Solo Diamond Ultra Linear good news and bad news
Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
Category: Headphone Audio
Forum Name: Graham Slee Headphone Amps
Forum Description: Questions, answers and product information zone for Graham Slee Headphone Amplifiers
URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1853
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 1:00am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Solo Diamond Ultra Linear good news and bad news
Posted By: Bradders
Subject: Solo Diamond Ultra Linear good news and bad news
Date Posted: 03 May 2013 at 8:30am
|
So I've been using the demo Solo Diamond Ultra Linear.The good news is that is sounds awesome as mentioned in the other thread the bass is definitely sharpened up and there's a general clarity to the whole deal.Its not that my Novo is bad its just that this unit is definitively better. Now for the bad news I can't afford the new unit for a few weeks yet so I'm going to be without the unit for weeks!!  I would like to thank the guys that have organised the demo deal.  A few days ago I asked the Grado UK guys via their website if they had PS1000 on demo so far not a word back I will call them today.Now I can get a plane ticket to New York and back and pick up a set of PS1000 for the UK price of £2000!!!!! so you'd think they'd have some sort of demo deal going on even if I have to go to a shop,although I guess not many have a demo pair! It shows what a great setup you guys have on here my money is definitely going into the Slee bank!!
 |
Replies:
Posted By: MarkPhelps
Date Posted: 03 May 2013 at 1:28pm
|
I guess bad news is all relative isn't it. :) I can't afford one of the buggers at all currently.. But isn't Hi-Fi all about planning and dreaming about the next upgrade? (that's what I keep telling myself) Enjoy your Solo mate.. |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 03 May 2013 at 8:53pm
|
Brad, in the weeks ahead you'll be okay knowing that this is the one I've been waiting for. ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: Bradders
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2013 at 4:29pm
Good news my Solo UDLE ships next week
|
Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2013 at 7:55pm
|
I am also waiting for an ULDE at the current time. Graham's expertise is always worth investing in. It will be immensely fantastic. By the way Bradders, you need not spend £2000 for a headphone. If you know what to look for, the same (or better) is found for much less. £200, in my opinion, is the price guideline for finding a headphone with considerable resolution and musicality. Just be careful that you don't get ripped off. ------------- We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are. |
Posted By: msphil
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2013 at 11:44pm
|
I have a ULDE and a pair of Grado PS1000 (well played in - which takes a long time) and I have to tell you that they are sensational. Everyone who has heard them agrees. IMHO this is one of the best combinations on the market. I only paid aprox £1300 for my Grado's because they are B grade (supposedly a slight scratch, which I have yet to find, but otherwise fully guaranteed and perfect). The full price is not £2000 but £1790 in the UK if you look on the Internet. You can often get them cheaper as a demonstration model where the box has been opened (latest offer £1590). My dealer is also sometimes open to negotiations on price. PM me if you want to know where. Go for the best you won't be disappointed! |
Posted By: discrete badger
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2013 at 9:19am
|
Similar thing happened with my subwoofer which allegedly has a "imperfection in the finish" which I have not been able to find. The cynic in me suspects that these deals are less about minor imperfections and more about the simple fact that different people are prepared to pay different amounts for the same thing!
|
Posted By: Bradders
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2013 at 9:56am
Ohhh I agree with that I'm torn at the mo my buddy lives in the USA and the PS1000's are $1600 over there so I could get those shipped over with other stuff I ship on a regular basis,but I've just done the G cushion upgrade on the PS500's and they do sound good to my ears anyway. The problem really is demo's you can't get side by side demo's of headphones it seem's, is this because if they were side by side some £200 headphones would be soooo close to the £1000 ones that the expensive big margin ones wouldn't sell? I guess all you can do is eventually buy them and if it doesn't work out sell them on Grados all seem to make reasonable money on ebay.. The whole reason I've bought the Solo ULDE is because of the demo I had a few months back.
