Official NY Area Fall Head-Fi Meet November 14th 2009: Members & Agenda
Bring power strips & extension cords
Bring power strips & extension cords
Newbies & Manufacturers are welcome to attend. No fees or registration necessary.
Saturday, November 14th, 2009.
10am - 6pm
Harrison Knights of Columbus
33 Halstead Ave (corner of Halstead and West Street)
Harrison, NY 10528
(914) 835-0322
(Enter on the West Street side)
Directions are in the
main meet thread
on Head-Fi.
The official list is in
the Main meet thread
on Head-Fi.
- Audeze (Audeze)
- BareBonesB22
- bozebuttons
- cetoole
- cfcubed
- chrysoprase & friend
- coldkeith
- crapback
- dannyandelyse
- daveDerek
- decur
- Displayman
- dj nellie
- Drag0n (maybe)
- drp (maybe)
- El_Doug
- en4809c4 (maybe)
- erikzen
- EvilSoundGuy 7
- glc
- Hopstretch (maybe)
- immtbiker with BrownieLady & Jazz
- ivanrocks321
- jeremyrp
- jinp6301
- Jonathan.Siegel
- jpelg
- kb1gra
- Kerry
- krisstack
- markt1600
- MoodySteve (maybe)
- MrSlacker
- n_maher
- Nankai (Head-Direct)
- nikongod
- nycdoi
- paulllaser
- pistolsnipe
- Ray Samuels(Ray Samuels Audio)
- rich1122
- Romanee
- ruknd
- Salt Peanuts (maybe)
- Scottsmrnyc
- SiBurning
- strid3r
- syzygy8
- TeraHz
- The Monkey
- tintin47
- Towert7
- vcoheda
- Vinny R. (Red Wine Audio)
- vpivinylspinner
- wavoman
- Wmcmanus
- Woo Audio (Woo Audio)
- weendex
- Yikes
- Source
- Phillips Sacd 1000 or VSE level 5 modded Sony DVP9000es
- Amp
- Dared 300b monos or Krell Ksa5 (to save space)
- Headphones
- AKG1000
- Maybe ASL adapter to run other Headphones off the Dared 300bs
- Also if we can get the JH universals for the meet, I will bring MY 5.5g mod/PRII combo
- SR007
- fancy "tube" thing dynamic amp
- some stuff to drive them
- 2 CTHs & a small collection of tubes for 'em
- Rotel CD player
- Marantz CD player
- And possibly a 2-ch bare-bones beta22... If I can somehow build it by then
- Wadia iTransport -> assemblage 2.6 dac -> stax srm 1 -> koss esp 950
One or both of
- Headamp Gilmore V2 SE
- Audio-gd C2C
- north star 192 cd transport
- senns hd-800 with alo occ copper cable
- Red Wine Audio Isabellina hpa
- amphora (maybe)
- millet
- some phones
- cd player
- CDs
- whatnot
- Source: Sony SCD-XA5400ES
- Amp: Woo WES (Maxxed)
- Cans: SR-Ω
Source:
- PS Audio Digital Link III (stock)
- SACDmods Sony DVP-NS755VDVD
- (Possibly) Dell Mini 9
Headphones:
- Denon MD5000 DE
- Stax Lambda SR Professional
- Grado HF-1
Amps:
- K.I.C.A.S. Caliente
- LISA III with LLP
- Stax SRM 1/MK II
- Einar Sound VC-01i balanced amp (review)
- HD650
- Headroom Airhead
- HiFiMan EF2 (maybe)
- SR71A
- Pico Headamp
- Xin Reference (original)
- Meridian G08 balanced out to Luxman P-1, Co-ax'd out to Cary Xciter DAC to something
(EF-1, Raptor, GES...but I'm sure Jack will probably have one there).
- Head-Direct's HE-5 (one of the best headphones that I've ever heard...seriously)
- HD-800 (if there won't already be 10 of them there)
- Jades, if I bring the GES.
