a demo.

Cheers,

Paul.

HiFi Lounge
06-08-2014, 08:25
Hi All,

The first time I saw these new players was at Munich a couple of weeks ago and I was a little surprised to be honest as the range seemed to be getting too complicated but it now looks like the original AK100 and AK120 will soon be discontinued to be replaced by these new 2nd generation models.

It seems as if Astell&Kern have learned a lot from the development of the flagship AK240 model and have decided to re-fresh the lower models to include many of the features from the AK240 + increase storage and add a larger more informative screen.

Stock is due in over the next couple of weeks so please feel free to place any orders now, more information can be found on our Highend Headphones website below and we will have the full range on permanent demo once released -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/astell-and-kern

Here are a few highlights of the 2 new models and a few pics -

Astell&Kern AK100 II

Single DAC - Cirrus Logic CS4398
Balanced Output
Mastering Quality Sound
DSD Support
Use it as an external DAC
Supports up to 192GB of storage
Wireless Streaming
3.31” AMOLED Touch screen

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-06-09at145137_zps912b6bcf.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-06-09at145137_zps912b6bcf.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-06-09at145815_zps2bb244d6.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-06-09at145815_zps2bb244d6.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-06-09at145744_zpsd69c1a10.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-06-09at145744_zpsd69c1a10.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-06-09at145759_zps561530bf.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-06-09at145759_zps561530bf.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Untitled_zps6d8b6232.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Untitled_zps6d8b6232.png.html)

Astell&Kern AK120 II

Dual DAC - Cirrus Logic CS4398 x2
Balanced Output
Mastering Quality Sound
DSD Support
Use it as an external DAC
Supports up to 256GB of storage
Wireless Streaming
3.31” AMOLED Touch screen

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-06-09at145911_zpsee284668.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-06-09at145911_zpsee284668.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-06-09at150137_zps4183b2f6.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-06-09at150137_zps4183b2f6.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-06-09at150059_zps1d086643.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-06-09at150059_zps1d086643.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-06-09at150119_zpsf6165ade.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-06-09at150119_zpsf6165ade.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-06-09at150037_zps04350c7a.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-06-09at150037_zps04350c7a.png.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
06-08-2014, 08:27
Hi All,

Today was a big day as I have always dreamt of owning some McIntosh equipment but never thought that would ever happen really but today that dream became a reality :-)

It has been a long while since I have been so excited in opening a box with new kit in, you only have that first time feeling once and as I had long admired McIntosh kit at shows and in magazines the fact that I had at long last had a couple of items in my possession was almost to much to bear, sad I know.

Anyway eventually I took a knife to the tape and got stuck in, I still can’t believe the packing for the D100 DAC, I have never seen such a well packed piece of hifi before, i really can’t imagine how big the boxes must be for their big amps, hopefully one day I will find out :-)

Needless to say once unboxed the build quality really is something else, the MHA100 really is a stunning design that looks absolutely beautiful, I know that the McIntosh design is very marmite, Wendy really doesn’t like it, but I just can’t get enough of it, this is real McIntosh kit, just shrunk down a little.

The Highend Headphone shop is still undergoing some work, the decorating is now all done, next the floor will be going down then it shouldn’t be too much longer before the grand opening, but once we get everything in place the McIntosh MHA100 and D100 will certainly take centre stage.

If anyone is interested in the MHA100 I would recommend picking up a copy of this months HiFi News as there is a stunning review of it in there, getting a score of 85% which for HiFi News is very high indeed, don’t forget this isn’t just a Highend Headphone Amp / DAC, but also a 50 watts per channel integrated that will run some very nice speakers indeed so it really can form the hub of a fantastic hifi setup.

Anyway I can ramble on about McIntosh kit all day so please find a few pictures below of the unboxing and more info can be found on our website then I’m off for a good listen, if you are interested in either the MHA100 or the D100 please get in touch to arrange a demo -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/mcintosh

McIntosh MHA100 Headphone Amplifier

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7717_zpscc42037c.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7717_zpscc42037c.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7719_zps84e70416.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7719_zps84e70416.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7722_zpsda06e986.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7722_zpsda06e986.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7723_zps6d2be612.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7723_zps6d2be612.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7725_zps6af73d72.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7725_zps6af73d72.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7726_zps9551c623.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7726_zps9551c623.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7731_zps951a4d0c.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7731_zps951a4d0c.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7733_zpse4776ec0.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7733_zpse4776ec0.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7738_zps32d81ec2.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7738_zps32d81ec2.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7741_zps5b6bf029.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7741_zps5b6bf029.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7742_zps1ddb051a.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7742_zps1ddb051a.jpg.html)

McIntosh D100 DAC

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7743_zps1a0d9fc8.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7743_zps1a0d9fc8.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7746_zpscd2344b0.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7746_zpscd2344b0.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7748_zps9a6398f5.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7748_zps9a6398f5.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7750_zpsa613ebd2.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7750_zpsa613ebd2.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7754_zpse8e188ea.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7754_zpse8e188ea.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7756_zpse3c65873.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7756_zpse3c65873.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7760_zps6f730759.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7760_zps6f730759.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7767_zpsd06e7979.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF7767_zpsd06e7979.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
06-08-2014, 08:27
Hi All again,

Well it has taken some time but I have finally got round today to having my first proper listen to both the MHA100 and the D100, now to be fair I bought on McIntosh on looks alone and a few listens at various shows so to say I was keen to have a listen was an understatement, needless to say I haven't been disappointed.

Firstly both the MHA100 and D100 sound very different, I used the Audeze LCD-3's as my cans of choice, with the MHA100 you get a very full sound, a little laid back with enough detail, but it is more about musicality than out and out detail, you really could listen to it for hours without any fatigue setting in plus it has loads of drive, I used the LCD-3's on the normal gain setting and they are not the easiest cans to drive but with a high setting available also then I can't imagine that there is a headphone out there that they would struggle with, next I will try the brilliant Abyss headphones.

As for the D100, that offers a more detailed, open and cleaner sound, as a headphone amp it hasn't quite got the drive of the MHA100 but it really is surprisingly good and very capable, its great really as both are brilliant headphone amps and DACS but with 2 very different presentations.

You can't ever miss a chance to take some pictures of McIntosh kit so here are a couple more of them running in, sad I know :-)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7770_zps1f5c1b56.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7770_zps1f5c1b56.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7768_zpsd5996f04.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7768_zpsd5996f04.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7772_zps91844180.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7772_zps91844180.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7773_zps2e3771e0.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7773_zps2e3771e0.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7779_zpsd3753ec8.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7779_zpsd3753ec8.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
06-08-2014, 08:28
Hi All,

I just wanted to mention that we now have the 2 new models on demo from Astell&Kern, the AK100 II and AK120 II, these are 2nd generation players that now replace the outgoing AK100 and AK120.

It looks like Astell&Kern learnt a lot when developing their top of the range AK240 and have now put a lot of that into the new models like MQS streaming, which I find really useful when listening at home as it gives the user the ability to access all their music stored on a NAS drive or computer and stream it wirelessly to any of the new A&K players and if you want you can then download directly to the player to take out and about with you. Also once connected to your home network you can now upgrade the firmware wirelessly which makes it all very easy.

Also now all 3 models share the same Cirrus Logic DAC’s with one in the AK100 II and 2 DACs in both the AK120 II and AK240 which allow playback of DSD files across the range, with only the AK240 playing it natively though, the 2 new players convert to PCM first.

The other main improvement other than increased storage is the new larger screens and a much improved user interface in my opinion which is now the same as the AK240, it is very clear and very intuitive to use.

Finally in a month or so Qobuz will be added as a firmware upgrade which will allow you to stream CD quality music from Qobuz’s servers directly to your Astell&Kern player, as a user of Qobuz this is something I am personally looking forward to.

So now the Astell&Kern range feels complete with all 3 models now sharing the same features and user interface, we have all 3 on demo so if you’d like to experience the ultimate portable systems please feel free to get in touch to arrange a demo.

Please find some more information below + a few pictures -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/astell-and-kern

AK100 II


Single Dac
DSD Playback (DSD to PCM)
Balanced Output
Wi-FI MQS Streaming
64GB Internal Storage (Expandable to 192GB)
Optical Output

Price - £799.99

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/astell-and-kern/astellampkern-ak100-ii-portable-player-2nd-generation

AK120 II


Dual DAC
DSD Playback (DSD to PCM)
Balanced Output
Wi-FI MQS Streaming
128GB Internal Storage (Expandable to 256GB)
Optical Output

Price - £1499.99

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/astell-and-kern/astellampkern-ak120-ii-portable-player-2nd-generation

AK100 II & AK120 II

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7895_zps32762804.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7895_zps32762804.jpg.html)

AK100 II

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7897_zpscb1ee323.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7897_zpscb1ee323.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7902_zps919ef39f.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7902_zps919ef39f.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7905_zps557dc0ee.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7905_zps557dc0ee.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7908_zpsaeffcd7d.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7908_zpsaeffcd7d.jpg.html)

AK120 II

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7911_zps33b61943.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7911_zps33b61943.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7914_zpsedd13f7b.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7914_zpsedd13f7b.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7913_zps7e601419.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7913_zps7e601419.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7915_zps8df5ad14.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7915_zps8df5ad14.jpg.html)

The Full Astell&Kern Family

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7921_zps6e13f52e.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7921_zps6e13f52e.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7924_zpse37930d8.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7924_zpse37930d8.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF7927_zps94977dbe.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF7927_zps94977dbe.jpg.html)

Cheers,

Paul.

HiFi Lounge
06-08-2014, 08:29
Hi Everyone,

I just thought I would post a quick update regarding how we are getting on with the refurbishment of the old stable building that we are turning into a Headphone Demo facility, basically we have had the decorators in, yesterday the floor went down and next week the CCTV and Alarm systems are being fitted, once this has been done we can start with the fun part of getting all the Headphones / Amps and DACs up and running.

A date for everyones diary, We are having our official launch event on September 27th which should be a fun event with many representatives coming along from the headphone brands, we will also have special offers for the event, more info to come shortly regarding this.

Also Highend Headphones is going to be this years title sponsor for the ‘Headzone’ at this years National Audio Show at Whittlebury Hall over the weekend of September 20th/21st, basically we are taking over most of the area showing a selection of the best headphones and amps currently available in the world today, should be another great event.

Anyway I have been taking a few pictures of the work done so far, not the most exciting to be honest but all part of creating what we hope will become the premier place to visit within the UK for everyones serious headphone needs -

Its getting serious, we now have a sign :-)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Untitled_zpsa167beef.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Untitled_zpsa167beef.png.html)

Time to do some decorating!

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0801_zps67955c7c.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0801_zps67955c7c.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0805_zps0f0e633d.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0805_zps0f0e633d.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0808_zps09682210.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0808_zps09682210.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0813_zpsa0e0c218.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0813_zpsa0e0c218.jpg.html)

Then the turn to get the floor laid!

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/0_zpsde07002b.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/0_zpsde07002b.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/1_zpsa0bddede.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/1_zpsa0bddede.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/2_zps0dabc59c.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/2_zps0dabc59c.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/3_zps10b25908.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/3_zps10b25908.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/4_zps7f82bbd7.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/4_zps7f82bbd7.jpg.html)

So it really is starting to take shape now, over the next couple of weeks we should get all the furniture in place and it should start to look how we’ve imagined it for the last few months, I’ll post some more pictures once done.

Please keep an eye on our website also for new products and news -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/

Cheers,

Paul.

HiFi Lounge
06-08-2014, 08:30
Hi All,

We seem to have been waiting for ages to get our hands on HiFiMan’s new HE-560 headphones, I heard them first at the Munich Highend Show back in May and was instantly impressed so I was really pleased when a HiFiMan labelled box arrived yesterday.

These headphones are entering a very competitive area of the higher end headphone market and being the direct replacement for the excellent HE-500’s they certainly have big shoes to fill. HiFiman are probably best known for making pretty much the hardest headphone to drive on the planet with the excellent HE-6’s, the HE-560’s are still use a planar driver like the HE-6’s but are much easier to drive.

HiFiMan have also started again with the ergonomics of their headphones so we now have a redesigned headband, very reminiscent of the Stax SR-009’s if i’m honest, but they are considered one of the most comfortable headphones around so not a bad idea to copy that. The HE-560’s are also quite a bit lighter than their previous offerings and with the new ear cup design they are much more comfortable for longer listening sessions.

I have only just un-boxed them and will be running them in for the next few days but obviously I couldn’t resist a quick listen, and straight away they impress with a very open mid, a detailed but smooth’ish treble with a tight and punchy bottom end, I can really see that once these are run in they will be unbeatable at their price point.

They come in at £650, you can see more info below on our website, also please find a few pictures below, if you’d like to come in for a listen then please feel free.

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/hifiman/hifiman-he-560-headphones

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7984_zps59ad17d0.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7984_zps59ad17d0.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7986_zps0b0edba4.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7986_zps0b0edba4.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7989_zpsa5c771df.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7989_zpsa5c771df.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7992_zps7460bce6.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7992_zps7460bce6.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7996_zpsc0d34f52.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7996_zpsc0d34f52.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF7999_zpsd845d83d.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF7999_zpsd845d83d.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF8002_zps37377ca4.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF8002_zps37377ca4.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF8009_zps24844bb0.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF8009_zps24844bb0.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF8010_zpsbe269776.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF8010_zpsbe269776.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF8013_zpsa614387d.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF8013_zpsa614387d.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF8017_zpsb89d4edd.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF8017_zpsb89d4edd.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF8019_zps3053ea27.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF8019_zps3053ea27.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF8024_zpsf8ada52a.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF8024_zpsf8ada52a.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF8027_zps83733c72.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF8027_zps83733c72.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
06-08-2014, 08:34
Hi Everyone,

I am really excited to announce that Highend Headphones have Stax Headphones, or Earspeakers as they are better known, on demonstration in our headphone room, which to be honest is filling up quite nicely now with most of the best headphones available today.

Before starting HiFi Lounge last year I had always dreamt of owning a Stax headphone rig so it really does give me great pleasure to now be a dealer for what many consider to be the best headphone experience around.

With Stax being an electrostatic headphone, they really do offer something very different compared to the normal dynamic headphones, there is a level of detail and transparency that really is quite captivating, being an electrostatic headphone they need their own amp, or energiser as it is known, to supply to correct power to drive them, making a Stax setup the complete solution, just add a source and you’re good to go.