|
discrete badger wrote:Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2013 at 10:21am
And that is why I simply ask that you take care with what you buy...  Many expensive headphones are not true-to-the-recording in how they represent frequencies. I just don't see the point of such headphones... Gold-plated turds... It's like saying that music isn't good enough without being heavily modified in tonality or that a girlfriend's face is only acceptable when caked in thick layers of make-up. =/ Just my view but I am very pro-truth. That £200 mark is generally the threshold for near maximum resolution with a dynamic headphone, although some headphones are just overpriced for what they offer, even in this price region. The Grado PS1000 is a dynamic headphone; it's on the ears and it will NOT image like speakers. I don't see the point of going "all-out" with money if the final product will STILL have shortcomings.Just trying to be honest, that's all. =/ ------------- We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are. |
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2013 at 10:39am
|
I think every piece of hifi kit will have shortcomings if you view it as a means of reproducing live performance or studio playback, or whatever you hope to achieve. The skill lies in choosing the shortcomings that have the least impact on your enjoyment. And monetary value is often entirely disconnected from this, IMO. One mans audio nirvana is the next mans piece of over-priced mediocrity. Thank goodness for GSP - for both great VFM and the chance to try-before-you-buy. ------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
Posted By: Bradders
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2013 at 10:42am
|
Its a fair point.Its one that plagues me am I listening to whats right? OR then again does it matter as long as I like it? The Solo demo was great beacuse 1. I had a lot of time to make a decision and get use to it. 2. I knew after that time exactly what the changes were and they are ,in my mind worth the money. The G cushion mod to the PS500's gives them clarity but loses bass. The L cushions, they come with, now seem to drown the voices with bass and instruments can vertaully disappear.Its shocked me to be quite honest. I thought I would need a whole new headphone set to achieve that! Looking at the frequency responses of the PS500 and PS1000 I wouldn't be surprised if the PS500 with G cushion isn't real close to the PS1000 in many areas now. I wonder how good the HD250 talks about are when compared to the PS500 without demo I guess I'll never know...
|
Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2013 at 10:49am
|
Gah, this is frustrating... After I get all my headphone spending back, I need to make some overall profit so that I can donate a "best" HD540II free-of-charge to the UK loan scheme. Only then will people be able to hear for themselves how much can be achieved with so little... =/ ------------- We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are. |
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2013 at 10:51am
|
Call me a cynical and grumpy ol' git, but I reckon most the hifi industry survives these days because of the lack of demonstration facilities. Pay for a few good reviews, troll the forums, and let the cash roll in. The Bosefication of hifi rolls on .... ------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2013 at 10:58am
Okay 
I agree. The only way to efficiently sell a product that demonstrates very little real capability is to target the uneducated with "the bullcrap of Satan" and provide a lack of demonstration facilities, to ensure that the consumer remains uneducated. ------------- We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are. |
Posted By: Bradders
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2013 at 11:04am
|
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2013 at 11:38am
I hope that "applause" isn't for my grumpiness!  ------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
Posted By: Drewan77
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2013 at 11:46am
I can offer Ash some support here.... having purchased one of those pairs of HD540II from him Although they have only been paired with a Bitzie for about 6-7 hours listening, they are extremely pleasing to listen to. Nothing seems missing, nor overblown, very natural sounding, great value for money and beautifully restored by Ash ------------- Older than I once was, younger than I'll be ............................. Andrew |
Posted By: msphil
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2013 at 12:24am
|
I would like to ask Ash a question: has he ever listened to a pair of Grado PS1000 headphones that have been well played in? Just because one is happy with ones own choice of headphones (that cost £200 against the £1300 that I payed) it doesn't mean that one can categorically state that they are the best available or that one is the sole possessor of truth. Opinion is only true to the person whose opinion it is! Neither does one's opinion mean that one should criticise some one else's choice. Price alone is not a relevant issue, nor are statistics. Quality and value are different things. I own four pairs of 'quality' headphones. Each one sounded good to me when I had nothihng better to compare them with. Experience and personal taste are the only criteria. Even limited shop comparisons are no good because good headphones take