- Grado HF1, HF2, RS1, RS2, HP2, SR325, and hopefully MS1000 (or just a MS1)
- iBasso D10
- Dynalo
- Gamma 2 (if i can get one built by then)
- iMac
- iRiver H132
- Yuin OK1
- Jecklin Float 2
- HD595
- iBasso D2
- Compass
- HD650
- Earth, Moon, and Sun, but only the earth will be burned in. (Sounds like something out of a Greek tragedy)
- ATH-M50
- Beyerdynamic DT990
- Beyerdynamic 250
- Meelectronics M6
- StyleAudio Topaz
- Firestone FireyeII
- custom mini3
- macbook pro for a source
- nucleotide cables/LOD
- RSA Shadow
- a little cheapy tube amp picked up on eBay
- styleaudio Topaz
- TPA OPUS DAC (DIY - USB-In; Balanced and SE outputs)
- KGTT (DIY)
- BHSE (DIY) - if it doesn't blow up during the build
- STAX SR-404
- Benchmark DAC1 USB
- Auraliti Digital Music Player (hopefully)
- Audio Technica ATH-W2002 or W11JPN
- Bijou Headphone Amplifier (if it's done...otherwise the 3-ch ß22 will be making a return)
- Undetermined CD player
- CD73 to Hertsens DAC
- HF1
- HF2
- Lambda Sigs
- HM-801 portable player
- HE-5 orthordynamic headphones
- RE-252 IEM
- Technics 1200mk3 turntable
- Bottlehead Seduction tube phono stage
- Eddie-Current HD-300 amplifier
- Senheiser HD-414
- Mac Mini
- Amarra
- Weiss Minerva
- RSA B52 (NOS matched & balanced tubes, Ray will be happy this time)
- HD-800, APS balanced + stock
- JVC XV-SA602 (source with ok DVDA) or an Oppo
- Benchmark DAC-1
- Beyerdynamic 831
- Original Portaphile V2^2 maxxed
- HeadRoom 1995 MicroAmp (not upgraded) & 1996 MicroDAC
- CoreSound HeadLine
- Head-Direct HiFiMan 801
- Some cheap IEMs
- a CD someone left at the last meet
- Grado GS-1000
- HP-2
- Melos Sha Gold (maybe)
- gamma 2
- ß22+22
- MSSH
- LCDuino1
- HD650
- diyModNano g2
- some of my arduino gadgets too
- Phones: HD 800, HF-2
- Amp: Nugget Audio ß22
- Source(s): Dodson DA-217 MK II D and maybe Bryston BDA-1
- If I bring 2 sources, I'll also bring the skipjack
- CK2III
- RS-1
- HF-2
- 3 channel Beta 22 + sigma (22 if I can finish it in time)
- MHDT labs Havana > HeadAmp GS-1 > Koss KSC-75
- His dad will probably bring up a few headphone stands that he makes
- source: meridian G08
- amp: headroom balanced home w/ max module
- headphone: bal HD800
- PS Audio PerfectWave DAC
- Metric Halo ULN-2 DAC
- Toole Audio Balanced M^3
- Balanced HD-800s and HF-2s
- MacBook Pro -> Amarra Music Player -> Lots of Hi-Res music
I'm working on the old PS3 SACD idea, trying to get SACD rips downtranslated to LPCM 176.4 (instead of 88.2, which I can do now)
by using a device (from China) which spoofs the HDCP on HDMI 1.3b and outputs S/PDIF on coax (so the idea is you turn off DSD
in the PS3 menu, and the rumor is that old PS3's will downconvert to 176.4, something no other device does).
If it works, I'll bring it, and hopefully a DAC that can handle 176.4 (otherwise how will we listen)?
If I fail, which is the smart money bet, I'll bring something else (probably equally misguided, like a vintage SS speaker
AMP/HP out with a tube pre-amp in front).
Special thanks to erikzen for organizing this meet.
Vinyl to play on nikongod's Technics 1200mk3 turntable
erikzen has some vinyl that needs a good clean scrubbing.... by someone who knows that they're doing.
MrSlacker wants DIY'ers to take a look at his HCT speaker/headphone amp.
Looks like the volume pot is shot coz whenever he touches it to adjust the volume, it hisses like crazy.
vcoheda wants to check out the Ed 8 and PS1000
El_Doug would really like some time with a Q010.
SiBurning wants to hear a newer Portaphile V2 maxxed.
vcoheda's looking forward to hearing the HE-5. He also asks if anyone has PS1000, ED.8, or 404LE -- Please BRING!!
dj nellie wants to hear any of the top universal IEMs, in particular Sennheiser IE8, Triple.fi, or Westone UM3x.
He has the Westone 3s and Shure SE530s.
He's also curious to hear the Cowon S9 and new Sony Walkman X-Series.
jinp6301 wants to hear the Shure 840 to compare with the esw9
Where, oh where is my balanced cable?