At the moment we have 3 systems on demo, the SRS-2170 starter system, which at £745 for the earspeakers and energiser unit really are great value, then we have the mid level SRS-4170 system with the valve SRM-006ts energiser then we have the big one, the SR-007 MK2 Omega Reference Kimik edition, which contains the reference SR-007 earspeakers and Stax’s best energiser which is modded for even greater performance. Now all I need to do is save my pennies and get in the SR-009 earspeakers, which at £3695 certainly are not cheap but in terms of high end headphone audio they are apparently unbeatable, can’t wait to find out for myself :-)

As is the norm here are far too many pictures of the un-boxing of the 3 different Stax systems we have on display, I have been running them 24/7 for the last week so they are run in nicely and ready for action so please do pop in to listen to what Stax headphones have to offer, here is the link to the range on our website -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/stax

The SRS-2170 Starter System.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2058_zps649694b3.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2058_zps649694b3.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2064_zps904f27e2.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2064_zps904f27e2.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2065_zps399c5f8c.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2065_zps399c5f8c.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2067_zpsd7c9d589.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2067_zpsd7c9d589.jpg.html)

The Stax Headphone Stand.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2074_zps577dbeaa.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2074_zps577dbeaa.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2076_zpsce57b562.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2076_zpsce57b562.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2079_zpsf8bd872f.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2079_zpsf8bd872f.jpg.html)

The SRS-4170 System

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2060_zps09d59f86.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2060_zps09d59f86.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2070_zps27530096.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2070_zps27530096.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2083_zpsa84cb008.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2083_zpsa84cb008.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2086_zpsa9f6e43f.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2086_zpsa9f6e43f.jpg.html)

The SR-007 Omega Reference Kimik Edition

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2055_zps101d2b63.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2055_zps101d2b63.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2090_zpsb98c542d.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2090_zpsb98c542d.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2092_zpscf46d077.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2092_zpscf46d077.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2107_zps7f8ad9e8.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2107_zps7f8ad9e8.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2109_zpsa20b2a4e.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2109_zpsa20b2a4e.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2096_zpsed555a78.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2096_zpsed555a78.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2100_zps19be3bb9.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2100_zps19be3bb9.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2101_zpse1b42b97.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2101_zpse1b42b97.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2097_zps281a88ea.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2097_zps281a88ea.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2110_zpse679786d.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2110_zpse679786d.jpg.html)

Everything in place ready for action

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2112_zpsd7f71027.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2112_zpsd7f71027.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2114_zpsb997da48.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2114_zpsb997da48.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2115_zps89422e62.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2115_zps89422e62.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2121_zpsf19ab86c.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2121_zpsf19ab86c.jpg.html)

Thanks for looking and hope to see you soon at Highend Headphones.

Cheers,

Paul.

HiFi Lounge
06-08-2014, 08:36
Hi All,

This will be the last addition to the headphone room for a while, it dawned on me the other day that nearly all my headphones are open back, so after a little research to find the best closed back headphones, one brand name kept coming up, Fostex. Now that I have run them in for the last week and spent some time listening to both models I can see why, they almost don’t sound like a closed back.

Fostex are a Japanese company founded in 1973 and are best known in the world of Pro audio, they were also the first to pioneer affordable multitrack recording equipment. More recently though they have entered the market of High End Headphones and have jumped straight to the top with their closed back designs offering what are considered the best closed back headphones available today. Until recently they used to build the much respected Denon AH-D7000 headphones but Fostex have improved upon them in all areas with their own headphones. With the TH-900 I would say there is no better looking headphone with its red Urushi lacquer which really has to be seen to be appreciated.

There are many different designs of headphone technology out there today, dynamic, electrostatic and Planar Magnetic to name a few but the 2 most common kinds of headphones are closed and open back, Fostex are considered to be the reference company when it comes to closed back headphones, coming from the Pro market they understand what makes a headphone sound great, offering a full bodied, fast bass but also plenty of detail and a touch or warmth they really are quite special, not to mention how stunning the TH-900’s look. We have the TH-600 and TH-900 on demo so please come in to experience the ultimate in closed back headphones.

Please see more information here and a few pics -

Fostex Headphones and Headphone Amplifier (http://hifilounge.co.uk/fostex)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2150_zpseefd0d9f.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2150_zpseefd0d9f.jpg.html)
The TH-900 Unboxing

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2160_zps2fd1d42c.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2160_zps2fd1d42c.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2162_zps74c8f815.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2162_zps74c8f815.jpg.html)
They come with a rather handy stand.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2167_zpsde50924f.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2167_zpsde50924f.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2169_zps75f2a8af.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2169_zps75f2a8af.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2170_zpsd97a5201.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2170_zpsd97a5201.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2171_zps812133a1.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2171_zps812133a1.jpg.html)
OOoohh, Very Nice :-)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2172_zps5f34e555.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2172_zps5f34e555.jpg.html)

The Fostex TH-600 Unboxing.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2182_zpsc7aa920b.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2182_zpsc7aa920b.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2186_zpsa9ee5cec.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2186_zpsa9ee5cec.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2187_zps79901d2d.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2187_zps79901d2d.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2189_zps09d4cd79.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2189_zps09d4cd79.jpg.html)
The Darth Vadar Of Headphones.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2190_zpsbd4fa0e6.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2190_zpsbd4fa0e6.jpg.html)

So I now think we have got a pretty special collection of headphones on demo, hopefully something for everyone.

Cheers,

Paul.

HiFi Lounge
06-08-2014, 08:37
Hi Everyone,

This is really difficult to write as I really want to be upstairs in the headphone room listening to our latest addition, roll on 5.30pm when I can lock the doors and loose myself in headphone nirvana :)

The reason for all the excitement? Well we have just taken delivery of the much respected Stax SR-009 headphones for permanent demo in our headphone room, I have long craved to own a pair of SR-009’s so this really is a big day. They are not cheap at £3695 + Energiser at £2295 for the Kimik Modified SRM-007tII, so a £5990 package, but these really are considered by everyone who has heard them to be the ultimate headphone.

They really need a minimum of 100 hours running in but I couldn’t resist to have a quick listen as soon as they arrived, the first thing you notice is how light and comfortable they are plus they really do look beautiful. After listening to couple of my favourite demo tracks it is evident straight away that the SR-009’s are something quite special, yes they have amazing clarity, offering a very open sound with very good bass weight, but it is how agile and delicate they make music sound that really struck me, I can see these getting quite addictive as I explore my music collection once again.

As I said this is almost a £6000 set up, but I shudder to think how much you would have to spend on a pair of speakers that can get close to what the SR-009’s offer, I would guess you would be into the 10’s of thousands, if not more, this is the great thing with headphones, you can get the best on the planet for what in high end hifi terms isn’t silly money.

Obviously it is early days and I will be running them 24/7 for the next few days to get them sounding their best but in the meantime if you’d like to hear what a truly reference headphone system sounds like please feel free to pop in, alternatively we will be having a general headphone open day sometime in November so the SR-009’s will be well and truly run in by then.

5.30 can’t come quick enough :)

Here is some more info on the SR-009’s -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/stax/stax-sr-009-electrostatic-earspeakers

And a few pictures -

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2572_zpsd392bba5.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2572_zpsd392bba5.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2577_zps53af6714.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2577_zps53af6714.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2580_zpsf1aabaa9.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2580_zpsf1aabaa9.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2581_zps324bfc0a.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2581_zps324bfc0a.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2587_zps89eb82b9.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2587_zps89eb82b9.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2590_zpsa535c6b3.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2590_zpsa535c6b3.jpg.html)
Busy Running Them In.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF2593_zps33cc37e6.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF2593_zps33cc37e6.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
06-08-2014, 08:40
Hi all,

There has been a lot of interest in these new headphones and a real buzz on Head-Fi so I can’t wait to settle down later for a good listen but they certainly look the part, especially the closed back LCD-XC’s in their Bubinga finish, they really are quite stunning and give the Fostex TH-900’s a run for their money in the looks department.

Both these new headphones use Audeze’s new Fazor drivers which to quote Audeze give the following ‘The result is improved phase response, greater frequency extension, smoother frequency response, and remarkable 3D holographic imaging.’ From everything I have read the LCD-X’s are more neutral than the LCD-2 and 3’s and that the LCD-X’s really don’t sound like a closed back also offering a very neutral sound with a little warmth, can’t wait to find out for my self :)

They both come in the Audeze travel case and are both supplied with the single ended and balanced cable to use depending on the kind of amp you are planning to use, they also both use the same soft leather of the LCD-3 ear cups making them extremely comfortable and are also both easier to drive than the LCD-2’s and 3’s so I look forward to trying both on our demo Astell & Kern portable players. The LCD-3 is still Audeze’s flagship headphone but the new X’s and XC’s definitely offer something really different that helps fill out the Audeze range.

If you’d like to come in for a demo please feel free, for prices and more info please see the Audeze page on our website, at this present time there is quite a shortage of the Gunmetal rings that are used on both these models, the LCD-X has been hardest hit with quite a longer lead time, they are available with black rings though if you are not willing to wait but please enquire for any updates on this situtation -

http://hifilounge.co.uk/audeze

Here are a few pictures -

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF3014_zpsc8812341.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF3014_zpsc8812341.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF3016_zps681804bb.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF3016_zps681804bb.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF3017_zps57f3ba24.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF3017_zps57f3ba24.jpg.html')

Auseze LCD-X’s

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF3022_zpse663e05f.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF3022_zpse663e05f.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF3025_zps78aa762f.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF3025_zps78aa762f.jpg.html')

Audeze LCD-XC’s

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF3026_zps8fd30cca.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF3026_zps8fd30cca.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF3028_zpsb6e3133f.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF3028_zpsb6e3133f.jpg.html')

What a Lovely pair.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF3033_zps6844ba51.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF3033_zps6844ba51.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF3036_zps95f6164c.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF3036_zps95f6164c.jpg.html')

The Full Audeze Range.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF3042_zps9d888262.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF3042_zps9d888262.jpg.html')

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF3043_zpsf99129ca.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF3043_zpsf99129ca.jpg.html')

How many more high-end headphones can we really squeeze in this room!

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/DSCF3060_zps9aa45438.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/DSCF3060_zps9aa45438.jpg.html')

Ok, time to go and have a listen :)

Cheers,

Paul.

HiFi Lounge
06-08-2014, 08:42
Hi Guys,

I think that gets everything up to date on most of the latest headphone news, there are quite a lot of new additions that I would like to add so please check back regularly and please feel free to come to our new headphones shop launch on September 27th, more news to follow.

Thanks,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
12-08-2014, 09:20
http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/AudezeLCD_zps6162b426.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/AudezeLCD_zps6162b426.png.html)

Hi Everyone,

This is just a quick message to let everyone know that we have just been notified that to keep everything in line with the US Dollar that the UK pricing for all Audeze headphones has just been reduced by around £100 for each model, some by more.

Please see below for the new pricing, it goes without saying that we are huge Audeze fans at Highend Headphones so it is great news that they monitor this situation and act accordingly.

We have the full range of Audeze on permanent demonstration with a selection of the best headphone amps currently available in the UK to help get the best out of the Audeze range.

Please see the below link for the full range available and please feel free to come in anytime to try these fantastic planar headphones out -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/audeze

New Pricing -


Audeze LCD-2 Bamboo Headphones - Were £899 Now £799
Audeze LCD-2 Rosewood Headphones - Were £1025 Now £899
Audeze LCD-X Headphones - Were £1525 Now £1399
Audeze LCD-XC Headphones - Were £1600 Now £1499
Audeze LCD-3 Headphones - Were £1725 Now £1599


Any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Thanks,

Paul.

HiFi Lounge
15-08-2014, 07:46
Hi All,

Yesterday I was lucky enough to spend some time listening to the very special Ultrasone Edition 5 Headphones, these are special for so many reasons, which I will go through shortly.

I did listen to these briefly at Munich back in May and was instantly impressed so when the Ultrasone guys offered to pop over for an extended listen, well I wasn’t going to say no.

Firstly there are only 555 pairs of Ultrasone Edition 5’s available worldwide with only 20 pairs coming into the UK making them a true collectors piece and an instant classic, also they are made from only premium organic materials so they have aluminium cups and headband, the earcups are made from bog oak meaning that they are 100’s of years old which give them a beautiful rich colour and unique grain, then the headband and earcups are lined with Ethiopian sheepskin, used for isolation, breathing ability and true comfort, it is obvious to see that Ultrasone have chosen these material very carefully which all helps to create a truly unique headphone.

As well as the very special materials used they also include an enhanced version of Ultrasone’s patented S-Logic technology called S-Logic EX, which helps give their headphones a more spatial, natural and open sound and it really does work, again making Ultrasone sound like no other headphone and closer to a highend pair of speakers.

Anyway that is all the spec, most importantly how do they sound? well firstly you can’t fail but to be impressed by their build quality and just how light and comfortable they are, these easily rival the Stax SR-009’s for being the most comfortable headphones I have ever tried, you just don’t know you are wearing them, listening for hours just wouldn’t be a problem.

As for sound quality, well I knew they would be good but listening to music I actually know rather than show music really amazed me just how good these are, totally effortless, smooth, detailed, great bass weight, big soundstage but mostly just so musical, natural and listenable, so when you put this together with the comfort factor you end up with most definitely the best closed back headphones that I have listened to by some margin and to be fair one of the top 3 headphones I have ever heard regardless of closed or open back, they really are that good.

My only complaint is that they are only making 555 pairs, this is a real shame as even at their retail price of £3000 they are worth every penny, to get close to this performance from a pair of speakers you really would need to spend well over 10K or 20K, hopefully once they have all sold Ultrasone will bring out a full retail pair using the same technology.

Due to the fact that there is only 20 pairs coming into the UK we don’t have the Edition 5’s on permanent demo, which is a shame, but with a days notice we can get the UK demo pair in so please feel free to get in touch to make an appointment to hear what I consider to be a stunning pair of cans that I am actually considering buying a pair for myself.

We will also have these on demo at the National Audio Show at Whittlebury Hall this coming September 21st/22nd as Highend Headphones will be running this years ‘Headzone’ more news to follow shortly.

Please find more info below and a few pictures -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/ultrasone/ultrasone-edition-5-headphones

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8029_zps75898d19.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8029_zps75898d19.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8030_zpsc3269b2b.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8030_zpsc3269b2b.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8031_zps8139bfd0.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8031_zps8139bfd0.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8049_zps0554dd5c.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8049_zps0554dd5c.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8034_zps412b5dc8.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8034_zps412b5dc8.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8032_zps9a349cb2.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8032_zps9a349cb2.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8035_zps1ce56020.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8035_zps1ce56020.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8051_zpsd37159c6.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8051_zpsd37159c6.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8053_zpsb8001cd8.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8053_zpsb8001cd8.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8055_zps2eb68da6.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8055_zps2eb68da6.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

Clive197
15-08-2014, 09:16
Hi Paul

Just wondered if there are any deals for AoL members? I'm very interested in a pair of OPPO headphones? I've heard the PM1's and wondered what the PM2's sound like in comparison as I don't need the wooden box and extra earpads.