hundreds of hours to be at their best. I am happy that Ash appreciates the headphones he has, just as I would like to think that he is happy that I enjoy mine, even if he thinks that I'm foolish to have spent as much as I did. The fact is that I am more than happy with my Grado PS1000s. I haven't ever heard better! Opinions are subjective but to me, in terms of the pleasure they give me, they are more than worth the price I paid! All I know is that they bring out things in the music that I hadn't ever imagined were there. They do so in a beautifully balanced and musical way. I don't expect everybody to agree with my choice or opinion. Nor can I categorically state that they are the best headphones available because I haven't listened to every other pair on the market. I would be more than interested in borrowing a pair of Ash's headphones if they are ever put in the loan scheme. With this in mind I believe I have an open mind and would be happy if I found that they are better than the ones that I am using. |
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2013 at 8:30am
|
OK this is nothing to do with headphones but me and the Missus had a disco evening - just the two of us - but none of the old 45s sounded right, so I dug out the ancient Sonotone 9TA and its (GS) head amp, and I played nothing but old scratched, mucky and abused 45s for 2 - 3 hours. Didn't notice any scratches - great sound - as good as the modern CD compilations but more vibrant. More than that it was like having a time travel machine back to the 70s! The point is it's whatever does the job - what does great music for you. The Sonotone 9TA would not compare all that well with a good magnetic playing an LP, but did the job on those 45s. Sometimes best can mean all sorts of things - and I never read one review in all my life for a Sonotone 9TA piezo-ceramic phono pick-up! ------------- That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2013 at 9:55am
No, I have not listened to any Grado headphones. I have only used ATH-M50, HD600, AKG K550, ER-4S, HD250I, HD250II, HD540I, HD540II and that's pretty much it, yes. I've briefly heard several other headphones in HMV stores such as Sennheiser Momentum and Beats By Dr Dre.
I haven't said that my headphone choices are the best because I cannot verify this absolutely. I think absolute truth is only something that we can converge on, not actually reach. With such a lack of personal experience, I'm only standing on the shoulders of giants.
I agree.
I was trying to advise more than criticise but sometimes you can't do the former without the latter.
I don't believe in statistics; it is often grossly skewed compared to the real world. Statistics is only a model, one that the real world can deviate from.
I agree.
I agree.
Unfortunately, yes, you're also correct here. They can take hundreds of hours. Some reach mechanical optimum sooner than others.
I sure hope you are!
No, not foolish but I simply feel that the "high-end" misleads enthusiasts into spending more than they need to. I don't like this, mainly because I come from a social background where money should be valued and only spent wisely.
Good, I'm relieved that they do.
Neither of us has announced either of our headphones to be the absolute best. Neither of us have listened to all the offerings on the market.
I need a few more weeks of buying and selling then I want to get a HD540II circulating round to all the UK GSP regulars here, especially those with Solos and/OR Bitzies.
Open mind is good. I try to keep an open mind as well. Would you really be happy if you found my choice to be an improvement? ------------- We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are. |
Posted By: msphil
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2013 at 1:33pm
|
Hi Ash, I'm glad that we agree on so much. I only put in my tuppence worth because I felt it you were coming over a bit strong by telling people that they are wasting their money by buying 'high-end 'headphones such as the top of the range Grado's. It is undoubtedly true that some high-end hi-fi gear does not live up to its price tag, however, this is not always the case! Sometimes top end hi-fi gear (such as Grado) have good reputation for a very good reason, and it would be wrong to discourage others from enjoying their benefits if they want, and can afford to do so. I too came from a background where value for money was important. I was brought up in the north-east of England at a time of post-war austerity. I just happened to enjoy music which is why the first thing I ever bought when I originally started work was a hi-fi system. My uncle was a professional saxophonist and clarinettist, my sister married a well-known jazz performer's son and in my youth I made money from playing pop music, and later folk in the 60s and 70s folk revival. I am only mentioning this to show you that I do care about the quality of sound that can be produced. Hi-fi sound reproduction is, or can be, a learning process. So yes, I would be pleased to have found that your choice was an improvement! I hope you that you would equally be pleased to discover, as I did, that not all high-end hi-fi is a waste of money. My whole bedroom head phone system which includes a squeezebox touch, the Solo ULDE and a pair of Grado PS1000 cost me just over £2000. I regard this as excellent value! I am looking forward to trying out the Majestic DAC to see if this will improve my system further.