Vinnie R. of Red Wine Audio is looking for someone with an HD800 to try his ALO Audio HD800 cables (single-ended or balanced).
markl of Lawton Audio has a demo Adrenaline balanced cable he would like to send to the meet to demo.
List of stuff
for the (not so) silent auction.
About the Main Raffle & Auction
Aside from the occassional sponsored drawings,
We often hold a group raffle or auction.
They're rather informal at NYC meets.
Depending on the quantity and quality of donated goods, we might have an auction or raffle or both.
For auctions, we have a form where people can write down their bids.
Sometimes members get into silly bidding wars just for the fun of it.
Other times you can pick up gear for a song.
If there's enough decent gear to make it worthwhile, and if donations at the door need encouragement,
we might sell raffle tickets. If that doesn't work, we just yell and people fork it over anyway.
Other times, everyone just gets a free ticket.
All the money goes first to pay for the room, and any left over goes to support head-fi.
There's been some nice gear in both the auctions and the raffles.
At one auction I donated an Etymotic er4p I won at the national meet,
and took home a decent digital camera and an SACD player that just needed a whack and a cleaning.
Sometimes it drizzles. Other times it pours.
If you have some gear you don't need, consider donating it for the head-fi cause.
It doesn't even have to be audio gear.
| official meet uniform |
unofficial alternate uniform |
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What should I expect at a meet? (courtesy of upstateguy)
As I was reminded before my first meet: this is a "meet," not a trade show and the members make the meet
(lol, that sounds funny to me). So you are encouraged to bring some gear.
The range will run the gamut, which is what makes it so cool--from budget to top-of-the-range; from portable to massive.
And make sure to bring some of your own cans so you can try out different sources, amps, etc.
Of course there will be many different headphones there, but it's great to be able to plug your own into some of the rigs
to really hear the difference a component can make.
Personal Hygene is important.
- Wash your hair and your ears--and behind your ears.
- Clean out your ears so you can hear better.
- If you clean the canal with peroxide, do it a few of days before the meet--give those stray waxed klingons time to leave.
- Don't forget the deodorant (THIS goes for Oldtimers as well). Baby powder & cologne are not adequate substitutes.
- With all the gear & other members, it gets warm in the room. Dress accordingly.
The most important thing of all is to have fun.
- Meets are Great, so be prepared to have a great day with fellow Head-fi members.
- Bring whatever gear you want. If you don't have any, thats OK. Just bring your ears.
- You can try whatever gear you want.
- If you have any questions about gear, look for the owner and ask. Or just ask whoever's listening (after they're done).
- Everyone is very friendly and will be glad to answer you.
- Most of us know each other for some time now so dont think that people are ignoring you...
unless you didnt take a shower before the meet and smell.
- Do not be shy.
- Mingle.
- You will find everyone to be very friendly & helpful.
- Most of all enjoy yourself & take the opportunity to hear gear
you normally wouldn't get a chance to, or are thinking of buying.
Get organized.
- Take a mental (or written) list of what you want to hear.
If do this before the meet, leave some time to look around and listen to some surprises.
- You'll be overwhelmed with the amount of gear that will be at the meet.
- Read the impressions thread afterwards. You'll realize you missed listening to something you wanted to hear.
- Time Flies at these meets.
Remember that you're trying out another member's gear.
- Treat all gear with the utmost respect.
- Ask if you're not sure how to operate any gear, or you're just curious about the system setup.
- Some gear is really, really, really, really expensive.
- Other gear... the owner only thinks it's precious. Respect the owner's wishes.
- Give it all the velvet cushion treatment.
- If you have any doubt or questions, ask.
- Do not place headphones on top of other gear--if you're not sure where to put it, ask the owner.
- Do not remove any gear from a setup without the owner's permission.
- Do not remove any cables or make any other changes to the setup without the owner's permission.
- If you do take gear away from a table, or borrow cables, adapters, or power strips,
try to remember where you got it from, and bring it back when you're done.
In all the excietement, it's easy to forget where you got that 1/8" to 3.5mm headphone adapter.
I know. I managed to misplace 3 at my first meet.
- If you listen loud remember to lower the volume for the next person.
- If you don't know or are just curious about something, ask someone. Anyone. Someone knows, or knows someone who knows.
If you're bringing gear
The more equipment we have, the more everyone gets exposed to, that otherwise wouldn't be available to them.