Clive

HiFi Lounge
16-08-2014, 11:46
Hi Paul

Just wondered if there are any deals for AoL members? I'm very interested in a pair of OPPO headphones? I've heard the PM1's and wondered what the PM2's sound like in comparison as I don't need the wooden box and extra earpads.

Clive

Hi Clive,

Thanks for getting in touch, at this present time there are no deals unfortunately but we are running the Headzone area at The National Audio Show this year at Whittlebury Hall on September 21/22 and I am trying to get all the manufacturers, OPPO Included, to offer 10% off for any purchases at the show, more news to follow on that one and our new Headphone showroom launch is the following week and I am hoping to offer 10% off for that also, I should have everything confirmed for next week regarding both of those so will post on here.

I haven't heard the PM2's yet, my demo models are due in shortly so I will compare, I know that the drivers are very similar so it will certainly be an interesting one.

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
16-08-2014, 11:47
Hi All,

Whilst I was changing the Grado product ranges over to the new ‘e’ series on the website the other day I noticed that Grado have a done a funky set of pictures for their new range of headphones so I thought it would be cool to post them up here.

Also you can check out their new ‘e’ Series below, we have got a selection on demo + you will be able to hear them at the Headzone at the National Audio show, Whittlebury Hall on September 21/22 as we take over the headphone department, more news to follow on that next week.

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/grado

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/2fa67f482133f1c934235b73c2a03954_XL_zps09f317e6.jp g (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/2fa67f482133f1c934235b73c2a03954_XL_zps09f317e6.jp g.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/ada9a09acea936d776a6f55c82778c43_XL_zpsb4485777.jp g (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/ada9a09acea936d776a6f55c82778c43_XL_zpsb4485777.jp g.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/2ff2ba0051687eef5ca0459cf942940c_XL_zps4f4b1862.jp g (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/2ff2ba0051687eef5ca0459cf942940c_XL_zps4f4b1862.jp g.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/94d43e327d9303539cb1e2aac7032668_XL_zps2502eea0.jp g (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/94d43e327d9303539cb1e2aac7032668_XL_zps2502eea0.jp g.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/9caa2793658f3cc387f216157300b1ce_XL_zpsf3ff0cd9.jp g (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/9caa2793658f3cc387f216157300b1ce_XL_zpsf3ff0cd9.jp g.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/e2bf3b11df0b872112757f1c2fee6e32_XL_zps873b093d.jp g (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/e2bf3b11df0b872112757f1c2fee6e32_XL_zps873b093d.jp g.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/233826a67be66a810b23a263230da62e_XL_zps4a3d38bd.jp g (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/233826a67be66a810b23a263230da62e_XL_zps4a3d38bd.jp g.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/e0a70f72bdae9885bfc32d7cd19a26a1_XL_zps62dec9a9.jp g (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/e0a70f72bdae9885bfc32d7cd19a26a1_XL_zps62dec9a9.jp g.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/e31ace2a15a7c70645ad83df9ecd43b0_XL_zps9f7f08bc.jp g (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/e31ace2a15a7c70645ad83df9ecd43b0_XL_zps9f7f08bc.jp g.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/ffee2447b152494b43d9816faaea83c8_XL_zpsf2d0c5a0.jp g (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/ffee2447b152494b43d9816faaea83c8_XL_zpsf2d0c5a0.jp g.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
16-08-2014, 16:24
Hi Everyone,

A really quick one this as I sit here on one of our quieter Saturday afternoons, I just thought I would post our new Highend Headphone Logo, I was really happy with our original logo that our web designer Jstyla came up with but we employed a graphics company to reproduce it in the different formats to be able to use for print and in true designer fashion he just couldn’t help himself and began to tinker, in the end he has come up with something that retains the original design but refines it a little and brings it closer to the HiFi Lounge Logo.

Original Logo

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/logo-highendheadphones_zps1c6cea3f.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/logo-highendheadphones_zps1c6cea3f.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/HHBannerHFL_zpse044571c.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/HHBannerHFL_zpse044571c.jpg.html)

New Logo

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/HighendHeadphones_zpscf1e3c47.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/HighendHeadphones_zpscf1e3c47.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/banner-hfl-highendheadphones_zps913f798e.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/banner-hfl-highendheadphones_zps913f798e.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

Clive197
19-08-2014, 20:05
Hi Paul

Thank you for coming back to me. Being the impatient bod that I am I have now purchased with a 10% discount a Pair PM1's which I'm over the moon with.

I am now thinking of buying the OPPO headphone amp, 2x Pr analogue XLR's and 1xXLR Digital cables. To fund this I need to sell my Cyrus CDXTSE with PSX-R and Cyrus PreXTdQx with PSX-R all in brushed black. Is this something we can do a deal on?

Clive

HiFi Lounge
20-08-2014, 14:19
Hi Clive,

Congratulations on the PM1's Clive, they are great cans, needless to say that the HA-1 is the perfect partner, it really is a stunning amp for the money that really is tough to beat without spending much more.

I only take trade in on the brands that I sell, unfortunately Cyrus isn't one of my brands, if you e-mail me on paul@hifilounge.co.uk though I can give you the number of a 2nd hand HiFi guy that I work with, I'm sure he will happily give you a price.

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
20-08-2014, 14:19
Hi Everyone,

I Just wanted to post that we now have the new Beyerdynamic A2 Headphone Amplifier on demo, it is notable for a couple of features, firstly as you would expect from anything built in Germany it is beautifully finished, it really feels quite solid and well made, it also comes with a remote control which is something that more and more amps are now coming with which I feel is quite important as I do like to sit back when listening on headphones so a remote is quite handy.

Another couple of novel features worth mentioning are that it comes with a headphone stand that you fit to the bottom of the A2 if you want to use it, also the Beyer logo is visible on the top plastic with 5 orange bulbs that glow when it is switched on giving it a valve’esq appearance which I quite like, I guess it would have been nice if this could have been turned off though if not wanted, and finally on the bottom you can alter the gain and output impedance so you can match it perfectly to your chosen cans, oh yeah and it can run 2 pairs of headphones.

So I think it is fair to say that features wise it ticks all the boxes and should be taken very seriously if you are looking for a new headphone amp. How does it sound? well I used my Beyerdynamic T1’s with it and I have to say the thing that hits you first is how smooth and natural it sounds, all the detail and dynamics are there but it just sounds so right, with the super comfy T1’s on this is a system you really could get lost in for hours, there is a richness and effortless that just lets the music flow, it probably isn’t the most insightful amp I have heard like say the Bryston BHA-1 but it is most definitely one of the most musical, so it really does depend what presentation you are looking for, it is priced at £1299.

You can find more info below and a few pictures, please feel free to get in touch to give the A2 a try with a selection of the best headphones currently available today.

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/beyerdynamic/beyerdynamic-a-2-headphone-amplifier

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF8057_zpsbf882d3b.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF8057_zpsbf882d3b.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF8059_zpsc4199a88.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF8059_zpsc4199a88.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF8060_zps5da40e09.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF8060_zps5da40e09.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF8065_zps0440d91a.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF8065_zps0440d91a.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF8067_zps3ac2841a.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF8067_zps3ac2841a.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF8068_zpsffafb8bd.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF8068_zpsffafb8bd.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF8070_zpsd7ede238.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF8070_zpsd7ede238.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF8072_zps05d9da3d.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF8072_zps05d9da3d.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF8074_zpsa2d6989f.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF8074_zpsa2d6989f.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF8076_zpsf07993bd.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF8076_zpsf07993bd.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
23-08-2014, 15:13
http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/Highendheadphones-showroom-banner_zps59ae9f23.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/Highendheadphones-showroom-banner_zps59ae9f23.jpg.html')

Hi Everyone,

A couple of dates for everyones diary’s, the first is Saturday September 27th which is our new shop launch for Highend Headphones, all being well it will all be kitted out and up and running by then as there still seems so much to do but now that the floor is down and the security all finished it is just a matter of getting all the furniture in place and plugging everything in, it seems to have taken ages to get this far so both myself and Wendy can’t wait to open the doors to everyone.

Many of the manufacturer’s will be on hand to answer and questions and help run the event, also for one day only we will be offering 10% off any headphones, amps, dacs or cables that are bought at the launch event so a great time to save a few pounds.

Also in our smaller demo room Final Audio Design will be running workshops where you can build your own Heaven II earphones, this has never been done before outside of Japan where it always proves to be a a massive success. The Heaven II’s get great reviews and by building them yourselves you can tune the bass to a response that suits you, these will be limited in numbers so we may have to to a first come first served basis, more news to follow on this.

Both Wendy and myself are really looking forward to putting Highend Headphones out there as there really is no one doing Headphones like this in the UK where you can come and try all the best headphones and amps all under one roof, in a beautiful setting with no pressure sales, just sit back, relax and choose the right headphones for you.

We will have refreshments throughout the day with croissants and coffee for the early risers and nibbles throughout the rest of the day.

If you are planning to come along please feel free to let me know at paul@highendheadphones.co.uk, look forward to seeing you on the 27th!

Headzone @ The National Audio Show September 21st/22nd!

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/headzones-image_zps850e7411.jpg ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/headzones-image_zps850e7411.jpg.html')

We certainly don’t like to make life easy for ourselves as the week before our new shop launch we are packing up Highend Headphones and taking it all to the National Audio Show at Whittlebury Hall over the weekend of September 21st and 22nd as we take over the whole of the ‘Headzone’ Hall.

This is a brilliant audio show that I have attended for the last few years but this year we have been in discussion with the organisers for some time to taking the Headzone area to the next level, so there are going to be 12 stands that we are going to fill with the help of the manufacturers that have offered their support, we will be taking all the brands we represent but the below will have their own stands -


Fostex - Showing the new TH-500’s along with the TH-600’s and TH-900’s
Ultrasone - Showing the awesome Edition 5, Only 20 pairs available in the UK + the rest of their range
OPPO - With the new PM-2 Headphones along with the PM-1 and HA-1.
Chord - Showing the amazing little Hugo, this product really is a game changer
Grado - With the full range of their new ‘e’ Series of headphones
Audeze - Showing their complete range of LCD-2’s, LCD-3’s, LCD-X’s and LCD-XC’s
Astell&Kern - Bringing along the best portable players in the world with the AK100 II, AK120 II and AK240
Atlas Cables with Aedle Headphones - running 4 identical rigs showing the difference cables make in a highend rig by swapping over different cable ranges.

Plus Highend Headphones will have a large part of the display area to represent all the other brands like, Stax, HiFiMan, Beyerdynamic, Abyss, Sennheiser, Final Audio Design, McIntosh, Trilogy, Burson and Bryston + others so it is certainly going to be a week getting set up for this one. The Headzone area has now been moved into the Brooklands Suite which is right near the main entrance so very easy to find this year, please see the floor plan below to where to find us -

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/ScreenShot2014-08-23at141216_zps34426277.png ('http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/ScreenShot2014-08-23at141216_zps34426277.png.html')

Also for any purchases at the show we have worked with everyone to be able to offer 10% off for anything purchased at the show, if you would like anymore information regarding this please feel free to get in touch.

Please find a link below to the National Audio Shows website below and we hope to see you there.

National Audio Show 2014 | Home Audio Show | Chester Group ('http://www.chestergroup.org/nationalaudioshow/2014')

Chester Group | Leaders in High Performance Home Audio & Future Technology Shows ('http://www.chestergroup.org/nationalaudioshow/2014/news/2014/07/29/highend-headphones-to-sponsor-headzones')

So it looks like September is going to be a very busy month :)

Thanks,

Paul

HiFi Lounge
08-09-2014, 15:53
Hi All,

Just a quick update in between being busy putting furniture together for the new headphone shop launch in a couple of weeks to say that we now have the much anticipated new OPPO PM-2 headphones on permanent demo.

I think it is fair to say that the OPPO PM-1’s have been extremely well received and really bought something different to the headphone arena what with being very easy to drive, extremely comfortable and offering a very insightful, detailed and clean sound whilst retaining a little warmth, the beauty of using planar drivers.

So how will the PM-2 compare being that they are £400 cheaper and uses the same drivers as the PM-1, well sonically they are quite similar but there is just a tad more refinement and control with the PM-1 which doesn’t take anything away from the PM-2 as a £400 saving is not to be sniffed at, a lot of the saving has been made by using cheaper materials, a cheaper cable and not providing the luxury wooden box with them.

Please see below for the key differences between the OPPO PM-1 and PM-2 Headphones -

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-09-08at154055_zps629d7616.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-09-08at154055_zps629d7616.png.html)

If you’d like to come in to try the new OPPO PM-2’s please feel free to get in touch to book an appointment.

Below is more info on our website and a few pictures taken earlier -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/oppo/oppo-pm-2-planar-magnetic-headphones

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8095_zps6ea15a27.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8095_zps6ea15a27.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8096_zps25aecf4a.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8096_zps25aecf4a.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8097_zps069cb242.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8097_zps069cb242.jpg.html)

OPPO PM-1 (right) v PM-2

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8099_zps80cc5abe.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8099_zps80cc5abe.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8103_zps796afb14.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8103_zps796afb14.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
15-09-2014, 13:48
Hi Everyone,

This is just a quick post to say that I have just got notification from the HiFiMan UK Distributor that the much anticipated HiFiMan HE-400i’s are now in the country and are available to buy from today, ready for immediate despatch, now I haven’t heard them but Mark, the distributor, was quite blown away when I spoke to him this morning so it certainly sounds like they are quite a special headphone, especially at that price point.

Now I can honestly say that I have never had so many enquiries about a single headphone before as I have with the HE-400i’s so with the limited numbers available from this shipment I don’t expect them to be around for long, the good news is that Highend Headphones have managed to secure exclusive rights for this week up till the National Audio Show this weekend, where we will have the first UK showing of the HE-400i’s.

So if you would like to guarantee a pair which can be shipped direct to you from the distributor on a next day service then please feel free to ring 01767 448121 to place your order, without trying to sound too much like a salesman, I really can’t see this initial shipment lasting past the weekend.

They are priced at £360 + £10 shipping if required, please find more details in the link below -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/hifiman/hifiman-he-400i-headphones

Below are a few quick pictures that were mailed over to me from the Distributor as he was amazed at the level of packaging and overall quality for a headphone at this price point.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/SDC10314_zps67953f89.jpeg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/SDC10314_zps67953f89.jpeg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/SDC10315_zpsbb988d73.jpeg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/SDC10315_zpsbb988d73.jpeg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/SDC10316_zps9a797de5.jpeg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/SDC10316_zps9a797de5.jpeg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
16-09-2014, 08:29
Hi All,

Now I have to admit that until last Friday I had never heard of the Obravo HAMT-1 headphones but when Ricardo from Absolute Sounds came in last Friday saying that he had found a new headphone that he thought was amazing, well I just had to have a listen.