|
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2013 at 1:48pm
.------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
Posted By: msphil
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2013 at 1:51pm
I couldn't agree more! I also have times when I indulge in listening to old vintage 20s or 30s blues and jazz recordings from the old 78's. Sometimes the old scratchy music adds to the nostalgia and experience and adds to one's enjoyment. I remember enjoying listening to 78's on an old windup gramophone when I lived in Africa. Even so I sometimes think that, with present reproduction equipment, I am listening to music quality that was never available to people at the time the record was released.
|
Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2013 at 4:08pm
|
Sorry if I came over a bit strong. I wasn't trying to undermine or ridicule your choices. I can occasionally seem a bit forward with how I present my opinion. I guess this is because I like to base my opinions on fact but it doesn't always work out as easily as that. I just don't like to stand back if I feel other people may be getting ripped off, that's all. As Graham said, whatever works for the individual. The whole point of music is for enjoyment so as long as you're enjoying the experience, that's what really matters. I'm still learning about what is actually possible with headphones whilst at the same time trying to employ a"No BS" approach. ------------- We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are. |
Posted By: Drewan77
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2013 at 4:22pm
Happy 25th Ash  By the way, funny typo....I am sure none of us want you to do that (I'm not trying to 'cause a big s-s-sensation, Talkin' 'bout my generation) ------------- Older than I once was, younger than I'll be ............................. Andrew |
Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2013 at 4:31pm
|
I didn't even notice that haha. Thanks *facepalm* present* P.S Must be due to that one cider I drank earlier. Went to my head...  ------------- We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are. |
Posted By: BackinBlack
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2013 at 5:56pm
|
Hi Ash, Happy 25th from me too. Have a Good Day, treat yourself to another cider or two. ------------- Just listen, if it sounds good to you, enjoy it. |
Posted By: msphil
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2013 at 5:59pm
|
Hi Ash, Thanks for your reply! And a happy 25th birthday from me to! Phil ------------- 'You are, through your soul not your body, a human being.' |
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2013 at 6:26pm
|
Whatever you do don't mix it with Guinness! ------------- That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: LOINER
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2013 at 6:27pm
|
Many Happy Returns ASH Just keep enjoying the music and your cider(with or without the Guinness) ------------- STUART SOLO ULTRA LINEAR DIAMOND EDITION LAUTUS DUAL MONO 1.5M INTERCONNECTS GRAM AMP 2SE |
Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2013 at 6:43pm
You sound like a man with experience... ------------- We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are. |
Posted By: BAK
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2013 at 6:48pm
And the generations unite! Love it!
Happy 25th Ash
 I wish your Birthday is great!
From another generation... And my WIFE and I are getting ready for our 25th wedding anniversary! on Feb 12th! I chose the date for Valentines Day to be extra special (the closest Saturday in 1989 was the 12th). We decided in January to tie the knot. I also wanted to move quickly so I would not lose her after dating for 15 months. ------------- Bruce AT-14SA, Pickering XV-15, Hana EL, Technics SL-1600MK2, Lautus, Majestic DAC, Technics SH-8055 spectrum analyzer, Eminence Beta8A custom cabs; Proprius & Reflex M or C, Enjoy Life your way! |
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2013 at 7:20pm
Happy Birthday, Ash!  ------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2013 at 7:37pm
|
HB2U Ash ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 18 Nov 2013 at 12:12am
|
Thanks for all of the birthday messages. ------------- We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are. |
Posted By: tg [RIP]
Date Posted: 18 Nov 2013 at 11:03am