At a minimum, everyone needs to bring their own power strip, and probably an extension cord.
Extras are also needed, so if you have any extra, please bring them.
Don't forget to pack them and bring them with you.
You might want to set up a card or something by your gear with your
name on it so people know whose gear is on the table.
For portable gear especially, you might want to label every piece of
gear.
People will walk around with your portable equipment (hopefully after
asking permission),
especially to test it out in combination with other gear.
Not that we've had any serious problems, but there's usually someone
with an extra or missing cable when we're busy trying to break down.
Packing & transporting your gear can be a challenge.
Good luck with that. If you have tips, please share them by private message with
SiBurning, or
post in the meet thread
or the Meeting suggestions thread.
Misc. Tips
- Look for the name badges and stick one on. If you don't see them, ask. Or bring your own.
It's nice to know who's who. You can write you head-fi name, your real name, or both.
Keep it quiet
Here's one additional etiquette request, which will probably go unheeded, but I'll throw it out anyway.
Some people go to meets to hear the gear; some go to schmooze with friends old and new; some go to do both.
It's all good.
However, in the past, I've found it hard to hear what I was listening to because there was so much yak in the room.
Obviously, some talk revolves aroung a particular piece of gear and needs to take place there.
But would it be possible for pure meeting, greeting, old times and chit-chat to move to an adjacent space?
In other words, can we try to keep it kinda quiet so those who are auditioning gear can hear the subtle
nuances that differentiate the Tung Sol with the green getter from the pinched-waist Amperex?
For additional tips, see the Meeting suggestions thread.
- I'd like to attend. Do I need to register or do anything else to attend?
- No, Just show up.
We like to keep the "official" NYC meets open to all members.
We do recommend you post to the Main meet thread
to let us know you're coming.
We're getting pretty big, and might need to organize shifts or impose some rules just to fit in the space we rent.
- Is registration required for other meets?
- Meets are organized by the members who host them.
The rules are whatever the members decide upon.
Some meets require an invitation, if only because space is limited.
Mini-meets are usually small and organized over a few days, usually hosted in a cafe or someone's home,
so you can't just show up for those.
- Can I bring a friend?
- Sure, within limits. We're always happy to attract others to our addiction.
Please make sure they understand the basic tips, especially about treating equipment with respect.
If you have controllable, quiet kids, they're always a welcome addition.
But, please, leave the pack at home. We don't even have space for the regular members.
One solution is to plan to stay for a short while, and be flexible and willing to wait if the room is crowded.
I personally will clear out for a good long few smokes to make room.
- Who pays for the meet?
- We'll be passing the hat to pay for the room. Any money left over will go to support the head-fi web site.
Donations are welcome (at the door) to cover the cost of hall, but are not necessary to attend.
- Can I buy gear at the meets?
- Generally not.
The meets are primarily for members to share their gear and ideas:
to give other members a chance to audition gear they wouldn't otherwise be able to hear.
Manufacturers are encouraged to bring their gear to show off,
and while they're welcome to bring product for sale,
meets aren't a sales forum, they're a listening forum.
The National meet is an exception.
We purposely encourage large vendors to attend and offer products for sale there.
- I make gear. Can I attend and bring gear for sale?
- You're welcome to come and show off your gear.
If you have product for sale, you're welcome to bring it.
There are no restrictions.
Just remember this is primarily a listening forum.
Focus on letting people audition your gear, and keep the marketing to the side.
Don't expect too many or even any sales at a meet.
- Do I have to bring gear?
- No. If you have no gear or just can't bring it for whatever reason, just bring your ears.
Don't leave your headphones at home just because they're crappy and think noone else wants to hear them.
It might be helpful for you to use them to compare with something familiar.
- Is my gear safe? Do I need to watch it all the time?
- Maybe we've been lucky, but most head-fi members would agree that the head-fi community is trustworthy
and you can leave your gear unguarded at a meet.
So far noone's lost any gear at a meet except little things like cables, adaptors, and CDs.
These inevitable get mixed up by accident.
You might want to clearly label your cables and adapters so people don't forget and pack it by accident when they break down.
If you're concerned, watch your gear, or ask someone you trust to watch it.
If you do lose something, just post in the meet impression thread.
There's a good chance you'll get it back.
Send updates, corrections, etc. by private message to
SiBurning on head-fi,
or post them in the main
meet thread.
I'll update every few days.
Bring power strips & extension cords
See you there
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