Where the HAMT-1 stands on its own is that it uses Air Motion Transformer technology, or AMT for short, for the tweeter, this is considered by many speaker manufacturer’s to be the best tweeter technology available but as I understand it this technology can only be used for tweeters so the HAMT-1 uses a more standard dynamic driver for bass duties, so now along with Electrostatic, Planar Magnetic and Dynamic headphones we have a 4th technology enter the headphone arena, needless to say I couldn’t wait to strap them on my head for a listen.

First off as seems the case with higher end headphones nowadays, they come presented in a nice cloth bag which is wrapped round a very solid flight case type carry case, once you open the case you can’t help but be impressed with the overall style of these headphones, they are certainly unique with a hint of Abyss about them, once on they sit quite snug and are very comfortable, the only 2 negative comments I would make so far is that I would like the cable to be longer than the 1m supplied and also I really feel that a headphone at this price point, around £1500, should come with a meatier cable and with a 6.3mm jack as opposed to the 3.5mm minijack, although an adaptor is supplied.

So how do they sound? very different is the word, the HAMT-1 definitely brings a different presentation to the table, I have to admit that initially I was a little underwhelmed but I have a feeling that these examples are brand new out of the box as after about an hour of listening I found them getting better and better so I am leaving them running today so I can have another listen tonight. From my initial listen the vocal seemed very clean and neutral but where these headphones really win is on bass weight and drive, they have a real solid punch which is tight and controlled, I compared them directly against the Audeze LCD-X’s and the HAMT-1 offered a far fuller bass presentation with real power at the bottom end, I am expecting when I re-visit them tonight after running them all day that the mid will have filled out a little.

These are not a Sennheiser HD800 as they offer a slightly more laid back presentation overall with more clout at the bottom but I do have to say that after spending a couple of hours listening last night that I can’t wait to re-visit them tonight to see how they perform after getting 24 hours on them as they definitely offer a different alternative to what is already out there in the headphone market and that can only be a good thing.

We have exclusive rights on the HAMT-1 for the first month on sale in the UK and will have the only pair available at the moment on show at the National Audio Show’s Headzone this weekend plus we will have them on demo at our Highend Headphone shop launch on 27th September, so please pop by and say hello and give the HAMT-1 a listen as I will be interested to get other peoples thoughts.

Please see some pictures below and a link to Obravo’s website -

http://www.obravo-global.com/Product/overview.aspx?id=24

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8114_zpsb9a7ad4f.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8114_zpsb9a7ad4f.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8115_zps687bd27e.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8115_zps687bd27e.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8121_zps2177d2cd.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8121_zps2177d2cd.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8123_zps447035b6.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8123_zps447035b6.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8130_zpsce796143.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8130_zpsce796143.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8134_zpsbf113bbb.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8134_zpsbf113bbb.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8135_zpse2fcb9f1.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8135_zpse2fcb9f1.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8142_zpsb0bbd726.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8142_zpsb0bbd726.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8143_zps68522c35.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8143_zps68522c35.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8144_zps1530f045.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8144_zps1530f045.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/HAMT-1-1forweb_zps7379126e.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/HAMT-1-1forweb_zps7379126e.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/HAMT-1-_hi-res-02_zpse46dfc36.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/HAMT-1-_hi-res-02_zpse46dfc36.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

YNWaN
16-09-2014, 08:40
Those look very cool - have a slightly 'steampunk' quality about them :) - will they be at the Whittlebury show this weekend?

HiFi Lounge
17-09-2014, 07:51
Those look very cool - have a slightly 'steampunk' quality about them :) - will they be at the Whittlebury show this weekend?

Hi YNWan, yes they do look pretty cool don't they.

Yes we will be taking them to Whittlebury, been busy running them in for the last couple of days, they are sounding better all the time :-)

HiFi Lounge
18-09-2014, 10:59
Hi All,

It has been a bit of a frantic week trying to get everything organised ready for the National Audio Show this weekend but we are nearly there.
After taking a big HiFi rig to last years National Audio show the idea this year was to to just take a few headphones and amps, the trouble is over the last few months that idea has grown to the point that we are now pretty much running the whole headphone area at the show, below is a picture I have just taken of all the amps we are taking and this is without all the headphones, really do think we are going to need a bigger van -

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8147_zpsf68aa7b7.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8147_zpsf68aa7b7.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8148_zpsd43ce502.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF8148_zpsd43ce502.jpg.html)

We have also now got the 4 of the below banners just arrived that we will be using to help decorate the Headzone at NAS14-

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0774_zps87cc86fb.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0774_zps87cc86fb.jpg.html)

Regarding the Highend Headphone shop launch next Saturday 27th we have now been running the below ads in HiFi News and HiFi Choice to hopefully get the word out there + we will be giving these out at the show -

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-09-18at102658_zps7ffeb3ab.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-09-18at102658_zps7ffeb3ab.png.html)

And finally, Wendy is heading over to a local artist’s house this morning, who also happens to be a customer, to choose 2 of his paintings to hang on the wall of the new main showroom and Steven who has done all our art in HiFi lounge next week will be painting the below in the entrance to Highend Headphones. So as you can see the last few weeks have been consumed with headphones but I can’t wait for this weekend for the show and next weekend to finally open the doors to the Highend Headphones showroom and share with everyone what we seem to have been planning for months now -

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/staxidea_zps07dbf08f.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/staxidea_zps07dbf08f.jpg.html)

Hope to see you at one or both of the following 2 events.

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
25-09-2014, 07:56
Hi Everyone,

I’m a bit late posting this but it took a while to catch up after showing at the National Audio show at the weekend, but the good news it that we pulled it off, after what seemed like months of planning I’m pleased to say that it all went off pretty smoothly and we’ve had some great feedback since the show which is great news, so I guess that means that Highend Headphones is now out there as a real company :-)

Firstly I’d like to thank three guys who started off as customers and have become friends for helping run the stand, first a big up to Ross for helping set up on the Friday and help run the stand on both days, who knew he was such a good salesman, especially when it came to Stax, and also a big thanks to Ady and Kyri for all their efforts at the weekend, thrown in totally at the deep end but they both took to it like a duck to water, we really wouldn’t have coped without their help, thanks guys, also a big thanks to my nephew Sean and his girlfriend Sophie for making sure everyone got a leaflet when they walked in the entrance and for general promotion duties, what a team :-)

Finally I’d like to thank all the manufacturer’s who supported us by taking space in the Headzone under the Highend Headphones banner, so thanks to Chord Electronics, Audeze, Astell&Kern, Grado, Atlas Cables, Aedle, OPPO, Ultrasone and Fostex for all your efforts.

So in the end it was extremely hard work, from squeezing everything into the van, how taking a few headphones turned into what we ended up doing I’m still not sure, to setting up, running the stand and breaking it all down at the end of Sunday, but it was all very rewarding and great fun.

It all went reasonably smoothly, it did take a while to get 20+ amps running from 4 sources , at one point I really did think that I had bitten off more than I could chew but at the last minute, well around 9.30pm on Friday it all came together. The only real issue we had was that we went in on Saturday morning and the credit card machine had a critical failure over night but fair play to Worldpay as they sent a guy out with a new machine within 3 hours who stayed to get it all working and we were back up and running by midday, great service.

Here is a couple of blogs from Chris Martens from HiFi+ regarding Headzone this year -

http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/headzones-at-the-national-audio-show-2014-part-1/

http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/headzones-at-the-national-audio-show-2014-part-2/

Anyway thanks again to everyone, look forward to doing it all again next year, below are a few pics of our adventures at the weekend -

A week before the show we went for a quick look

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/1_zpsce85c0da.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/1_zpsce85c0da.jpg.html)

Off we go.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/2_zps21325610.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/2_zps21325610.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/3_zps87a39cfd.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/3_zps87a39cfd.jpg.html)

Time to get busy.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/4_zps35ce0370.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/4_zps35ce0370.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/5_zpsa67f3f69.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/5_zpsa67f3f69.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/6_zpsa2b92976.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/6_zpsa2b92976.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/7_zpsb5155c08.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/7_zpsb5155c08.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/8_zps14a1ba9c.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/8_zps14a1ba9c.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/9_zps19a65c31.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/9_zps19a65c31.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/13_zps71f0859e.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/13_zps71f0859e.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/14_zpsb1dfed98.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/14_zpsb1dfed98.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/12_zps4b3e01dd.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/12_zps4b3e01dd.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/10_zpsa2ba595d.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/10_zpsa2ba595d.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/11_zps0d215450.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/11_zps0d215450.jpg.html)

Let the show begin.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/16_zpsa637d279.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/16_zpsa637d279.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/17_zps38611da5.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/17_zps38611da5.jpg.html)

In the blink of an eye it was all over!

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/18_zps29d905b8.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/18_zps29d905b8.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/19_zpsac731f60.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/19_zpsac731f60.jpg.html)

What a team, minus Kyri, and still smiling :-)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/20_zpsc77acbfd.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/20_zpsc77acbfd.jpg.html)

So now it is just the small task of carrying on setting up the Highend Headphone shop in readiness for the launch on Saturday, still so much to do.

Cheers,

Paul.

HiFi Lounge
26-09-2014, 07:53
Hi All,

Just a quick blog to say that we are sailing pretty close to the wind regarding the launch party tomorrow for our new Highend Headphones showroom but after a week of 10pm finishes it really is all starting to all come together and the end is in sight, I have to say that it is really looking pretty good.

I’ll keep this short for a change as really need to get back over there and get everything working, we did have one scare as for some reason the power sockets for all the amps kept blowing a fuse, I have been testing them over the last couple of days and they seem ok at the moment so fingers crossed.

Anyway look forward to seeing some of you tomorrow, we will have croissants and coffee for breakfast followed by nibbles around lunchtime, also don’t forget that for any headphone related purchases tomorrow there will be 10% off to celebrate our launch. I have actually decided to carry the discount on till Friday 3rd of October for anyone who can’t make the launch or would like to come in for some critical listening when it isn’t an open day.

Below are a couple of pics of the work in progress -

Amp testing earlier in the week.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/photo1_zpsb0bb7c90.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/photo1_zpsb0bb7c90.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/photo2_zpsf0f64757.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/photo2_zpsf0f64757.jpg.html)

This was yesterday with a pretty awesome surprise being painted by our artist friend Stephen Hill at the entrance.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0820_zps34dde587.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0820_zps34dde587.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0821_zpsbaec2a64.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0821_zpsbaec2a64.jpg.html)

Hope to see you tomorrow.
Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
02-10-2014, 14:05
Hi Everyone,

It has taken a little while to post this, it has been a busy few days, but both Wendy and myself wanted to say a huge thanks to everyone who came along to the launch of our new shop ‘Highend Headphones’ and helped make it such a special and fun day, as ever it was great to see so many familiar and new faces.

We’d also like to thanks Shaun who came along from KS Distribution and ran the Final Audio Design workshop where customers could build their own Final Audio Design in ears which proved to be very successful, it involved a little patience and a tube of glue so I decided to stay away but everyone else were really happy with the results.

It took a few late nights last week to get it ready and my main concern was that we hadn’t tested the network to get music to all the amps but luckily it held out until the end of the day when it got a little flaky and is still playing up today but at least we got through the launch event :-) Some more investigating needed later.

We’ve just got the smaller room to kit out now which we will use as a portable systems room for Astell&Kern, Hugo etc with in-ears and cheaper headphones. Once that is done we will start to think of some open day ideas, we have been talking to Chord Electronics about perhaps doing a Hugo event later this year or maybe early next year so look out for that one, and also I like the idea of a headphone listening party where we hook up 20+ amps and run over 20 pairs of headphones with everyone listening to the same classic albums, just an idea, but could be fun.

So a big thanks again and now we are open if anyone would like to explore how fantastic listening to music on great cans can sound please get in touch to arrange a demo and please keep an eye on the Highend Headphones website as we are constantly looking at new and exciting developments in the headphone arena.

www.highendheadphones.co.uk

Please find a few pictures from the event below -

This is the favourite part of the new shop :-)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/2_zpse40988ec.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/2_zpse40988ec.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/1_zps71b47d47.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/1_zps71b47d47.jpg.html)

Final Audio Design Workshop Proved Very Popular.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/4_zpsf1cff714.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/4_zpsf1cff714.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/5_zpsafc53eab.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/5_zpsafc53eab.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/6_zps1f4d7135.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/6_zps1f4d7135.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/7_zpse6332922.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/7_zpse6332922.jpg.html)

And in the main room it was starting to get busy.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/8_zpsc7fa3d8d.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/8_zpsc7fa3d8d.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/10_zps38b1272a.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/10_zps38b1272a.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/11_zps3d532b87.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/11_zps3d532b87.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/12_zps67ab8679.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/12_zps67ab8679.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/13_zps9b1b824e.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/13_zps9b1b824e.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/14_zpsafe2b671.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/14_zpsafe2b671.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/15_zpsac8f1f5a.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/15_zpsac8f1f5a.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/16_zps22abe660.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/16_zps22abe660.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/17_zpsf8bb9209.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/17_zpsf8bb9209.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/18_zpsaf4fa851.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/18_zpsaf4fa851.jpg.html)

Champagne anyone?

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/19_zps0882a63d.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/19_zps0882a63d.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/20_zpsf0649228.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/20_zpsf0649228.jpg.html)

And that was that.

Thanks again,

Cheers,

Paul.

HiFi Lounge
04-10-2014, 07:52
Hi All,

Just a quickie to let everyone know that the awesome Chord Hugo is now available in Satin Black plus there is a really nice leather case that is also available in black or tan leather which protects Hugo but also allows you to strap your source device directly to it securely.

The Hugo really is one of those products that doesn’t come along too often that catches everyones imagination and almost over night becomes a huge success, I know that it even Chord were caught out by the demand.

Anyway we have it on permanent demo and personally I couldn’t live without a Hugo in my life and for anyone who loves their music and travels a lot it is the perfect companion plus where it wins also is that it is a brilliant DAC that can sit at the heart of any HiFi system, regardless of value.

We will be holding a Hugo open day in collaboration with Chord in the not too distant future so please keep an eye out for that.

Please find a few pictures and info below, any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch, we do try to carry Hugo’s and cases in stock at all times.