Caution - ramble alert  when I first started regular headphone use perhaps 7 or 8 years ago, I think there were very few headphones dearer than $600 aside from Stax and some other exotics. There seems to have been a burgeoning both of headphone use and the affluence of the user class over that time, with many manufacturers now having offerings in the $1000 - $2000 range and over. A truly bewildering array of choices at all price points. We all hear differently and listen to different types of music and vary in how we like that presented, some like a bass heavy presentation, those of us losing our high frequency hearing might prefer a little treble accentuation, some want "warts and all" accuracy above all and others might like something more of a "soft focus". I recall a discussion with a professional concert musician some years ago, who stated that the K701 were the closest to what he heard on stage, yet his son who was a recording engineer preferred the DT770 that he himself could not abide. I have listened to the HD650 on numerous occasions and even had a pair on loan, I cannot warm to them myself, yet many I know love them. The K701 took an age to break in and for a long time I did not like them much at all, now that they have softened up I quite like them for some things. Nothing I have yet heard though has given the same listening experience that I got from the Solo UL and my ATH-W1000, it was so memorable that I did not listen to headphones for some weeks after I had to return the UL. I have now had the opportunity to upgrade my older Solo to ULDE and am looking forward to revisiting that experience and comparing to a couple of other recent headphone acquisitions. I guess what I am saying is that while exceptional performance may be available relatively inexpensively, that it is not necessarily the case that more expensive phones offer nothing more for the money. As to the question of value, that is very much a decision up to the individual. A bargain to one might be a pointless extravagance to another. ------------- Tony G |
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 18 Nov 2013 at 12:05pm
As costs and performance spiral upwards the law of diminishing returns kicks in, and it's down to each individual where they jump off the wagon . . . ------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
Posted By: Bradders
Date Posted: 18 Nov 2013 at 1:34pm
|
Thanks for the reply's and Happy Birthday Ash.. Its like the eternal question, is what I have the best or is there something better? if so how much better and at what cost? I think the only way is to try before you buy or buy and ebay if it doesn't work out. I would only buy Grado's from the USA via a buddy or helpful USA dealer as I don't see what value the importer is adding? I have issues like this every day when sourcing electronics components stockists that don't hold stock and have long delivery or variable delivery times.  Getting a Grado demo of PS1000's means a two day demo window at a 'dealer' who has to order them in for a set day for me to make a decision. I fear sooner or later I'll just have to bite the bullet and buy them just to find out... |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 18 Nov 2013 at 8:29pm
"It's like the eternal question, is what I have the best or is there something better? if so how much better and at what cost?  "There's always a bigger fish!------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 18 Nov 2013 at 8:45pm
"He's big, but is he powerful?" ------------- We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are. |
Posted By: Bradders
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2013 at 2:21pm
|
Good news my Solol Diamond Ultra Linear arrives tomorrow!! Now do I play straight away oooooor do I plug it in walk away and let it settle for a day or so? I plan on having the amp powered all the time so it'll be 2-3 weeks before full stability....but I doubt I can wait that long
 |
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2013 at 3:30pm
|
You plug it in and forget about it for 2 weeks. Or - do as I did, use it as soon as you get it and marvel at the sound with a smile on your face knowing it's going to get even better . . . The choice - as some game show host said - is yours. . . ------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
Posted By: Bradders
Date Posted: 26 Nov 2013 at 7:21pm
|
OK so I couldn't resist, switched it on and listened went away and came back listened again and again.In fairness I thought it was great form the get go, BBBBBB of the Bass was great but then I started messing..doh. I've been trying different cushions on the Grado's mainly the PS500's which I feel lack a bit of clarity in the upper regions..so I've been trying the G cushions and then even the L cushion from the 325i's which believe it or not are about 2mm thicker and they both do lift the upper frequency at the cost of bass but seem to space everything out a bit too much....thing is I'm back full circle the amps been on since Friday morning and its making the original cushions setup sound the best.I should have just left it but I must fiddle anyway the whole deal just sounds awesome with some voices appearing from recordings that I don't think I've heard before!! This is trick stuff Only problem is we've just had a 10 minute power cut do you think I'll need to let it settle again or will it be as goods as poss straight away? I seems OK sound wise(only be able to have a quick go) should I really expect any further changes?
