Headphone Reviews

Analog Sources: Kuzma Stabi S & Stogi turntable & tonearm; Thorens TD 124 Mk.I turntable, Jelco 350S tonearm; Denon DL-103, Hana EL, Ortofon Quintet Bronze cartridges.
Digital Sources: Sony VAIA laptop computer running Qobuz, Tidal; Tascam CD-200iL CD player; BorderPatrol SE, AudioQuest DragonFly Red DACs; Western Digital T2 Mirror Drives (2).
Preamplification: Auditorium 23 A23 MC step-up transformer, Luxman EQ-500 phono preamplifier.
Integrated Amplifiers: Parasound Halo Hint 6, Schiit Audio Ragnarok.
Headphones: AudioQuest NightHawk, Master & Dynamic MH40, Sennheiser HD 650.
Cables: Interconnect: AudioQuest Chicago & Water & Yukon, Morrow Audio MA-1, Shindo Laboratory, Triode Wire Labs Spirit II (RCA). Speaker: AudioQuest Castle Rock, Auditorium 23, Tellurium Q Black, Triode Wire Labs American. AC: manufacturers' own.
Accessories: IsoTek IVO3 Aquarius power conditioner, Music Hall Aztec Blue & Mooo record mats; Spec AD-UP1 Analog Disc Sheet; Salamander five-tier rack; IKEA Aptitlig bamboo chopping boards (under preamp, power amp); Mapleshade maple platform (15" by 12" by 2", under turntable), 3"-thick studio-treatment foam damping (ceiling, walls).
Listening Room: 12' L by 10' W by 12' H, system set up along short wall; suspended wood floor, 6"-thick walls (plaster over 2x4), wood-beamed ceiling.—Ken Micallef