Black Hugo

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/chord/chord-hugo-mobile-dac-headphone-amplifier-in-satin-black

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ChordHugowhiteBGC_zps3873da41.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ChordHugowhiteBGC_zps3873da41.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ChordHugowhiteBGA_zps0955049b.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ChordHugowhiteBGA_zps0955049b.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ChordHugowhiteBGB_zps8b9c6dc0.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ChordHugowhiteBGB_zps8b9c6dc0.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/HugoBlackcasewhite_zps7a3ba502.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/HugoBlackcasewhite_zps7a3ba502.jpg.html)

Leather Case

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/chord-hugo-leather-case

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Chord-2743_v2_zps18730796.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Chord-2743_v2_zps18730796.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Chord-2751_v2_zps224fb838.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Chord-2751_v2_zps224fb838.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSC_0184_zps69dd054c.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSC_0184_zps69dd054c.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSC_0163_zps78dbed5f.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSC_0163_zps78dbed5f.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSC_0188_zps29f10c30.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSC_0188_zps29f10c30.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSC_0192_zps3a233941.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSC_0192_zps3a233941.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
10-10-2014, 07:35
http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-10-10at073950_zpsc0fb2dfd.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-10-10at073950_zpsc0fb2dfd.png.html)

Hi All,

When I was told about this special edition yesterday I nearly choked on my coffee when I heard the price but now I have had time to look at the package Astell&Kern have put together I actually think that it is a very special package indeed and actually pretty good value for money.

Basically this is a collaboration between Astell&Kern and Blue Note Records to celebrate the record companies 75th Anniversary. There will only be 1000 sets available worldwide with only 10 coming into the UK, the price will be £5000. So now you are thinking the same as me, How Much :-) Where this package really wins other than the Blue AK240, book and nice case is that you also get 75 Blue Note albums in 24 bit on a SD card and individually packed in a special case with the original artwork along with a really nice storage unit to display them in, if you love your Jazz then this really is a very special package.

We are talking about doing an event around this package in the near future so please keep an eye on our website for more details, and if you would like to place an order please feel free to leave a deposit now to make sure that you don’t miss out.

Please find more info and pictures below -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/amplifiers-amp-dacs-for-headphones/astellampkern-ak240-blue-note-special-edition

Astell&Kern + Blue Note Records

Astell&Kern, the leading hi res portable music player that boasts studio sound quality, has announced a special package partnership with Blue Note Records to commemorate the record company’s 75th anniversary in the world of Jazz and Blues.

75 legendary Blue Note jazz albums that have been remastered in the Hi-Res digital format. Especially, five Blue Note albums make their exclusive hi-res audio debuts with this release: Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers’ Mosaic, Tina Brooks’ True Blue, Don Cherry’s Complete Communion, Andrew Hill’s Point Of Departure, and Bobby Hutcherson’s Components.

The gorgeous collection spans Blue Note’s storied history, from Thelonious Monk’s first sessions in 1947 to GRAMMY® Award-winning jazz phenomenon Gregory Porter’s Liquid Spirit. Each album, in high resolution on a microSD card, in an acrylic glass case with original album artwork stacked in a beautiful, decorative tower that can be placed next to your home system for an elegant, luxurious display.

The 75 albums are pre-loaded on the included Astell&Kern AK240 high-resolution audio player, revealing every detail you might not have heard anywhere else, no matter how many times you’ve listened to these albums before.

The lavish collection includes the Blue Note branded Astell&Kern AK240 high-resolution portable audio player, a special hardbound book filled with original album art (front and back cover) for the 75 titles, as well as Richard Havers’ new book, Blue Note: Uncompromising Expression.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-10-10at073611_zps2a3f4622.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-10-10at073611_zps2a3f4622.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-10-10at073622_zpsc1fc193d.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-10-10at073622_zpsc1fc193d.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-10-10at073633_zps5d76476b.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-10-10at073633_zps5d76476b.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-10-10at073532_zpsc877e991.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-10-10at073532_zpsc877e991.png.html)

The Albums

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-10-10at073659_zps6b85dc64.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-10-10at073659_zps6b85dc64.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-10-10at073718_zps71570544.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-10-10at073718_zps71570544.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-10-10at073731_zps1c0dfbff.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-10-10at073731_zps1c0dfbff.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-10-10at073745_zpsb29b2d71.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-10-10at073745_zpsb29b2d71.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-10-10at073756_zps2aef73cc.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ScreenShot2014-10-10at073756_zps2aef73cc.png.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
05-11-2014, 09:12
Hi Everyone,

One of our favourite headphone amps is the Trilogy 933, with its pure single ended Class A design it really does take some beating when it comes to out and out sound quality, the only drawback we can see is that at £1995 it isn’t going to be for everyone, well the good news is that Nic Poulson of Trilogy realises this so he has been working on the 931, which is basically a cut down version of the 933 without the external power supply and is designed without compromise to get as close to the sound quality of the 933 but at a more affordable price.

Nic was in at Highend Headphones a couple of weeks ago and bought the prototype 931 in for us to listen to and the good news is that it really does get remarkably close to the 933 but with a price tag of £895 it is in reach of many more headphone enthusiasts, this really should be a popular amp, especially considering its small form factor being ideal for desktop solutions.

It will be due any time now and there will also be colour options for a small premium which use Maserati paint, I’m quite tempted by a really nice dark blue one for the shop :-)

Anyway if you’d like to experience the 931 don’t hesitate to get in touch so that we can let you know as soon as it is on demo.

Here are a few pictures of it in the standard finish -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/amplifiers-amp-dacs-for-headphones/trilogy-931-amplifier-for-headphones

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0848_zpsf56dfedf.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0848_zpsf56dfedf.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0846_zpsc52c5d31.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0846_zpsc52c5d31.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0847_zpscc80ecea.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0847_zpscc80ecea.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0850_zps949830a6.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0850_zps949830a6.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0852_zpsfa41daea.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0852_zpsfa41daea.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0853_zpsd4cabbfd.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_0853_zpsd4cabbfd.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
26-11-2014, 16:13
Hi Everyone,

I have just been notified that Ultrasone have announced that they will be very shortly be launching the Edition 5 Unlimited headphones, this is particularly exciting news as for those who read my comments regarding the Edition 5 then you’ll know that I was extremely impressed, for me they presented the ultimate closed back headphone and one of the best headphones currently available.

Where the Edition 5 was limited to 555 pairs worldwide the Unlimited, as its name suggests, is well unlimited, the great news is though that they use the same driver technology but instead of costing £3000 they will come in at £1599, they don’t come with the stand or presentation box and the gorgeous wooden cups have been replaced by ruthenium coated cups which look equally as stunning, but if they can sound the same these are going to be a real winner and give some real competition to Audeze’s LCD-XC as the reference closed back headphone at ‘Sensible’ money.

I have ordered my demo pair and they should be with us sometime next week so if you’d like to give them a try please do get in touch to book a demo.

Below are a few pics and a link to the website for more info -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/ultrasone/ultrasone-edition-5-unlimited-headphones

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/Untitled_zps1b1317be.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/Untitled_zps1b1317be.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/Untitled1_zpsd958133a.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/Untitled1_zpsd958133a.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/edition-5-unlimited-4_zps8c39355d.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/edition-5-unlimited-4_zps8c39355d.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/edition-5-unlimited-5_zps4301b33e.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/edition-5-unlimited-5_zps4301b33e.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/edition-5-unlimited-2_zps990eae27.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/edition-5-unlimited-2_zps990eae27.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
04-12-2014, 08:57
http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/HHSenn_zpsf01682ef.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/HHSenn_zpsf01682ef.png.html)

Hi All,

This is just a quick headsup to let anyone know who may be considering buying the Sennheiser HD 800 headphones or either the HDVD 800 or HDVA 600 Sennheiser headphone amps that these hand assembled products will be going up in price due to the increasing cost in raw materials.

These new prices take effect from January 1st 2015 so if you’d like to save a few pounds it may be worth placing the order before the end of the year.

To be honest the HD 800’s are one of my favourite headphones and even at the new price they still offer excellent value for money and are truly a reference headphone.

Please find the new prices below, if you’d like to come in for a demo please get in touch to arrange a time.


HD 800 from £999.99 to £1,099.99 (up £100)
HDVA 600 from £1,199.99 to £1,299.99 (up £100)
HDVD 800 from £1,499.99 to £1,599.99 (up £100)


http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/sennheiser

Thanks,

Paul.

HiFi Lounge
09-12-2014, 17:38
Hi All,

We are big fans of Bursons range of headphone amplifiers at Highend Headphones so when they release a new headphone amp we sit up and take notice, basically the Conductor Virtuoso replaces the Conductor headphone amp which also acted as a DAC and Preamplifier with the Virtuoso offering the same functions.

Burson has significantly upgraded and refined previous generations of the Conductor. There are now a 100-steps of volume control with a new, easy-to-read display. When the Conductor Virtuoso is on the volume indicators appear on the front panel and also this new amp includes a beautifully styled remote control.

There will also be a choice between 2 DAC boards for the Conductor Virtuoso, the Sabre Reference ESS9018, considered by many to be the best DAC chipset currently available and the more analogue sounding Burr Brown PCM 1973, just choose which one you prefer.

We are really looking forward to getting our hands on the new Virtuoso as Burson really do make some of the best headphone amplifiers out there today so this should be pretty special indeed, if you’d like anymore information please don’t hesitate to get in touch, please find a link to it on our website + a few pictures -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/burson-audio/burson-conductor-virtuoso-headphone-amplifier-preamp-dac

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Conductor15-Front-remote1_zps0a6170cd.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Conductor15-Front-remote1_zps0a6170cd.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Conductor15-Knob-right_zpsbf66c052.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Conductor15-Knob-right_zpsbf66c052.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Conductor15-logo_zps4b2e0b76.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Conductor15-logo_zps4b2e0b76.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Conductor15-Knob-top_zpsbbae349c.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Conductor15-Knob-top_zpsbbae349c.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Conductor-15-front-right_zpsf76fffb6.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Conductor-15-front-right_zpsf76fffb6.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Burson-Conductor-Remote-f_zpsa87bc0b9.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Burson-Conductor-Remote-f_zpsa87bc0b9.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Conductor-Virtuoso-3_zpsc16a2c6a.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Conductor-Virtuoso-3_zpsc16a2c6a.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Conductor-Virtuoso-1_zps2eedfe58.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Conductor-Virtuoso-1_zps2eedfe58.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Conductor-Virtuoso-2_zps025de96d.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Conductor-Virtuoso-2_zps025de96d.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Conductor-Virtuoso-5_zps496cb14a.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Conductor-Virtuoso-5_zps496cb14a.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
13-12-2014, 15:57
Hi Everyone,

I guess its fair to say that we have a few headphone amps on demo, all are great but we really do have a special like for the Trilogy 933 headphone amp, so once we heard there was going to be a cheaper version we couldn’t wait to get it on demo, well yesterday the Trilogy 931 was delivered, the first in the country, needless to say that it doesn’t disappoint.

Priced at £895 it really is great value for money, unbeatable I would say under the £1500 price point, making it a bit of a bargain, especially when you consider that it is all hand built in London and that you get a 3 year warranty.

I couldn’t wait to have a listen so as soon as it had warmed up a little I dove in using the Audeze LCD-3’s and Ultrasone Edition 5 Unlimited’s, instantly you notice the similarities with the 933, it offers a very open and airy sound that lets the music flow really nicely but with great control and drive at the bottom end, I would imagine once we have got some hours on it will only get better so I am going to leave it running for a few days and re-visit it next week.

The standard finish is priced at £895, but we went for the beautiful blue finish which cost an extra £175 but looks absolutely stunning and is worth every penny, there will also be yellow and red versions but any colour, as long as a car paint, can be used.

As far as I can see, if you are looking for an analogue headphone amp under £1000, well to be fair probably under £1500 then the 931 is going to be the one to beat, if you’d like to give it a try please feel free to get in touch to arrange a demo.

Please find a few pictures below -

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF3518_zpsc625d3e3.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF3518_zpsc625d3e3.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF3521_zps3e228097.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF3521_zps3e228097.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF3523_zpsa5071658.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF3523_zpsa5071658.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF3528_zps34180578.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF3528_zps34180578.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF3546_zps44b405eb.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF3546_zps44b405eb.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF3533_zps2d140280.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF3533_zps2d140280.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF3545_zps1b677e19.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/DSCF3545_zps1b677e19.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
06-01-2015, 17:32
Hi All,

Another new announcement from CES, HiFiMan have announced their new reference headphones and amplifier, the HE-1000 and EF-1000, details are very sparse at the moment other than both are totally new designs with the headphones being Planar Magnetic design again, I’m guessing they will be tough to drive like the current HE-6’s but speaking from experience, once you get them working they really are a fantastic headphone., I think these are quite a while off yet from general release but I am certainly already looking forward to getting my hands on them.

Below are a couple of links to both products on the website, once I get anymore info I will update these and below are a couple of pictures -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/hifiman/hifiman-he-1000-headphones

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/hifiman-ef-1000-headphone-amplifier

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/ScreenShot2015-01-06at140222_zps43ea2b2c.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/ScreenShot2015-01-06at140222_zps43ea2b2c.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/ScreenShot2015-01-06at151351_zpsb8bbd5d5.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/ScreenShot2015-01-06at151351_zpsb8bbd5d5.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/ScreenShot2015-01-06at151418_zpsd43f339a.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/ScreenShot2015-01-06at151418_zpsd43f339a.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/ScreenShot2015-01-06at151359_zps29b78487.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/ScreenShot2015-01-06at151359_zps29b78487.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/ScreenShot2015-01-06at142033_zps92d230cd.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/ScreenShot2015-01-06at142033_zps92d230cd.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/ScreenShot2015-01-06at151332_zpsdd3af641.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/ScreenShot2015-01-06at151332_zpsdd3af641.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/ScreenShot2015-01-06at151324_zps12598617.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/ScreenShot2015-01-06at151324_zps12598617.png.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
10-01-2015, 09:37
Hi All,

One more bit of major news from this years CES announced this week, along with their range of excellent headphones Audeze are now entering the Headphone Amplifier arena with their new Deckard Headphone amp, it certainly seems well equipped for the price, $699 announced for the US, it is a Class A design with a USB DAC onboard capable of 16 to 32-bits and sampling rates from 44.1kHz to 384kHz + it has one RCA input, it also has 3 gain settings and can be used as a line level pre-amp, so it certainly offer plenty of features for the money.

We have no price or release information yet but I would expect it to come in between £500-£600, all being well we should be getting the new Audeze EL-8 headphones around mid March so hopefully it will be around the same time.