|
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 26 Nov 2013 at 8:07pm
|
Just leave it plugged in and it'll soon get back to where it was. There's no need to get worried about this - at least I never do! We're talking about the difference between very good and great! ------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
Posted By: Bradders
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2013 at 8:45am
|
I've set up the Novo to do some back to back tests.When I first got the Novo,which I built myself, I was mega impressed my previous experience being with the amp output of an old Arcam. Now the difference to me between the Novo and the Solo UDLE really is night and day a far fuller sound with details that I never heard before. As I mentioned earlier I've been messing with the earcups on the Grados and I can't get final sound that I want its soooo close but I don't want to have to muck about switching the cushions for different tracks. So I've gone for a set of the Audeze LCD 2's the frequency response looks to have the lift where I think I need it putting it somewhere between the 325i(to bright and sibilant) and the PS500 (Good bass that maybe spreads too far on some vocals but just short of being bright enough). I think the thing that finally put me off of going with another Grado was that the L cushion on the two models I have sounded different measuring them I found a 1.3 mm difference in distance to the edge of the cup.Enough to make the PS500's sound to bright. So I suspected I would possibly not get the same pair that maybe others had reveiewed..? It maybe me but its doing my head in at the moment..so Audeze here I come
|
Posted By: tg [RIP]
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2013 at 9:36am
|
I'm sure you are excited with the sound of the UL already, but do give it more time before changing too many other things. Doesn't only apply to the Solo either, I remember spending a day trying to cure a bass heavy tendency in a relatively new cartridge by tweaking the VTF and VTA and giving up, only to find that it passed a few days later and the tonal balance was as it should have been. Just enjoy it and leave the tweaking for another couple of weeks at least. ------------- Tony G |
Posted By: msphil
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2013 at 4:28pm
|
It's amazing how the sound alters, and improves, over a period of time as it burns in. It takes more than just a few days or even weeks. ------------- 'You are, through your soul not your body, a human being.' |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2013 at 10:09pm
|
Tony and Phil are right.
------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2013 at 12:15am
|
I've just started using my new Solo ULDE and it is fantastic! I have been using my low-power Sony mp3 player with both the Voyager and Solo ULDE; both are very neutral, very clear amplifiers. I feel that the Solo ULDE projects a more immersive stereo image than the Voyager does and the ULDE is more microscopically revealing. I have left both connected to the power outlet in my room via their adapters because I'm curious about how their performance will transform. I'll have to do the same with the Proprius tomorrow. This is cutting edge audio technology, definitely.. Solo ULDE heard with both HD250II and HD540II. Performance is better with the HD540II. HD540II projects a better image, IMO. ------------- We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are. |
Posted By: dillon
Date Posted: 13 Jan 2014 at 9:45pm
|
Gonna have some fun next 2 weeks gang. Jon has sent out the loaner ULDE to me...will plug it in tomorrow and leave it burnin for 36 hours. Then my brother's over at my place for some serious testing - double blind and all that - against the Novo fed by his Furutech GT40 dac and my MDac. Powering my HD650 and a loaned Audeze LCD 2 too. Let battle commence! ------------- Nottingham Analogue/Origin Live/ PS Audio/ Burson Audio/GSP/ John Cadman |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 13 Jan 2014 at 10:17pm
I sense it is going to be a late night Dil.  ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 13 Jan 2014 at 10:44pm
------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
Posted By: dillon
Date Posted: 13 Jan 2014 at 10:45pm
|
Indeed Jon. .indeed. But we both can take some time off as we run our own businesses,so no getting up early the next day! ------------- Nottingham Analogue/Origin Live/ PS Audio/ Burson Audio/GSP/ John Cadman |
Posted By: dillon
Date Posted: 13 Jan 2014 at 10:50pm
Hehe...I suspect you're right on that front. I'm just moozing over to book my ticket to Nowhereland in a few days...Or did I sorta fail to mention that to Jon? ------------- Nottingham Analogue/Origin Live/ PS Audio/ Burson Audio/GSP/ John Cadman |
Posted By: dillon
Date Posted: 14 Jan 2014 at 5:43pm
|
Well the good news is its been purrin away since this morning. Bad news is I sorta couldnt resist the urge to give it a go even with 2 days to go on the already burnt in loaner. Curiosity killed Schroedinger's cat? Nah. Even now I already find the ULDE rather spiffing. I can see what the fuss is about: bleedin thing is just so effortless and clean. Hey it might even be real or there might be real voices and instruments in my house? Yups figures, so Elvis is actually alive after all. And Lennon's come back too along with Hendrix and Bonham...James Jamieson....oh and there's our Janis Joplin too. Seems like they were hiding behind the dark side of the moon but here they are, honest Guv! Gotta say: this ultra light silver thing is the biggest PRAT I've met yet. ------------- Nottingham Analogue/Origin Live/ PS Audio/ Burson Audio/GSP/ John Cadman |
Posted By: dillon
Date Posted: 14 Jan 2014 at 10:33pm
|
Errrmmm stoopid question time! Which direction should the arrows go from solo to my dac and cdp please??? ta. ------------- Nottingham Analogue/Origin Live/ PS Audio/ Burson Audio/GSP/ John Cadman |
Posted By: LOINER
Date Posted: 14 Jan 2014 at 11:42pm
|
Dillon I assume you are talking about the interconnect the arrows follow the music so in this case the arrows will point to the solo ------------- STUART SOLO ULTRA LINEAR DIAMOND EDITION LAUTUS DUAL MONO 1.5M INTERCONNECTS GRAM AMP 2SE |
Posted By: dillon
Date Posted: 14 Jan 2014 at 11:45pm
|
Yups mate exactly what I meant...thank you so much! I got it right in that case. ------------- Nottingham Analogue/Origin Live/ PS Audio/ Burson Audio/GSP/ John Cadman |
Posted By: dillon
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2014 at 12:28pm
|
"Weeellll woke up this mornin' Feelin' kinda blue Ma babeees gone n left me So put on my headphones and....." At Jon's suggestion reversed the cable directionality. Yups the sound goes kinda boomy and loses focus. Smears a bit too I guess. Just dont sound right at all. Will test this out on my bro blind tomorrow just to confirm. ------------- Nottingham Analogue/Origin Live/ PS Audio/ Burson Audio/GSP/ John Cadman |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2014 at 9:05pm
|
Thanks to a Solo ULDE you heard "Everything ...everything's gonna be alright this morning. Oh yeah!" Listening is believing. ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2014 at 9:10pm
------------- We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are. |
Posted By: dillon
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2014 at 12:24pm
|
I'm wide awake...wide awake...I'm not sleepin'. So just kicked my bro out after a looong night of demoing the beast. Dunno wot to say really. Stunned. In summary my bro' picked the Solo in every blind test combination we carried out. No contest between the lil Novo which although good, got trounced in every way by Solo. So I have to agree with everyone else here: what a magnificent product. Truly mesmerising and immersive...wide and deep sound staging...filthy realism. I doubt anyone will need to upgrade from a ULDE. Ever. The Solo Audeze rocked....astoundingly good phones Jon!!! This combination was our favourite. And I do still feel the Audeze is a testosterone fuelled HD650...simply beautiful - and that sub bass? Dance, Dance, Dance to the radio - and hence I'm getting a pair! But. I was also bowled over by the fact the Solo took the HD650 to another level. I could happily live with this combo. Hence I'm keeping these! Surprisingly to me, the Furutech DAC worked significantly better than the MDac with both phones. The MDac seems to just not sound right at all. Very digital in its presentation? Dunno. Weird though - so total respect to the Furutech GT40. Right im having brekky. Then back to more mojo from the Solo. Dil ------------- Nottingham Analogue/Origin Live/ PS Audio/ Burson Audio/GSP/ John Cadman |
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2014 at 12:59pm
Way to go, Dil!  The ULDE/LCD2 & 650 is a stunning listen! ------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2014 at 2:33pm
This sentence suddenly reminded me of what happened when I connected my former HD600 to the Bitzie DAC via Lautus USB cable... To my ears, the Bitzie ummm... linearised the HD600 as much as possible; the lift in performance was not minor at all. I remember feeling that the LF and HF extension was increased whilst the transparency and balance of the presentation were somewhat "brought back to normal". My only criticism of this pairing was that the HD600 still retained its upper bass punch (which isn't the Bitzie's fault). The upper bass really thumped with beats and the double bass notes in orchestra would always protrude noticably. It didn't matter what volume level I chose to listen at, the signature remained, so I kept the volume down to minimise the punchyness. But I still hated the punch as it altered the tonality of instruments in my Japanese soundtracks. I would imagine that the improvement the Solo ULDE brings to the HD650 is based on the same principle; the Solo probably linearises the HD650 signature as much as possible resulting in a very noticable lift in performance. ------------- We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are. |