I have added it to our website with more information, I will update this with pricing as soon as I get it + I have updated the EL-8 open and closed back pages with all the latest info -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/audeze/audeze-deckard-headphone-amplifier-dac

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/audeze-el-8-headphones-closed-back

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/audeze-el-8-headphones

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/audeze_deckard_zpse2ec9adc.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/audeze_deckard_zpse2ec9adc.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/ScreenShot2015-01-10at091633_zps9d6fd1a0.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/ScreenShot2015-01-10at091633_zps9d6fd1a0.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/ScreenShot2015-01-10at091735_zpsa0393b8c.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/ScreenShot2015-01-10at091735_zpsa0393b8c.png.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
23-01-2015, 11:56
http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/banner-hh-spl_1_zpsmfckkyfn.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/banner-hh-spl_1_zpsmfckkyfn.jpg.html)

Hi All,

Just a quick one to say that after much request we now have added the SPL range of headphone amps to our line up with the Phonitor 2 on permanent demo with the Mini to follow shortly, not only do they look cool but they use Crossed technology, please see below for more info -

Sound Performance Lab, or SPL for short, are a German Pro Audio company that just happen to make very interesting headphone amps and after many requests from our customers we are now happy to offer them for demo and sale. What makes SPL’s Phonitor Headphone Amps so popular are that they use Crossfeed Technology to replicate speaker performance from a highend headphone amp. SPL developed this mainly for the Pro Audio sector for studio mastering but once headphones enthusiasts tried the Phonitor amps they soon realised that this was also great technology to use in a home headphone system. The logic behind Crossfeed is that fundamentally music listened to on a speaker and headphone rig are presented in different ways as with headphones each ear only hears one channel, whereas with speakers the right ear can hear the left channel and vice versa so with the Phonitor amps you set the amount of Crossfeed + other settings to replicate the speaker experience.

So please feel free to pop into Highend Headphones to try a very different headphone listening experience with a SPL Phonitor Headphone Amplifier partnered with our selection of all the best headphones available today.

Please find a link below for SPL on our website + a few Pictures -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/sound-performance-lab

Phonitor 2

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/p2_silber_front_1500_zpsdzca2bn1.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/p2_silber_front_1500_zpsdzca2bn1.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/phonitor2_links_1500_zpsrytcfu9e.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/phonitor2_links_1500_zpsrytcfu9e.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/p2_silber_seite_1500_zps454qb0x1.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/p2_silber_seite_1500_zps454qb0x1.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/p2_silber_makro1_1500_zps6feaevkp.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/p2_silber_makro1_1500_zps6feaevkp.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/p2_silber_makro2_1500_zpsqyklw7nh.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/p2_silber_makro2_1500_zpsqyklw7nh.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/phonitor2_r_1500_zpsndobhwe5.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/phonitor2_r_1500_zpsndobhwe5.jpg.html)

Phonitor Mini

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/pmini_front_1500_zps5bs2djk2.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/pmini_front_1500_zps5bs2djk2.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/phonitor2_r_1500_zpsndobhwe5.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/phonitor2_r_1500_zpsndobhwe5.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
12-02-2015, 18:47
Hi All,

Well this is most definitely one headphone I just couldn’t resist, especially after listening to them at the Munich Highend Show last year. They are co-developed with Beyerdynamic to recreate that classic McIntosh sound, so expect all the detail to be there but presented in a full, rich and easy to listen to way, also being that these are closed back you haven’t got to worry about any outside noise leaking in and also you won’t upset anyone else in the room.

I have to say that they are beautifully made with one of the best presentation boxes I have yet seen and as a bonus they come with their own McIntosh stand, can’t be bad.

Priced at £1995 they certainly aren’t cheap but I would say these could offer a great alternative to what are currently considered the best closed back out there, the Audeze LCD-XC’s, to be fair though they both offer very different presentations. If you are anything like me and have always wanted to own McIntosh equipment this could be a great was to get into the brand.

We are running them in as we speak then I will give them a good listen, please find a link to the MHP1000 headphones on our website-

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/headphones/mcintosh-mhp1000-headphones

For me it is always a big occasion when a new piece of McIntosh enters the building and is always worthy of some unboxing pictures, please see below and feel free to come in to listen to quite possibly the best closed back headphone now available.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/DSCF3838_zpsmkd1hngz.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/DSCF3838_zpsmkd1hngz.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/DSCF3845_zpsf4lwdcv2.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/DSCF3845_zpsf4lwdcv2.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/DSCF3851_zpsrdkp0hdt.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/DSCF3851_zpsrdkp0hdt.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/DSCF3852_zpsotqqn9kw.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/DSCF3852_zpsotqqn9kw.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/DSCF3854_zpsxkcsz3uf.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/DSCF3854_zpsxkcsz3uf.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/DSCF3856_zps3ok2x8dw.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/DSCF3856_zps3ok2x8dw.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/DSCF3858_zpstmvgq6e7.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/DSCF3858_zpstmvgq6e7.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/DSCF3860_zpszenfivjz.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/DSCF3860_zpszenfivjz.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/DSCF3864_zps8ym2cvlc.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/DSCF3864_zps8ym2cvlc.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/DSCF3865_zpsn6dguw19.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/DSCF3865_zpsn6dguw19.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/DSCF3867_zps0iz67yen.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/DSCF3867_zps0iz67yen.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/DSCF3870_zpsj7dankdv.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/DSCF3870_zpsj7dankdv.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/DSCF3872_zpsaboldbsm.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/DSCF3872_zpsaboldbsm.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/DSCF3874_zpsr2jk3vja.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/DSCF3874_zpsr2jk3vja.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/DSCF3882_zpspupj3acz.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/DSCF3882_zpspupj3acz.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/DSCF3886_zpsas6n0cby.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/DSCF3886_zpsas6n0cby.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/DSCF3887_zpsewzexrw0.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/DSCF3887_zpsewzexrw0.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
19-02-2015, 10:13
Hi All,

We had the Journalist Ed Selley come into Highend Headphones the other day to do a dealer visit article for HiFi Choice which hopefully will be in the next issue, he took this rather cool picture of one of the systems he is writing about, our McIntosh setup being fed by a Naim Audio ND5 XS.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/f89982c8-61b0-4c9c-a506-a3c380e813bc_zpszs5pviyo.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/f89982c8-61b0-4c9c-a506-a3c380e813bc_zpszs5pviyo.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
27-02-2015, 19:35
Hi All,

Just a quick update regarding the much anticipated OPPO HA-2 portable headphone amplifier and PM-3 headphones, I am please to say that yesterday we received our HA-2’s, I can see this being extremely popular as it seems such great value for only £259, it has that quality feel to it that OPPO understand so well, when you are holding it you would think it was a £500+ product and comes beautifully packed as all OPPO product do.

The perfect partners for the HA-2 are bound to be the new closed back OPPO PM-3 headphones, unfortunately these have been delayed by a couple of weeks so should be with us and on demo around mid March, this should prove a pretty potent portable system for very reasonable money.

I won’t go in to too much detail regarding specs but I have updated the website with all the information if you’d like to find out more, thanks.

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/oppo/oppo-ha-2-portable-headphone-amplifier

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/oppo-pm-3-planar-magnetic-headphones

OPPO HA-2 Unboxing

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF3954_zpsurezn02l.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF3954_zpsurezn02l.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF3955_zpsxtupj0lj.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF3955_zpsxtupj0lj.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF3957_zpsjlcazncv.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF3957_zpsjlcazncv.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF3961_zpsjosv84i5.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF3961_zpsjosv84i5.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF3964_zpsuheuzmzb.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF3964_zpsuheuzmzb.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF3966_zpsmefd0ipa.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF3966_zpsmefd0ipa.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/IMG_7728_zpsplreqhxz.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/IMG_7728_zpsplreqhxz.jpg.html)

OPPO PM-3 Headphones

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/PM-3%20Combo_zpslfu1vz5p.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/PM-3%20Combo_zpslfu1vz5p.png.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
11-03-2015, 15:27
Hi All,

I promised to all the enquiries that we have had regarding the PM-3’s that I would blog the minute that the they came through the door, well I will keep this quick but they have just arrived, so I dropped everything and took a few quick pictures.

Wendy has taken them straight round to our headphone shop to get them running in ready for all the demo’s that are booked, along with the Audeze EL-8’s that are due any day now I have never known any other headphones to get this much interest.

Being OPPO it goes without saying that the PM-3’s come beautifully packed and look to be very well made and comfortable, you also get 4 different cables in the box which should cover all kinds of different devices that the PM-3’s could be connected to, Priced at £349 they look to be incredible value, anyway I’ll shut up and upload some pictures, please feel free to book to come in for a demo, thanks.

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/oppo/oppo-pm-3-planar-magnetic-headphones

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF4022_zpsomiplteh.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF4022_zpsomiplteh.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF4025_zpsg36ezn4q.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF4025_zpsg36ezn4q.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF4030_zpsatutrgbw.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF4030_zpsatutrgbw.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF4033_zpsboewwijj.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF4033_zpsboewwijj.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF4035_zpsbdc259wx.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF4035_zpsbdc259wx.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF4038_zpsrssebufe.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF4038_zpsrssebufe.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF4040_zpsteczqy58.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF4040_zpsteczqy58.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/DSCF4042_zpskadvosog.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/DSCF4042_zpskadvosog.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/IMG_1174_zpsefkfd9qp.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/IMG_1174_zpsefkfd9qp.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
17-03-2015, 12:03
Hi All,

Just a quick blog to say that our Highend Headphones shop is featured in this months (April Cover Date) HiFi Choice with a really great 4 page article written by Ed Selley starting on page 90.

Basically we put 3 Highend Systems together to show what we consider to be 3 of the best currently available today, covering open and closed back headphones with planar, dynamic and electrostatic drivers from brands such as Abyss, Stax and McIntosh with a variety of amps and dacs.

So I would say that it is definitely worth picking up a copy this month if you don’t normally, the only questionable piece in the article is that Wendy and myself are titled as ‘Experts’ not too sure about that :-) It’s definitely a great read though.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/NEWS/IMG_1187_zpskdjfrxeg.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/NEWS/IMG_1187_zpskdjfrxeg.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
27-04-2015, 14:42
Hi all,

I think it is fair to say that Astell&Kern have been focusing on the higher end of the portable market since they first launched their range a couple of years ago but with the imminent launch of their new AK Jr player they will well and truly have all the bases covered as this new and smaller AK player is going to be priced at a very competitive £399.

It pretty much covers the same bases as its bigger brothers, so it can play 24/192 files and DSD 2.8Mhz and can also double up as a USB DAC when connected to a computer.

It uses a Wolfson DAC and has 64GB’s of internal storage which can be expanded to 128GB’s with a MicroSD card, it also offers a 3.1 inch touchscreen, aluminium case and a very slimline design which is no bigger than a current iPhone, I can see this being very popular indeed.

Needless to say that we have our demo model on order and it is expected to be available towards the end of May, so not too long to wait.

Please find more information below on our website and a few pictures -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/astell-and-kern/astellampkern-ak-jr-portable-player

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/Screen%20Shot%202015-04-25%20at%2009.28.24_zpsmzidqx8p.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/Screen%20Shot%202015-04-25%20at%2009.28.24_zpsmzidqx8p.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/Screen%20Shot%202015-04-25%20at%2009.29.08_zpsso0hqbmp.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/Screen%20Shot%202015-04-25%20at%2009.29.08_zpsso0hqbmp.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/Screen%20Shot%202015-04-25%20at%2010.25.27_zpsergssfj3.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/Screen%20Shot%202015-04-25%20at%2010.25.27_zpsergssfj3.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/Screen%20Shot%202015-04-25%20at%2009.29.59_zpskbzejg4w.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/Screen%20Shot%202015-04-25%20at%2009.29.59_zpskbzejg4w.png.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
30-04-2015, 12:11
Hi All,

Just a real quickie to let everyone know that Grado have given their popular GR10 and GR8 in-ears the ‘e’ treatment to now become the GR10e and GR8e in-earphones.

The GR10e’s are available now with the GR8e’s to follow shortly, I have ordered a pair of GR10e’s for demo if anyone would like to come and have a listen.

Lifted from Grado’s website is description of the improvements bought to these new models -

‘Learning never ends and the GR10e is a result of a constant desire to look at designs and materials and improve upon them. A higher level of precision and new materials allows for the performance of the GR10e to add frequency extension in both the high and low ranges as well as reducing distortion.’

Links to both models on our website -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/in-earphones/grado-gr8e-in-earphones

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/grado-gr10e-in-earphones

Grado GR8e In-Ears

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/gr8e_zpsxpin4hrq.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/gr8e_zpsxpin4hrq.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/16637422031_1dae92121a_b_zps10wlryud.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/16637422031_1dae92121a_b_zps10wlryud.jpg.html)

Grado GR10e In-Ears

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/gr10e_zpsfojgqkzy.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/gr10e_zpsfojgqkzy.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/16637845142_be3142f239_b_zpsaimfixup.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/16637845142_be3142f239_b_zpsaimfixup.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
30-04-2015, 16:11
Hi All,

A real quick one this but I have just heard that at long last the much anticipated Audeze EL-8 Closed back headphones will be with us tomorrow :-)

We have a few pairs of spare stock so if you’d like to grab a pair before they sell out please feel free to give us a ring and we can then send out or please feel free to collect.

Regarding the Audeze Deckard Headphone Amp, that is now due at the end of May, we have spent quite a bit of time listening to the Deckard though and it is extremely good, especially for the price so will be well worth the wait.

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/audeze

Cheers,

Paul.

HiFi Lounge
07-05-2015, 11:02
http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/_bild_1418731125_zpsy2wfacvc.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/_bild_1418731125_zpsy2wfacvc.jpg.html)

Hi All,

I have to admit that when it comes to headphones I have a soft spot for Stax as they really do offer something totally unique in the headphone arena, or should I say earspeaker arena. They offer a delicacy, speed and insight into the recording that most other headphones can only dream off, OK they are not perfect and you probably wouldn’t use them for heavy metal or dance music but with the most types of music they really do shine.

So the point of this blog is to announce the new SRS-5170 Kimik Stax system which basically comprises of the Stax SR-507 Earspeakers, the top of the range Lambda Earspeaker, matched with the SRM-006tS Energiser which has had the Kimik treatment. When a Stax Energiser is Kimik’d the standard valves are removed and replaced with high quality, cryogenically treated 6FQ7 tubes which also have E.A.T. Tube dampers fitted which achieve a lowering of the background noise thereby giving a more vivid presentation, then the Energiser is carefully set up with the bias, offset and balance checked using a special Stax test meter, so once all these upgrades are completed the Energiser gives an increase in performance across the full audio spectrum resulting in getting more from the 507′s.

Until recently buying the standard energiser with a pair of 507′s would have cost £2040 but with this new package you get the Kimik upgraded energiser and 507′s for £1895 making this a very good value highend headphone setup, just add a source and off you go.

We have this system on permanent demo if you’d like to come in for a listen, please find more information below -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/headphones/stax-srs-5170-earspeaker-system

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/02_zpsc2ob0tez.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/02_zpsc2ob0tez.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/245_zpsr6r3wohg.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/245_zpsr6r3wohg.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
07-05-2015, 15:11
Hi Everyone,

I think it is fair to say that we get our fair share of toys to play with in here but there is one product that I have eagerly been waiting for since announced a few months ago, the Chord Hugo TT. Well a courier has just delivered our demo model so I downed tools straight away and took a few pictures, it is now warming up nicely upstairs in our demo room ready for a good listen later, then it may well find its way into my van to take it home tonight for further testing :-)

I’m pretty confident that this is one product that will be finding its way permanently into my home HiFi Setup as I can use it to feed my processor for digital music via an Aurender, via its balanced outputs it can feed a Stax Energiser + it can run a conventional set of headphones also like the Audeze LCD-3′s which Wendy would like for her headphone rig, so a very versatile piece of kit.