Posted By: dillon
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2014 at 4:29pm
|
Cheers Bob! Ash You said it better than I ever could. Switching between amps, its very evident teh Solo does summat to the 650 in a very positive sense. The mid bass hump you speak of is certainly lessened if not altogether dissipated I guess. 650 definitely sounds less cluttered and bassy..its cleaner. Resolution and micro detail retrieval is first class as far as my ears and my bro's are tellin' me. For much of this test, and sorta to be more in toon with the tastes of many here, we picked rather well known discs and flacs - not got a turntable connected so all listening was done digitally. Beatles - Stereo Remasters USB 24/44.1 FLAC Rolling Stones - Big Hits 24/96 FLAC Elvis Presley - The Complete Masters Boxset 16/44.1 (Vic Arnesi remastering!!!!) Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You were Here 24/96 FLAC Jimmi Hendrix - Axis Bold As Love These recordings are all excellently mastered and the dynamic range meter is high. All fall above the minimum requirement of 12 DRM for excellent dynamic range - no loudness wars here please! Moving onto more esoteric modern stuff I like e.g. The Cocteau Twins and My Bloody Valentine, these are very difficult to reproduce right as they contain so many layers of noise, and dynamics are lethally extreme. The Solo just sorta laughed and sniffed at them and made some of them truly listenable for the first time on phones in my life! Much the same for all genres of post punk and alternative indie rock. Badly mastered and recorded recordings are made to sound good oh yeah! So I suppose Solo is a little forgiving. Electronica and dance music etc...? Hey it's positively a rave in here around me head ..nuff said. Won't bore you with more detail but phew....you get the drift. Anyone who is thinking on it or sorta not sure about the Solo ULDE? Get a loaner...hear for yerself...then come on here and make me a liar. Dil ------------- Nottingham Analogue/Origin Live/ PS Audio/ Burson Audio/GSP/ John Cadman |
Posted By: Bradders
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2014 at 11:30am
Its an awesome combo
 |
Posted By: Bradders
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2014 at 11:31am
|
Posted By: dillon
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2014 at 11:58am
|
Hey Bradley The only issue I find with the LCD is comfort. They're heavy and on my longish thin-ish neck can get uncomfy after about an hour to the point I have to take em off. Also initially there is a sorta airplane suction effect in rhe ears which can be freaky...but you get used to it after a while. Apart from that no quibbles. For bass impact and quantity and quality. ..I've yet to hear summat better. But here's the thing: I'm pretty confident all phones will sound at their very best with a ULDE powering em. Dil ------------- Nottingham Analogue/Origin Live/ PS Audio/ Burson Audio/GSP/ John Cadman |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2014 at 2:05pm
|
I'm glad you're enjoying the ULDE and LCD-2 combo so much, and getting the best from your 650's. ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2014 at 2:34pm
Well, through the Solo ULDE, the truth of the transducer's sonic signature is revealed to the attentive ear. There is no colouration in the signal, there is simply immersion and that is why Graham's flagship is so fantastic. I cannot quantify its immersion but I can certainly say that this headphone amplifier gives a combined sense of scale, purity and effortlessness that would better even most speaker systems, IMO. It's something of a pity that its designer will never receive the significant recognition that he deserves. ------------- We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are. |
Posted By: dillon
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2014 at 3:37pm
Amen to that Ash. Also I been demoing with Cusat50 as Lautus was unavailable so guess I can expect a further lift when that baby is plugged in. I have to agree with everyone else. The loaner programme is fantastic..what a lovely bunch of peeps and staff. Thank you each and everyone...especially me post punk, steam punked mucka Jon (fatmangolf). Dil xxx ------------- Nottingham Analogue/Origin Live/ PS Audio/ Burson Audio/GSP/ John Cadman |