I have to say that it is beautifully built with a very solid feel thanks to its military grade aluminium chassis which sits perfectly with the Aurender servers, it really does ooze quality just like its smaller brother but this does feel like Hugo has grown up with proper full size inputs, a gorgeous remote, smooth volume control, it has definitely been worth the wait.

We will have a Hugo TT on permanent demo and at the moment we have 1 x Silver model in stock ready to go if anyone would like to jump the queue as these are sure to have a long’ish waiting list.

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/chord/chord-hugo-tt-desktop-dac-headphone-amplifier

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1304_zpsskj8qmom.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1304_zpsskj8qmom.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1306_zps0plzpoly.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1306_zps0plzpoly.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1307_zpszln7nid2.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1307_zpszln7nid2.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1308_zpskaefkzeq.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1308_zpskaefkzeq.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1309_zpsa7cmqz6i.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1309_zpsa7cmqz6i.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1310_zpshhltep3y.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1310_zpshhltep3y.jpg.html)

The Perfect Partners, Hugo TT with Aurender X100L

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1311_zpsyl0uq9ja.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1311_zpsyl0uq9ja.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1312_zpsbdkjgd1z.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1312_zpsbdkjgd1z.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
15-05-2015, 14:50
Hi All,

There is certainly no stopping Astell&Kern at the moment as at Munich yesterday they announced their new flagship portable player, the AK380, details are very scarce at the moment, other than what I have got from their website, please see below, more news as we get it, I’d imagine you won’t get any change from £3000 -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/astell-and-kern/astellampkern-ak380-dual-dac-portable-player

Features:


32bit/384kHz Bit to Bit Playback
Native DSD Playback
20Band EQ/0.1dB steps
VCXO Reference Clock(200 Femto Seconds)
Extendible Docking connector
AK Connect App
Metal-touch sensor Home button
General Specifications:


http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/Screen%20Shot%202015-05-15%20at%2013.09.15_zpskpp9c3by.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/Screen%20Shot%202015-05-15%20at%2013.09.15_zpskpp9c3by.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/Screen%20Shot%202015-05-15%20at%2013.10.49_zpsbnayprsi.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/Screen%20Shot%202015-05-15%20at%2013.10.49_zpsbnayprsi.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/Screen%20Shot%202015-05-15%20at%2013.09.40_zpsdqxvrhur.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/Screen%20Shot%202015-05-15%20at%2013.09.40_zpsdqxvrhur.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/Screen%20Shot%202015-05-15%20at%2013.09.49_zpsdtp8ggss.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/Screen%20Shot%202015-05-15%20at%2013.09.49_zpsdtp8ggss.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/Screen%20Shot%202015-05-15%20at%2013.09.33_zpswy2b8f4w.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/Screen%20Shot%202015-05-15%20at%2013.09.33_zpswy2b8f4w.png.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/Screen%20Shot%202015-05-15%20at%2013.09.59_zpsgbszyasq.png (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/Screen%20Shot%202015-05-15%20at%2013.09.59_zpsgbszyasq.png.html)

The Balanced Dock Looks Interesting

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/New%20Kit/11225719_661548620643375_3605359545494274827_n_zps zwzpghvh.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/New%20Kit/11225719_661548620643375_3605359545494274827_n_zps zwzpghvh.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
21-05-2015, 12:50
http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/1_zpsqag3plik.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/1_zpsqag3plik.jpg.html)

Hi All,

We had a couple of visitors yesterday from Final Audio Design, soon the be re-branded as Final, fresh from their showing at the Munich Highend Show at the weekend where they launched 2 very special new headphones, the Sonorous range which comprises of the Sonorous VIII and X, luckily they brought them in for us to listen to, even better they have left them with us for 1 week, these are the only pair of each in the world so we are very honoured.

The drivers alone have been in development for over 2 years, the designer explained to us yesterday that he really is trying to bring something new to the headphone market. We love their Pandora range, value for money wise I would say they are unbeatable, we have had customers compare the Pandora Hope VI at £549 to the Audeze LCD-3 at £1599 which is a really high accolade, so when Final bring out a very highend model you really do have to listen.

The Pandora range is known for its hybrid technology where a dynamic driver is used for mid/bass and a balanced armature is used for the higher frequencies, this really gives a very spacious sound, with the Sonorous range Final have developed a single dynamic driver that really does bring these 2 technologies into one driver.

Both Wendy and myself had a long listen and I have to say these headphones really are quite special, with Wendy particularly falling for the Sonorous X, she has got expensive tastes though I have to say. The things that were really noticeable was width to the sound, always difficult with a headphone, but there was real air and space around the presentation with a real sweet top end and very natural mid. It is hard to say that any headphone is worth £4000, but these really are very special indeed as they have a lovely organic and open sound with a very cohesive and balanced presentation.

One thing is for certain, photo’s really don’t do justice to how stunning they both look, it certainly sounds a bit OTT using Gold Leaf on the cups but there is no denying for these headphones it really works.

Comparing the VIII against the X really reminded me of going between the Stax SR-009′s and SR-007′s, both are obviously excellent but the VIII’s have a slightly darker presentation like the SR-007′s which I can see some people preferring, but for me once you’ve heard the X’s there is no going back, much like when you’ve heard the Stax SR-009′s.

So as I say we have kindly been lent both the new Sonorous VIII’s and X’s for a week so if you’d like to come in and have a listen please do get in touch, availability and pricing is still to be confirmed but one thing is sure, the Highend Headphone market has 2 extremely enjoyable and exciting new additions.

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/final-audio-design-sonorous-viii-headphones

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/final-audio-design-sonorous-x-headphones

Sonorous VIII

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/2_zpsahnsgjet.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/2_zpsahnsgjet.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/3_zpsrnfurv9m.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/3_zpsrnfurv9m.jpg.html)

Sonorous X

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/4_zpsif0cthgn.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/4_zpsif0cthgn.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/5_zpsm5wuouvg.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/5_zpsm5wuouvg.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/6_zpstx9ysszf.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/6_zpstx9ysszf.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/7_zpswjg8z011.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/7_zpswjg8z011.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
27-05-2015, 10:52
http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Untitled2_zpsgjz91qrh.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Untitled2_zpsgjz91qrh.jpg.html)

Hi All,

For sometime now we have been looking to bring on a range of headphone cables to offer our customers but for one reason or another it proved quite difficult to find the right brand to work with, then Nordost got in touch and brought along their Heimdall 2 cable. When it comes to changing cables on headphones you have to be very careful as you can totally change the characteristics of your chosen headphone, sometimes it can add more treble or make the bass too lean, I have seen it many times when customers buy a new cable without trying it first but don’t like how it changes the overall sound so end up selling it for a loss.

There is arguably no better manufacturer of highend cables in the world than Nordost and they obviously know what they are doing with cables for headphones, as we tested the Heimdall 2 on the Audeze LCD range of headphones and what the cable added was width to the soundstage, an air and openness whilst giving better separation, but at all times it retained that Audeze sound that so many people love, so the cable didn’t change the overall presentation but just made it more enjoyable and revealing.

Obviously cables are very subjective so please feel free to come in and try the Nordost cables and see how you find them, we are pretty sure though that you’ll be as impressed as we are. They are available for all the major headphone bands such as Audeze, HiFiMan, Sennheiser, OPPO, Abyss, Ultrasone, Nordost also do a range of Heimdall 2 extension cables and adaptors.

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/nordost

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/lg-Heimdall-2-headphone-cable-group-2-lightbox_zpsyfi0ezj7.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/lg-Heimdall-2-headphone-cable-group-2-lightbox_zpsyfi0ezj7.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/lg-Heimdall-2-headphone-cable-2-lightbox_zpshlsodum7.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/lg-Heimdall-2-headphone-cable-2-lightbox_zpshlsodum7.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
29-05-2015, 12:46
Hi All,

Just a quick post to say that the much anticipated Audeze Deckard Headphone Amplifier is now on demo + we do have very limited stock from the first shipment so if you would like to grab one it would be worth moving quickly as there is no ETA on the next delivery into the UK.

If you’d like to come in for a demo please don’t hesitate to get in touch, priced at £599 it is very competitively priced and will be the perfect partner for the Audeze range of headphones plus other brands + it has a USB DAC built in which will be a great addition for many people looking to use their computer for music playback, I have to say that it is extremely well built with a very solid feel.

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/audeze/audeze-deckard-headphone-amplifier-dac

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/1_zpsi7or8r1c.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/1_zpsi7or8r1c.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/2_zpsgedzz5k9.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/2_zpsgedzz5k9.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/3_zpsu3oxryhu.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/3_zpsu3oxryhu.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/4_zps11lu2usx.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/4_zps11lu2usx.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/5_zpspuqwxeqv.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/5_zpspuqwxeqv.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/6_zps97kcwiwx.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/6_zps97kcwiwx.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/7_zpsnsaeecdq.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/7_zpsnsaeecdq.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
08-06-2015, 11:06
Hi All,

Just a quickie to say that we now have Astell&Kern’s new entry level player on demo, the new AK Jr, At £399 it seems wrong to call it entry level as this really is a beautifully made product that just screams quality.

Compared to the other models higher up the range it is a much slimmer and lighter design with a different user interface but it is equally as intuitive and user friendly but most importantly it really does perform, it is perhaps not quite a refined as the AK100 but it will still run rings around an Ipod and also gives you the possibility to run all file types including DSD.

For me, if you partner this with the OPPO PM-3′s or Audeze’s new EL-8 headphones you really would have a very special portable system, of if you do want to get better sound try bolting on the OPPO HA-2 portable headphone amp or why not go the whole hog and add a Chord Hugo.

I have to say that the £250 - £600 area of the headphone and portable player market has really exploded and come alive over the last few months, the quality available now at these prices really is quite outstanding.

If you’d like to try any of the above combinations please get in touch to make an appointment. Below are some rather poor pictures of our demo AK Jr, the customer models don’t have the logo written on the front, although I think it is pretty cool :-)

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/astell-and-kern/astellampkern-ak-jr-portable-player

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1694_zpscvek4msb.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1694_zpscvek4msb.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1695_zpsg14kcaxv.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1695_zpsg14kcaxv.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1697_zpsnv18nfxx.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1697_zpsnv18nfxx.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1700_zpszkjbvtea.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1700_zpszkjbvtea.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1702_zpsa8oa6gtt.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1702_zpsa8oa6gtt.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
01-07-2015, 15:06
Hi All,

Well the portable player market has moved at a fair old pace lately, largely driven by Astell&Kern I think it is fair to say. A couple of years ago if you had said there would be a £3000 portable player you could put in your pocket you would have been laughed out of the building and I would have probably been laughing along with everyone else, but slowly and surely Astell&Kern have proved that Highend Audio really is possible from something you can carry in your pocket and can prove to be the main source for a Highend Home HiFi system.

The AK240 really moved the market up a level, it achieved fantastic sound quality, not sounding digital but pulled of the trick of keeping the detail and dynamics of digital but presented in a analogue fashion, well now enter the Astell&Kern AK380, not just a portable player but a very flexible Highend Source.

I have only had a quick listen as it has only just arrived but it is evident that somehow A&K have managed to move the goalposts again with what is achievable from a product of this size, first impressions are that it gives a more open sound than the AK240 with also better separation and space around everything, it also has a very capable EQ built in giving you the ability to really fine tune the original music files to suit your tastes and along with the AK Connect App you can stream via DNLA from your NAS direct to the AK380, very handy indeed.

As ever with A&K products it is beautifully packaged and built, it is larger than the AK240 but also offers a larger screen which is very nice once you start using it.

Anyway I won’t bang on anymore, needless to say we have the AK380 on demo now along with the full range from Astell&Kern so if you do want to come in to experience Highend Audio in your pocket please feel free to get in touch to book an appointment.

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/astell-and-kern/astellampkern-ak380-dual-dac-portable-player

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/astell-and-kern

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1849_zpsjl71xheo.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1849_zpsjl71xheo.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1853_zpszfg0mfm5.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1853_zpszfg0mfm5.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1855_zpsbpt0vkff.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1855_zpsbpt0vkff.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1857_zps3p8gxyl0.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1857_zps3p8gxyl0.jpg.html)

AK240 Vs AK380

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1865_zpshsrbo77z.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1865_zpshsrbo77z.jpg.html)

One Big Happy Family

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1872_zpsalhp0p6a.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1872_zpsalhp0p6a.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
28-07-2015, 07:33
http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Audioquest-Nighthawk-Headphones2_zpslqwfr0ig.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Audioquest-Nighthawk-Headphones2_zpslqwfr0ig.jpg.html)

Hi All,

There has certainly been a lot of interest in AudioQuests first headphone so we are really pleased to now have the Nighthawk on permanent demonstration.

I would imagine everyone has heard of AudioQuest, best known for their range of quality interconnects, but now they have entered the world of headphones with the NightHawk, this is a headphone that has been widely anticipated amongst Head-Fiers as AudioQuest didn’t want to release just another headphone so have tried to bring something new and fresh to the market which they most certainly have.

Offering 3D printed latticework to help widen the soundstage, the cups are made from ‘Liquid Wood’ which is reclaimed wood fibre that is heated, liquefied, and processed in such a way that it can be injection moulded, there is an innovative headband, also being a cable company you get a very high quality cable along with a portable cable + a useful carry case amongst other features that make NightHawk standout from the crowd. This is a headphone which will challenge headphones costing much more. They are very light, extremely comfortable, offer very special imaging, insight and separation whilst presenting the music in a very organic way meaning to can wear them for hours without any fatigue.

We are big fans of NightHawk at Highend Headphones, they really do offer unparalleled value for money at £499 so please feel free to come in to experience how AudioQuest feel headphones should be done.

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/audioquest-headphones/audioquest-nighthawk-headphones

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/arts-excellence-audioquest-nighthawk-3_zpst2wfnjnj.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/arts-excellence-audioquest-nighthawk-3_zpst2wfnjnj.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/ADQ-NIGHTHAWK_zpswasmmbrm.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/ADQ-NIGHTHAWK_zpswasmmbrm.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Audioquest_Nighthawk_1_zpsd87rqkd3.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Audioquest_Nighthawk_1_zpsd87rqkd3.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/Nighthawk-013_zpsq8lbbfys.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/Nighthawk-013_zpsq8lbbfys.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/arts-excellence-AudioQuest-NightHawk-preview-banner_zps0gidjdbn.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/arts-excellence-AudioQuest-NightHawk-preview-banner_zps0gidjdbn.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
03-09-2015, 10:00
http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/2_zpsjjangsyh.jpeg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/2_zpsjjangsyh.jpeg.html)

Hi All,

We are really pleased to introduce Snugs to our portfolio, a new UK company using cutting edge technology to produce custom fit ear-tips for any in-earphone.

I think that it goes without saying that anyone who has used in-ears to enjoy their music knows how important it is to get a good seal with the right tip and how hard this can be, and sometimes can almost be impossible, this is due to everyones ears being hugely different profiles, the answer to this problem is to get a custom set of tips made.

Enter Snugs, the Savile Row of suits for your ears. Using state of the art 3D scanning technology Snugs will take a 3D model of your ear resulting in a custom set of ear tips made perfectly to fit you.

This gives many benefits, firstly this gives a far greater level of comfort, they will never fall out making them perfect for exercising with, Snugs tips will also hugely improve the sound quality thanks to that perfect seal which is so important, this seal also keeps outside noises out and your music in so not to annoy others and finally they come in a large range of colours and effects to fit all makes of earphones out there.

All this is available at a very reasonable price which we feel is a real no brainer if you use in-earphones so please get in touch with us for more information on how you can get your own custom Snugs ear tips.

Snugs @ Headzone 2015 - Free Prize Draw.

Snugs will also be part of Headzone that we are running at this years National Audio Show on Sept 19/20th so if you do want to get a custom set made to fit your in-earphones they will be there with their 3D scanner, I have had my ears scanned last week for my Shure SE-846′s, the whole process only takes 10 mins and there is no mess like the old days when getting mould done.

Also at the show Snugs will be running a competition to give away one pair of Custom Snugs on Saturday and another pair on Sunday so please pop by to say hello to find out more details.

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/snugs-custom-earphones

Headzone 2015 News

http://highendheadphones.tumblr.com/post/127776468969/national-audio-show-highend-headphones-1st

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/1_zpscp7mhuaw.jpeg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/1_zpscp7mhuaw.jpeg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/3_zpsv4qd1b9b.jpeg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/3_zpsv4qd1b9b.jpeg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/6_zpsunejfelg.jpeg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/6_zpsunejfelg.jpeg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/4_zps5b20dx7e.jpeg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/4_zps5b20dx7e.jpeg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/7_zpsdaveezdu.jpeg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/7_zpsdaveezdu.jpeg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/5_zpsnpsajsth.jpeg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/5_zpsnpsajsth.jpeg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
15-09-2015, 11:45
Hi All,

Like many I have been waiting patiently to finally get our demo HiFiMan HE-1000′s in the building and at long last they arrived yesterday, just in time to take them to The National Audio Show this weekend as we run the Headphone department, hope to see you there.

Arguably these are the most exciting headphone release of 2015, if like us you are after the best sound quality possible from a headphone then these are probably already on your radar, they have had stunning reviews around the world with many people who have been lucky enough to listen to them declaring them a rival to my favourite headphone, the Stax SR-009′s. So needless to say last night I stayed late into the evening giving them a good listen and the reviews are right, the HE-1000′s are a very special headphone.

If there is one criticism of HiFiman in the past it is the build quality, but just lately this hasn’t been a problem and this is certainly the case with the HE-1000′s, they look very robust and have a far better system of connecting the cables to the headphones. Also these have got to be up there with the most comfortable headphones currently available, again rivalling the SR-009′s, you just don’t know you are wearing them.

They are not the easiest headphones to drive, I was switching back between the HE-1000′s and LCD-3′s, another pair of headphones that are not easy to drive, and there was quite a difference in volume between the 2 pairs with the HE-1000′s being much quieter, they are much easier to drive though than the legendary HE-6′s, but it is definitely going to be important to partner them with a quality headphone amp.

So how do they sound? The first thing that I noticed was the imaging and width to the soundstage, something the Sennheiser HD800′s are known for, these easily rival the 800′s and beat most other headphones, for overall sound quality, you do get great bass weight that is very tight and controlled and the overall balance is one that is very revealing but with a slight warmth that the Planar technology brings compared to the electrostatic sound of Stax. They almost fit quite nicely between the LCD-3′s, with there very natural and organic sound and the SR-009′s which are very delicate and open.

I would say these are up there with the best 3 headphones in the world at the moment, they are probably a slightly more forgiving headphone compared to the SR-009′s and will play a wider variety of music but there is still a magic to the SR-009′s that make them very special, it will really come down to personal preference, one of the real winning attributes of the HE-1000′s is that you have a wider variety of amps you can use compared to a Stax Energiser, this is my next quest, to find the perfect amp for the HE-1000′s, something like a Trilogy 933 should work a treat or a Chord Hugo TT, hopefully at the show this weekend Chord will have their new DAC / Headamp Dave on demo, now that could be a potent combination :-)

Anyway below is a link to the HiFiMan HE-1000′s on our website, we now have a review part of the site so some product pages now have reviews, the HiFi Plus review can be read here -

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/hifiman/hifiman-he-1000-headphones

Unboxing - Its been a long wait.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_2447_zps9ajtebwx.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_2447_zps9ajtebwx.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_2448_zpsam0za88a.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_2448_zpsam0za88a.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_2450_zpsnffznvr7.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_2450_zpsnffznvr7.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_2451_zpspemoaoph.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_2451_zpspemoaoph.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_2452_zpsvemaehf5.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_2452_zpsvemaehf5.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_2461_zpsaicm7jfi.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_2461_zpsaicm7jfi.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_2464_zpsaflaidbd.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_2464_zpsaflaidbd.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_2467_zpsnvkb8pdo.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_2467_zpsnvkb8pdo.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_2469_zpswx3gij9l.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_2469_zpswx3gij9l.jpg.html)

They’re certainly not small.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_2471_zpsnqzhiglz.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_2471_zpsnqzhiglz.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

Eisener Bart
15-09-2015, 12:33
Nice snapshots!

Which cameras are you using for that?

YNWaN
19-09-2015, 11:12
I'm pretty sure I listened to a pair of these at the Cranage Hall show - very good they were too.

HiFi Lounge
23-09-2015, 08:01
Believe it or not but it is an iPhone 6 :-)

HiFi Lounge
20-10-2015, 09:49
http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/Double-ether-C1_zpsyb3arhok.jpeg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/Double-ether-C1_zpsyb3arhok.jpeg.html)

Hi All,

I just wanted to do a quick blog to say that we now have the MrSpeakers Ether Headphones on demo as I know a lot of people have been waiting fro these, the closed back versions, the ETHER C will be following in a couple of weeks.

It’s funny really as a couple of years ago a £1000 headphone would have been extremely highend, but over the last year or so everyone is releasing more and more expensive headphones and the £1000 price mark has kind of been forgotten, the ETHER’s come in at £1150 with the standard cable and £1250 with the upgraded cable so I really can see these being very popular indeed.

They are a Planar Magnetic design using a patent pending V-Planar design which is supposed to give a quicker reaction time with better dynamics, I’ve had a quick listen before we started running them in and they are certainly a really enjoyable listen giving great clarity but in a not too overly forward way, retaining a nice level of warmth.

Also the ETHER’s really are extremely comfortable and very light, definitely a headphone for long listening sessions. I guess you could say that we need another headphone brand like a hole in the head at Highend Headphones :-) but we are really please to add MrSpeakers to our Portfolio as they really do bring something new to the market and I can see them being very popular indeed.

Below is a link to MrSpeakers on our website and a few unboxing pics, if you’d like to come in for a listen anytime then please feel free.

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/mr-speakers-headphones

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/IMG_1714_zpses1kqoh5.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/IMG_1714_zpses1kqoh5.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/IMG_1715_zpsxvhcrst0.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/IMG_1715_zpsxvhcrst0.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/IMG_1720_zpsgoypmlc5.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/IMG_1720_zpsgoypmlc5.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/IMG_1722_zpsfkj88vfn.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/IMG_1722_zpsfkj88vfn.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/IMG_1724_zps2sclmpnd.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/IMG_1724_zps2sclmpnd.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/IMG_1725_zpsg7cvj5l7.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/IMG_1725_zpsg7cvj5l7.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/IMG_1726_zpsaoxj96j9.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/IMG_1726_zpsaoxj96j9.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
29-10-2015, 10:30
Hi All,

Now it is not often that I get too excited about a headphone at the £400 mark and yesterday when our stock of the new Sennheiser HD 630VB’s arrived I think it is fair to say that I wasn’t jumping for joy, but as they have something new, ie variable bass, I thought I would take them home to try, more to see how this was implemented really than a in depth listening session, well what can I say other than what a great headphone that has really taken me by surprise, after a 2 hour session I had to force myself to take them off to go to sleep.

Firstly it isn’t a small headphone but this is probably why it sounds so good thanks to the bigger drivers compared to most portable headphones, being a Sennheiser they are built like a tank, they are designed to work with smartphones so you can take calls and adjust volume on the headphone but most importantly these are a serious headphone for listening if you like a honest, high quality sound, they offer great detail and with the Variable bass you really can tailor the sound to just how you like it, in all honesty they are astonishing value.

The Variable bass really is a great idea, you basically twist a dial on the right cup to increase or lower the level of bass, I found that around 20% under maximum really was the sweet spot for me but then when I put some Muse on I upped to max and they really rocked :-)

Another area where they really win is that they are the perfect match for Chord Electronics award winning new Mojo, if you are serious about music on the go I would say these 2 products are the perfect match, I love my Mojo and use it daily with Tidal from my phone and every night I have been taking home a different headphone to see what works best with Mojo, you can’t beat taking your work home :-) and I have to say that these HD 630VB headphones are a brilliant match.

So anyway we have them on demo and whether for home use or for travelling at their price point of £399 I would say that the new HD 630VB headphones are unbeatable giving a highend sound which are comfortable, well made and being a closed back you can use them anywhere, I’ll certainly be taking them home again tonight :-)

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/sennheiser/sennheiser-hd-630vb-headphones

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/IMG_2819_zpsdfbbwxby.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/IMG_2819_zpsdfbbwxby.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/IMG_2820_zpsnuih5rso.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/IMG_2820_zpsnuih5rso.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/IMG_2829_zpsl1ljvf7v.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/IMG_2829_zpsl1ljvf7v.jpg.html)

Partnered With Chord's Mojo

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Headphones/IMG_2839_zpsobfmj8ol.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Headphones/IMG_2839_zpsobfmj8ol.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

#headphones #sennheiser #chordelectronics #highendheadphones

HiFi Lounge
05-11-2015, 09:02
Hi All,

I’m sure other HiFi Shops don’t get visitors like this :-)

He was dumped near the shop so needless to say Wendy has adopted him and he now wakes us up daily at 4.30am at home :-(

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/NEWS/IMG_2902_zps7exoscfw.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/NEWS/IMG_2902_zps7exoscfw.jpg.html)

I'm ready for all the Coq jokes btw :-)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
17-12-2015, 13:37
Hi All,

What a way to end the year, we now have the worlds most advanced DAC, Chord Electronics DAVE, on permanent demo :-)

As a Hugo TT user at home I have been looking forward to get stuck into DAVE since announced, what seems like many months ago, so when it arrived a couple of days ago it really was like Christmas had come early.

I am running it in at the moment but couldn’t resist a quick listen over headphones using the Pioneer Master 1′s which I really like, what you notice over the TT initially is extra space and refinement, the TT is still an brilliant product but once you listen to DAVE you really appreciate the step up in quality, it really is the most un-digital sound I have ever heard if that makes sense.

When we had our Chord open day a couple of weeks ago we run DAVE straight into a pair of Chord SPM 1400 MKII Mono Blocks with the PMC MB2 SE’s and initially it was a little edgy as DAVE was brand new out the box, but after 24 hours running I have to say it was absolutely gorgeous, basically the whole system had all the detail and power but the music was so effortless it really did just wash over you, this was my first experience of a big Chord system, in a room that I know well and I really thought it would be a lot more forward and Brighter but it was extremely musical and enjoyable, I’m guessing DAVE played a big part in that, everyone who came along that day agreed it sounded excellent.

At £7950 DAVE certainly isn’t cheap but if you stay in the digital domain you can go straight into a power amp cutting out the need for a Pre-amp as it really is a DAC and Pre in one chassis, if you look at it like this then it really isn’t that crazy in HiFi terms, well that is my justification anyway, Anyone want to buy a TT :-)

And for a headphone rig, just add an Aurender and for me you will have the best headphone setup money can buy, just add the headphones of your choice.

Anyway I will continue to run it in and if anyone would like to come in for a listen or arrange a home demo please feel free to get in touch.

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/chord/chord-dave-reference-dac-headphone-amplifier

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Chord%20Electronics/IMG_3130_zpsfx52qdbh.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Chord%20Electronics/IMG_3130_zpsfx52qdbh.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Chord%20Electronics/IMG_3129_zpsym96m6zn.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Chord%20Electronics/IMG_3129_zpsym96m6zn.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Chord%20Electronics/IMG_3131_zpsk1mhrfaa.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Chord%20Electronics/IMG_3131_zpsk1mhrfaa.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Chord%20Electronics/IMG_3127_zpsdbwv2fys.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Chord%20Electronics/IMG_3127_zpsdbwv2fys.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Chord%20Electronics/IMG_3128_zpshxh7jmph.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Chord%20Electronics/IMG_3128_zpshxh7jmph.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Chord%20Electronics/IMG_3126_zpsyaiefl6o.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Chord%20Electronics/IMG_3126_zpsyaiefl6o.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.

HiFi Lounge
28-01-2016, 14:45
Hi All,

Just a quickie to say that at the moment we have the new Fostex HP-V8 valve headamp on demo, this amp really is a monster weighing in at around 31kg’s with a size to match it’s weight and costing £7199, this is one serious analogue headphone amp, but what you do get is a beautifully screwed together amp that just oozes quality.

But I have to say that it most definitely performs, using the new Sennheiser HD800S’s for listening I have to say it is probably the best sounding amp I have ever heard giving a very neutral and detailed sound but with real grip, punch and control, it really did get the best from the HD800S’s, you can just sense the power there, no wonder the called it a ‘V8′ :-)

We only have it on loan for a while but if you are interested to hear what a £7000+ valve headamp sounds like please do get in touch to make an appointment.

http://www.highendheadphones.co.uk/fostex-headphones/fostex-hp-v8-vacuum-tube-headphone-amplifier

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1997_zpsvmwigeb9.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1997_zpsvmwigeb9.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1998_zpslcfqkusz.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1998_zpslcfqkusz.jpg.html)

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr109/Mikawen/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1993_zpst5nz21kq.jpg (http://s474.photobucket.com/user/Mikawen/media/Highend%20Headphones/IMG_1993_zpst5nz21kq.jpg.html)

Cheers,
Paul.